at 18:30 on April 9, 2009, EDT.
By Frazier Moore, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK - Let the dance begin at "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

In a time-honoured TV mating dance (or could the choreography turn out to be more hostile?), Chris Meloni and Mariska Hargitay are negotiating new contracts with the show. Presumably each has hopes of sweetening the deal for continuing to star in the venerable NBC drama, where, next fall, they would begin their 11th season.

This hardly unexpected moment, which marks the expiration of their previous two-year deals, is prompting much speculation from the sidelines - and much hand-wringing by "SVU" fans at reports that the studio just might opt to replace one or both of these beloved actors with cheaper models.

It certainly wouldn't be the first time this sort of haggling has happened. It's not even the first time for the "SVU" co-stars, who went through reportedly bitter negotiations two years ago. Then, they each emerged with deals worth roughly US$6.5 million per season.

Now, it's time to do it again and many of the dance steps will likely seem familiar. But how much different is the media landscape in 2009?

On one side of the negotiating table: Meloni and Hargitay, whose refusal to sign on the dotted line could disrupt and even destroy the most-watched scripted series on the NBC schedule, averaging 9.5 million viewers weekly. Does NBC really want to jeopardize a show it perhaps needs now more than ever?

On the other side: Dick Wolf, chieftain of the "Law & Order" empire and a famously tough bargainer whose original "Law & Order" series has been a revolving door for actors who might otherwise demand rising salaries.

Meanwhile, NBC Universal, owner of the studio and the network, is, like most media outlets, feeling a money pinch and may have concluded that, in these hard times, the "SVU" stars' payday is sufficient.

Besides, NBC has five fewer hours to worry about next season, thanks to the weeknight prime-time Jay Leno show it will introduce.

So far, NBC isn't even confirming the return of "SVU." But, with that all-but-certain declaration, what if NBC also announced that Hargitay or Meloni or even both stars would be replaced next season by newcomers? Who could fill the shoes of either of these veterans, and replicate the chemistry between them that has played a large part in the series' success?

Another variable, of course: Just how eager are the co-stars to log yet another year or two, however sweet their new deals might be?

In an interview with The Associated Press last summer, Meloni spoke of "other creative opportunities pulling at me. That makes it more difficult to stay focused (on 'SVU'). . . . The sounds of 'what's out there' are louder." (Possible translation: I might have enough money stashed away to make a change, regardless of the pay.)

Where's Meloni's focus now? His spokeswoman wasn't commenting on the negotiations Thursday, nor was anyone on the studio side when contacted. A representative for Hargitay did not return calls or emails.

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On the Net: http://www.nbc.com


©The Canadian Press, 2009

If Chris Meloni doesn't stay on SVU, I hope he ends up back on an HBO show that gets him naked constantly. Damn, I miss Oz. I don't care how many people got shivved, whacked, sliced, diced, and pureed every episode; that show was a little ray of gay sunshine week after week.

Efan said:

Oz was my SHIT! And anytime I look at Chris I just see him kissing Beecher.

But they better tread lightly with Dick Wolf cuz he don't mind cuttin' somebody.

SCNDLS said:

Yeah, Oz was great. Between Chris and Alvarez, I was in heaven every Sunday night.

SCNDLS said:

Part of the issue has to do with ratings, but that is partly mitigated by the fact that NBC/Universal owns the studio that produces all of the Law and Order series, so much of the costs of producing the show is in-house. Plus. NBC makes a ton of money from repeats in syndication and on USA as well as international broadcast rights, so I would assume that a bulk of money that Chris and Mariska are asking for is residuals from these extra outlets. They also have a huge bargaining chip on their behalf in that unlike the original Law and Order, which focuses on the case of the week and has historically had a revolving door cast, L&O: SVU has focused more on the major characters that Chris and Mariska play.

On the other hand, NBC can counter that Mariska is a health risk, and that she has already had two extended leaves of absence for maternity and health issues. Plus the fact that the ratings for the show have gone downhill, even though it's still their highest rated show, doesn't justify paying any huge additional money to the stars, especially for a scripted series which gets more expensive to produce every year. They've already forced a pay cut on the actors of L&O: Criminal Intent by moving the firs-run shows to USA and showing only reruns on NBC itself,

I'll be watching that other station if they cancel. Oh Jay Leno is comming to 10:00 slot.

728huey said:

Dick Wolf is notorious for not paying his actors no matter how big the show gets. Ask Chris Noth.

Efan said:

One of my fave shows!

noimageatall said:

This was my mofo with his CRAZY ass! Lawd, he was fine!

SCNDLS said:

No love for Said?

SCNDLS said:

YES! Although I still cannot figure out how he kept those little hats on his head.

I was thinking this was gonna be about some law they broke and there was suspicion cast on them.

Efan said:

You ain't lying one bit on that one! Chris Meloni knows he's finer than a mug.

I love both actors and love the show... but I wouldn't blame them if they wanted to move on.

uPtoWnNY said:

Said was my nucca too but he was always trynna do the right thing. Adebisi was unapologetically crazy with his. Love him. Anytime I see him in old videos and stuff I forget that he can actually look sane. He was in En Vogue's video for Giving Him Something He Can Feel.

noimageatall said:

Me TOO. At the perfect tilt no less.

I love SVU and can't imagine the show without either one of them.

SCNDLS said:

728huey said:

Everyone's lust for Chris & Mariska aside, while I do think they deserve to be compensated fairly in relation to how much $$$ the show makes, I wouldn't be too sad if they left. That would give Munch and Fin more screentime.