Law & Order

Law & Order is a television police procedural and legal drama set and shot inNew York City. The award-winningLaw & Order and its several spin-off series ("Special Victims Unit", "Criminal Intent", "Trial by Jury", "Los Angeles") are broadcast on theNBC network and syndicated on other networks. The franchise totals more than 700 hour-long episodes. Foreign adaptations includeLaw & Order: UK,Paris enquêtes criminelles and Russian adaptations of SVU and CI.SeveralLaw & Order franchise cast members (such asChristopher Meloni andRichard Belzer) have appeared in Henson/Muppet productions. Additionally, the format of the shows and the large number of episodes require a substantial amount of non-recurring and incidental characters per episode (witnesses, judges, attorneys, etc.) As a result manySesame Street cast members have played guest roles in episodes, often returning as different characters. WhenSonia Manzano appeared as a trial witness in a 2004 episode, she remarked that "the sound guy kept calling me Maria and telling me he grew up watching me. It was funny."^[1]

Muppet Mentions[]

• In the sixth seasonLaw & Order episode "Savior" (March 13, 1996), Detective Rey Curtis says of a murder suspect "That guy pulls more strings thanJim Henson."

• In theLaw & Order episode "American Jihad" (October 2, 2002), Detective Lennie Briscoe retorts with the sarcastic wisecrack "I guess I missed that day onSesame Street" after a suspect makes an overly technical remark about medical research.

• In theLaw & Order episode "Patient Zero" (October 8, 2003), when a uniformed cop uses euphemisms to avoid even mild curse words, Briscoe says, "What precinct are you from? Sesame Street?"

• In theLaw & Order: UK episode "Survivor" (7 October 2010), Sergeant Ronnie Brooks questions a suspect if a prison officer piss off a few of his pals onFraggle Rock.

• In theLaw & Order: SVU episode "Imprisoned Lives" (September 25, 2013), the detectives are called to an incident involving aTimes Square walk-around performer as a colorful monster "MO-MO." Rollins wonders "Again? What is it with these guys?" The character (played by Muppet performerRick Lyon) is a reference to the many unauthorized Times Square costume characters, includingElmo, and various incidents in which they have been reported as aggressively panhandling, entering altercations with tourists, or been arrested. "MO-MO" later reappeared in the episode "Devastating Story" (April 1, 2015) where he is seen on a poster.

• In theLaw & Order: SVU episode "Dissonant Voices" (November 6, 2013), the detectives are investigating allegations against a popular and openly gay music teacher (Billy Porter) made by his pre-school students. Because he is also a voice coach, some of the squad is a little concerned about the overall nature of the case given his celebrity status and sexuality, to which Tutuola references the similar scenarios involvingKevin Clash by remarking, "That's gonna change. Everyone loved Elmo too."

References[]

• Sesame StreetSeason 37 brought "Law and Order: Special Letters Unit", a parody ofLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit, to the show's line-up.

“In thealphabet system, there are 26 letters. The detectives who investigate these ABCs are members of an elite squad called the Special Letters Unit. These are their stories.”

The sketch featuresAnything Muppet caricatures ofSpecial Victims Unit cast membersMeloni,Hargitay,Belzer, andFlorek on a case for a missing letterM. The sketch also parodies the show's format and infamous musical sting. As they investigate, they find things that start with the letter M, includinga cow named Murray (Eric Jacobson) that makes mmooo sounds anda mallard (Tyler Bunch). In the end, the detectives recognize the missing letter M (Matt Vogel) walking into the police station wearing a phony moustache, and the case is solved.

MeloniJoey Mazzarino as Det. Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni)

MariskaFran Brill as Det. Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay)

MunchDavid Rudman as Det. John Munch (Richard Belzer)

CaptainMartin P. Robinson as Capt. Donald Cragen (Dann Florek)

The sketch appears as a bonus feature on the North American DVD release ofLaw and Order: Special Victims Unit season six.

In aTV Guide interview,Sesame Street producerCarol-Lynn Parente expressed interest in taping more segments forSeason 38, possibly featuring the voices of the original actors.Special Victims Unit is filmed and produced inKaufman Astoria Studios, the same studioSesame Street is filmed in. However, while no other Muppets segments have been produced, several cast members appeared in Season 38, mostly filmed behind their desks.

• As an example of that, inEpisode 4148 from Season 38,Christopher Meloni fromLaw & Order: SVU appeared in a "Word of the Day" segment. He was introduced with theLaw & Order series' "chung-chung" transitional sound, and appeared behind a SVU police report to discuss "mail."

• On theNovember 13, 2008 broadcast ofThe Today Show, Meloni appeared in a dressing room, supposedly getting ready to appear in promotion ofLaw and Order: SVU, alongsideMiss Piggy, billed as the star ofLaw and Order: E-I-E-I-O.

• InThe Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora Episode 2, "Breakfast Isn't Just For Breakfast Anymore," the title card for the sketch ofBear on Patrol readsBear on Patrol: Special Produce Unit.

• In the 2011 filmThe Muppets, theCDE prime-time schedule chart showing all network offerings spoofed the ubiquity of theLaw & Order franchise on NBC, withIt's the Law,It's the Law: CVS,It's the Law: SUV, and multiple reruns of the franchise.

Connections[]

Law & Order[]

Cast Members:

• Jerry Orbach as Det. Lennie Briscoe (1991-2004)
• Benjamin Bratt as Det. Rey Curtis (1995-1999)
• Jesse L. Martin as Det. Ed Green (1999-2008)
• Sam Waterston as Executive Assistant D.A./D.A. Jack McCoy (1994-2010, 2022-2023)
• Dann Florek as Captain Donald Cragen (1990-1993)
• Anthony Anderson as Det. Kevin Bernard (2008-2010, 2022)
• Josh Pais as Assistant M.E. Borak (15 episodes, 1990-2002)

Guest Appearances:

Muppet performers/Sesame Street regulars

Carlo AlbanDamien
"Trophy", 1996

Carlo AlbanRamon Soriano,
suspect
"Surrender Dorothy", 2000

Alison BartlettOff. Angela Donahue,
defendant's girlfriend
"Standoff", 2000

Alison BartlettSgt. Haywood
"Publish and Perish", 2005

Larry BlockFeldman
Forcella's attorney
"His Hour Upon the Stage," 1991

Larry BlockSlater
"Cruel and Unusual," 1995

Larry BlockStan
"Divorce," 1998

Fran BrillSondra More,
victim's wife
"Prisoner of Love," 1990

Fran BrillMrs. Bartlett,
defendant's mother
"Privileged," 1995

Fran BrillMrs. Stark,
defendant's mother
"Carrier," 1998

Fran BrillMaureen Donovan,
defendant's mother
"Betrayal,"

Eugene ByrdTonel Otten,
witness
"Mushrooms", 1991

Emilio DelgadoElias Soriano,
suspect's father
"Surrender Dorothy," 2000

Peter FriedmanProf. William Goodwin,
suspect
"White Rabbit," 1994

Peter FriedmanHarold Jensen,
defendant
"Attorney Client," 2002

Leonard JacksonMarty
"Snatched," 1994

Sonia ManzanoBarbara Benitez,
witness
"Hands Free", 2004

Hal MillerMarcus Tate,
victim
"Conspiracy," 1992

Hal MillerJudge Cyrus Metcalfe
"Custody," 1996

Roscoe OrmanJudge Allan Kiley,
Supreme Court justice
"White Lie," 2001

Roscoe OrmanMr. Cameron,
victim's father
"Coming Down Hard," 2004

Joe PonazeckiLouis,
accident witness
"Deep Vote," 2001

Jaime SánchezMr. Cristobal,
second defendant
"Prince of Darkness", 1992

David L. SmyrlGeorge Warner
"The Wages of Love," 1991

David L. SmyrlArtie Dickson
"DWB", 1998

Marilyn SokolMarylee Katz
"His Hour Upon the Stage," 1991

Marilyn SokolMrs. Levine
"Encore," 1996

Lynne ThigpenJudge Ida Boucher
three episodes
1995-1999

Lillias WhiteStreetwalker
"By Hooker, by Crook", 1990

Lillias WhiteMs. Purvis
"Born Bad", 1993

Lillias WhiteSusan Monroe
"Custody", 1996

Other guests:

• Stephen Bienskie played Simon ("Deep Vote," 2001)
• Sônia Braga played Helen ("Genius," 2003)
• Alan Campbell played Nolan Steel ("Driven," 2008)
• Chad Carstarphen as Kevin ("Punk," 1998)
• Chris Cooper played Roy Payne ("Blood Libel," 1996)
• Claire Danes played Tracy Brandt ("Skin Deep", 1992)
• Taye Diggs played Sky Bell ("Good Girl," 1996)
• Julie Dretzin played Laura Bauer ("Golden Years," 1994)
• Frances Foster played Mary Tillar ("Mother Love," 1993)
• Keith Hernandez played Drew Harding in ("Wager," 1994)
• Ellen Greene played Karen Gaines in "Bitter Fruit" (1995)
• Bob Gunton played Gil Hines ("Happily Ever After," 1990)
• Russell Horton played Markham ("Prescription for Death," 1990)
• James Earl Jones played Horace McCoy ("Profile," 1993)
• Kelly Karbacz played Jenny Snyder ("Dazzled," [2002)
• John Bedford Lloyd played Jonathan Ryder ("Blood is Thicker," 1992), Dr. Christian Varick ("Double Blind," 1996), and Prentiss's Lawyer ("New York Minute," 2005)
• William H. Macy played Assistant U.S. Attorney John McCormack ("Everybody's Favorite Bagman" (1990), and Jack Powell ("Sisters of Mercy," 1992)
• Mary Mara played Sally Knight ("Right to Counsel," 1993) and Ms. Sharkey ("Killerz," 1999)
• Julianna Margulies played Lt. Ruth Mendoza ("Conduct Unbecoming," 1993)
• Chris Marquette played Ricky ("Double Down," 1997)
• Michael McKean played Bill Nolan ("Called Home," 2008), and Elias Grace ("Mega", 2000)
• Brad Oscar played Paul ("Born Again," 2002)
• Pippin Parker played Kleinman ("Star Struck," 1992)
• Mandy Patinkin played Glenn Fordyce/Levi 'The Griffin' March ("Absentia," 2003)
• Lonny Price played Dr. Lieber ("Sonata for Solo Organ," 1991) and Frank Hoover ("Prince of Darkness," 1991)
• Kim Raver played Wendy Karmel ("Homesick," 1996)
• Rex Robbins played Steinman ("Intolerance," 1992) and Kettering ("L.A.: Turnaround," 1997)
• Sam Rockwell played Randy Borland ("Intolerance," 1992) and Weddeker ("Manhood," 1993)
• John Spencer played Howard Morton ("Prescription for Death," 1990)
• Bill Walsh played ESU Policeman #2 ("Soldier of Fortune," 2001)
• Ellis E. Williams played Ray Bell in "A Death in the Family" (1991)
• Louis Zorich played Judge Milton Erdheim ("Indifference," 1990) and Judge Edgar Hynes ("Jeopardy," 1995)

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit[]

Cast Members:

• Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler (1999-2011)
• Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson
• Richard Belzer as Sergeant John Munch (1999-2013)
• Dann Florek as Captain Donald Cragen
• Ice-T as Detective Fin Tutuola (2000-present)
• Tamara Tunie as Dr. Melinda Warner (2001-present)
• B. D. Wong as Dr. George Huang (2000-2013)

Guest Appearances:

Muppet performers/Sesame Street regulars

Jennifer BarnhartJessie (and her puppet Sabrina)
"Web," 2006

Jennifer BarnhartDet. Lorna Diamond
Chicago detective
"Behave," 2010

Alison BartlettDawn Cole
victim's mother
"Hunting Ground," 2012

Larry BlockLonnie
"Wrath," 2000

Tyler BunchBert Swanson
"Her Negotiation," 2013

Eugene ByrdCarlos Medina,
suspect
"The Third Guy", 2000

Barbara DanaVeterinarian
"Lust," 2002

Emilio DelgadoEnrique Diaz
"Inconceivable", 2008

Emilio DelgadoAaron Carrera
"Turn Me On Take Me Private" (2021)

Bill IrwinDr. Lindstrom
recurring, 2013-2017

Rick LyonMO-MO Performer
"Imprisoned Lives," 2013

Rick LyonMarv (and his puppet Harv)
"Missing", 2019

Sonia ManzanoJudge Gloria Pepitone
recurring, 2013-2020
10 episodes

Roscoe OrmanBryant Davis
animal control officer
"Signature," 2008

Lillias WhiteSacred Spirit Minister
"Careless", 2004

Other guests:

• Lauren Ambrose played Vanessa Mayer ("Her Negotiation," 2013)
• Jayce Bartok played Eli Fromson ("Lessons Learned," 2012)
• Sandra Bernhard played Priscilla Chaney ("Desperate," 2003)
• Stephen Bienskie played Ira ("Folly," 2001)
• Kerry Butler played Ariel Randolph ("Brief Interlude," 2013)
• Alan Campbell played Mitchell Hissam ("Informed," 2006)
• Josh Charles played Sean Kelley ("Confession," 2008)
• Dabney Coleman played Frank Hager ("Snatched," 2009)
• Joan Cusack played Pamela Burton ("Locum," 2012)
• Jonathan Freeman played Bobby ("Merchandise," 2010)
• Melissa Joan Hart played Sarah Trent ("Impulsive," 2007)
• Mariette Hartley played Lorna Scarry in multiple episodes
• Edward Hibbert played Nigel Prestwick ("Shadow," 2010)
• Judith Ivey played Jenny's attorney ("Blood," 2005)
• Shirley Jones played Felicity Bradshaw ("Choice," 2003)
• Carol Kane played Gwen Munch ("Zebras," 2010, "Wonderland Story," 2013)
• Kelly Karbacz played Jill Foster ("Runaway," 2001)
• John Bedford Lloyd played Mike Tucker ("Outcry," 2004)
• Mary Mara played Carlene Ballentine ("Pure," 2005)
• Kellie Martin played Melinda Granville ("Tragedy," 2003)
• Debi Mazar played Peggy Bernard ("Babes," 2008)
• Michelle Monaghan played Dana Kimble ("Consent", 2001)
• Selena Nelson played a hooker ("Tortured," 2003)
• Bernadette Peters played Stella Danquiss ("Choreographed," 2006)
• Rhea Perlman played Roxana Fox ("Unorthodox," 2008)
• Mo Rocca played a protest leader ("Authority," 2008)
• Gabrielle Ruiz played Tina ("Deadly Ambition," 2013)
• Susan Saint James played Monica Bradshaw ("Gone," 2006)
• Sean Sanders played Caleb ("Appearances," 2003)
• Jill Scott played Janice Raleigh ("Disabled," 2013)
• Taylor Spreitler played Chloe Sellers ("Pure," 2005)
• John Stamos played Ken Turner ("Bang", 2011)
• Nicole Sullivan played Jen Caulder ("Contact," 2000)
• Jeffrey Tambor played Attorney Ben Cohen ("Funny Valentine," "Traumatic Wound," "American Tragedy," 2013)
• David Titus played a clerk ("Noncompliance," 2000)
• Bill Walsh played Lieutenant Igel ("Trade," 2008)
• Tyler James Williams played Kyle McGovern ("Parts," 2005)

Law & Order: Criminal Intent[]

Cast Members:

• Jeff Goldblum as Det. Zach Nichols (2009-2010)

Guest Appearances:

Sesame Street regulars/Muppet performers

Carlo AlbanJames Raphael
"Ex Stasis", 2005

Alison BartlettAllison Dean
"Seizure", 2002

Alison BartlettHope Daniels
"Prisoner", 2005

Fran BrillIlene Maxwell
"The Gift", 2003

Tyler BunchDrew Romney
"Malignant", 2002

Emilio DelgadoAri Hernandez,
defense attorney
"Pas de Deux", 2004

Emilio DelgadoRodolfo Delgado
"Amends", 2007

Bill IrwinNate Royce,
suspect
"Masquerade," 2006

Other guests:

• Tom Arnold played Rev. Calvin Riggins ("Brother's Keeper," 2007)
• Judd Hirsch played Ben Elkins ("Pravda", 2003)
• Kelly Karbacz played Renata Virgini ("Unchained", 2005)
• John Krasinski played Jace Gleesing ("Mad Hops", 2004)
• Liza Minnelli played Bethany Harner ("Masquerade", 2006)
• Selena Nelson played Joan Breuer ("Chinoiserie," 2002)
• Doris Roberts played Virginia Harrington ("Privilege", 2007)
• Eddie Pepitone played Court Deputy ("The Insider", 2002) and Counterman ("The Pilgrim", 2002)
• Paul Shaffer appeared as himself ("Vanishing Act", 2008)
• Bill Walsh played Detective Parsons ("Stress Position", 2005) and Fireman ("Enemy Within", 2001)

Law & Order: Trial by Jury[]

Cast Members:

• Bebe Neuwirth as Asst. D.A. Tracey Kibre
• Jerry Orbach as D.A. Investigator Lennie Briscoe (two episodes)

Guest Appearances:

• Candice Bergen played Judge Amanda Anderlee (three episodes)
• Giancarlo Esposito played Orlando Ramirez ("Boys Will Be Boys," 2005)
• Rita Moreno played Mildred Quintana ("Day," 2005)

Law & Order: Los Angeles[]

Cast Members:

• Terrence Howard as Senior Deputy District Attorney Jonah "Joe" Dekker

Law & Order: Organized Crime[]

Cast Members

• Christopher Meloni as Det. Elliot Stabler
• Guillermo Diaz as Sgt. Bill Brewster (2021-2022)

Guest Appearances

Sesame Street regulars/Muppet performers

Tyler BunchStore Owner
"An Inferior Product", 2021

• Jennifer Barnhart puppeteered Richard Wheatley's octopus in "Say Hello to My Little Friends" and "An Inferior Product" (2021)
• Martin P. Robinson puppeteered Richard Wheatley's octopus in "Say Hello to My Little Friends"

Video Games[]

• Julianne Buescher voiced Nicole Beaumont and Claire Thomas in "Justice Is Served" (2004) and Jenna Kirkwood, Jennifer Lee, Carla Meyers, Stephanie Novitsky, Barbara Rodriguez, Rosa Sanchez and Rachael Warren in "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (2005).
• Barry Dennen voiced a crime scene tech, George Bennett, Frederick Grant, Tom Kirkwood, Tony Piovani, and Gerald Stokes in "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (2005).
• Sam McMurray voiced Jack Foster and Henry Haskins in "Justice Is Served" (2004)
• Kevin Michael Richardson voiced Mark Rawlins in "Dead on the Money" (2002) and "Double or Nothing" (2003)
• Florence Stanley voiced Judge Emily Greenwood in "Dead on the Money" (2002) and "Double or Nothing" (2003), also playing Mrs. Yost in the latter

Sources[]