Law & Order: Trial by Jury
|
|
Template:Infobox television Law & Order: Trial by Jury is an American television drama about criminal trials in New York City. It is the third spinoff of the long-running Law & Order. The show's almost exclusive focus is on the criminal trial of the accused; showing both the prosecution's and defense's preparation for trial, as well as the trial itself. The series previewed on Thursday, March 3, 2005, and aired its series finale on Friday, May 6, 2005. Its regular time slot was Fridays 10/9 pm ET on NBC.
Unlike the other Law & Order series, Trial By Jury shows what it is like to prepare for and try a criminal case. The episodes usually start with a witness or victim telling a story about a crime that has already occurred. This story is used to bring the audience in on what happened prior to the beginning of the episode. This is a departure from the other three Law & Order shows, which usually start off showing the audience the actual crime. The show progresses on from that point, showing how both sides develop their strategies for winning the case. The prosecution's preparation usually includes scenes where their investigators go out and follow up on leads and interview witnesses. The defense's preparation varies from episode to episode; running the gamut from testing arguments in front of jury focus groups, to unethical dealmaking between co-defendants. Each episode has several trial scenes, with both sides examining witnesses and giving arguments. There are also several pre-trial meetings where some procedural issue is argued and ruled on. There are also a few episodes showing jury deliberation. In addition, the show seemed to have been developing the judges as characters, showing scenes of them conferring with each other, and reusing the same ones in multiple episodes.
The series stars Bebe Neuwirth (most famous from roles on Broadway and as Lilith Sternin on the sitcom Cheers) and Amy Carlson as two assistant district attorneys in the Manhattan District Attorney's office. Kirk Acevedo plays a investigator who works with them. Fred Thompson also continues his role as District Attorney Arthur Branch from the original Law & Order.
Jerry Orbach was also supposed to bring his character Lennie Briscoe into the new series in a reduced role (at his request). Orbach died at the end of December 2004. His only performances were in the first two episodes, which he completed prior to his death. It is noticeable that his health is seriously declining in the show's second episode, where most of what Orbach says comes out as a coarse whisper. Following Orbach's death, Scott Cohen joined the cast as Det. Chris Ravell.
Some of the show's guest stars included Candice Bergen, Lorraine Bracco, and Carey Lowell (who played Judge Jamie Ross). John Mahoney (Frasier) may also appear.
It was announced on May 16, 2005 that Law & Order: TBJ would not be returning to NBC for the 2005-2006 fall television season. No word was given about whether or not there were any plans to air the one remaining episode, "Eros in the Upper Eighties". It has been rumored that Jerry Orbach's death would be mentioned in this episode, as it was the last one filmed before his passing. It is the first series of the Law & Order franchise to be cancelled, although TV Guide recently reported that NBC may reconsider its decision and pick up the series once again (or hand it off to Turner Network Television which also airs reruns of the original series).
External links
- Official Website (http://www.nbc.com/Law_&_Order:_Trial_by_Jury/)
- Template:Imdb titlede:Law_&_Order#Law_.26_Order:_Trial_by_Jury