‘Law & Order: SVU’ Makes TV History With A 21st Season Renewal And A Record For Mariska Hargitay

From: uproxx.com

Even if you’ve been more entertained these days by Ice-T’s glorious Twitter-narrated antics and cutting-edge analysis of current events than his bread-and-butter TV career, some Law & Order: Special Victims Unit respect is in order. The spinoff series that zeroes in on detectives who investigate crimes of a sexual nature has broken a major record for live-action TV. The Hollywood Reporter reveals that SVU, with its renewal for the 2019-2020 season, will become the longest enduring live-action primetime TV series in U.S. history. In doing so, it eclipses 20 seasons of both NBC’s Law & Order (ending in 2010) and CBS’ Gunsmoke (ending in 1975). Here’s NBC’s official statement:

“We tip our cap to [creator/executive producer] Dick Wolf, Mariska Hargitay and the amazing cast and crew of SVU, who now all go into the record book,” said Paul Telegdy and George Cheeks, co-chairmen of NBC Entertainment. “This incredible run is an example of what happens when producers, writers and actors all come together and create a show that, year after year, speaks to its audience in a powerful way. We couldn’t be more proud of this remarkable achievement.”

Given that Mariska Hargitay’s still on board, this renewal will also make her Lt. Olivia Benson the female character who’s held on the longest in a live-action primetime series. Somehow, she’s only been awarded one Emmy (in 2006) for this feat but has landed eight nomination nods. Not only that, but Hargitay’s used her platform to advocate for real-life victims of sexual crimes through her Joyful Heart Foundation, which aims to “transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, support survivors’ healing, and end this violence forever.”

It’s also staggering to note that Ice-T, once notorious for performing Body Count’s 1992 “Cop Killer,” has played a cop on SVU since 1991, which is quite a run. He’s been on board almost as long as Hargitay and told Jimmy Fallon in 2018 that he’d stick around as long as she does. Hargitay has given no indication that Benson would head out the door like Chris Meloni’s Elliot Stabler or Richard Belzer’s John Munch, so here’s hoping to at least another decade of this duo, though they’ll probably never catch up to The Simpsons, which currently holds a 30-season record for the longest running overall primetime series and isn’t done yet.

Ice-T greeted the renewal news on Twitter (of course) by posting an image of himself with creator and executive producer Dick Wolf.

Powerful Message Behind Special 'SVU' Episode — ‘Nobody Is Above The Law’

From: okmagazine.com

 'Every survivor deserves justice,' the actress wrote.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit‘s Mariska Hargitay took to social media on Thursday, March 21 to share a powerful message behind the crime show’s latest episode. Scroll through for all the details.

Mariska, 55, who is always one to inspire her fans and SUV viewers, took to social media to discuss the meaning of Thursday night's episode, Blackout, via Instagram.

"No one is above the law, because every survivor deserves #justice #PowerCorruptsSVU," she wrote to her 1.4 million followers.

The actress, who has starred on the NBC show for over 20 years has become an inspiration to many. It was her role as Olivia Benson on SUV that inspired her to start the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004. The organization provides support to both women and men who have been sexually abused.

 

Many fans were extremely touched by Mariska's Instagram. "You are without a doubt one of the most influential women I have ever had the pleasure to look up to. Your activism inspires me to do great things in this world, and I am in awe of you," one supporter commented.

"This was so just a riveting episode!! Amazing!" another wrote. "Inspirational beyond words. Such an important message delivered by such an incredible cast and show," said a fan.

 

2019 Jefferson Award Winners

From: wpsdlocal6.com

Morgan Guess stands on the far right next to fellow Jefferson Award winner and Emmy winning actress Mariska Hargitay. With them in the photo, from the left, are event emcee and journalist Norah O’Donnell, award winners Scooter Braun and Edie Lutnick, Multiplying Good CEO Hillary Schafer, and winner Jessica Nauiokas (Photo via Susan Guess).

A Paducah teen known in our community for her anti-bullying activism received national recognition Monday in New York City. Sixteen-year-old Morgan Guess was honored alongside Mariska Hargitay and others recognized for their public service.

At the 2019 Jefferson Awards in New York City Monday, Guess received the Outstanding Public Service by an Individual 25 Years and Under Award. The teen co-founded the Guess Anti-Bullying Fund. The annual awards are presented by the nonprofit Multiplying Good, which honors people who help better their communities.

Local 6 has aired a number of stories about Morgan and the Guess Anti-Bullying Fund, which she co-founded with her mother, Susan Guess. They founded the organization after Morgan was bullied at the age of eight. It it’s announcement of Morgan’s award, Multiplying Good noted that the teen’s public service in Kentucky includes helping start a statewide anti-bullying task force, addressing the state legislature for a bill that formally defines bullying, hosting Kindness Color Walks, and much more.

At the event, Morgan said: “My parents told me that bad things are going to happen in life, and they gave me three options. They said I could ignore it, I could blame others, or I could be a part of a positive change. I, with the help of my family, chose to make a difference.”

 

Congratulations Mariska!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABA announces 2019 Silver Gavel Awards finalists

From: abajournal.com

The ABA has announced 19 finalists for the 2019 Silver Gavel Awards for Media and the Arts, which recognize outstanding work that fosters the public’s understanding of law and the legal system.
The Gavel Awards Screening Committee, composed of 48 lawyer-members of the ABA, selected the finalists from 164 entries received in all eligible categories, which include books, documentaries, magazines, multimedia, newspapers, radio and television.

“Among so many excellent entries, the ABA Gavel Awards Screening Committee had a very demanding task to selecting these finalists,” said Stephen C. Edds, chair of the committee. “We are pleased to recognize these finalists and look forward to choosing awardees among an already select group.”

The 18-member Standing Committee on Gavel Awards will decide the winners and announce them May 15. No more than one Silver Gavel will be presented in each category. Honorable mentions are also awarded, but not in every category every year.

The final selections will be given to entries that best address the purpose of the Gavel Awards; display the most creativity, originality and technical skill; demonstrate the educational value of legal information; and impact the public through effective and accurate presentations of issues.
The ABA has awarded Silver Gavels every year since 1958. ABA President Bob Carlson will present the winners and honorable mentions at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on July 16.

DOCUMENTARIES

Dark Money: American Documentary/POV and PBS Distribution; Blue Sky Film Productions with Big Mouth Productions and Meerket Media Collaborative; Kimberly Reed, director, writer and producer; Katy Chevigny, producer; Jay Arthur Sterrenberg, writer and editor; Justine Nagan and Chris White, executive producers, POV.

I Am Evidence: Shelved LLC for HBO Documentary Films; Trish Adlesic, co-director and producer; Mariska Hargitay, producer; Geeta Gandbhir, co-director and supervising editor.

RBG: Magnolia Pictures, Participant Media and CNN Films; Betsy West, director and producer; Julie Cohen, director and producer.

For a full list of finalists, click the link at the top of the page.

Mariska Hargitay Pays Tribute To 'Law & Order: SVU' Crew

From: okmagazine.com

 

The star of the show posted the sweetest message to the group.

 

Mariska Hargitay Opens a New Window.  just gave the crew of Law & Order: SVU Opens a New Window.  a major shout out. The actress has worked on the show for decades, and she’s letting the hard-working folks behind-the-scenes know that their efforts have not gone unnoticed.

 

#Bensidy #BringingTheBandBackTogether #OldFriendsNewStories #AWintersDean #CassidyReturnsSVU #LottaLoveAndRespect #TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork

Mariska, 55, is no stranger to showing some behind-the-scenes moments while filming the hit drama.

But this time instead of her and costars being in the picture, she focused her attention to the people behind the camera who make the magic happen!

 

 

The actress shared a photo of the crew inside a grocery store. "Lights Camera Apples #howboutthemapples Opens a New Window.  #fridayfeels Opens a New Window. #crewlove Opens a New Window.  #cameralove Opens a New Window.  #applelove Opens a New Window. #anappleaday Opens a New Window.  #big Opens a New Window.  #broadwaytommy Opens a New Window. #BodegaNights Opens a New Window.  Best. Crew. Ever," she captioned the post.

 

The love on set isn't just one-sided! Back in January, the cast and crew threw the star a surprise birthday bash on set when she rang in the big 5-5!

The series, which also stars Ice-T just marked it's twentieth anniversary on television!