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« Ausiello Report
Exclusive: Were Dourdan and Neal (Gulp) Fired?
Gary Dourdan by Andrew Macpherson/CBS and Diane Neal by Virginia Sherwood/NBC
I believe it was Mark Twain who once said: "Cast shake-ups are like Transformers — there is usually more to them than meets the eye."
And I was reminded of how true those words were this week following my back-to-back exclusives that CSI and Law & Order: SVU would be losing Gary Dourdan and Diane Neal, respectively.
Initially, I reported that the actors were leaving for the most mundane of reasons: Both of their contracts were up, and they had decided to move on. But in the hours that followed the posting of those stories, new information came to light that now calls into question my original sources the exact circumstances surrounding the exits — specifically, whether the stars were leaving of their own accord or if they had been shown the door.
In the case of Dourdan, an insider at the show insists that he and CSI execs "mutually agreed" to part ways for "creative reasons." However, a CBS mole claims the 41-year-old actor was essentially fired, adding that producers are trying to be "as supportive and protective" of him as possible by portraying the departure as mutual. That same mole wasn't willing to share the specific reason for Dourdan's ouster, except to say that it involves an "ongoing problem personal to Dourdan."
That doesn't exactly narrow it down. In 2005, Dourdan pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and was ordered to stay away from then-girlfriend Anne Greene and attend domestic-violence counseling. And last July, a video of him allegedly attacking a TMZ photographer made the rounds on the Web.
Meanwhile, CBS still won't officially "confirm or deny" that Dourdan is on his way out, even as a search for his replacement is underway. Repeated calls to the goodbye guy's camp went unreturned.
Over at SVU, the situation surrounding Neal has become equally suspicious. On Tuesday, a show spokesperson confirmed to me exclusively that the actress would be vacating her role as ADA Casey Novak in what appeared to be a mutual decision. However, shortly after I posted that story, a show insider says an emotional Neal gathered the crew together on the set and informed them that she had just been fired.
While Neal confirms that she "did talk to the crew" about her departure, she declined to say whether she used the F-word. "Rumors are rumors," she shrugs. "I love the crew. The crew loves me. We've really gotten along and bonded over these past five years. And they're always looking out for me and watching my back."
Asked if she was blindsided by the news, Neal, choosing her words carefully, responds, "I don't know if blindsided is the right word.... I've lasted longer – by several years – than almost any other ADA [in the Law & Order universe]. So every year I've been like, 'Is this going to be the one when I leave?' Dick Wolf is known for replacing his cast regularly. And the truth is, I'm really looking forward to the future."
There's the evidence. Who/what to believe? Let the deliberations begin in the comments section below.
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Apr 17, 2008 4:48 PM
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Dourdan fired?....I think they'll lose a few viewers for that one.
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Apr 17, 2008 5:37 PM
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I obviously have no inside information, but my take on all this cast replacement is this: it's a business, which means it's about money. The longer someone stays with a show, the more money they make. In these 'procedurals', the top stars make the big bucks, ie Petersen, and everyone else is dispensible. When you have a large supporting cast, they probably all make similar money and it can get expensive over time. The producers would rather replace them for 'up and coming' actors who are cheaper. In the end it is unfair to the fans who have followed these particular characters for many years. But over time TPTB think people will forgive and forget. I'm not so sure that will happen with CSI. Each character was loved by someone and these viewers will eventually leave. The crime stories just become too repetitive over time and people tune in mostly to see their favorite actor/character. I for one have become just a casual viewer since Jorja Fox left; and I think the Gary Dourdan fans will do the same.
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Apr 17, 2008 6:24 PM
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L&O:SVU - I'm surprised the announcement wasn't that Richard Beltzer was leaving. They cut his number of appearances in half this season and brought on the Chester Lake character to team with Fin. This shoe may still drop.
I'm not what to think with Neal. SVU is the highest rated of the L&O shows and new eps consistantly win the time slot. I understand the need to inject new blood into long running shows but SVU really isn't broken. Then again, Wolf may be trying to inject some more youth into the show as the cast does skew mid-30s and above.
Whatever the reason, I will miss Diane Neal. She is a great actress and very easy on the eyes!
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Apr 17, 2008 6:55 PM
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I don't know anything for certain but it seems like Gary has been getting press for the wrong reasons (raising hell) and like he's been letting himself go which is never a good thing, especially on a hit TV show.
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Apr 17, 2008 7:05 PM
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Eads was always the better junior CSI in my opinion. I won't miss Dourdan- at all.
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Apr 17, 2008 7:10 PM
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In Gary Dourdan's case. I like him. But he does seem like he has personal issues in real life to deal with. So i wish the best for him. I will miss him on CSI
In Neal's Case I am in shock. I agree with another viewer. The show is not broken.Please dont try to fix it. I really felt like SVU was a family. I tight nit cast. That worked well together. I really enjoyed watching Diane Neal.I am very upset at this news.
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Apr 17, 2008 7:41 PM
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I actually not all that shocked that Neal was let go. She, BD Wong, and Richard Beltzer have all been relgated to nothing more than a scene or two at most per episode for many of the episodes this season. I will actually be surprised of Wong makes it to next season. it seems that they want to focus more on Mariska Hargitay (Michael will be happy) and Chris Meloni now that they have the big deals.
As ofr Dourdan, the guy seems to have some personal demons that have been well publicized. I'm not all that shocked about him leaving either under the circumstances. Granted the show did point themselves into a corner since they have had it written into the script multiple times that his character was the glue that held the team together. Grissom actually said those words almost verbatum the last time William Peterson went on a sabbatical.
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Apr 17, 2008 8:09 PM
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Well, if "SVU" did fire Diane Neal - they made another idiotic move. I used to love the show (I was a huge fan)- but now I think it is pretty bad. Adding Adam Beach was a huge mistake. He is a HORRIBLE ACTOR - so wooden he makes Ice-T seems like Laurence Olivier. They should have given Richard Belzer MORE to do - not less. And some of the writing has been really bad - some super melodramatic and cheesy scripts. They should end the show already.
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Apr 17, 2008 8:41 PM
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l&o svu is my favorite of them all. why are they messing with a good thing. i want to see the new guy gone. i want to see more of beltzer, bd and the ice man. i think neal is great. don't the powers that be ever listen to the viewers????
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Apr 17, 2008 9:04 PM
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I never really liked Neal's take on her character, so I doubt I'll miss her. I still miss March! I wish they would bring her back!
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Apr 17, 2008 9:30 PM
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If the latest news about Diane Neal is true...then shame on Dick Wolf! This makes me curious about Stephanie March's (Alex Cabot) departure. Very stupid moves on Wolf's part. When he starts cutting folks like Mariska Hargitay or Christopher Meloni will definitely KILL the show. He's lucky that it hasn't Jumped the Shark with his recent decisions (again, assuming he's fired either Diane or Stephanie).
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Apr 17, 2008 9:43 PM
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Did I like Novak? sure...am I gonna miss her? not really. Although I'll agree she was more interesting than Cabot. Her character had a good back story and had some great one liners. I don't like the idea she was fired because that just means the whole "new blood" crap is true. DW is going to try and keep the show going after MH and CM leave after next season and he plans to do that with young "up and comers" Good luck Dicky..Beach is boring as hell and the show won't fly without it's 2 stars. SVU is not the "mothership" the next season should be interesting. Thanks for the info.
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Apr 17, 2008 10:10 PM
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Diane was fired? That's ridiculous. She has a lot of spunk and a great personality. They'd better not kill Casey off!
And I agree that Adam Beach is boring. ZZZ.
Maybe they could at least give Tamara Tunie some more stuff to do. She's a great actress.
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Apr 17, 2008 11:33 PM
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Can't speak to CSI as I don't follow those shows, but in Neal's case, I had already figured she'd been let go and they were giving her the opportunity to save face by saying it was her choice. Part of L&O's cost saving MO has always been revolving door ADAs, after all, so it just followed in this case, too.
Neal's exit doesn't bother me as, while I don't dislike her, I've never quite warmed up to her either. However, if they get rid of Munch... Well, this viewer already has cut back on watching SVU because I'm thoroughly sick of Saint Stabler/Martyr Benson taking over the characters. If they let Munch go, who I've loved since Homicide days, it will be the last she wrote for me.
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Apr 18, 2008 1:08 AM
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