Elisabeth Rohm Filming ”The Whole Truth”

Elisabeth Rohm (Law & Order) is in the process of filming in Washington (state) for a movie called “The Whole Truth”, which is reported to be a comedy. The movie was written, directed, and co-produced by Colleen Patrick. The cast also includes Eric Roberts.

A production blog is being maintained that you can follow here.



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Also, see my companion Law & Order site, All Things Law & Order.

Mariska Hargitay in “She Loves My Car”

Well, the Law & Order news is slow, so I dug into my archives to find this video of Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order SVU) who starred in this 1984 music video titled “She Loves my Car.” The song is performed by Ronnie Milsap. It’s about as 1980s as you can get. Enjoy!




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Chris Meloni, Carey Lowell at Nights In Rodanthe Premier

Chris Meloni (Law & Order SVU) and Cary Lowell (Law & Order) hit the red carpet for the New York premier of the movie “Nights in Rodanthe.” Chris had a starring role in the film, and Carey’s husband, Richard Gere, had top billing. Here are some photos of the event, which was held at the Ziegfeld Theatre on September 23, 2008, in New York City

Director George C. Wolfe, Diane Lane, Richard Gere, Christopher Meloni

Carey Lowell

Chris Meloni

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Jill Hennessy at “Spain” Launch

Jill Hennessy (Law & Order) was among the celebs that were at the launch of Gwyneth Paltrow’s new PBS food show “Spain...on The Road Again”. The opening party was held at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute in New York City on September 21. Here are two pictures for your enjoyment!

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Also, see my companion Law & Order site, All Things Law & Order.

Vincent D’Onofrio Does “Staten Island”

No, this is not like Mike Logan being “exiled” to Staten Island. This is about a new movie where Vincent D’Onofrio (Law & Order Criminal Intent) goes to the dark side, playing gangster/bad guy. The film was written and directed by James DeMonaco, and is currently in post-production with EuropaCorp. At this time, it has a November 5 release date…in France!

Here are two pictures from the film. Vincent looks like he’s in for some trouble.

Images EuropaCorp.

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Sam Waterston to Co-Host Indianapolis Prize Gala September 27

WTHR.com (Channel 13) Indianapolis, Indiana reports that on Saturday, September 27, Sam Waterston (Law & Order) and actress Jane Alexander will host a gala event where the Indianapolis Prize will be awarded.

According to the web site for the Indianapolis Prize, it is awarded “every other year to an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to conservation efforts involving a single animal species or multiple species” and “is the largest individual monetary award for animal species conservation in the world and is given as an unrestricted gift to the chosen honoree.”

Information on the 2008 recipient, field biologist George B. Schaller, can be found here.

Here is the press release from the Indianapolis Zoo:

Jane Alexander and Sam Waterston
Announced as Indianapolis Prize Gala Co-Hosts

INDIANAPOLIS --- Award-winning actress Jane Alexander and “Law & Order” star Sam Waterston, both avid conservationists as well as accomplished performers, will co-host the Indianapolis Prize Gala on Saturday, September 27. The Indianapolis Prize is the world’s leading award for animal conservation, and this year’s recipient, George Schaller, Ph.D., is arguably the finest field biologist of this era.

Waterston joins Alexander, who served as the emcee for the inaugural Indianapolis Prize in 2006. Waterston and Alexander are not only two of the most accomplished artists in the world, they are both enthusiastic in their support of the Indianapolis Prize and its goal to honor and celebrate the men and women who are truly making a difference for endangered animals worldwide. The commitment to the Prize by these two extraordinary people speaks volumes about what this award has come to represent within the worldwide conservation community.

Waterston is perhaps best known for his portrayal of the charismatic, tough district attorney Jack McCoy, in Wolf Films/Universal Network Television’s “Law & Order” series and for his film roles in The Great Gatsby, Crimes and Misdemeanors, and The Killing Fields, for which he received an Academy Award nomination. Waterston, known for his outstanding work in theatre, television and film, is a seven-time Emmy Award nominee as well as a multiple-nominee and winner of the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Growing up in coastal New England, Waterston has always had a bit of the ocean in his blood and a keen desire to protect it from demise. He currently serves on the board of Oceana, the largest international group focused solely on ocean conservation.

“We are extremely fortunate to have both Jane Alexander and Sam Waterston involved in the Indianapolis Prize Gala this year,” said Michael Crowther, CEO of the Indianapolis Zoo. “They truly believe in celebrating the men and women out in the field who are doing the hard work of conservation. Through their ability to communicate so effectively, we will heighten the awareness not only of the Prize recipient, but of all the nominees and of the cause of saving wild things and wild places for future generations.”

The Indianapolis Prize was initiated by the Indianapolis Zoo as a significant component of its mission to inspire local and global communities to celebrate, protect, and preserve our natural world through conservation, education and research. This biennial award brings the world’s attention to the cause of animal conservation and the brave, talented and dedicated men and women who spend their lives saving the Earth’s endangered animal species. The Indianapolis Prize Gala is presented by AES Corporation, in partnership with Cummins Inc., and The Heritage Group.



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Mariska Hargitay At The Emmy Awards

Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order SVU) looked stunning in her banana-yellow dress while walking the red carpet at last night’s Emmy Awards. Sadly, Mariska did not bring back the best actress in a drama series award. Here are a few shots of the lovely Mariska:

Please note: The photos are no longer available.


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Jesse Martin Working On “Letters to Santa”

Jesse L. Martin (Law & Order) has joined the cast of "Letters to Santa: A Muppets Christmas”, along with other notable celebrities Uma Thurman, Whoopi Goldberg, and Mike Bloomberg.

The official Muppet press release says “When the Muppets advert three letters on their way to Santa Claus, Kermit and the gang set off to make things right. Thurman will appear in the special as Joy, a North Pole Airlines ticket clerk (and Santa's personal flight attendant); while Martin is said to be playing a postal worker who stars in the special's opening scene, performing a gigantic song and dance number with the Muppets.”

"Letters to Santa: A Muppets Christmas”, is a one-hour television project which is scheduled to air on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at 8:00PM on NBC.



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Trailer for Chris Noth Film "My One and Only"

Back in May, I told you about a movie in which Chris Noth had a starring role, called ”My One and Only”. Rene Zellweger has top billing in the film.

A trailer has finally been released for the chick flick - oops, I mean movie - and I have it below for your enjoyment. You can catch a few glipmses of Chris, which may give you the idea the extent of how much screen time he has in the film.





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Chris Noth and Family Bid Aloha to Maui

Just the other day, I posted a photo of Chris Noth as he was arriving in Hawaii with his son, Orion for a family vacation.


Here’s a photo of the Noth family as they wait in the Maui airport for their departure from Maui. (Maui No Ka Oi, by the way. That means “Maui is the best.” )

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Sam Waterston In Demand This Weekend

Don't forget your reading glasses

Sam Waterston (Law & Order) has a busy weekend ahead of him, but he won’t be far from home. It was already reported here that Sam will be honorary co-chair for the benefit of the Hunt Hill Farm Trust, on Saturday, September 20 in New Milford, CT.

On Sunday, Sam will be conducing a reading of letters for the Cornwall Historical Society. Rural Intelligence.com reports the following:

People always talk about making history come alive, and the Cornwall Historical Society is doing just that this weekend with help from the actors Sam Waterston and Blair Brown, who live nearby. They will be reading passionate and sometime histrionic family letters that date from 1826 when a local, white girl, Harriet Gold, married Elias Boudinot, a Cherokee student at the Foreign Mission School in town. The letters trace how Gold’s family who were initially outraged by the marriage but eventually supported it. There will be a reception with the actors after the reading.


Cornwall Historical Society presents Sam Waterston and Blair Brown

Sunday, September 21 at 3 PM
Cornwall Consolidated School
Route 128, Cornwall, CT; 860,672.6191
Tickets $25 in advance; $30 at the door.



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Courtney Vance Spending Christmas in Orlando

Courtney B. Vance (Law & Order Criminal Intent) and his wife, and fellow actor, Angela Bassett will be spending part of this Christmas holiday in Orlando, Florida. They will be participating in the Candlelight Processional, part of Epcot's Holidays Around the World.

Details can be found Christmas Orlando Blog, or at ChristmasInOrlando.com.




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Jerry Orbach in “Space Rockers”

"Just a little longer and the galaxy is mine. "

And now for something completely different…here is an old episode of the 1980 TV series “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century called "Space Rockers" starring Jerry Orbach ("Lennie Briscoe", Law & Order). Jerry plays Lars Mangros, who is described as “a cynical musical mastermind [who] uses 25th century rock & roll to front a youth rebellion which threatens the entire galaxy. “ Lars (Jerry) makes galaxy-wide trouble by hiding hypnotic signals in the music of his rock band, encouraging young fans to rebel against authority.

The funny thing is I actually remember this episode quite clearly but didn’t remember Jerry himself in it. Despite the campiness of the show and the series as a whole, Jerry still gave it his all.

So if you have about 40 minutes to spend, the complete episode is below, courtesy of Hulu.





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Mariska Hargitay At New Yorkers for Children Gala

Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order SVU) was a special guest at the “New Yorkers for Children” 9th Annual Fall Gala, which was held Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at Cipriani's 42nd Street in New York City. New Yorkers for Children focuses on the needs of young people in foster care.

Here are some photos of the lovely Mariska at the event.






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Linus Roache: World Shift To Peace

Linus Roache (Law & Order), billed as “spiritual practitioner,” will provide the welcome and introductions for the World Shift to Peace Festival being held in Manhattan on September 20, 2008. It is being presented by The Coalition for One Voice.

Information about this gathering can be found at coalitionforonevoice.org .


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Also, see my companion Law & Order site, All Things Law & Order.

Chris Noth Heads to Farragut North

Chris arrives in Hawaii on September 12
with son Orion
Chris Noth (Law & Order, Law & Order Criminal Intent) is heading off Broadway. He will be appearing in the world premier of "Farragut North," a play by Beau Willimon about political intrigue. The Atlantic Theater Company production will open on November 12 at its off-Broadway theater, and preview performances begin October 22.

Chris will play the lead role of Farragut North, a character named for a Washington DC subway stop. According to Beau Willimon, Noth will play "a veteran political operative, manager to an insurgent presidential campaign. A gruff, boisterous personality with a razor-sharp intelligence and an even sharper tongue."

Here’s the full story from Broadway.com:

Chris Noth and John Gallagher Jr. to Co-Star in Farragut North at Atlantic
by Broadway.com Staff

Sex and the City heartthrob Chris Noth and Tony Award winner John Gallagher Jr. of Spring Awakening have signed on to star in Atlantic Theater Company's world premiere of Beau Willimon's Farragut North, which begins previews October 22. Directed by Tony Award winner Doug Hughes (Doubt), the limited engagement will have its opening November 12 and play through November 29.

Noth and Gallagher will appear alongside cast members Dan Bittner (The Vertical Hour), Atlantic Theater Company member Kate Blumberg (Almost an Evening, Celebration and the Room), Otto Sanchez (HBO's Oz), Olivia Thirlby (the title character's best friend in Juno) and Atantic company member Isiah Whitlock Jr. (The Cherry Orchard, Edmond, HBO's The Wire).

Named for a Washington DC subway stop, Farragut North centers on Stephen, a wunderkid press secretary who has built a career men twice his age would envy. During a tight presidential primary race, Stephen's meteoric rise falls prey to the backroom politics of more seasoned operatives, and his one-night stand with a teenaged staffer proves to be more complicated than casual. Screen star Jake Gyllenhaal participated in a reading of the play, and Warner Brothers is reportedly developing a feature film version to star Leonard DiCaprio. Playwright Willimon (Lower Ninth) worked on Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign.

Noth appeared on Broadway in Gore Vidal's The Best Man and recently played the role of Teach in American Buffalo at the Berkshire Theatre Festival. Off-Broadway credits include Innocent, Thoughts, Harmless Intentions, Arms and the Man and What Didn't Happen. He recently reprised his role as Sex and the City's “Mr. Big” for the summer's big screen film adaptation of the classic television series. Noth has also starred on the TV series Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Law & Order. Additional TV and films credits include Sex and the City, Homicide: Life on the Street, Touched by an Angel, Pigeonholed and Julius Caesar.

Gallagher originated the role of Moritz in Atlantic's acclaimed production of Spring Awakening, going on to win a Tony Award in the same part once the show transferred to Broadway. He also appeared on Broadway in Rabbit Hole. Additional off-Broadway credits include Kimberly Akimbo and Atlantic's Port Authority.

Farragut North will be followed by Atlantic's forthcoming productions of The Cripple of Inishmaan (December 9 through March 1, 2009) and Ethan Coen's Offices (Spring 2009).



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Angie Harmon at Las Vegas Opening

Angie Harmon (“Abbie Carmichael”, Law & Order) and baby bump were spotted at the Grand Opening of Lavo Restaurant and Nightclub in Las Vegas on September 13, 2008.


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Also, see my companion Law & Order site, All Things Law & Order.

Jill Hennessy Out & About

Jill Hennessy (“Claire Kincaid”, Law & Order) has been busy this week. While she’s been promoting her latest film “Lymelife” (she plays Alec Baldwin's wife) that was screened this past week at the Toronto International Film Festival, she’s also been out on the town. Here are two pictures of Jill taken this past week.

Jill attending the Cynthia Rowley Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on September 11, 2008 in New York City.

Jill at a screening of the film “The Women” in New York City:

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Also, see my companion Law & Order site, All Things Law & Order.

Meloni, Bogosian Doing Celebrity Charades Benefit

Chris Meloni ("Elliot Stabler”, Law & Order SVU) and Eric Bogosian (“Capt. Danny Ross”, Law & Order Criminal Intent), along with others, will be participating in a benefit Celebrity Charades. Here are the details from Theatermania:

Bogosian, Dratch, Hoffman, Kind, Mandvi, Meloni, Rubin Vega, et al. Set for Celebrity Charades
By: Dan Bacalzo · Sep 11, 2008 · New York

Rachel Dratch, Richard Kind, Aasif Mandvi, Christopher Meloni, Ana Ortiz, Judy Reyes, Daphne Rubin Vega, Yul Vázquez, and David Zayas will appear, alongside LAByrinth Theatre Company artistic directors John Ortiz and Philip Seymour Hoffman, as part of Celebrity Charades, the company's annual benefit, which will take place at concert venue Terminal 5 (610 West 56th Street) on Monday, October 20. Eric Bogosian will referee.

This year's event will be a battle of the bands, invoking the theme "We Will Rock You." The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a VIP Reception and Dinner, during which producer Carole Shorenstein Hays will receive the Dave Hoghe Award. Charades will begin at 8 p.m. Between games, John Patrick Shanley will host a live auction.

For more information, visit LABtheater.org.


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D’Onofrio, Goldblum Films at Toronto International Film Festival (2008)

Both Vincent D’Onofrio and Jeff Goldblum had films showing at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which runs through September 13. I wrote about Vincent’s movie “The Narrows” back in July, but I have been unable to find any recent press or reviews about that movie that may be of interest.

But Jeff Goldblum has been getting rave upon rave for his performance in the film “Adam Resurrected”. In fact, I’ve been seeing so much good press on Goldblum’s performance it’s been hard to pick which press release to pass along. Here’s one from Reuter’s that just came out today that gives an excellent summary of the movie and Goldblum’s role.


Goldblum doesn't clown around in Holocaust film

Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:46pm EDT
By Cameron French

TORONTO (Reuters) - To play a role some are already calling a tour de force in the film "Adam Resurrected," Jeff Goldblum visited concentration camps and spoke to Holocaust survivors.

He also had to deal with the emotional toll of playing former nightclub clown Adam Stein, a man driven mad by the loss of his family in the Holocaust.

"It's emotional and I knew I had to try to tell the story authentically, which depicts the worst thing that a fellow can go through, but which people have gone through," Goldblum said in an interview at the Toronto Film Festival, where the film had its world premiere this week.

"I was crying a lot for much of the filming."

The movie is adapted from an acclaimed 1968 novel by Yoram Kaniuk and Goldblum spent a full year preparing to play Stein, who draws packed crowds in pre-World War Two Berlin to shows in which he read minds and threw knives blindfolded.

By the time film viewers meet him in an Israeli insane asylum in the 1960s, Stein can still dazzle a crowd and can seduce a pretty nurse half his age. But he has lost nearly everything that really matters to him: his family, freedom and sanity.

Goldblum, who is Jewish, said he felt a responsibility to do justice to the material, which deals heavily with "survivor guilt" experienced by many of those who survived Nazi death camps during the war.

The commitment appears to have paid off for Goldblum, who has been known for playing quirky, intellectual sidekicks in a hot-and-cold film career. Early reviews for his "Adam Resurrected" performance have been overwhelmingly positive.

SURVIVES AS DOG

Through flashbacks, we see Stein in his days as a Jewish entertainer, performing alongside his wife and daughters. They are arrested as the net closes around Germany's Jews and taken to a concentration camp, where Adam catches the eye of a Nazi commandant played by Willem Dafoe.

While his family is hauled away, Adam is forced to act as the commandant's "dog" to take the Nazi's mind off what is going on around him. Goldblum took lessons on how to act like a dog to prepare for that aspect of the role.

Adam survives the concentration camp but emerges a haunted man, beginning a descent that lands him at the asylum, where his memories are sparked by the arrival of a young boy who also believes he is a dog.

The film is sometimes hard to watch, particularly as Adam deals with the guilt of surviving the camp and questions if he could have done more to help his wife and daughters.

Asked if Adam failed his family, Goldblum's connection to the material is evident as he tears up before answering.

"I think ... that there were no good choices, that the circumstances were so landmark horrible that often times people were faced with a bad choice and a worse choice, and morality became blurry," he said.

The film comes after Goldblum's short-lived outing in the TV series "Raines," which was canceled after only a few episodes last year.

The actor is set join the cast of the highly successful "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" this fall.



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Also, see my companion Law & Order site, All Things Law & Order.

Dick Wolf to Receive Director’s Guild Honor

The Director’s Guild of American will honor Law & Order producer Dick Wolf, along with others, in its annual DGA Honors ceremony on October 16, 2008 in New York City.

This event recognizes individuals and institutions that made significant contributions to American culture through film and TV. The DGA Honors will begin with the red carpet arrivals at 6:00pm, followed by the event itself at 7:00pm, and later, a VIP after-party at Nobu 57 at 8:30pm. Further details can be found on the Director’s Guild of America web site.



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Sam Waterston Sues Woody Allen, Family Guy

Sam Waterston ("Jack McCoy", Law & Order), along with others, is suing Woody Allen’s production company, Perdido Productions, for royalties. Sam alone is suing Seth McFarlane for an uncredited role in ‘The Family Guy” where Sam has played the animated Dr. Kaplan.

The full story (which really doesn’t involve Sam) can be found at dBusinessNews, here. The excerpt that mentions Sam is as follows:

Kavner has been in the news recently both because of her recent divorce from Yeardley Smith and because of a lawsuit she launched in conjunction with Lewis Black, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Sam Waterston against Woody Allen’s production company, Perdido Productions, for royalties still due them for performances in 1986’s “Hannah and Her Sisters.” In a sign of our litigious times, Waterston is also suing Seth McFarlane for payment for an uncredited role in McFarlane’s “Family Guy” in an episode entitled “Road to Rhode Island.”


I hope he has a good lawyer, I don't think Jack McCoy does civil case work.


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Chris Noth in London for the National Movie Awards

Chris Noth ("Mike Logan", Law & Order, Law & Order Criminal Intent) made an appearance last night at the National Movie Awards in London, representing the “Sex and the City” movie, which was nominated in the best comedy category. According to the The Sun, “I have no idea why they’re not here,” said Noth. “They’re probably all busy, I had a window and I love London so I wanted to come.”

Noth also was reported as speculating the a sequel to the “Sex and the City” movie may be set in London. Here’s one report:

SATC comes to London

Tuesday, 9 September 2008

Chris Noth has hinted there could be a 'Sex and the City: The Movie' sequel set in London.

The actor - who plays 'Mr. Big' in the original hit US TV show and this year's film adaptation - says producers are considering doing a big screen follow-up after the success of the movie, and think the UK capital would be the perfect setting.

Speaking at the National Movie Awards in London last night (08.09.08), Chris told BANG Showbiz: "We are doing a sequel right here in London. I don't know, I'm just kidding - it's up to the writer, Michael Patrick King.

"He has some great ideas. I think it would be a great place to make it. If Woody Allen can make films in London, why can't we?"

Chris also revealed he has some ideas for the storyline of the sequel, which would centre around 'Mr. Big' and Sarah Jessica Parker's character Carrie Bradshaw.

He added: "Maybe Carrie and 'Mr. Big' could take their honeymoon here - maybe his business could move here or could bring him here and they could settle down.

"They could take in some old Kings and Queens, Westminster Abbey, do all the tourist stuff - that would be fun!"


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Also, see my companion Law & Order site, All Things Law & Order.

Ice-T Making NJ Appearance Today

Ice-T ("Odafin (Fin) Tutuola," Law & Order SVU) and his wife Coco (model) will be making a personal appearance today in Woodbridge, NJ. Here are the details:

Ice-T making appearance at Woodbridge Center
Got G.A.M.E.? Ice-T, the original Original Gangsta, does.

He and his model-wife Coco will be making a celebrity appearance from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at the new Got G.A.M.E. store on the first floor of Woodbridge Center in Woodbridge.

Ice-T used to be the hardest of the hardcore rappers, but he's mellowed out a little, thanks to a steady gig on TV's "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.'' Fans need to purchase at least $45 worth of stuff from G.A.M.E., a clothing and lifestyle store, to get a ticket to see the couple and receive an autographed 8-by-10-inch photo.

Ice-T and Coco, 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, Got G.A.M.E., Woodbridge Center Mall, Woodbridge. 732-324-2255 or gotgamegear.net.





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Sam Waterston in Yale Graduate School Information Book

Sam Waterston, besides being television’s favorite DA Jack McCoy, was first a Yale graduate. He has a tiny picture (below) and mention in the Yale Graduate School Of Arts and Sciences information Viewbook for the 2009-2010 years. I have it here but it really is so tiny that it’s probably near impossible to read on my blog. The link to the PDF version of the complete book is here. You can find the pic and the information on page 44 of the book itself, which shows up as page 46 in the Adobe reader.




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Fred Thompson Speaks at RNC Convention

Fred Thompson, former Tennessee Senator, one-time presidential candidate, and who also played DA Arthur Branch in the Law & Order Universe, gave a speech at the Republican National Convention last night. Here’s the video of his speech, and the AP Press release covering it. Maybe it’s just me, but he sounded like he was slurring his words a bit. It could be something as simple as a set of bad dentures. I know Fred was treated for cancer a while back, so I hope he is in good health.





Thompson raps Obama on abortion answer

Thompson raps Obama on abortion answer
By ANDREW DeMILLO

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Fred Thompson, "Law & Order" actor and former senator, used a Republican National Convention speech to denounce Barack Obama for declining to say when human life begins, although Thompson's own record on abortion is mixed.

"We need a president who doesn't think that the protection of the unborn or a newly born baby is above his pay grade," Thompson said, according to excerpts of his remarks planned for Tuesday night.

The comment was a clear reference to an answer that Obama gave at a forum at California's Saddleback Church sponsored by the popular evangelical pastor Rick Warren. On a question referring to the number of abortions in the country, Warren asked Obama at what point he believed babies had human rights.

"Well, you know, I think that whether you're looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity, you know, is above my pay grade," the Illinois senator replied.

Obama supports abortion rights, while GOP nominee-in-waiting John McCain is opposed. Thompson also is opposed, though he faced criticism during his presidential campaign because he lobbied in 1991 for an abortion rights group. He also answered a 1994 newspaper survey by saying, "The ultimate decision on abortion should be left with the woman and not the government."

After Monday's opening session of the convention was abbreviated and toned down in deference to Hurricane Gustav, Thompson's prepared remarks indicated politics was back on the agenda, with the actor highlighting McCain's status as a maverick.

Thompson said that McCain has the "kind of character that civilizations from the beginning of history have sought in their leaders."

Best known recently as the gruff district attorney on NBC's "Law & Order," Thompson once was a rival of McCain. But the Tennessean dropped out of the presidential race in January after his much-anticipated campaign failed to gain strong support among conservatives.

Thompson's address included a defense of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, whose announcement as McCain's running mate has been overshadowed by disclosures that an attorney has been hired to represent Palin in an investigation into an Alaska controversy and that her unmarried daughter is pregnant.

"Let's be clear: the selection of Governor Palin has the other side and their friends in the media in a state of panic," Thompson said. "She is a courageous, successful, reformer, who is not afraid to take on the establishment."

Thompson said he believes McCain and Palin will "take the federal bureaucracy by the scruff of the neck and give it a good shaking."

He also said that McCain, a Vietnam veteran and former prisoner of war, has traveled to Iraq eight times since 2003 "seeking truth, not publicity.

"This man, John McCain, is not intimidated by what the polls say or what is politically safe or popular," Thompson said.

McCain restored people's faith in government by pushing for reform during his time in Washington, he added.

Said Thompson: "Confronting when necessary, reaching across the aisle when possible, John personified why we came to Washington in the first place."




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