Sam Waterston Writes Election Reform Commentary

Photo from PBS

Sam Waterston (Law & Order) has written a commentary on election reform for the Boston Globe. Here are some excerpts:


Reforming pay-to-play politics

By Sam Waterston
April 30, 2009

BASED ON the success of campaign finance reform in several states, the Fair Elections Now Act is moving forward at the federal level. Massachusetts citizens should speak up in favor of the act, which restructures the way we finance elections to move away from the expensive cycle of pay-to-play politics that now distorts public policy debate - and the flow of tax dollars - in Washington…

...While much has been made of the surge in small donations to Obama's campaign last year, big money soared as well. It represents by far the largest share of federal campaign money to both presidential and congressional candidates, and those who can make or bundle the largest campaign donations always seem to be the ones getting the vast majority of political favors.

...We need to replace that big money and create a system that relies on small-dollar donors. This will bring in citizens who have long felt unwelcome because they didn't have the cash or the connections to participate. We need a simple, straightforward solution that will pass constitutional muster, and prevent "gaming the system."...

…Under the proposal, candidates must get a set number of modest donations from people in their community to receive limited Fair Elections funds, coupled with additional small donations matched on a four-to-one basis. That means the donation from the teacher is as important as the one from the corporate CEO. It frees the candidate from the constant need to ask for big donations, from attending the $2,400 a-plate fund-raisers, and from the need to request money from all manner of interest groups….

...More important, democracy itself gains new strength. The wisdom of the people, on which democracy depends, can't be heard - and we can't change the results we've been getting - without changing the way we fund our elections. Simple, voter-centered public financing will take the taint out of campaign donations and invite ordinary citizens into the political process. The results are in: Where laws on public financing of elections are in place, the public comes in, the special-interest money goes out.



You can find Sam’s full commentary on the Boston Globe web site, here. There is an area on the article which will allow you to comment.

For the latest information, check out my blog home page, These Are Their Stories, here.

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

S. Epatha Merkerson Receives Matrix Award

On April 27 2009, S. Epatha Merkerson (Law & Order, NBC) was honored at the 2009 Matrix Awards. The festivities were held at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. She was honored in the arts and entertainment category. Here is a photo of Epatha on the red (patterned) carpet at the event.





For the latest information, check out my blog home page, These Are Their Stories, here.

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

Anthony Anderson on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

Anthony Anderson ( Law & Order - NBC ) made an appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on April 23, 2009. If I heard him correctly, he said, “NBC are cheap bastards.” Ouch. Fallon laughs, but the audience makes some uncomfortable laughter. Anthony, maybe sensing he should have kept his comment to himself, says he is joking. Fallon quickly jumps on that bandwagon.

He talks about Law & Order and how much he loves it. Here’s a video clip of Anthony’s appearance – catch it while it is still available, and while Anthony still has a job with NBC (snicker).







For the latest information, check out my blog home page, These Are Their Stories, here.

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

Anthony Anderson to Host “Golf In America”

Photo from The Golf Channel

Variety is reporting that Law & Order’s Anthony Anderson will host a new Golf Channel series “Golf in America.” Variety indicates the show will launch on June 23, the Golf Channel indicates June 21. I suggest checking your listings as the day draws close. The show covers all kinds of people with various backgrounds who share a passion for golf.

You can catch a quick preview of Anthony and a clip of the show here on the Golf Channel web site.



For the latest information, check out my blog home page, These Are Their Stories, here.

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

Mariska Hargitay Attends Can-Do Awards

On April 21, Mariska Hargitay ( Law & Order SVU - NBC) attended the 6th annual Can-Do Awards dinner and auction hosted by the Food Bank for New York City. The event was held at Abigail Kirsch's Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers in New York City, New York. Here are some photos of Mariska from the event.

Please note: I am sorry, but the photos are no longer available.


For the latest information, check out my blog home page, These Are Their Stories, here.

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

Sam Waterston To Help Celebrate Philadelphia Church’s 250th Anniversary

Sam Waterston (Law & Order) will participate in the 250th anniversary celebration of St. Peter’s Church in Philadelphia, PA . The church is located in the Society Hill neighborhood, and it is a National Historic Landmark.

The big anniversary event will be held on Saturday, May 2nd, and will feature an appearance by Sam, who will give a storytelling performance on events from the history of the church. George Washington, the first President of the United States, was a frequent visitor to St. Peter's, and he also had a pew in the church during his time spent in Philadelphia for the Continental Congress.

Detailed information on the complete event and ticket prices can be found at Artintheage.com, or on the web site for St. Peter’s Church events.



For the latest information, check out my blog home page, These Are Their Stories, here.

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

Chris Noth Attends Las Vegas “Peepshow”

No, this is not about an episode of Law & Order SVU involving those marshmallow chicks you see at Easter.   Chris Noth (Law & Order Criminal Intent)  and his girlfriend Tara Wilson were on the red carpet for the world premiere of the adult production titled "Peepshow" at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event was held on April 18, 2009. Here are a few photos of Chris and Tara at the event.

Please note: I am sorry, but the photos are no longer available.

For the latest information, check out my blog home page, These Are Their Stories, here.

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

Vincent D’Onofrio At The Nashville Film Festival

Vincent D’Onofrio (Law & Order Criminal Intent) is attending the 2009 Nashville Film Festival for the screening of his film, “The Narrows.” Here’s a short video of an interview with Vincent at the festival.








For the latest information, check out my blog home page, These Are Their Stories, here.

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

Jill Hennessy, Ice –T on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Photo NBC

Both Jill Hennessy ( Law & Order) and Ice-T (Law & Order SVU) appeared on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon this past week.

Ice-T talks about his taxes and Law & Order SVU, Twitter, his music, and other things, and those clips are below. Jill spoke about her recent film “Lymelife” and about her new album, which is due out in June. She also sings a bit, too. There doesn’t seem to be any individual clips of just Jill from this appearance, but you can find the entire episode below - Jill is about 30 minutes into the episode.

Both Jill and Ice-T were very entertaining. Jimmy Fallon – not so much. Catch the videos while they are still available on line!


Jill Hennessy on Jimmy Fallon (about 30 minutes into full episode)



Ice-T on Jimmy Fallon Part 1



Ice-T on Jimmy Fallon Part 2





For the latest information, check out my blog home page, These Are Their Stories, here.

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

S. Epatha Merkerson, Anthony Anderson On The Red Carpet

Law & Order stars S. Epatha Merkerson and Anthony Anderson attended the opening night party for "August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone" on April 16, 2009. The event was held at the Millennium Hotel in New York City. Is it my imagination, or are these two going out on the town together a lot lately?

Here’s a photo of Epatha and Anthony on the red carpet. They both look great!







For the latest information, check out my blog home page, These Are Their Stories, here.

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

Isabel Gillies – From Stabler’s Wife to NY Times Best Selling Author

Back in February, I wrote about a book titled “Happens Every Day” written by Isabel Gillies , who plays Kathy Stabler, wife of Detective Elliot Stabler on Law & Order SVU. At the time, her book was just being released at Starbucks.

Now, Isabel’s book has reached a much wider audience, and her book, a memoir titled “Happens Every Day: An All-Too-True Story” is now a New York Times Best Seller. Her story is billed as a raw, honest, gut-wrenching story about her crumbling marriage and ultimate divorce. But, despite all this turmoil, Isabel turns the tables and leaves any sense of self-pity at the door, writing with enlightened humor about survival.

In case you want more information about this book, I have included a video with Isabel below, where she talks about her story. “Happens Every Day” is also available on Amazon.com, where you can obtain more information about the book and read some reviews. You can also read a “sneak peek’ of Chapter 1 here.


Isabel Gillies Talks About “Happens Every Day”




For the latest information, check out my blog home page, These Are Their Stories, here.

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

BD Wong At HBO Films Premiere

BD Wong (Law & Order SVU) was spotted on the red carpet at the premiere of HBO Films “Grey Gardens” at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City on April 14. Here is a picture of B.D. at the event!





For the latest information, check out my blog home page, These Are Their Stories, here.

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

Jeff Goldblum Signed for “Morning Glory”

Jeff Goldblum (Law & Order Criminal Intent) is one busy man. Several sources are reporting that Jeff has signed on to join Harrison Ford, Rachel McAdams, and Diane Keaton in the comedy film “Morning Glory” for Paramount Pictures, which is being produced by J.J. Abrams. The movie centers on an aspiring news producer (McAdams) who tries to save a failing morning show by getting control of its feuding anchors with big egos, played by Ford and Keaton. Jeff will portray McAdams’ boss. Filming will begin next month in New York.



For the latest information, check out my blog home page, These Are Their Stories, here.

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

Jill Hennessy at “Lymelife” Premier in NYC

Jill Hennessy (Law & Order) is making the rounds again for the premier of her film, “Lymelife.” This time, she was at the 14th annual Gen Art Film Festival, which was presented by Acura at The Park, on April 1, 2009 in New York City. Here are a few pictures of Jill at the event, including one with her husband, Paolo Mastropietro.

Please note: I am sorry, but the photos are no longer available.


For the latest information, check out my blog home page, These Are Their Stories, here.

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

Anthony Anderson and Son - Photos

Anthony Anderson (Law & Order) and his son Nathan were photographed walking in New York City on March 31. (Anthony and his wide Alvina also have a daughter, Kyra.) Enjoy the photos!

Please note: I am sorry, but the photos are no longer available.

For the latest information, check out my blog home page, These Are Their Stories, here.

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

Sam Waterston On PBS Special on Lincoln’s Legacy

Photo PBS

Sam Waterston (Law & Order) will appear on PBS “Bill Moyers Journal” titled “Lincoln’s Legend and Legacy." It will feature spoken poetry and prose of American writers such as Walt Whitman, Frederick Douglass, Allen Ginsburg, Langston Hughes, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and many others in their reflections on Abraham Lincoln. The special is scheduled to air on PBC on April 10th at 10:00 PM, please verify your local listings. More information on the show can be found on the Bill Moyers Journal PBS website.

Here are two previews of Sam Waterston’s readings from the show for your enjoyment









For the latest information, check out my blog home page, These Are Their Stories, here.

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