Christopher Meloni from Law & Order SVU Talks

Luckily Law & Order: SVU is coming back for another two more seasons; it's the fate of the other Law & Order shows that hang in the balance. TV Guide recently chatted with the show's star, Christopher Meloni, who plays Detective Elliot Stabler.

Why is SVU doing so well while both of the other Law & Orders are fighting to be renewed?
I can't speak for them, but the other two shows have gone through a series of casts and head writers. There's something to be said about consistency.

One could argue that unlike Dick Wolf's other series where plot is king, SVU's success is very dependent on its lead actors - you and Mariska Hargitay.
That's my opinion, but I'm not very objective. [Laughs] Dick Wolf's philosophy was very innovative and it's worked wonderfully, but I don't know how many times you can go to the well and not focus on any sort of personal agenda. To his credit, his marching orders from the beginning were that he wanted this show to be about 70% procedural and 30% personal.

You've acknowledged that your recent contract negotiations was a tough one. How much longer do you want to do the show?
Well, my contract's for two more years. You know, Nip/Tuck's Dylan Walsh said to me, "You've got the best job on television, working in New York on a great show. What more could you ask more?" And I said, "You're right about that."

Photo from TV Guide.