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One of the longest and most persistent courtships this pilot season ended successfully last night when former Law & Order: SVU star Christopher Meloni signed on to topline Fox’s untitled Justin Halpern & Patrick Schumacker comedy pilot (aka I Suck At Girls), from Bill Lawrence’s Doozer and Warner Bros TV. Meloni fielded interest from about a dozen pilots this season, turning down all offers, including the Halpern/Schumacker project at first. But the producers came back to him, and he ultimately agreed to do it. Helping the cause was the fact that Meloni and Lawrence have known each other for a long time, and Meloni did an episode of Lawrence’s NBC comedy series Scrubs years ago. Based on Halpern’s book I Suck At Girls, the single-camera comedy tells the story of a boy becoming a man, and a man becoming a father, in a time before coming of age was something you could Google. It centers on a father, Jack Dunlevy (Meloni), and his teen son Frankie (Connor Buckley). Jack is ex-military, and an oncologist. He talks to everyone like they’re 75-years-old and dying of cancer: just a no bulls–t guy.
Meloni, repped by Gersh and manager Bill Butler, has been focused on features since leaving SVU in 2011 in addition to doing a major arc on HBO’s True Blood. He has features 42, Man Of Steel, Sin City 2 and White Bird In A Blizzard coming out this year.
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Saw this one coming from a million miles away. I think what really sealed the deal was the fact that Meloni is a friend of Bill Lawrence. But I am certainly glad to see him back (and doing a comedy!)
I never found out why Meloni left SVU..It’s not the same without him there…Don’t watch it anymore…
I think Meloni left SVU because he was bored and the challenge was gone. And you’re right the show is not the same without him. Its gotten so slow and the intensity is totally missing. I am thrilled he is going to be on a comedy because he is really, really funny.
In the pilot script, everything is so hateful that comes out of this character’s mouth — and not in a funny way — more like an abusive father. Hopefully, Meloni can bring some pathos to the role.
Well the concept sounds dead boring, so I am not surprised he turned it down to begin with. It sounds very niche and quirky and something not that likely to be picked up to series. But if it does, I will give it a go because Meloni is in it.
Btw, kudos to Warner for getting him and Fox.
I’ve seen him do comedy before and it’s not his strong suit, he loses all appeal. Maybe he’ll do better here.
Meloni is always a real hoot when he does comedy. In fact, his sense of humor helped SVU manage to work a lot better than it should have. And his appearance on Scrubs was unforgettable.
such a get!
I don’t understand as to why he would leave a payday of a mil/episode just to hop on another series. I was hoping he’d do a lot of features.
Probably because he had done the same character for forever and the shows quality has slipped a ton. It’s not always about money. I respect him for walking away and trying something different. Marishka what’s her name should try it.
Firstly, he wasn’t getting a million per episode. Secondly, he left SVU nearly two years ago and has done 7 films since then. I don’t understand why people wanted him to stick with the one role for the rest of his life. He has proven his versatility and maybe after 12 years it was time for him to have a change and the chance to do films and comedy roles etc. Good luck to him, his work on Scrubs was fantastic. Glad to see him doing a range of work. I hope that it gets picked up and I’m looking forward to see him in 42 and Man of Steel this year.
This guy puts the sex in sex appeal.
my number one tip to Chris Meloni, especially if he’s going to be in a comedy: smile more.
I think that Meloni should be in some of a movie and play some kind of a dark person…I liked him on the OZ…He needs serious parts…
Not watch SUV without Christopher Meloni. Wonder if Munch etc still on every show.Gave Oliva Benson what she wanted not Christopher. How many orginial cast is gone. Anyhow its look like many got fired.Put Christopher back on the show & any others you put off the show.Put new comers before Munch & I. Tea.Watch the old shows not the new shows.Munch & I tea on every show if I did watch it but I not.
Glad for his success, agree SVU not the same chemistry not there look forward to this new show. Enjoy the energy he puts into his characters.
I am not so sure about Chris in comedy.But I will watch and see how it goes. Meloni needs to get his ass back on SVU!He was great at what he did on the show.I can understand his need for change.I have to say though,that since he left,SVU was never the same,his leaving change the dynamics of the show tremendously,the rating are continuing to plummet!And on top of that the viewers are pissed off on how Mariska/Benson’s character is being written,especially her love life or lack thereof!It is nauseating to see her love interest has gone from bad to worse with them placing her in a relationship with Cassidy!EWWWWWWW!For God sake,the man’s integrity is always questioned,he has a fetish for sleeping with prostitutes!YUCK!On top of that he did not age very well.I cannot take Dean Winters seriously anyway,every time I see him,I picture him as the “INSURANCE CRASH DUMMY”!Have you guys seen the ads?Mr Winters would probably do a better job than Meloni in the comedy department!For the love of God,if Stabler’s character never return,and we all have to face the reality that he never will;and I think he should return,because we all know he was “THE ONE”for Benson from the start,they can at least hook her up with someone more respectful.Enough of my venting!Benson/Stabler will ALWAYS and FOREVER will be the best TV DETECTIVE DUO of all time.Everybody else will always be second best.BENSON/STABLER WILL ALWAYS BE FOREVERRRRRRRRRRR!