TCA Press Tour: Richard Belzer unleashes on NBC

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NBC executives: Are your ears burning?

‘Law & Order: SVU’ actor Richard Belzer participated in a PBS panel today to tell colorful stories about his old friend George Carlin.

But when a journalist asked the actor-comic what he thinks of NBC’s recent move to scrap all 10 p.m scripted programming to give Jay Leno a new comedy show every night at that hour, Belzer did not hold back, because, as he put it, he’s got a contract that renders him untouchable.

‘I just think it’s a network that’s desperate,’ Belzer said. ‘It’s the last gasp of a dying network, which can turn out to be brilliant financially. But in terms of writers, actors, producers and other people who work on shows, I think it’s a tragedy, frankly.’

Belzer said he expects NBC to schedule ‘SVU’ at 9 p.m. next fall because it’s ‘the only hit dramatic series left on the Peacock.’

— Maria Elena Fernandez