Dick Wolf says Skeet Ulrich's exit from 'Law & Order: L.A.' was 'very painful'

Dick Wolf, the creator of the "Law & Order" franchise, has seen more than his share of actors come and go from his dramas. But his decision to remove Skeet Ulrich from "Law & Order: L.A." was particularly hard.

"Sometimes someone has to die so that everyone else can live," Wolf said during a conference call to promote the April 11 return of the drama, which has been off NBC's schedule since last November. "It was a very, very painful call to make."

Wolf continually praised Ulrich, who was the first actor cast for the Los Angeles version of the landmark police/legal drama. Ulrich, who played a homicide detective, was one of the leads of the ensemble series.

But Wolf and Bob Greenblatt, NBCUniversal's new president of entertainment, agreed that the series was not living up to expectations, and that changes had to be made. Greenblatt told Wolf that the first half of the hour, which concentrates on the police investigation of the crime, was "not clicking."

Part of the problem was the rush to get the series on the air in time for the fall schedule. Wolf said some hasty decisions were made.

Greenblatt was also concerned about the handling of Terrence Howard and Alfred Molina, who appeared in alternating episodes as deputy district attorneys. Greenblatt was bothered that "we had two world-class movie actors who we were only seeing half the time."

When "LOLA" (the informal name for "Law & Order: L.A.") returns, Molina, who plays deputy district attorney Ricardo Morales, will return to the police force as a detective. Molina and Howard, who plays Jonah Dekker, will now appear in each episode.

Wolf said the rhythm of the series "is different and better." He added that he would gladly work with Ulrich again in a situation that was a better fit for the actor. 

Said Wolf, "When something isn't working, it's my fault."

--Greg Braxton

Comments

[Kevin Young]

The problem with the show wasn't Skeet Ulrich. If it had to do with the actors, it was Terrence Howard. He is awful! My wife and I would only watch the episodes that featured Alfred Molina as the DA. The ones with Howard, we turned off. We used to do the same thing with Criminal Intent, only watching the episodes with Chris Noth and not the ones with Vincent D'Onofrio, who we also got very tired of.

[Gwen]

I thought the first half of the show was the only part of the show that did click. I dislike Alfred Molina and not happy that they have expanded his role. I would have preferred more Skeet and no Molina. Law & Order UK will probably be the only L&O show I'll be watching from now on.

[Jeff]

You must not want this show to make it longer than a year Your two detectives where the only good characters on the show, please don't get any ideas for svu leave it alone.

[charla smith]

Skeet was the whole reason for watching the show! He is a wonderful actor.I agree with other post, more Skeet, no Molina.

[Beanie]

I am a Law and Order fanatic and I believe the network should have given the show a longer chance. I liked it despite thinking that there was no way it could follow in the orginal's footsteps. I certainly do not believe that Ulrich was the problem and in fact was my favorite actor on the show. If anyone is out of place, it's Molina (he needs a different hair style at the least!). I'm really sorry that Ulrich is being killed off, I had already grown attached to him.

The one mistake I think they made was to bring in Ulrich's personal life too soon. In most of the L&O's the personal life of the characters is a mystery that gets played out over time.

[Deanna]

Skeet was the reason I started watching the show in the first place. I loved him in Jericho and wanted to see him in this. But I didn't not really enjoy the show. I blame writing because I have since Ulrich in other things and he can play just about any role. But you have to give even the best of actors something to work with script wise. I will not be returning to the show now that he is gone.

[Cathyjb]

I watched L&O: L. A. to see Skeet Ulrich. During the last 2 episodes his character and Corey Stoll's seemed to be meshing.

Wolf is quoted as saying when something isn't working, it's his fault. Well, he got that right. He rushed the show apparently never having heard "haste makes waste." He had at best bad scripts, no character development and one actor with a little too much attitude in Terrence Howard.

Wolf had already ticked off the avid and dedicated viewers of the original Law & Order by canceling it. Then he ticked off Skeet's very loyal and dedicated fan base by getting rid of him. While I've watched L&O over the years, I'm a part of Skeet's fan base. Loved him in Jericho, respect the things I've seen and heard about him as a person. April 11th will be the last time I watch any Law & Order show.

I suspect that Mr. Wolf will find the ratings dropping much more painful than the phone call he made.

[James]

I was not a big fan of Skeet Ulrich until I saw his character on L&O. He was the best character on the show. He played his role with perfection. His death is now going to make the ratings any better. When will producers figure out that the killing of a shows favorite do not help a show. I stop watching Criminal Minds for the same reason.

[R.A.H.]

What a shame. As a fan of all Law & Order programs, I looked forward to this program. After watching two episodes, my family and I agreed that Skeet Ulrich's character was the only interesting one on the show. We love the other actors, but we felt that THEY were the ones miscast. With his character gone, I fear we won't be back.

[T4E2112]

I liked his character also. What a shame.

And speaking of Law and Order UK, what about having Linus Roach do some acting work on that show? I miss him!

[sophie]

It sounds as if the "world class movie actors" were on an ego trip. Skeet Ulrich is an underappreciated actor. He made Jericho worth watching. Alfred Molina is just strangely annoying, and I find him that way in just about everything he appears in. Terrence Howard is slightly better, but he is sort of a one-note actor. Skeet is the better actor, but just doesn't have the "A-list" image.

[Pat]

Terrence Howard is awful. The preachy whiny way he plays the Assistant District Attorney can only be described, as at best, irritating. I am unfamiliar with his work except on this program. I know he enjoys a good reputation and must assume it is deserved. His performance here however will not in my opinion add to that reputation. Law and Order Los Angeles has a lot of potential that is simply not being realized, thanks in large part to the performance of Mr. Howard. Hopefully he will improve in the upcoming season.

[Terri]

I like Skeet Ulrich and this is the first time I have seen him. And I like the show..I loved Criminal Intent when it was on with Vincent D'Onofrio and Chris Noth but then they got stupid and it went downhill... Now that it is back with the original 2 I will watch it again although it may be the last season!!! Perhaps you need some FRESH YOUNG Ideas on writing the shows plot!

[joanne berrios]

You guys are idiots. First of all you consistently didn't have the show on regularly. Kept looking for more...didn't happen. Now that you have deleted Skeet, (how stupid), find there isn't a reason to watch the show. Don't know what you were smokin. I'm personally getting really sick of the way you guys jerk all of the viewers around,

[joanne berrios]

Sorry. Forgot to mention in my previous posting that...if anything was wrong with the show, it was the scripts. Skeet Ulrich handled his part well. Should have allowed more time before making this ridiculous change. Once again, getting really tired of getting jerked around.

[Jack]

I just want to weigh in with all the others that are in disagreement with Wolfe's removal of Skeet Ulrich from the show. I was really happy to see him get another series, and watched LOLA to see him act. Howard and Molina did not carry the show for me. I won't be watching it anymore. Now that the old L&O is gone, and this is gone, that's it for me. I'll be keeping in touch with Ulrich's career moves in the hopes that he'll be back on some show soon.

[Bub412]

I watched one episode of LOLA and it only ticked me off even more that the original was canceled. I couldn't stand to look at it after that one viewing. Ironically, Ulrich was the only character I did like.

I'm guessing the Ulrich fans will watch his last episode and forget this show every happened. Hopefully, this bastardization of the L&O franchise will die by June.

[DT]

I am a long term law and order fan and was not anxious to get into another series but LA has grabbed my interest and Skeet is fabulous. Not a big fan of Molina. Oh well, I guess that frees up an hour for me each week. Won't be watching after Monday. Bad decision!

[Lilly]

I hope Skeet, Megan and Regina go onto bigger and better things and that Mr. Wolf's decision to fire Skeet comes back to bite him. In my opinion Terrence Howard was the problem, his voice is so annoying and his overacting was painful to watch. I hope LOLA gets cancelled.

[Shelley Bean]

I have to agree with all of the comments including the one about the scripts. There was something off & it wasn't Skeet Ulrich. I don't care what changes they make in the future, with him gone so am I.

Molina & Howard may be great actors but cut me a break, this show was not their forte. Terrance Howard always looks so angry, it seems like he is going to pop. I normally like him as an actor but absolutely not in this role.

I like Molina too but in addition to the fact that, despite his perfect American accent he is British, his acting here seems forced. He really does seem like a Brit trying to pretend they are American.

I predict a very short life for this short and all I have to say is "Good Riddance"!

Sadly, despite that fact that I normally love all things Law and Order, I really don't see myself watching this anymore.