Austin360 blogs > TV Blog > Archives > 2004 > September > 23 > Entry
‘Law & Order’: new cop, good cop
So, what do you think? Is Dennis Farina a good choice to replace Jerry Orbach on “Law & Order?”
I think so. In fact I’m sure of it. Last night’s 15th season opener introduced Farina as Det. Joe Fontana, spunky new partner of Det. Ed Green (played by Jesse L. Martin). He amused his partner and ticked off his boss. What more can you want?
The key to Farina’s forthcoming success on the venerable crime show is that Fontana is nothing like the weary, wisecracking Lennie Briscoe, who will turn up midseason as an investigator for the district attorney on Dick Wolf’s fourth “L&O” incarnation, “Law & Order: Trial by Jury.”
Fontana is something of a mystery. He wears $300 Italian silk shirts and drives a fancy sports car. His taste in food, wine and travel runs to the fabulously expensive, which is not how most New York cops live. Where does his money come from? We don’t know.
The actor was most recently seen in the pathetically unfunny sitcom “The In-Laws,” but he’s no stranger to drama. A former Chicago cop, Farina broke into acting in the ’80s as Lt. Mike Torello on NBC’s “Crime Story,” created and produced by Michael Mann. He played (you guessed it) a Chicago cop.
Since then Farina, 60, has played lots of cops and thugs, with a bit of comedy sprinkled in between.
In the back-to-back episodes for Wednesday’s “Law & Order” season opener, Farina blended in perfectly. His character is well-conceived and well-acted, and with the focus continuing to shine on stories rather than regulars, “Law & Order” should maintain its status as one of TV’s finest dramas.
Austin’s bachelorette
One of the original 25 bachelorettes on the new season of ABC’s “The Bachelor” is from Austin. Do you care?
If you do, her name is Wende, and she’s a 28-year-old real estate agent/model who lists her “current” home as Austin. That’s all we know so far. When the unnaturally lovely herd was whittled from 25 to 15 last night, Wende made the cut, so we’ll see her for at least another week.
In case you’re searching, Wende is the redhead and thus stands out in the sea of blondes and brunettes.
Austin has become such a petri dish for reality show contestants that finding a hometown person is hardly news any more, but we thought we’d mention Wende, in case you care.
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