From NBC Universal Media Village

"LAW & ORDER"
"BURN CARD"

04/23/2008 (10:00PM - 10:59PM) (Wednesday) : THE DEATH OF AN AVID GAMBLER PUTS DETECTIVE ED GREEN'S (JESSE L. MARTIN) BADGE IN JEOPARDY FORCING HIM TO REVEAL HIS TROUBLED PAST. INTERNAL AFFAIRS DETECTIVE KEVIN BERNARD (ANTHONY ANDERSON) IS ASSIGNED TO THE CASE.

A part-time referee is found murdered, and Detectives Ed Green (Martin) and Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) investigate the victim's gambling habits. The detectives are led to notorious hustler, ""Bunny" (guest star Bobby Jones), a familiar face from Detective Green's past. When ""Bunny" is found dead, Detective Lupo is called to the scene and discovers his partner, Detective Green, is the shooter causing confusion in the department and disbelief in the DA's office. The case is turned over to internal affairs Detective Kevin Bernard (Anthony Anderson) and Sergeant Gregory Cole (guest star Peter Bradbury), leaving Detective Green to face his dark past and in danger of losing his badge. Sam Waterston, S. Epatha Merkerson, Linus Roache and Alana De La Garza also star.

Note: This is the first appearance for new cast member Anthony Anderson and departing cast member Jesse L. Martin

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Anthony Anderson
Detective Kevin Bernard

Anthony Anderson joins the cast of NBC’s Emmy Award-winning drama "Law & Order.” Anderson will play internal affairs Detective Kevin Bernard opposite Jeremy Sisto as Detective Cyrus Lupo, his new partner.

Anderson has appeared in over 20 films, and his recent performance as the star in the New Orleans-based drama “K-Ville” earned him a fourth NAACP Image Award nomination. Last summer his talent was on display again in the DreamWorks’ blockbuster “Transformers,” directed by Michael Bay; and last year the ambitious Anderson appeared in Martin Scorsese’s Oscar winning feature, “The Departed,” with a stellar cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson.

He first gained attention as one of Jim Carrey’s sons in “Me, Myself, and Irene,” and has subsequently appeared in such films as “Scary Movie 3,” “Barbershop,” “Kangaroo Jack,” “Exit Wounds,” “Cradle 2 the Grave,” “Two Can Play That Game,” and “Malibu’s Most Wanted.” Anderson also starred opposite Eddie Griffin and Michael Imperioli in “My Baby’s Daddy,” opposite Frankie Muniz in “Agent Cody Banks 2” and had a cameo in “Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle.” He brought his talent and humor to the small screen in his own WB sitcom “All About the Andersons” which was loosely based on his life. Anderson appeared in the police-drama television series, “The Shield,” opposite Michael Chiklis and Glenn Close.

Anderson grew up in Los Angeles. While pursuing his acting career, he continued his education by attending the High School for the Performing Arts, where he earned first place in the NAACP’s ACTSO Awards with his performance of the classic monologue from “The Great White Hope.” That performance, along with his dedication to his craft, earned him an arts scholarship to Howard University.

Anderson currently lives in Los Angeles. He is married to his college sweetheart, and they have two children.

It took me a little while to warm up to Ed but now I am gonna miss him when he is gone.

Just because his character is going before the internal affairs office does't have to mean he's leaving. Does it? There has quite a bit of changes. First, Jerry Orbach (sp?) left, then died. Then a character played by Farina (I think that was his name) was on for awhile. What DID happen to him? I was kind of liking his character. All those expensive clothes!! How could he afford them on a policeman's salary?

Things sound pretty definite. They may leave an opening if he feels like coming back, but he wants to "pursue other opportunities." (What I've been able to glean is that he wants to get back to doing what he really loves; Theatre work. It's one of the reasons he and Jerry Orbach [RIP] got along so well in real life.)

I'm not sold on Anderson as a replacement. He's a decent actor, and he did about as good as could be expected on K-Ville, but I have my doubts regarding him on the show, and chemistry will be a big problem. The show finally had that perfect chemistry back, now a big part of it's gonna be leaving.

I read that Jerry and Jesse used to just break out singing during breaks. It sounds like the two had a lot of respect for each other. I still miss Jerry.



I'm not to keen on Anderson being the replacement. He was okay in the one episode of SVU where he was partnered with Elliot but I was glad it was for one episode only. I was really loving Lupo and green together and now I have to get used to someone new.

I like Anderson. Although I'll miss Jesse Martin, I think Anderson will do a good job - he brings a wicked sense of humour and is fresh. That's part of L & O's charm... character rotation! Will also be interesting to see how he & Lupo get along after the rocky start. I wonder what kind of chemistry they'll have. Can't wait to see how the season unfolds.

Thought AA did great. I had an overwhelming since of nostalgia when I saw Jesse in the promo though! But Anderson was a pleasant surprise.

I agree I like AA also, I think he will work out just find, but I can't promise that I will be watching as much, Jesse & Jerry were the main reason why I watch, when Jerry left, we still had Jesse, now Jesse is gone so that may be it for me, I mean I do like Epatha but I'm sorry.

I was pleasantly surprised myself, he wasn't as "loud" as I expected him to be.

Hi, I've not been over here on the board but I was just curious to check it out. (waving at Mia)

I just realized that when Jesse left (yes, me Jane sad too, sigh), that I've seen so many character changes..good grief. I've been 'with the show' since the beginning and gone through different DA's, ADA's, various cops.. and the one theme with L&O was that, inspite missing a particular character, they always picked 'the right replacements'. I might not have liked a character/actor/actress as much, but the writing is always solid and you have different 'characters'. Not a carbon copy one.

I first saw Anthony as the bad guy in what's that show called? The Comish guy gone bald..The Shield! I've seen him in different shows after that and to me..it's like 'making it'. If you're on L&O than you're considered good enough for sure! I mean Alana de Garza was David Caruso's wife in CSI Miami for gods sakes (and is there a more lame show??)! She's great in her role here but I had to get used to it.

Every character/actor combo needs a bit of time to develop that illusive 'chemistry' and as long as the writing stays good, and Jeremy and Anthony will develop their own 'thing'!

Ingrid

Get rid of this guy.
now
today.

I agree with mrscassel, he just isn't doing it for me. Anthony is good but its hard to picture any one else in that detective spot. I read some where that Dick Wolf and Jesse was talking about him returning. My fingers are crossed.

Oh man I hope so!! I didn't even make it through the whole episode with Anthony Anderson and I shut it off. I miss Jesse!!!

cant believe they brought him back, I didnt like him when he guest starred, they will lose this fan if he stays. They should of brought someone better on.....

Ingrid,

I disagree about the writing always being solid. Last season, the writing was poor. Combined with below par acting from the new female leads and the Friday Night graveyard time slot, last season was a low point for the 'mothership'.

This season, the writing is back up to the old high standards. With Milena Govich jettisoned, De Garza has playing her character much stronger this season (likely influenced by the improved writing).

The increased character turnover has the potential to derail the quality, but after last season's train wreck, I think everything is holding up pretty well so far.

The only thing about this new character is exactly how he left IAB and moved into homicide. Green's departure was given proper respect, but there was no corresponding "IAB is loaning us a detective" line to explain the new guy. Maybe I missed it, or maybe the episodes were shown out of sequence (commonplace with Scrubs this season).

I thought AA did a great job and the chemistry between him and Jeremy is already showing. He's a good comic relief. Good cop vs. bad cop. A cop who breaks the rules and a cop who always follows the rules. The boogeyman showed his funny side when he called him self part of the rat squad and said he did not rat out Lupo, but that's what Lupo gets for working with ametuers (his sister in-law). Great season so far. I thought I would miss Greene, but I think I like AA even more.

Are you kidding me! He was ok but he dont even come close to Jesse. But everyone have their own opinions. But i just cant imagine why anyone would go so far as to say Anthony is better than Jesse. That was a shocker.

I like Bernard so far, much better addition than cutter. I liked Cassidy too, even though others did not.

Johnny

After two years the charcter of Anthony was pomised a position in homicide from the "rat squad," thus his partnering with Lupo plus it was mentioned by Epatha she wanted him because he was smart in the area of investigations. I like the role Anthony played on Law & Order SVU.. glad he is back. With better writing this season should be great!

i'm soooo sad that Jesse Martin left. And to make it worse they bring on Anthony Anderson. Kinda irronic that they hire an accused rapist to play a detective in such a wonderful show. I cant stand watching him in movies and now he's on one of my favorite shows, yuck!

I am not yet warming up to AA. I realize it has only been two episodes but so far not happy with this new cast member.


(Hi Ingrid! )

I have to say that every time he speaks, I want to smack him in the mouth. He smiles at the most inappropriate times, and I just don't get it.

I don't necessarily dislike AA as an actor, I just think this is a terrible role for him.


I love L&O. I've been watching since I was a kid, and I've loved this new season (although, I can't stand Connie). But, I think hiring AA was a mistake.

I'm not a fan at all of Bernard. Seriously. ANTHONY ANDERSON??? He does not belong on Law & Order. He belongs on The Shield. He belongs on K-Ville. He does not belong on Law & Order. *sigh* I guess now they're trying to appeal to teenagers so they cast hip young stars like Jeremy Sisto and Anthony Anderson, who are a far cry from the more believable George Dzundza and Chris Noth who seem so distant now.

I just wanted to say and i hope that someone reads this that matters. I do not like the new dectives on the show , i think they are all great actors but they are missing that spark together and it bores me watching them..

I have been a loyal fan of law and order and all of the law and orders. I watch them on every channel, all the reruns, etc.

I am NOT happy with this anthony guy. He is NOT a good fit for this show. I do not like him and am very disappointed. I hope they get rid of him and cast someone who will be a much better fit! He doesnt even come close!!!!

Disappointed loyal fan.

I like Anthony Anderson but he's not right for this show. He is much better on the shield as the bad guy. He doesn't fit well with the show so I hope that he will not be on the show next season. I hope Det. Green will come back if not they should bring back the fancy guy rich guy.

I DO like Anthony Anderson in this role, if they give him the right material. When they first introduced him, in Jesse Martin's final episode, there was evident friction between Anderson and the characters of Lupo and Van Buren. THAT was interesting and I was looking forward to seeing more of that play out as the characters adjusted to one another and found their rhythm. The last two episodes they've got him playing rather low-key by comparison--I'd like to see them put the sand back in everybody's britches, and give Anderson something to work with. Therein lies the drama.

Every time someone on the message boards doesn't like a new character, it inevitably is declared to be the end of Law & Order. C'mon, guys, this show's been on for nearly two decades and has thrived despite numerous cast changes (or in some cases, thrived because of them). If it survived the annoyances of Benjamin Bratt and Elisabeth Rohm, Anthony Anderson certainly isn't going to single-handedly kill it. He's doing respectable work. Give him and the writers time to find the character. I think it'll work.

Thank You in my house I am the only one who feels that Anderson is so wrong for this show. I can't watch it any more, it's just not the same . I needs him to go.

Hello Candice80,

I like Anthony Anderson as the replacement for Jesse. I think Anthony will be great as long as the writing picks up. Last year and this season the writers were just too predictable and boring. Yes he was accused but not convicted would you rather have the recovering drug addict on the show? The guy that starts in Ironman. The way I see it; we all are imprefect give him a chance of late he has become a more serious actor. I did not like Jesse on the show in the beginning but changed as time went on.

I think Robert Downey Jr on Law and Order would be amazing lol. I personally could care less what they do in their private life - what they're "accused of" - whatever. Anderson has a HUGE range of acting ability and considering how lackluster this season was, I'm looking forward to season 19 now.