find a box for that rat in your desk, Bobby...
We'll leave it to the actors themselves to define "phased out" ... but the dominos are really starting to fall on L&O:CI.
I just don't have it in me to be bitter ... I've had a whole season to see this coming...
I suspect USA sees a LO:CI with Jeff Goldblum as the lead as a good filler/replacement for the slot left open by the departure of Monk.
But that's just SO far from what the series started out to be... that part makes me sad ... but we've had seven good seasons, and an eight season run so far. I actually sort of like Goldblum's character, but I don't know that he can carry an entire series (see Raines).
Will put what seasons DVDs they've released on my Christmas list and remember the show I loved that way. I got hooked on the show based on the acting of D'Onofrio and Erbe. It was easily among the most nuanced stuff you'll ever seen on a TV cop show ... but eight years is a long time to play the same characters, and I wish them well on any new pursuits they take on.
The santa mug got smashed a long time ago... it just took a while to sweep up all the pieces...