One week ago, NBC released video of a same-sex kiss between Mariska Hargitay and guest star Kathy Griffin in an effort to promote last night’s return of Law & Order: SVU. But it didn’t happen! The U.S. telecast cut directly from Kathy going in for the kiss to Mariska being all “Back off, bitch!” Or, in Law & Order language (LOL): Whoa, whoa, whoa, now. That’s not on the menu. I’m personally more outraged at the cheesy dialogue throughout and Benson’s “I wouldn’t go in there if I were you” warning than by NBC’s weird decision here. What do you think? Should NBC have kept the kiss? And will this show ever get the gay thing right?
Here’s the original scene, with the kiss (0:16):
And here’s what NBC ran last night, courtesy of Autostraddle (0:40):
NBC didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Hilarious… I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by Kathy Griffin last night.
hahahaha NBCop out on SVU of all places…
Good point, hochelga. “SVU” features some pretty violent, sensationalistic crimes but a gay kiss? No way, can’t go there. Don’t get me wrong, I love “SVU” but it seems odd NBC would get cold feet on this issue.
eh… think her kissing Kathy G. just would have been out of character for Benson.
I WONDERED what happened to the kiss that I had previously read about!! I did LOVE it tho when Griffin kissed Meloni.
What disturbed me was when Olivia said to the other cop ‘you’d better stay outside’ – like the raging gay woman inside was going to jump any woman who ventured into the house…
I thought the kiss between them was nothing to get in a tizzy about. Thought it was sort of hilarious that the writers wrote about the issue about how people think Olivia may be gay and asked Elliot if she gave off the undertones. Agree with the poster above in that the kiss bet KG and CM was great! The episode itself was forgettable, tho
I have loved this show for a long time, but the last 2 or 3 seasons the writing has been horrible. This is just another example. That and NBC has no…spheres.
I not one of THOSE people, but I have to admit it kinda ticks me off. Why even release the clip if you aren’t going to show the kiss? I was also a little disturbed by Olivia’s line to the officer outside. It was a bit tasteless and I would say out of character…
I am glad they did not kiss. Why? Kathy Griffin was so irritating in this episode. Everything about this episode was off. They have had gay crimes before on the show and it was not so awkward. The show has really taken a downward turn in writing.
I agree with you so much. Not only the writing, but the acting. I used to love Mariska and even Christopher. I don’t know if it’s just that they are burned out on a show which should have been sent to heaven by now, but they are actually starting to come across as typical, jerk cops with no kindness or empathy at all. Without that, what’s the point? Ever notice that every time they fade to commercial, it’s with Mariska with her mouth open and rolling her eyes? What happened to her award-winning acting?
I did not think I would say this, but
who would have thunk “Law and Order” has gotten better, and “SVU” has sunk
to the depths?
I found this entire episode deeply insulting to all members of the LGBT community.
This episode clearly outlined reasons why straight people can’t stand gays. If I had someone like Kathy Griffin’s character pushing it in my face every other minute, I’d hit/rape/kill them too. Thank God I live in a rural area. Now, I realize it’s only tv, but OMG!! STFU! But in all fairness, I adore Mariska Hargitay because she’s always been so classy, and Kathy Griffin is so…well, anyway. If they would’ve really smooched I would have puked, broke the tv, never watched SVU again, and lost all faith in Mariska. In that order. Nuff said.
You DO realize that most gay people aren’t like what Kathy Griffin’s character portrayed on the show, right? It’s SVU’s lazy stereotyping writing, not the gay community’s, that the character turned out so awkward and annoying.
Er. Why would you RAPE them if they hit on you and you didn’t like it? Remind me to stay away from you. And yeah fortunately Kathy’s character does NOT represent our community.
I think the response from “Diana” is emblematic of why it was socially irresponsible of NBC, Dick Wolf and Neal Baer to create a character for Griffin that personified the ugly (pun intended) stereotype of gay people. This equally ugly response, supporting violence against gays, is an indication of what you get when you reinforce people’s homophobia and ignorance. The creators of this travesty should be ashamed of the damage they have done.
It serves them right for trying to throw a bone to those who desperately want Benson to be gay. Maybe now the showrunners have learned their lesson. Kathy Griffin was hysterical though.
Mariska should retire. Her acting nowadays consists of nothing but a contorted open mouth and rolling eyes. Not good acting at all.
Ridiculous, Mariska’s acting is incredible as always. Don’t watch the show if you don’t like it.