Will Hart / NBC

Mariska Hargitay says that Chris Meloni's exit from "SVU" allowed her character, Det. Olivia Benson, to have a romantic relationship with Harry Connick Jr.'s ADA David Haden.

Mariska Hargitay touted the new and different vibe on NBC's "Law & Order: SVU," noting that the departure of her longtime partner, Chris Meloni's Detective Elliot Stabler, opened up a new world for Olivia Benson.

(TODAY.com is powered by msnbc.com, which is a joint venture between Microsoft and NBC Universal.)

"With Elliot Stabler's departure, that was the only way she could have a relationship," the actress told reporters Wednesday during NBC's Summer Press Day in Pasadena. "There was no room for a man in her life because of their connection."

More from THR: Harry Connick Jr. joins multiepisode arc

Meloni departed the veteran procedural after its 12th season, following prolonged contract talks with the network. In his absence, the Dick Wolf drama added a plethora of new characters, including love interests for Hargitay's Benson played Harry Connick Jr. and Andre Braugher.

"It's a new show to me, it's very different," she says. "I was very nervous going into the season; Chris and I started and were extremely close and had amazing chemistry which was a gift."

The actress says the new dynamic created with the additions of Danny Pino and Kelli Giddish to join the cast along with returning stars Stephanie March and Diane Neal also returned to the show this season.

"This new cast came on and I had no idea what to expect -- and we had a new showrunner," she told reporters. "The show this year is awesome and different and has gone into different areas and I get to play different things; my own story of having a boyfriend after 13 years ... my character has gone on this unbelievable personal journey that is both reflected in her persona life and the story lines. [New showrunner] Warren Leight has done wonderful job of marrying, carving out and excavating a different part of somebody after 13 years and that's impressive."

More from THR: Warren Leight on the 'SVU' cast shake-up

Part of that journey, Hargitay said, was that Olivia has approached things from a different point of view, looking more internally than outwardly to find solutions to issues both personal and professional.

"Olivia, 13 years ago, was a different person; she was a rookie cop with a lot of passion and a need for justice and need to fix her past," she said. "She's developed and grown into a lioness who didn't just want justice but needed it. ... The show has made me a very strong woman."

"Law & Order: SVU" airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on NBC.

What did you think of Olivia's romantic relationship with ADA David Haden? Are you still enjoying the show without Meloni's Stabler? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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On "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," Mariska Hargitay plays tough-talking detective Olivia Benson. In real life, the actress leaves the tough talk and angst for others as she embraces the good life with her children.

Hargitay visited TODAY Tuesday morning to discuss both her on-screen and off-screen roles.

"My life is really good," she told host Ann Curry. "It's just so full of joy. You know, the babies have come and it feels like nothing short of a miracle." On the verge of tears, she added, "I feel very blessed."

The babies are Amaya and Andrew, both of whom she adopted last year after one "devastating" failed adoption attempt. In a recent interview with Good Housekeeping, Hargitay talked about the rollercoaster of emotion that comes with the adoption process. During her TODAY visit, she explained why, despite setbacks, it was all worthwhile.

"I love talking about adoption because I think it's the greatest thing on the planet," she insisted. "I think anytime you embrace life so fully, so heartily, there are highs and there are lows. What I said in the (Good Housekeeping) piece was that the process takes you on a ride. And the end of it is better than any pot of gold that you can imagine. There's a child."

As fulfilled as Hargitay feels from her family, her work keeps her satisfied, too. This is her first season on "SVU" sans co-star Christopher Meloni, and while that was a difficult adjustment for the actress at first, she now says it's "reenergizing to do the same thing that you've been doing for twelve years and with a whole new freshness to it and a new take on it."

Hargitay describes the next episode of "SVU" as "truly one of (her) favorites." See a clip of the action to come below and tune in to NBC Wednesday night at 10 p.m. ET to see it all unfold.

What do you think of Hargitay's real-life and on-screen roles? Share your thoughts about the actress on our Facebook page.

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FunnyOrDie.com

Tough, angry cop with a big heart on "Law & Order: SVU"?  Actor Christopher Meloni has been there, done that. But it never hurts to revisit it! (Especially when "SVU" fans miss him so!)

In a new video on FunnyOrDie.com, the new "True Blood" season five regular pokes a bit of fun at his former role -- complete with boiling rage -- as he prepares to bring Ugandan guerrilla group leader Joseph Kony down. 

"I'm quitting acting!" Meloni declares to an agent-type dude in the video that starts off as an "SVU" spoof. "Here's my fake gun. My fake badge. Real SAG card. I'm going Congo." How very Stabler-like!

And while getting into costume for his trip, Meloni even delivers some stretches reminiscent of his time on HBO's prison drama "Oz."

Check it out:

What do you think of Meloni's latest spoof of his former cop character? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page!

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AP

"Law & Order: SVU" is about to get a lesson in the domestic arts ... well, backstage, maybe.

According to TVGuide.com, Martha Stewart is set to guest star on the NBC procedural. Rather than playing a domestic goddess, her role will be that of a headmaster of a private school, the magazine reports.

The network confirmed the news to TODAY.com and said that an airdate has not yet been set, but that the episode would likely air at the end of April.

Stewart's reported role on "SVU" won't be her first time guesting on a show. She has previously appeared (as herself) on "All My Children," "The Simpsons," "Ugly Betty" and other programs. 

"SVU" airs on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on NBC.

What do you think of this casting news? Who's your favorite guest ever on "SVU"? Tell us on our Facebook page!

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Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images

"Law & Order: SVU" star Mariska Hargitay would welcome the opportunity to show off her comedic skills on "Saturday Night Live."

Listen up, "Saturday Night Live"!

We think it's time you let Mariska Hargitay host!

As we first told you last month, Hargitay's "Law & Order: SVU" co-star Ice-T has started an informal campaign to land her the coveted gig. We even started a Twitter campaign ( #mariska4SNL ) to help him out.

But does TV's toughest detective even want to do it?

READ: "Mariska should host 'Saturday Night Live,'" says co-star Ice-T

"My real personality is more 'Saturday Night Live' than Olivia Benson," Hargitay said Sunday at a benefit for her Joyful Heart Foundation at the House of Blues in West Hollywood. "Ice is always like 'Damn, I don't know how you got on this show. You should be on 'SNL.' So they always talk about it on set."

Hargitay refuses to get her hopes up too high.

"I did want (to host) for a long time," she admitted. "You know, if I do it, great. If I don't, I'm fine. It's such a compliment that my coworkers even think that I would be worthy enough."

Well, we think so, too!

In much more serious business, Hargitay created the Joyful Heart Foundation eight years ago to raise awareness around the issues of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse.

This weekend's event honored legendary baseball manager Joe Torre.

"To see a man--the strongest man, the most macho man, and I use that in the best way--to see him take a stand and say, 'Enough is enough'...that will make other men stand up," Hargitay said. "It will change lives."

PHOTOS: Do-Gooder Gallery

Among her celeb friends who attended were Jodie Foster, her L&O costars Danny Pino and Diane Neal, Sandra Oh, Kim Raver, Christine Lahti and Greg Kinnear.

Would you watch Hargitay on "SNL" if she ever lands the hosting gig? Vote in our poll below and share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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NBC

Love is in the air for "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit's" Det. Olivia Benson!

NBC has announced that actor and musician Harry Connick Jr. will be guest starring over multiple episodes as Executive Assistant District Attorney David Haden beginning with the Jan. 18 episode.

"I'm really excited because I get to talk like an educated person," Connick joked in a taped message presented at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in Pasadena Friday.

The video also revealed an intimate scene between him Mariska Hargitay's Benson.

As evidenced by the flirty clip (watch it below!), there’s a palpable chemistry between these two characters as their case and relationship develop.  We find it hard to believe the network would let him go.

"This is a home run on so many levels," Hargitay said. " I think Olivia couldn't have asked for a better companion to take her through a new stage in her life and career."

But that wasn't all the juicy news to come out of the "SVU" session. Earlier reports of Hargitay scaling back, and perhaps even leaving the show, had viewers nervous about losing both longtime cop partners Benson and Elliot Stabler. Chris Meloni, who played Stabler, didn’t come to terms for a new contract and left the series last season.

When Connick asked Hargitay in the video message if she'd be back on "SVU" next year, her response was a big ol' yes. "Oh, I'll be back! I can't leave this show," she said. "I'm having too much fun!"

"As long as there is a 'SVU,' Mariska will be on it," affirmed NBC entertainment honcho Bob Greenblatt.

Although the series hasn’t been officially picked up past this season, Greenblatt said it's a good possibility the series will go for another year.

Whew!

See what Hargitay and Connick had to say, and watch them smooch in the video presented at TCA!

"SVU" airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on NBC.

What do you think of Harry Connick Jr. as a love interest for Olivia? Did the sparks fly between them in the clip? Tell us on our Facebook page!

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Suzanne Plunkett / Reuters

"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" star Rooney Mara says the 2006 episode of "SVU" that she had a guest starring role in was "ridiculous."

Actress Rooney Mara, who's set to be the big breakout star of the upcoming "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," seems to have outgrown her TV roots. At least that would explain why she's now dismissing one of the roles that helped her get where she is today.

In 2006, Mara had a guest role on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." Now, looking back on that gig during an interview with Allure magazine, she admits she found the storyline "ridiculous" and just doesn't see the show's appeal.

"It was so awful, so stupid," she complained to the magazine. "People are obsessed with that show. I don’t get it. (In the episode,) me and my boyfriend -- although I don’t look old enough to have a boyfriend -- went and beat up these fat people, and at the end of the show you find out that I used to be obese and I hate fat people. It’s ridiculous. Who would ever do that? Who would beat someone up because they’re fat? And as retribution, they sodomized her. I mean, I’ve been sodomized since the beginning of my career. I should have known then it would come full circle."

Sounds like Mara's really has had a hard climb up the success ladder.

"SVU" fans, what do think of Mara's commets? Does she have a point? Tell us what you think on our Facebook page!

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Will Hart / NBC Universal, Inc.

The man behind "Law & Order: SVU's" Det. Elliot Stabler could soon return to TV in HBO's "True Blood."

Fans of actor Christopher Meloni who still miss their weekly TV time with the former “Law & Order: SVU” leading man might soon have a chance to see him on the boob tube again in “True Blood.”

According to TV Line’s Michael Ausiello, the actor is currently being considered for a major role in the drama. That begs one obvious question: would that be a major human role or something from the “other” category? After all, Bon Temps is crawling with vampires, werewolves, werepanthers, shapeshifters and more.

Ausiello suggests Meloni will take on the part of an “incredibly powerful vampire.” Then again, given the past casting rumor that the show was seeking a “hard-bodied fiftysomething” for a werewolf role in the upcoming season, the actor may have more than one option.

If the “True Blood” casting plan pans out, it would mark Meloni’s first return to TV since he left “Law & Order: SVU” behind — that is if you don’t count his one-skit return to the small screen as a pepper-spray-happy lawman Tony Bologna on “The Daily Show.” Frankly, it’s worth counting.

The fifth season of “True Blood” premieres in June 2012 on HBO.

“SVU” fans, would you tune in to “True Blood” to just to see Meloni? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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NBC

T.R. Knight returns to TV on "Law & Order: SVU."

"Grey’s Anatomy" fans who’ve missed seeing the genial Dr. George O'Malley walk the halls of Seattle Grace on the small screen might have looked forward to seeing the actor, T.R. Knight, make his first primetime appearance since leaving the show. But if they tuned in to Wednesday night's episode of "Law & Order: SVU" hoping to see another O'Malley-like part for the star, they were no doubt disappointed -- not to mention more than a little creeped out.

That's because in Knight's latest effort, he played dual roles as both a suspected serial rapist and as the episode's actual serial rapist. Evil twins -- what would TV do without them?

Watch a clip from the show below: 

Whoa. Paging, Dr. O'Malley!

What did you think of Knight’s return to TV? Should he take more dark roles? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.  

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Comedy Central

Meloni plays Bologna in "Vigilogna."

For those who miss Chistopher Meloni now that he's left “Law & Order: SVU” behind, there's another chance to see the man behind Det. Elliot Stabler in a crime drama -- or at least a brief comedy skit about a crime drama.

It happened on Thursday night’s “Daily Show,” after Jon Stewart informed his audience about real-life Deputy Inspector Anthony Bologna, the officer who’s gained attention for spraying several women with pepper spray at the recent Wall Street protests.

“This Tony Bologna is a television series waiting to happen, and I’m about to happen it,” the host said.

And so he did, as Meloni took on the role of a rogue cop on a mission.

“This fall, justice has a first name. It’s spelled T-O-N-Y, and it’s gonna burn,” an announcer stated before the following flashed on the screen, “Chris Melongna is Tony Bologna in ‘Vigilogna’!”

Meloni, er, Melonga, even has the perfect catchphrase worked out.

“Crime doesn’t spray ... but I do.”

What did you think of Meloni's light take on crime TV? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” is back from its summer break, but it’s not the same old show it once was. Leading man Christopher Meloni, who played Det. Elliot Stabler for over a decade, is out, as is actor B.D. Wong, and several new faces have joined the drama. Still, one thing hasn’t changed — Mariska Hargitay is bringing Olivia Benson to the squad room, even though she's lost her on-screen partner.

During a Wednesday morning visit to TODAY, Hargitay discussed how she reacted to Meloni’s departure, where Benson is now and why she feels “SVU” is still so important.

“(Meloni) was my partner for 12 years,” Hargitay told TODAY's Ann Curry. “You know, it was really devastating and a huge, huge adjustment (to go on without him). I missed him. And I had a couple of really rough months But you know, the show is in a very exciting place, because there so much newness to the show this year. We have new characters and we have a new showrunner, so everything feels very fresh. There’s all kinds of new dynamics going on, and as an actor, that’s really exciting because there’s so much new stuff to play.”

As for how that “new stuff” will affect her character, Hargitay sees Benson evolving as she learns to live with all of the change.

“For example, with me, Olivia is in a very different place,” she said. “(She was) somebody who was focused on the victims and completely compassionate, and I think we’re seeing a very different Olivia that has different issues to deal with.... With new characters coming in, that brings a whole new set of circumstances.”

The actress is also excited about how the on-screen action can affect real lives off-screen, which is where her Joyful Heart Foundation — a charity focused on creating an empowering environment for survivors of abuse — comes in.

“I started the foundation in 2004, because people were disclosing to me (about their own history of sexual abuse),” she explained. “And I felt like I love that the show is so courageous in dealing with sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse — all issues that people don’t want to deal with.”

In fact, Hargitay hopes the next episode of “SVU” actually encourages people to engage in a healthy conversation about a particular type of sexual assault that’s rarely discussed.

“Obviously, women are the most violated, in terms of statistics, but this show — and the reason I was so excited to come on (TODAY this morning) is to promote the show tonight — not only is it an extremely powerful episode, but it deals with male sexual assault, which is something that people just don’t talk about,” Hargitay said. “It’s scary. We need to talk about it. So this is perfect — a perfect way to start a conversation. And as parents, what we want to do is teach our children how to protect themselves and how to see the signs if something happens. One of the things that’s so upsetting about male sexual abuse with children is that oftentimes it is indeed a role model, somebody you trust — a teacher, an uncle, a priest, whoever it is. So it’s really exciting, because it’s something that happens and tonight is a great way to introduce the subject.”

Learn more about the Joyful Heart Foundation by visiting joyfulheartfoundation.org.

“Law & Order: SVU” airs tonight at 10 p.m. ET on NBC.

Will you tune in to the see the second Stabler-free episode of “SVU”?  Tell us on our Facebook page.

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NBC

Benson breaks down after learning her partner is gone.

Thanks to a summer filled with casting news, fans of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” expected the season to kick off sans one very important familiar face. Of course, that fact didn’t make it any less disappointing to see an oddly Elliot Stabler-free squad room Wednesday night.

Also disappointed? Stabler’s partner, Olivia Benson. The usually tough detective broke down in tears after learning that her sidekick called it quits following the jaw-dropping shoot-out that wrapped up the last season.

Who could blame her? The kind of chemistry she shared with Stabler doesn’t come around every day.

On the plus side, Benson really stepped into focus on premiere night now that a certain someone is out of the way.

So tell us, what did you think of the very first episode of “SVU” without the show’s former leading man? Will you miss him? Do you plan to stick around and see how the season shapes up?

Take our poll and then share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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