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Show The Salt Lake Tribune TELEVISION Wednesday, December29, 1999 9:30 10:00 10:30 Screen Time Shrinksfor Emmy Winner It is notoften that a network eT eeits highest-profile nt. Or one ofits Emmy winners, Gordon Clapp, with shrinking script opportunities. ly begun makABC has ing up with fans oft‘the awardwinning “NYPDBlue,” whichfinally makes its season premiere Jan. 110n Ch, sensem. The network has promised new episodes and no eee ‘Thesalty cop show was setto go in November.Priorto that, ABC decided to giveits forty- something family drama series, “Once and Again,” a test run in the “NYPD Blue” Tuesday slot. “Once and Again” was to leave the air until “MondayNig NightFootball” concluded and then would take that spot. However,the show proved so successful opposite CBS’ successful family drama, “Judging Amy,” that INYPD Blue,” winner of 17 Emmy Awards since its debuted in 1998, ‘TV-14'275558 was pushed way back, Last year, Clapp, whoapaa nervous, stuttering and hypochondriac Det. oh Mee voy. saw his significant screen time whittled down,as did co-star ), who plays Det. James Martinez, Turturro will leave the show this year. “I played him as a somewhat nervous guy, saying everything twice,” said Clapp of his audition for the role. ao was the key tomy getting therol Although Clapp hardly makes a blip on the show’s Tae during the opening two episodes,he is in store for a new partner, win Jones, played by Henry Simmons, “There wasn’t much of a peripheral story for Medavoy or Martinez,” said Clapp.“I felt as if my(character’s] life went on hold.” Muchof the actionlast season at the 15th Precinct dealt with the four-part departure of Jimmy Smits — his character died of heart disease — andthe. i a new character in Rick Schroler. Clapp, nominated twice for an Emmyand a winnerin 1997, would like more meaningful plot action. “Td like to think that would happen,”said Clapp.“I thought . that during the first part of last season our characters would take a backseat. When Rick came on, he was taken care of.” ‘The new season begins with hroder’s finding a r Dennis Det. Andy Sipowicz newly widowed and dealing with life as a single father. Clapp also hopes the show refocuses on crime WS ‘TV-G971875 11:66 |
