The novel, time-sharing arrangement for "Criminal Intent" came about in February, after Noth filmed a guest spot on the show. D'Onofrio was hospitalized last fall after twice suffering fainting spells, which "L&O" creator/executive producer Dick Wolf attributed to D'Onofrio's heavy workload on the series. Having Noth shoulder some of that load, he said at the time, "is an ideal solution so that Vincent can continue to do the incredible work that has become the hallmark of the role."

Sciorra's character, "Criminal Intent" executive producer Rene Balcer says, is a "brilliant criminal profiler" who has worked for the FBI as well as the NYPD and joins Logan on the Major Case Squad. "Barek is as surprising, intuitive and razor-sharp as the talented actress who plays her," Balcer adds.

The controversy centers around Wednesday's episode in which a police officer investigating a murder of a federal judge suggested putting out an all points bulletin for "somebody in a Tom DeLay T-shirt."

"Every week, approximately 100 million people see an episode of the branded 'Law & Order' series. Up until today, it was my impression that all of our viewers understood that these shows are works of fiction as is stated in each episode.

"But I do congratulate Congressman DeLay for switching the spotlight from his own problems to an episode of a TV show."