L&O: Ellen Pompeo kills her mother because she doesn't like her boyfriend

Law & Order S6 E16 “Savoir”

“You’re going to charge me with murder? Seriously? Seriously?!”

Mom and son killed, daughter shot, Olivet says dad could be a "family annihilator." But when she changes her diagnosis, it looks like before-she-was-famous Ellen Pompeo orchestrated the whole thing. Plus, Briscoe eats a baked potato covered in peanut butter.

We're talking about L&O original recipe season 6 episode 16 "Savoir." Our guest is podcaster and sports journalist Sonja Missio.

This episode takes some plot points from the case of John List.

SVU: Robin Williams is basically a super villain

SVU S9 E17 “Authority”

I can’t wait for the public radio podcast about my crime spree.

In SVU's 200th episode, Robin Williams scams a burger manager to strip search an employee, defends himself at trial, appears on Morning Joe with a sheep named Elliot, organizes a Grand Central Station flash mob, kidnaps Benson and threatens Stabler to administer electrical shocks, blows up a recording studio, then disappears in the East River while still handcuffed.

We're talking about SVU season 9 episode 17 “Authority” with Michelle Rubenstein from the It Takes Three podcast network.

This episode was inspired by a 2004 phone scam at a Kentucky McDonalds.

SVU: The State of the Unit Address

How you like us now?

We're declaring a national emergency. Halfway through season 20, we hear from listeners and past guests about what's working and what isn't on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Then we'll ask the question: should SVU be renewed for a 21st season?

We'll hear from Rebecca Lavoie, Vaya Pashos, Margo Donohue, Henry Lavoie, Kimberly, and Sarah D. Bunting, plus Kevin Flynn will give the State of the Unit Address.  

SVU: Benson goes into virtual reality to rescue Vixy Platinum by turning on the sun

SVU S9 E2 “Avatar”

We have to find who kidnapped this avatar. Bring in Donkey Kong for questioning.

How do you find a vanished woman whose online avatar is teen stripper Vixy Platinum? Go INTO the game and locate the kidnapper's virtual cabin by making the sun come out at night. Also there's a sleepwalking rapist and a girl who's been missing for 25 years and still carries a torch for her pedophile kidnapper. 

We turn the bat-shit-crazy to 11 with Sarah D. Bunting as we talk about Special Victims Unit season 9 episode 2 "Avatar."

The story takes plot points from the online world of Second Life. 

L&O: Lawyer Sandy Duncan sells out her client

Law & Order S6 E6 “Paranoia”

I’ve got my eye on you, McCoy.

A co-ed is found dead in her dorm. The computer geek with the rape-and-murder fantasies and a pair of the victim's panties seems like a good suspect, but Briscoe and Curtis home in on her paranoid roommate. Instead of homicide, McCoy and Kincaid charge her with fraud for lying on her college application. Thank goodness her lawyer Sandy Duncan is willing the throw the case. (So long Sixth Amendment!)

We're talking about original recipe season 6 episode 6 "Paranoia" with Lawrence Tucker of the Awesome 80s podcast.

This episode was inspired by the ripped from the headlines story of Gina Grant. 

CI: Goren meets his nemesis Nicole Wallace

Criminal Intent S2 E3 “Anti-thesis”

Whatever you do, if you’re at a bar on trivia night and you see these two, find a way to get on their team.

The Hudson University president is murdered, but who convinced the grad student to do the deed? The answer is Goren’s new nemesis: Nicole Wallace!

We’re talking about Criminal Intent season 2 episode 3 “Anti-Thesis.”

We’re joined by returning guest, from Undisclosed and the Office Hours podcasts, Dr. Marcia Chatelain.

This episode takes some of its cues from the real-life squabble between Harvard President Larry Summers and Dr. Cornel West.

SVU: Stone is accused of rape

SVU S20 E9 “Mea Culpa”

“Is she standing right behind me? She’s standing right behind me, isn’t she?”

Hard-drinking, hard-loving ADA Peter Stone is accused by a woman of raping her 12 years ago, an assault he has no memory of. No one in the SVU squad wants to believe it…and maybe that’s the bigger problem.

We’re talking about SVU season 20 episode 9 Mea Culpa. We’re joined by three-time guest (and TATS Triple Crown winner) Lani Diane Rich of Chipperish Media.

This episode is inspired by the sexual assault accusation against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

SVU: Rooney Mara beats up fat people

SVU S7 E20 “Fat”

Rooney Mara later said her guest appearance on SVU was “awful and stupid” in a clear attempt to win friends and influence people.

Why did two fat kids beat up little Rooney Mara? Because she beat up their fat brother. Why did she beat up their fat brother? Because she used to be fat herself. (Wait, WTF?) Also, Anthony Anderson appears - not as L&O's Bernard - but as Stabler's hot-headed temporary partner.

We’re talking about SVU season 7 episode 20 “Fat.” Our guest is Jason Alme from the Shit Happens When you Party Naked podcast.

This episode is inspired by two teens who sued McDonalds for making them obese. 

SVU: an orphan sets Dani Beck’s apartment on fire

SVU s8 e8 “Cage”

Dani: If I let you into my home do you promise not to burn it down while I’m asleep?

Girl: I promise nothing.

A shady adoption agency! A child smothered during “rebirthing” therapy! Foster kids kept in cages! Elliot gets stabbed with a pen! And 8-year-old Elle Fanning attempts a murder-suicide by setting fire to the apartment of Elliot's wannabe lover Dani Beck!

We’re looking at SVU season 8 episode 8 “Cage.” We’re joined by returning guest Vaya Pashos from the Buddywatch podcast.

This episode is inspired by the rebirthing death of Candace Newmaker.

L&O: A crazy guy kills Ty Burrell's ex-wife on the subway

L&O S11 E2 “Turnstile Justice”

Before he was famous Ty Burrell didn’t know what to do with his hair.

A crazy man bashes in a woman's head on the subway. McCoy isn't satisfied putting the lunatic in jail. He also charges the health insurance executive who kept him from getting his medicine in the first place.

This time we're looking at Law & Order season 11 episode 2 "Turnstile Justice." Our guest is Lara Bricker from "Crime Writers On."

This story is based on the 1999 killing of Kendra Webdale.

SVU: John Ritter rips the baby right outta his cheatin' wife's belly

SVU S3 E11 “Monogamy”

“I can’t believe I’m going to win an Emmy for this.”

When someone attacks a pregnant woman and cuts the baby out of her stomach - instead of focusing on arrogant neat-freak husband John Ritter - Elliot has to make it ALL ABOUT HIM. Boo freakin' hoo.

We're talking about SVU S3 E11 "Monogamy." Our guest is Rebecca's best friend Molly McKean, Esq.

(For photos of Molly's chickens and other things, follow her on Instagram at Coldakitty.) The ripped-from-the-headlines story is the murder of expectant mother Bobbie Jo Stinnett.

L&O: Joe Piscopo helps Gary Busey kill his wife

L&O S12 E6 “Formerly Famous”

No offense Gary Busey, but this is not helping your image that you’re not crazy.

She’s a grifter.  He’s a washed-up celebrity. She wound up dead on the sidewalk. Who did it? Well, Gary Busey appears in the first 30 seconds of this episode, so you tell us.

We’re looking at a classic Law & Order, season 12 episode 6 “Formerly Famous.” Our guest is John Davenport from the Hollywood Outsider podcast.

This episode was based on the murder trial of Robert Blake.

SVU: Dad kidnaps his son to teach Mom a lesson

SVU S16 E22 “Parents’ Nightmare”

“You have the right to tell us some crazy-ass story about how the mom paid you to kidnap her son, right before you tell us the dad paid you to kidnap his son.”

A boy is abducted from his school. The kidnapper later says his Mom paid to have him taken. Or was it the Dad?

We’re looking at SVU season 16 episode 22 “Parents’ Nightmare.” Our guest is Maureen McMurray from the new Bear Brook podcast.

This episode is based on the ripped-from-the-headlines story of a family who faked a kidnapping to teach their boy about “stranger danger.”

SVU: Rose McGowan commits TWINCEST!

SVU S12 E19 “Bombshell”

She may be undercover, but why does Olivia even have this dress?

Benson and Stabler go undercover in a sex club [swoon] to catch a pair of con artist swingers who have a surprising amount in common. Like the same mother. Like they're doing it. Like they're twins and they're doing it.

We're looking at SVU season 12 episode 19 "Bombshell." Our guest is Toronto Sun sex & relationship columnist Simone Paget. 

The inspiration for one of the characters is burlesque star Dita von Teese. 

L&O: Julia Roberts tries to bang Curtis

L&O season 9 episode 20 “Empire”

"Babe, imma gonna walk off this set and go get my Oscar. Good luck in 'Miss Congeniality.'"

A financier dies of a Viagra overdose...a billionaire wants a football stadium...Briscoe makes some dick jokes...blah blah blah. Julia Roberts guest stars as a femme fatale who wants to get it in with her then-boyfriend Benjamin Bratt! 

We're talking about Law & Order season 9 episode 20 "Empire." Our guest is Aaron Peterson of the Hollywood Outside and The Blacklist Exposed podcasts.

This episode is inspired in part by the plans of George Steinbrenner, Rudy Giuliani, and Donald Trump to build a new Yankee Stadium. 

SVU: Amaro shoots a kid and Cragen hits the road

SVU S15 E11 "Amaro's One-Eighty"

"I hope I'm not to late to mess up my career!"

After joining a police foot chase, Amaro shoots an unarmed teen. Now IAB is after him. But it's Cragen who turns in his badge, as the iconic character retires after 400 L&O and SVU episodes.

We're talking with Kimmie Smith of Athleisure Mag about Special Victims Unit season 15 episode 11* "Amaro's One-eighty."

This story is inspired by the real life case of Ramarley Graham.

Note; some streaming services list this as episode 10 because of a two-part season premier.

SVU: He fell for the banana in the tailpipe

SVU S1 E12 "Russian Love Poem"

"Meow. Even though you can't afford me I'll throw myself at you because that's just what we high-priced Russian hookers are known to do."

The oversexed victim was buggered by fruit. The trail leads Benson and Stabler to a Turkish bath house, high-priced Russian hookers, the mysterious second floor loft in the squad room, and a male porn star named “Bull Dozer.”

We’re looking at SVU S1 E12 “Russian Love Poem” with Brittni Liyanage from the D20 Dames podcast.

This episode’s ripped-from-the-headline story deals with the Russian mob.

L&O: A Dad shoots the prison escapee who shot his daughter

L&O S17 E9 "Deadlock"

Are you kidding me with that accent? You're working IN New York. How do you not know what these people sound like?

We're back (even though Rebecca deleted the file of our last episode)! 

Green and Cassady chase an escaped prisoner all over Manhattan, only to corner him in a classroom where he shoots four children. McCoy and Rubirosa wanted the convict to get the death penalty. So why should they prosecute the vigilante who killed him for them?

We're looking at Law & Order, season 17 episode 9 "Deadlock."  Our guest is Nick Capodice from the Civics 101 podcast. 

This episode takes cues from the ripped from the headlines case of Gary Plauche.

Note that we will be discussing a fictional school shooting. 

L&O: A woman gets chased off a bridge and Rey's wife leaves

L&O S7 E9"Menace"

Briscoe: We're looking for a violent person who maybe chased a random woman over the edge of a bridge. Who lives here?

Neighbor: Crazy Mike.

Briscoe (whisper): Rey, I think we're getting warmer.

A woman jumps from a crowed bridge. Did she kill herself...or was she chased to her death? Also, Rey's wife finds out about his infidelity and leaves him (for now).

We're looking at classic Law & Order season 7 episode 11 "Menace." Our guest is author Brady Carlson.

This podcast episode was originally released on October 12, 2016, but this encore episode contains additional material.

This TV episode is inspired by the real life case of Delitha Ward.

CI: Instead of freezing the Senator’s body, they steal his brain

CI S2 E12 "Cold Comfort"

That is correct. I have not ever had a girlfriend who didn't also want to kill me. So...points!

Doesn’t being cryogenically frozen after death sound good? Not to the billionaire who wants that brain to cure his son’s Alzheimer’s.

This time we look at Criminal Intent season 2 episode 15 “Cold Comfort.”

Our guest is Lisa Gallagher of the Toronto True Crime Film Festival.

This episode is inspired by the real-life controversy around the death of baseball legend Ted Williams.