Hot off the heels of bothCopsandLive PDgetting the boot from their respective networks, someLaw & Order: Special Victims Unitfans are fearing fan favorite character Olivia Benson could be next. Portrayed by Mariska Hargitay on the popular crime drama series since 1999, Olivia just might be television’s most beloved police officer. Working as the Captain and Commanding Officer of the NYPD’s Special Victims Unit in Manhattan, Olivia can be seen as perhaps the most prime example of the “good cop” archetype, always tough on abusers and showing great compassion for their victims.
Following thepolice killing of George Floydlast month, people have been demanding heavy police reform amid worldwide protests and calls for justice. The controversy led to Paramount Network and A&E bothyanking CopsandLive PDoff the air, although these shows had both been among television’s most popular programs. Although it seems to be mostly in jest, many people on social media have also joked that Chase the police dog from the animated children’s seriesPaw Patrolwill be the next to go, noting that the heroic portrayal of a “good cop” can now be seen as controversial.
With television’s “good cops” in danger, there is now some growing concern online thatOlivia Bensoncould get the axe. The point was also argued in a lengthy article from Rolling Stone, insisting that Olivia is in fact a part of the problem as an officer that “plays a major role in perpetuating the idea that cops are inherently trustworthy and heroic.” Though she commends Hargitay for her work on and off screen, author EJ Dickson writes that a true revolution “can’t be built on the backs of the exceptions, and those who perpetuate toxic systems can’t be deemed immune to critique just because we like them.”
As you might expect, the article has generated a bit of controversy on social media fromSVUfans, as there doesn’t seem to be a lot of people who want to see Benson pulled from television. “Rolling Stone, you can leave Olivia Benson alone. How about she stays and you go! I’m tired of this knee jerk reaction to pull all cop shows off the air!” says one tweet in response to the article. Many other tweets deliver essentially the same message, but with much more colorful language. The concept has since generated so much attention that evenMegyn Kellyand former presidential candidate Ted Cruz have tweeted out responses.
There have been a lot of people expressing disappointment over shows likeCopsandLive PD getting canceled, but the concept of canceling Olivia Benson seems to be where social media draws the line. The timing to propose the idea could also not have been any worse, asSVUfans are particularly excited to see Benson reunite with Elliott Stabler when Christopher Meloni reprises the role of Benson’s former partner in the upcoming season premiere. For what it’s worth, there’s been no official word of NBC cancelingSVUor the planned Elliott Stabler spin-off, and the outcry from fans to keep her on television just might keep her safe.
This news stems from an original article byRolling Stone, and you’re able to check out what people are saying about it on Twitter below.
