Random Roles: Richard Belzer

He's had some some great roles, hasn't he? i love this law and order parody by sesame streethttp://www.collegehumor.com/video:1704183

another fun excerpt

AVC: Were you privy to any of the battles between the creative staff on that show and the network, in trying to make Homicide more audience-friendly?

RB: I know that Tom Fontana, who was our reigning genius, was locking horns constantly with Standards & Practices, the censorship department. I don't think there were any real compromises, frankly. Maybe if there were, the show would still be on. I dare not say. But we did 122 episodes, always under the threat of cancellation, as was St. Elsewhere, Tom's other brilliant show. He's one of the guys who always fights for what he believes in. I remember once, an executive who will go unnamed said to Tom, "On ER,the person lives and there's an up ending." And Tom said, "Uh, the name of the show is Homicide." [Laughs.] Anyway, we're all very proud of that show, obviously. Every once in a while I'll catch a rerun and just marvel at how good it is. As everyone does to this day, whomever I talk to. Other actors genuflect when I mention it.