Intelligencer

David Dinkins Has Gavel Envy

Where’s his TV-judge cameo?

By Mike Vilensky
Published Nov 16, 2008

(Photo: Patrick McMullan)

David Dinkins wants to appear on Law & Order. “Whenever I watch the show and a judge has a line, I tell my wife, ‘I can do that,’ ” he said at a benefit for New York Stage and Film at Capitale on November 10. “I met Dick Wolf once, and he said, ‘There are some things I can’t do, but this I can do.’ But I haven’t heard anything.” Carolyn McCormick, who plays psychiatrist Elizabeth Olivet on the show, promised to put in a good word for him. “You may be the 50th person who has said that to me,” Dinkins continued dejectedly. “I can’t tell you how many people—well-meaning, nice people—have said to me, ‘I’ll take care of it.’ Three other mayors have been on it.” McCormick noted that Wolf preferred the judges to be under a certain age, “to be babes.” “Well,” said Dinkins, “then I’m in deep shit.” A spokesperson for Wolf was noncommittal: “The producers welcome all casting suggestions.”