From the Desk of Lou Ross, Elaine Gerard, Erica Schell

"I thought, 'Wow, this is really interesting to me.' I liked it. "And everybody was extremely nice to me. If the people were rude and didn't treat me right, things could have gone the other way. I was a much younger guy at the time, so if somebody would have said something that I took the wrong way" -- he chuckles -- "it wouldn't have taken me too long to straighten him out." It's become his policy: Hook up with nice people, do your job, and enjoy the fascination from everything that's going on around you. And keep your bearings through it all. "I was older when I started doing this," Farina notes. "I was almost 40. I was a policeman for 18 years. So I wasn't that impressionable. I didn't fall for a lot of that stardom stuff." Despite his many successes, Farina comes to Law & Order with a rap sheet: two TV flops. In 1998, he starred as the L.A. detective title character of Buddy Faro, an ambitious comedy-drama that attempted to blend a Rat Pack-retro style with contemporary action. "I hope this doesn't sound egotistical," says Farina, "but I'm still upset to this day that the network didn't stick with that show. I loved that character." Two years ago in the tepid sitcom In-Laws, he played the fearsome father-in-law to Elon Gold as the quivering new husband of Farina's "little girl." "Those writers really tried hard," he insists, "and more likely (the problem) was me, 'cause I was the one that was out there. But it just didn't work." The outlook is far more promising on Law & Order. "I would love to be around for the next four or five years," he says, "if that's the way things happen. But I love Westerns more than anybody alive. I would love one day before this is all over to do a Western. That, and to play a priest." Fine, but would Farina, a lifelong Catholic, prefer to play a good priest or a bad priest? "I would say," he replies, exhibiting his sweet smile, "an interesting priest." -AP.

COOL TV COOL TV COOL TV

CoolTV is the first channel in Canada entirely devoted to Jazz in all its diversity.   Start Spreadin' The News; the wait is over for jazz fans.   CoolTV has the music, movies, concerts and shows! Surround yourself with the passion of the performances, and submerse yourself in the history of this incredible genre. The CoolTV schedule features a programming line-up as hip and diversified as jazz music itself. See today's best artists in concert, learn about the culture that made jazz what it is and of course, watch the masters in action. From the Montreal JazzFestival to Ken Burns' Jazz to Blue Note Specials, CoolTV is the channel for jazz lovers and music lovers. Every night CoolTV features one of Hollywood's great musical movies. With an almost endless collection of classic titles, you'll see the silver screen's biggest stars at their very best. From Singin' In The Rain and The Music Man to Cabaret and Fame - if its a musical movie you love, chances are you'll find it on CoolTV. Care to be entertained? See some of television's best performances on The Nat "King" Cole Show and The Rosemary Clooney Show. Enjoy a Frank Sinatra concert. Keep the beat as you watch some of the world's best jazz festivals, or tune into brilliant collections of special programs featuring the legends of jazz: Ella, Os, Duke, Louis, Miles and many more. How to subscribe: You don't need a new TV to get the new digital channels. All you need to do is sign up! To find out if your cable or satellite service provider carries CoolTV in your market, please click on the link below. If your television service provider isn't shown or you need any additional information, please call us toll-free at 1-866-396-0003.