Show-o-Matic

Breaking down each episode of our favorite formulaic shows by how closely it hews to said formula.

Law & Order: SVU

Quit Sniping At Each Other

Actually, the sniping really just goes one way. But the sniper should still cool it. 2013.05.09

Law & Order: SVU

Club Dread

In which we learn that "sharking" isn't something they made up on 30 Rock -- or it is, but now it's an actual thing. 2013.05.02

Law & Order: SVU

The Old College Try (To Cover Up A Frat Full Of Serial Rapists)

It works for a while. Then it doesn't work anymore. 2013.04.25

Law & Order: SVU

Too Legit

(Too legit to quit terrorizing the woman you raped and got pregnant.) 2013.03.28

Law & Order: SVU

The Benson Interruption

Liv's secret relationship is disrupted by an accusation of rape. NO, not against her. 2013.03.21

Law & Order: SVU

Rude Boy

The real shock of SVU doing its take on Rihanna and Chris Brown is that it took them this long to do it. 2013.02.28

Law & Order: SVU

There Were Never Such Devoted Sisters

"I've got to keep my eye on her," indeed. 2013.02.21

Law & Order: SVU

Hell Hath No Fury Like Marcia Gay Harden

ICE COLD. 2013.02.14

Law & Order: SVU

Fists Of Fury/Shame

Mike Tyson plays a gentle giant who had a reeeeeeeally bad childhood. 2013.02.07

Law & Order: SVU

Trapped In The Closet

Then beaten up. Then outed. 2013.01.31

Saturday Night Live

What Will Happen When Adam Levine Hosts?

Percentage chance that he'll spin around in a big red chair: 100. 2013.01.25

Law & Order: SVU

Long Island Sexpressway

PI Michael Provo makes time with a bunch of cons' wives. It's an okay scam while it lasts. 2013.01.10

Law & Order: SVU

Denis O'Hare OBVIOUSLY Did It!!!

OR DID HE?! 2013.01.03

Law & Order: SVU

Hooker At The Point

Patricia Arquette plays a prostitute moonlighting as bait for a murderer. (Kids: stay in school.) 2012.12.06

Law & Order: SVU

Exorbitant Tuition Can't Protect Your Sons From Handsy Teachers At Manor Hill (Read: Horace Mann)

You know someone on the writing staff wanted to call the fictional school "Morris Hann" and, when no one else agreed with him or her, pouted about it for a while. 2012.11.22

Law & Order: SVU

Sam Beckett Leaps Into The Body Of A Horny Judge

Tsk. 2012.11.15

Law & Order: SVU

Teenagers + Technology = Rape

If you're reading this on your phone, you risk getting abducted and sexually abused. Has SVU taught you nothing?! 2012.11.01

Law & Order: SVU

SVU 300th Episode Features Half A Dozen Abducted Boys

One abducted boy might have been enough in Season 1, but not after 300 episodes! 2012.10.25

Law & Order: SVU

SVU Drones On And On And On

It's just your average, run-of-the-mill ring of trafficked prostitutes. OR IS IT?! 2012.10.18

Law & Order: SVU

50 Shades Of Grey Gets The SVU Treatment

This one goes in the dictionary next to the word "inevitable." 2012.10.11