'Law & Order: SVU' Star Hits the Nickelodeon 'Gym'

Zap2It.com | March 17, 2008

Christopher Meloni, 'Law & Order: SVU'

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Christopher Meloni will show his softer, less anger-management side

You know what kids love? Crime procedurals that delve into the sick, twisted and nasty underbelly of society. Okay maybe not, but this summer they'll still get a taste of "Law & Order: SVU."

Christopher Meloni, star of the Special Victim's Unit offshoot of the "Law & Order" franchise, will star in Nickeldeon's first original primetime family TV movie, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The rather daunting, 6-foot actor will play the titular "Gym Teacher," a has-been Olympics gold-medal contender who is setting his sights on the gym teacher of the year award. Unfortunately, he's not shown to his best advantage by one of his less-coordinated students (Nathan Kress), who just also happens to be the son of an English teacher (Amy Sedaris) that he falls for.

David Alan Grier also stars in the movie that will premiere in August.

Meloni, 46, is best known for playing the hot-tempered Det. Elliot Stabler on "Law & Order: SVU." He also played bisexual serial killer Chris Keller on HBO's "Oz."