When you're halfway into your forty-sixth season, as NBC's long-running crime drama Law & Order is, there are only so many storylines left to do that haven't been done before. Thus, it's no surprise that the show's "ripped from the headlines" method of generating plot points would eventually lead it to the death of Heath Ledger (you'll get your turn soon, Mario!), though it's impressive just how deeply they botched their opportunity. Says Page Six:

A series insider reports an upcoming plot is "supposed to be about Heath Ledger" and features a male supermodel, played by Ryan Locke, who "has a great career and gets all the ladies." Perhaps the eeriest comparison is to Ledger's actual death by overdose when the character "leaves a club with a girl. They have sex and do drugs, and the next morning, his friend finds him dead."

Yes, very eerie. Even eerier: that's not how Ledger died! Also eerie: Ledger was found by his masseuse, not a "friend." Plus, an eerie honorable mention: Ledger was an Academy Award-nominated actor, not a male model. Still, kudos to model/actor Ryan Locke for somehow getting his name in this totally questionable item! "Hollywood P.R. Man" Hal Lifson, we've got a potential new client we'd love you to meet...

• 'LAW' & LEDGER [NY Post]

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