Who will Jalen Brunson be playing in his upcoming episode of Law & Order: SVU?

Dear Gossips,

I could write about the latest billionaire shenanigans threatening Hollywood (read here and here if you want), but you know what? It’s Friday. It’s my first few days back in the office after the respite of TIFF—as crazy as TIFF is, it’s better than f-cking work—let’s go into the weekend on a better note than whatever rich guy is ruining our good time today.

Let’s enjoy, instead, Jalen Brunson with Mariska Hargitay on the set of Law & Order: SVU.

Mariska Hargitay and Jalen Brunson film scenes for "Law and Order: SVU" in NYC

Brunson, an Olivia Benson superfan on par with Taylor Swift, is set to appear in an episode of SVU’s 28^th season. It’s unclear what role he is playing, but in some photos, he is wearing a police badge, so it seems he is playing a cop. Honestly, the worst part of SVU is the copaganda, which is so effective John Oliver dedicated a show to it. But it’s Friday and we’re trying to have a fun day! So let’s save John Oliver’s incisive look at copaganda for Monday! I’m not saying ignore it, I’m just saying not right now! I need an easy day, dammit! Honestly, this is why television works. Escapism is inevitable.

ANYWAY, Jalen Brunson starring in an episode of SVU closes the loop on the Jalen-Mariska mutual admiration society we’ve been watching all summer, since the Knicks won the NBA championship and Mariska was living her best life during the parade. It’s a happy ending to one of the most low stakes and fun celebrity stories of the year.

Jalen Brunson stans Det. Benson, Mariska Hargitay got to be in the Knicks’ championship parade, and Jalen now gets to be in SVU. We have come full circle. We can shut it down now. Celebrity, all of it. Just shut it down. It is not going to get better than Jalen and Mariska hanging out. In fact, if the billionaires get their way, everything will get worse forever. Happy Friday funday!

Live long and gossip,

Sarah