Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 7 Episode 12

Mike Logan: The Sweet Smell of Success, "I Love This Dirty Town!"

Logan references the 1957 Alexander Mackendrick film based on the Ernest Lehman book. He compares the victim (a gossip columnist) to Burt Lancaster's character, J. J. Hunsecker. The film looks at the ruthless world of a powerful, evil and morally corrupt New York newspaper columnist, J.J. Hunsecker. Lancaster's role was based on a composite of a half-dozen columnists on the Broadway beat including famed New York columnist Walter Winchell. The film is an exposé of the poisonous world of New York City tabloid publicity as it exposes the under-side of New York City's glamorous night life.

The victim, T. K. Richmond, is based on J. J. Hunsecker – down to the younger sister, the typewriter, and the ugly eyeglasses. It is not quite clear from the script whether Richmond is supposed to be trying to imitate Hunsecker or whether the writer, director, and costume/set folks are just having fun.

Al Himes: Think Spitzer, not McGreevey.

Eliot Spitzer was the governor of New York from January 2007 to March 2008 when his platform of public reform and ethics collapsed under a federal investigation that revealed his use of a high-class prostitution ring. Jim McGreevey was the governor of New Jersey from 2002-2004 when, amidst allegations of corruption, he resigned and announced that he was gay

Dr. Jacoby: T.K. and Spencer London's doctor/pill supplier shares his name with a character from Twin Peaks who was Laura Palmer's doctor.

Dr. Benway : The Louisiana Medical examiner shares his name with a character that recurs in the works of William S. Burroughs (notably in Naked Lunch). Both Dr. Benways are corrupt.