End Of An Era: Law & Order Officially Canceled

In the world of television watching, the people fall into two separate yet unequally passionate groups: those who watch Law & Order and the NBC executives who canned the show. It's a sad day, because NBC confirmed that it had canceled the long-running crime procedural. NBC TV chairman Jeff Gaspin said, "The full measure of the collective contributions made by Dick Wolf and his ‘Law & Order’ franchise over the last two decades to the success of NBC and Universal Media Studios cannot be overstated. The legacy of his original ‘Law & Order’ series will continue to make an impact like no other series before."

Yesterday, there were rumors that the show was canceled—driven partly by the fact that L&O staffers were told the show was kaput—as well as hopes that these were just discussions for NBC and Wolf to negotiate (back in 2007, there was a similar L&O Deathwatch). Now that the show's end is real, there are questions about what productions might fill the void of providing jobs to literally thousands of actors, electricians, costumers, etc.—it's believed that the three L&O shows have contributed $1 billion to NYC's economy. And it's a cruel coincidence that Law & Order: Los Angeles was picked up by NBC—how are we going to say, "Hey, that's my dry cleaner in the background!" (L&O SVU was renewed.)

Maybe not every single person watches Law & Order, but you'd be hard-pressed not to find someone who was at least a little familiar with the ripped-from-the-headlines touches, the Mike Post theme song, the revolving door of sexy ADA's, the quips from the detectives (Lenny Briscoe!), and imaginary addresses on the title cards. Promise us you'll watch it on TNT when you get home (it's on numerous times this weekend).

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By Jen Chung in Arts & Entertainment on May 14, 2010 1:40 PM

Comments [rss]

inoyourider

Great, another show down the drain here in NYC.

We need more production.

bashmentgirl

I agree

xgeyiph772

Totally. Give "L&O" props for bringing TV production back to NYC. For those too young to remember, most dramas that took place in NYC prior to "L&O" were filmed in Los Angeles, including cops shows like "Kojak" and "Cagney and Lacey."

I would cringe every time Kojak would drive down "Broadway" with the San Gabriel Mountains and palm trees in the background, or watch "Cagney and Lacey" put one yellow cab behind their squad car while the rest of the scenery behind them was LA buses and cars with California plates, not to mention the mountains and palm trees like Kojak. It was laughably bad, and most of us were astounded that "L&O" actually was filmed here in NYC. Never mind Jerry Orbach, who totally made the show so enjoyable. MAN, I miss him more than anything!

NewHCE

My favorite L&O memory was sitting in Malachy's during a marathon and the old drunks were playing a game of seeing who could name the killer tried the soonest.

For example, as soon as the body appears with a knife in his eye, one guy would yell out. "It was the pace maker company!!!"

JacqueMehoff

good, I never did like the L&O cast.

I can handle meloni since he was in some silly silly movies like wet hot american summer and the gym teacher.

hopefully this is a trend. but hey, there's still 3 and a half men, right? hahahahahahahahahaha

Mermaid Fornicator

finally! this awful show & it's technique of constant plot reveals has created a generation of tv viewers who expect everything to be wrapped up & answered in 44 minutes. thanks to this show people have no patience to see things develop.

good riddance to bad rubbish.

JenChungsBaby

Good. One down, three to go.

Såkandulæredet

I'm kinda sad, I really liked Law & Order. O well. BUT don't fret because at least SVU will still be around and that's still in NYC. Interestingly, L&O made a London spin-off (Law & Order UK) which I found online to watch. People should check it out, kinda cool to see that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtTWmOPGtSY&feature=related

33oFreemason

This : NYC Actors :: Furlough :: NYS Employees

handsomedevil

Some other crime show should write a script about this event. Legendary TV producer murders exec in an effort to keep his show on the air for a 23rd season, is caught, show is canceled.

gossipgirl

Never ever watched. Sorry.

common_tater

Maybe now someone will reveal the source of the strange and ominous between-scenes sound effect!

gg101

I actually think this season has been pretty good. Its really sad to see it go. The show has has touched on many political, racial, and economic issues over the years in a thoughtful and respectful way. Thinking about the garbage NBC will replace it with only makes me sadder.

NewHCE

I loved L&O, but it is time for the show to go. Suggestion for those who may be too young to remember the start, rent the first couple seasons on Netflix-with Chris Noth, Paul Sorvino, etc. They have the realism and grit in the production that later years seem to have forgotten.