RIP 'Law & Order'? NBC Said to Mull Killing Legal Drama After 20 Seasons
Sam Waterston
Universal TV/Wolf Film/
The Kobal Collection/
Virginia Sherwood
One of the longest-running legal dramas ever to air on American television may be about to conclude.
Unidentified sources say NBC decided not to continue with Law & Order after the current season, the groundbreaking show’s 20th, according to Deadline Hollywood and the Media Decoder blog of the New York Times.
However, NBC may be reconsidering as producer Dick Wolf angrily argues that the network reneged on a deal to keep Law & Order going for a record 21st season on TNT, the Deadline Hollywood blog reports. The Times blog confirms that talks between NBC and Wolf appear to be continuing.
“It’s a fluid situation,” an unidentified source tells the Ausiello Files blog of Entertainment Weekly. “It’s not a done deal. It’s possible this is just a negotiations tactic.”
A New York Times article provides additional details.
Only Gunsmoke has lasted as long among television drama series, also running for 20 seasons.
Law & Order was fourth on an ABA Journal ranking of the top 25 legal TV shows. Only L.A. Law, Perry Mason and the Defenders were ahead of it on the list.
Hat tip: The Wrap.
Updated at 10:29 p.m. to link to New York Times coverage.
