The crime drama Law & Order has television history in its sights. Already the longest-running crime series in history, the Dick Wolf-created show is approaching unprecedented territory as it winds down its 17th season on TV. The Western Gunsmoke currently holds the honor of longest-running primetime drama, but Law & Order is seeking to overrule that.
NBC, however, has not yet renewed the show beyond this season, putting the record-breaking attempt in jeopardy. Fortunately for Law & Order's supporters, justice may be served thanks to TNT.
The cable network is in discussions with the show's producers to pick up original episodes of the series, thus extending its streak, reports Reuters. The move makes sense for TNT, which prominently features syndicated episodes of the program as part of its lineup.
Law & Order hit the airwaves in 1990 and has spawned a handful of spin-offs, including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999-current) and Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001-current).
Comments (17)
please don't cancel L&O
That might actually be good for L&O.
emerald999, you got that right.
This is the kind of show that shouldn't disappear, as a great show it is also a enormous critics of american society, a tv series that is so much appreciated inside and outside the US...
Great show, but needs a new cast.
In order to survive this show needs a complete cast overhaul. It was always the characters that drove this show; without that dynamic the show has drifted off into a boring sameness which signals the end of any show. Clean house and maybe it will break Gunsmoke's record; leave as it is and not even a switch to TNT will save it.
I used to love this show, but it really hasn't been the same without Briscoe/Jerry Orbach. Those were the classic years.
I'm hoping they show more of the older stuff.
There was another DA besides McCoy.
Well I would be sad if it goes to cable because then I won't be able to watch it anymore.
Well putting a show on friday nights won't kill it off will it?
would be great if it happens
Jamoon2006, I couldn't agree more with your comment. I was once a huge fan of Law and Order but after the departure of Steven Hill and the death of Jerry Orbach, the show has slowly been in a decline. I would rather the show end on a high note rather then be stretched thin just for the sake of beating Gunsmoke's record. I don't think the move to TNT will help much eventhough the writing is better than ever.
the original is the most boring one. SVU is the best.
Moving it from NBC to TNT? Yea, The Pretender did that. Didn't work for them, and they were 100 times the show Law and Order is.
I hope L&O doesn't go away. They need to replace Green's partner. I liked Fontana but the new girl needs to go.
I think "Law & Order" has run its course. Unless there's a drastic cast shake-up (replace Sam Waterston, whose once-cocky Jack McCoy now is a fogey), and a resistance to rip so lazily from the headlines (Britney Spears! Anna Nicole!), I think this show should be put out to pasture. Dick Wolf has said his goal is to keep it on long enough to outlast "Gunsmoke," but is it worth it if the show is a shell of itself by the end?
When it was good, it was great, but "L&O" hasn't been good in several seasons. The losses of Steven Hill and Jerry Orbach were too much to overcome, combined with a decline in stories. Let TNT take it if they want it, but I don't envision the move re-energizing the show.moreless
hmmmmmmmmmm.