Law and Order canceled, SVU okay

[thedamndest]

After a flurry of last-minute talks, NBC has officially cancelled "Law & Order," concluding the show after 20 seasons. The network also renewed spinoff "SVU" and has ordered yet another series to extend the franchise, "Law & Order: Los Angeles."
A source close to the talks said discussions between the network and executive producer Dick Wolf ran late into Thursday, with NBC ultimately deciding to end the flagship "L&O" due to the cost of ordering another season of the ratings-challenged veteran drama and the strength of the network's new shows.
Wolf issued this statement: "Never complain. Never explain."
Since the May 24 finale has already been shot, the final episode won't provide much closure to fans. Sources say NBC and Wolf plan to meet after the upfronts to discuss possible "closure opportunities" for the show, possibly having characters from "L&O" appear on the "Los Angeles" spinoff, or even having a two-hour wrap-up movie.
NBC executives released effusive statements praising Wolf.
"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," said Jeff Gaspin, chairman, NBC Universal Television Entertainment. "The legacy of his original ‘Law & Order’ series will continue to make an impact like no other series before."

Added Angela Bromstad, president of primetime at the network: “‘Law & Order’ has been one of the most successful franchises in the history of television, which is why it is so critical that we continue this important brand and our relationship with Dick Wolf and his team with ‘LOLA’ and ‘Law & Order: SVU.’”
With the cancellation, "L&O" will tie, instead of beat "Gunsmoke," as TV's longest-running drama series. Ratings this season were dismal -- the show averaged 7.3 million viewers and 1.8 rating among adults 18-49. "LOLA" will be produced by Wolf and Blake Masters ("Brotherhood").
The franchise's other spinoff, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," continues to air its ninth season on USA Network and will not be impacted by the franchise shakeup.



http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/05/official-nbc-cancels-law-order-.html

[El Tigre]

Well, it's the end of an era, and I don't just mean for the original Law & Order, but for the entire series: 1st was CI, getting rid of all the major stars in one fell swoop in favor of Jeff Golblum was a mistake in my opinion. 2nd is SVU, next season Chris Meloni is leaving the show, with such an important character gone, the show probably won't last much longer; and now with the original show saddling up for it's last call, all we fans can do is bow our heads and remember the good times.

[Kane Knight]

I stopped caring several seasons ago, but it still kinda saddens me to see the series go after 400 years on the air.

[PapaGeorgio]

Was pretty sad when i read this news yesterday. Thought they were finally getting into a nice groove again with new cast. This was always my favorite out of the L&O's.

“In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the police, who investigate crime; and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders. These WERE their stories.” -RIP L&O

[Vietnamese Crippler]

I figured CI would have been the first to get the ax :-\

[D Mac]

That sucks. But there are still like 20000000 episodes I have never seen, so it will live on for me for a long while.

[Juan]

I was legit bummed when I heard about this the other day. One of my favorite TV shows of all time.

Pretty excited for L&O: LA this fall though.

Jeff Goldblum has been excellent on CI, ftr.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I just wish they had kept Kathryn Erbe as Goldblum's partner, instead of shafting her off with D'Onofrio. I'm sad in a nostalgic sort of way, as I haven't watched Law & Order for years. 2000 was sort of where the show got a different vibe for me. They switched more to "ripped from the headlines" stuff, and Steven Hill left the show.

I might actually get back into SVU if/when Chris Meloni leaves. He's a great actor, but the show has been bogged down by his partnership with Mariska Hargitay and his anger problems and such. The show needs more Belzer/Ice-T.

[Juan]

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/17/law-order-creator-still-looking-to-bring-original-back/

Is “Law & Order” really dead?

Not if its creator, Dick Wolf, can help it. Mr. Wolf said after Monday’s NBC upfront presentation that he was out seeking “other offers” for his 20-year-old, New York-based franchise, which NBC canceled this week.

Mr. Wolf has long aimed to see his signature police and legal procedural surpass the classic western “Gunsmoke” as television’s longest-running prime-time drama. NBC’s decision left the two shows in a tie for that record.

Mr. Wolf was known to be negotiating as hard as he could to try to persuade NBC to extend the show for another year. On Monday, he said he was not giving up, but he did not specify where he was hoping to place the series.

Mr. Wolf did say that another plan – one that would have wrapped up the flagship “Law & Order” with a two-hour movie on NBC – was delayed until he exhausts every other opportunity to keep the show going as a weekly series.

[Juan]

I really hope it gets picked up by another network. It's a long shot, but I'm hoping. I'd even be ok with a TV movie to give the show a proper send-off.

[thedamndest]

Would anyone notice if they slipped it in on USA?

[Juan]

I think TNT would be a better fit

[thedamndest]

Is USA the SVU channel?

[Juan]

Yeah USA plays SVU reruns and new eps of Criminal Intent