Law & Order

Law & Order
Lawandorder01.jpg
Title card
Format Police procedural / Legal drama
Created by Dick Wolf
Starring George Dzundza
Chris Noth
Dann Florek
Michael Moriarty
Richard Brooks
Steven Hill
Paul Sorvino
Carolyn McCormick
Jerry Orbach
S. Epatha Merkerson
Jill Hennessy
Sam Waterston
Benjamin Bratt
Carey Lowell
Angie Harmon
Jesse L. Martin
Dianne Wiest
Elisabeth Röhm
Fred Dalton Thompson
Dennis Farina
Annie Parisse
Michael Imperioli
Milena Govich
Alana de la Garza
Jeremy Sisto
Linus Roache
Anthony Anderson
Opening theme Theme of Law & Order
Music by Mike Post
Country of origin United States
Language(s) English
No. of seasons 20
No. of episodes 456 (List of episodes)
Production
Location(s) New York City, New York
Running time 60 minutes (with commercials)
Distributor NBC Universal Television Distribution
Broadcast
Original channel NBC
Picture format 480i (SDTV)
1080i (HDTV)
Original run September 13, 1990 – May 24, 2010
Status Ended
Chronology
Related shows Homicide: Life on the Street
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
Conviction
Law & Order: UK
New York Undercover
Law & Order: Los Angeles
External links
Official website

Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf, that aired on NBC, its related cable networks, and in syndication. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th season on May 24, 2010. At the time of its cancellation, Law & Order was the longest-running crime drama on American prime time television and is tied for longest running American drama series of all time with Gunsmoke; it is currently the second longest-running regularly scheduled, scripted series with ongoing characters, after The Simpsons.

Set and filmed in New York City, the series follows a two-part approach: in the first half hour, the investigation of a crime and apprehension of a suspect by New York City police detectives is shown, followed by the prosecution of the offenders by the Manhattan District Attorney's office in the second half. Plots are often based on real cases that recently made headlines. The show has been noted for its revolving cast over the years. Its final season stars Jeremy Sisto as Detective Cyrus Lupo, Anthony Anderson as Detective Kevin Bernard, Linus Roache as Executive Assistant District Attorney Michael Cutter, and Alana de la Garza as Assistant District Attorney Connie Rubirosa.

The success of the series has led to the creation of additional shows within the Law & Order franchise, a television film, several video games, and international adaptations of the series. It has won and been nominated for numerous awards over the years, including a number of Emmy awards. On May 14, 2010, NBC announced that it had canceled Law & Order and would air the final episode on May 24, 2010.[1][2][3][4]

Immediately following the show's cancellation, Wolf stated that he was attempting to find a new home for the series, and would also consider a "last resort" plan to conclude the show with a two-hour TV film to air on NBC.[5] In July 2010, however, he indicated that those attempts had failed and declared that the series had now "moved to the history books".[6]

Contents

Production

History and development

In 1988, Dick Wolf developed a concept for a new television series that would depict a relatively optimistic picture of the American justice system. He initially toyed with the idea of calling it Night & Day but then hit upon the title Law & Order. For the first half of each episode, the show would follow two detectives and their commanding officer as they investigate a violent crime. The second half of the show would center around the District Attorney's Office and the courts as three prosecutors attempt to convict the criminal. Through this, Law & Order would be able to investigate some of the larger issues of the day by focusing on stories that were based on real cases making headlines.[7]

Wolf took the idea to then-president of Universal Television Kerry McCluggage, who pointed out the similarity to a 1963 series titled Arrest and Trial that lasted one season. The two watched the pilot of that series, in which a police officer, played by Ben Gazzara, arrested a man for armed robbery in the first half, and the defense attorney, played by Chuck Connors gets the perpetrator off as the wrong guy. Wolf discovered this was the formula of the show every week, and decided that, while his detectives would occasionally be fallible as Gazzara's was, he wanted a fresh approach to the genre that would go from police procedural to prosecution with a greater degree of realism. In addition, the prosecution would be the hero instead of the defense, a reversal of the usual formula in lawyer dramas.[8]

Initially, the show was ordered by Fox for thirteen episodes with no pilot based on the concept alone. The decision was reversed by then-network head Barry Diller, who loved the idea but did not believe it was a Fox show. Wolf then went to CBS, which ordered a pilot, "Everybody's Favorite Bagman", written by Wolf, which centered around corrupt city officials involved with the mob. The network liked the pilot but did not order it because there were no breakout stars in the show. In the summer of 1989, NBC's top executives, Brandon Tartikoff and Warren Littlefield, screened the pilot and liked it, but were concerned the intensity of the series could not be repeated on a week by week basis.[8] However, there was enough faith from executives that the series was innovative and could appeal to a wide audience that the series was ordered by NBC for a full season in 1990.[9]

Filming

The series is shot on location in New York City and is known for its extensive use of local color.[10][11] In recent seasons, New York City mayors Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg, attorney William Kunstler and Bronx Congressman José Serrano all have appeared on the show as themselves. Local personalities also have had recurring cameos as fictional characters, such as Donna Hanover and Fran Lebowitz as judges. On September 14, 2004, in New York City, a road leading to Pier 62 at Chelsea Piers (where the series is mostly shot) was renamed "Law & Order Way" in tribute to the series.[12]

Music and sound effects

Audio samples of Law & Order  (media help)

The music for Law & Order is composed by veteran composer Mike Post. The music is deliberately designed to be minimalist to match the abbreviated style of the series.[13] Post wrote the theme song using electric piano, guitar, and clarinet.[14] In addition, scene changes are accompanied by a tone generated by Post. He refers to the tone as "The Clang," while Entertainment Weekly critic Ken Tucker has referred to the sound as the "ominous chung CHUNG"[13] and Richard Belzer as "the Dick Wolf Cash Register Sound."[15] The tone consists of only two notes and was generated electronically by combining six or seven different sounds to get just the right deadbolt effect. Post has noted that one of the sounds the interlude incorporates is the sound of "five hundred Japanese men stamping their feet on a wooden floor.[13][16] The sound has become so associated with the Law & Order brand that it was also carried over to other series of the franchise.[16]

Casting and characters

The twentieth and last season cast of Law & Order; from left, S. Epatha Merkerson as Van Buren, Jeremy Sisto as Lupo, Anthony Anderson as Bernard, Sam Waterston as McCoy, Alana de la Garza as Rubirosa, and Linus Roache as Cutter.

For the 1988 pilot, George Dzundza and Chris Noth were cast as the original detectives, Sergeant Max Greevey and Mike Logan.[17] Among others, Dzundza was up against Jerry Orbach for the role,[18] and the producers felt that Dzundza would be a perfect senior police officer as he was someone the producers felt they could see themselves riding along with in a police cruiser.[19] Noth and Michael Madsen were candidates for the role of Logan. Madsen initially was considered the perfect choice for the role, but, in a final reading, it was felt that Madsen's acting mannerisms were repetitive, and Noth received the role instead.[20] Rounding out the police cast, Dann Florek was cast as Captain Donald Cragen.[17]

On the prosecutor's side, Michael Moriarty was Dick Wolf's choice to play Chief Assistant District Attorney Ben Stone. The network, however, preferred James Naughton, but, in the end, Wolf's choice would prevail, and Moriarty received the role.[17] As his ADA, Richard Brooks and Eriq La Salle were being considered for the role of Paul Robinette. The network favored La Salle but, once again, the producers' choice prevailed, and Brooks received the role.[21] As their boss, Roy Thinnes was cast as District Attorney Alfred Wentworth.[17]

Nearly two years passed between the pilot and production of the series. The producers held options on Dzundza, Noth, Moriarty, and Brooks. Each was paid holding money for the additional year and brought back. Florek also returned. Thinnes, however, was starring in Dark Shadows and declined to return. In his place, the producers tapped Steven Hill to play District Attorney Adam Schiff,[21] a character loosely based on real-life Manhattan DA Robert Morgenthau. Hill brought prestige and experience to the show and, as such, the producers allowed Hill to give insight on the direction he thought the character should go.[22]

Dzundza was disappointed when he realized the show would be more of an ensemble show than a show starring him. Though the cast liked his portrayal of Greevey, they increasingly felt uncomfortable around Dzundza, who was also under stress due to the constant commute between New York City and his home in Los Angeles. Dzundza quit after only one season on the show.[23] Dzundza was replaced on the show by Paul Sorvino as Detective Sergeant Phil Cerreta, who was considered more even tempered than either Greevey or Logan. Sorvino was initially excited about the role, but would leave after twenty-nine episodes, citing the exhausting schedule demanded by filming of the show, a need to broaden his horizons, and the desire to preserve his vocal cords for singing opera as reasons for leaving the show.[24]

Also introduced on a recurring basis in the second season was Carolyn McCormick as Dr. Elizabeth Olivet, a police psychiatrist brought in on a case-by-case basis. NBC had been pushing for the producers to add female characters to the all male cast.[25] She was added to the opening credits as "also starring" in seasons three and four[26] but, despite the attempts of the producers to include her in as many episodes as possible, it was found to be difficult to incorporate her into the show due to the format leaning heavy on the police and prosecutors.[25] She was removed from the credits in season five.[26] McCormick stayed with the show on a recurring basis, but believed that the character had become less profound and complex, and that her role had been reduced mostly to "psychobabble." She left to star in Cracker after the eighth season.[27] After the cancellation of Cracker, she returned beginning in the thirteenth season and has appeared occasionally since.[28]

Jerry Orbach was initially hesitant about starring in an hour long drama after witnessing the exhausting effect it had on his friend David Janssen on The Fugitive, but changed his mind as he got older. He had twice before auditioned for the role of the senior detective in 1988 and 1991. When Dzundza and Sorvino were picked instead of him, he made a guest appearance as a defense lawyer in the season two episode "The Wages of Love." While there, Orbach heard Sorvino raving about the quality of the show and how Sorvino believed he had found a winning series to do. After Sorvino's departure during the third season, Orbach decided to audition a third time and was given the role of Detective Lennie Briscoe.[18]

By the end of the third season, network executives still felt the show did not have enough female characters. On the orders of Warren Littlefield, new female characters had to be added to the cast or the show would face possible cancellation on its relegated Friday night time slot. Wolf realized that, since there were only six characters on the show, someone had to be fired. He chose Florek and Brooks, and later said it was the hardest two phone calls he had ever made. Though producers initially claimed the firings, especially Brooks, who was said not to get along with Moriarty, were for other reasons, Wolf confirmed that the firings were on the orders of Littlefield.[29] To replace Florek, S. Epatha Merkerson was cast as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren.[30] Jill Hennessy replaced Brooks as Assistant District Attorney Claire Kincaid.[31]

Meanwhile, Moriarty's behavior both on and off the set became problematic for Wolf. After a public statement in which Moriarty called Attorney General Janet Reno a "psychopathic Nazi" for her efforts to censor television violence, Moriarty engaged in a verbal confrontation with Reno at a dinner in Washington, D.C. Wolf asked Moriarty to tone down his comments, and Moriarty responded by quitting the show the next week. To replace Moriarty, Sam Waterston was Wolf's first choice to join the cast as Executive Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy, a character markedly different from Moriarty's Stone in that McCoy was conceived as more emotionally stable and having more sex appeal than Stone.[32]

Wolf fired Noth when his contract ended at the end of season five because he felt that Briscoe and Logan were too alike and the writers were having trouble finding ways to write them since they agreed on everything. Noth had been disgruntled with the show since the firings of Florek and Brooks, and remained embittered against Wolf, who he felt was not a friend to his actors. The decision to fire Noth was extremely controversial with fans and critics alike, who felt that Noth's absence left a void on the show that was never filled. Noth was replaced by Benjamin Bratt as Detective Rey Curtis, who was hired in an attempt to find an actor even sexier than Noth to join the cast.[33]

Hennessy chose not to renew her three year contract at the end of the sixth season to pursue other projects.[34] She was replaced by Carey Lowell as Assistant District Attorney Jamie Ross. Lowell remained with the show for two seasons until the end of season eight, when she left the show to spend more time with her daughter.[35] Lowell was replaced by Angie Harmon as Assistant District Attorney Abbie Carmichael, who was conceived as being much louder and outspoken than any of her predecessors. Harmon auditioned with eighty-five other women, including Vanessa Williams, for the role, and was picked after Wolf heard her Texan accent.[36]

Bratt left the series at the end of the ninth season, stating it was an amicable departure and he expected to eventually return for guest appearances.[37] He was replaced by Jesse L. Martin as Detective Ed Green, who was conceived of as more of a loose cannon in the mold of Logan than Bratt's Curtis had been.[38] In 2000, Hill announced he was leaving the series at the end of season 10. Hill, who was the last remaining member of the original cast, said his departure was mutual with the producers. He was replaced by Dianne Wiest as Interim District Attorney Nora Lewin.[39] The following year, Harmon departed the show after three seasons and was replaced by Elisabeth Röhm as Assistant District Attorney Serena Southerlyn.[40] After two seasons, Wiest left the show at the end of the twelfth season and was replaced by retiring Senator Fred Dalton Thompson as District Attorney Arthur Branch, whose character was conceived of as being much more right leaning than his predecessors in the DA's office, and was a direct reaction to the September 11 attacks.[41]

After twelve years on Law & Order, Orbach announced in 2004 that he was leaving the show for the third Law & Order spin-off, Law & Order: Trial by Jury. At the time, Orbach would not state the reason for his departure.[42] In December of the same year, however, Orbach revealed he had prostate cancer and Wolf said the role on Trial by Jury was designed to be less taxing than his role on the original series. Orbach was only able to film two episodes of Trial by Jury before succumbing to his cancer on December 28, 2004.[43] Orbach was replaced on Law & Order by Dennis Farina as Detective Joe Fontana.[42]

The fifteenth season would also see the departure of Röhm mid-season, with Röhm's character Southerlyn implying to McCoy and Branch that she was being fired because she was a lesbian, a fact never cited before her departure.[44] Wolf said Röhm's departure was unexpected, and she exited the show in January 2005. Her replacement was Annie Parisse as Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Borgia. Later that season, Martin departed early for the season to film Rent. During his absence, he was temporarily replaced by Michael Imperioli as Detective Nick Falco.[45] Parisse left the series at the end of the sixteenth season when Borgia was killed, and Farina announced shortly afterward that he was leaving Law & Order to pursue other projects.[46]

By this point, NBC executives believed the franchise was beginning to show its age as ratings for the show had dropped 15 percent from the previous season and 30 percent over the previous three seasons.[47] Farina had never been popular with fans when he replaced Orbach, and it was felt that the cast just did not seem to mesh well together.[44] In an effort to revitalize the show, Wolf brought in Alana de la Garza as Assistant District Attorney Connie Rubirosa to replace Parisse. Martin's Green was promoted to senior detective, replacing Farina, and his new partner was Detective Nina Cassady, played by Milena Govich, who had worked with Wolf on the short-lived series Conviction, and served as the show's first female detective.[47] Govich proved to be even more unpopular with fans than her predecessor, however,[48] and she only stayed with the show one season and was replaced the next year by Jeremy Sisto as Detective Cyrus Lupo. Around the same time, Thompson announced he would leave the show in order to seek the 2008 Republican presidential nomination. Waterston's McCoy was promoted to Interim District Attorney and Linus Roache joined the cast as Executive Assistant District Attorney Michael Cutter.[49] Sisto in particular received praise for his portrayal of Lupo, with critics saying he was an improvement over Govich.[48] Ken Tucker sees the relationship between McCoy and Cutter as "a nicely overstated case of oedipal conflict. McCoy sees in Cutter his younger, more impetuous self, while Cutter sees an aging father figure he wants to vanquish by proving he's smarter and more daring than the old coot. It makes for some superfine debates over points of law that also carry personal, emotional weight for the protagonists, an approach the Law & Order mothership has rarely taken over the years."[50] Other critics said the line-up was the best in years, with the chemistry finally seeming just right after years of cast members who did not seem to fit well in the cast.[44]

Despite critics' praise, the line-up was short-lived. Martin announced he would leave the show near the end of the season to pursue other endeavors. He was replaced by Anthony Anderson as Detective Kevin Bernard.[44] In 2010, Merkerson announced that she would leave the show at the conclusion of the twentieth season.[51]

Format

"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 are their stories."

          —Opening narration spoken by Steven Zirnkilton[52][53]

After the first few seasons, the cold open, lead-in of the show usually was a slice of life in New York (walking a dog in Manhattan, jogging in Central Park, etc.) unrelated to the main story until the character(s) in the scene suddenly discover, witness, or become victims of a crime (usually a murder). However, this was changed in the last few seasons to a scene that would show a short scene of the murder victim in his last hours and then suddenly cut to the police investigating the dead body. The scene cuts to the police's preliminary crime scene examination wherein the featured detectives make their first observations and proffer theories followed by a witticism or two, before the title sequence begins.

The police are represented in the show by the police lieutenant of Manhattan's fictional 27th Precinct and two homicide detectives, a senior partner and a junior partner. The detectives investigate the crime, collect evidence and interview witnesses, then regularly report to the lieutenant. The evidence leads to the arrest of one or more suspects. The matter then is taken over by the prosecutors of the Manhattan District Attorney's office, comprising the executive assistant district attorney (ADA) and an assistant prosecutor, who answer to the district attorney. They discuss deals, prepare the witnesses and evidence, and conduct the people's case in the trial. Both the detectives and prosecutors work with the medical examiner's office, the crime laboratory, and psychiatrists from the police and district attorney offices.

The detectives often have few or no good clues—they might not even know the victim's identity—and must chase several dead ends before finding a likely suspect. Towards the middle of a show, the police begin working with the prosecutors to make the arrest, and an arraignment scene follows. The police may reappear to testify in court or to arrest another suspect, but most investigation in the second segment is done by the assistant DAs, who always consult with the district attorney for advice on the case.

Unlike many legal dramas (e.g. Perry Mason), the proceedings are shown from the prosecution's point of view, with the ADAs trying to prove the defendant's guilt as opposed to his or her innocence. The second half usually opens with the arraignment of defendants and proceeds to trial preparation, including legal research and plea negotiations. Some episodes include legal proceedings beyond the testimony of witnesses, including indictments before grand juries; motion hearings, often concerning admissibility of evidence; selections of juries; and allocutions, usually as a result of plea bargains. Many episodes employ motions to suppress evidence as a plot device, and most of these end with evidence or statements being suppressed, often on a technicality. This usually begins with the service of the motion to the ADAs, follows with argument and case citations of precedent before a judge in some setting, and concludes with visual reaction of the winning or losing attorney.

In many episodes, the crime first investigated is not the one that goes to court (a person related to the deceased kills the killer, someone else is found to be involved, evidence of a separate crime is discovered, etc.). This other crime then becomes the focus of investigation.

Not all episodes followed the strict formula. The 1996 episode "Aftershock", which closed the sixth season, abandoned the formula in order to follow the lead characters' reactions to having witnessed an execution, culminating in the accidental death of A.D.A. Claire Kincaid. The series' final episode, aired on May 24, 2010 and entitled "Rubber Room", was focused entirely on the investigation side, with a subplot involving Anita Van Buren undergoing tests for cancer.

"Ripped from the headlines"

Often the plot of an initial portion of an episode resembles a recognizable aspect of an actual case.[54] In early seasons, the details of these cases often closely followed the real stories, such as the season one episode "Subterranean Homeboy Blues", which had a woman shooting two attempted muggers and paralleled the Bernhard Goetz case. Another early episode focused on a racially charged rape case that mimicked the Tawana Brawley case. Later seasons would take real life cases as inspiration but diverge more from the facts. Often this would be done by increasing the severity of the crime in question, usually by adding a murder. This "ripped from the headlines" theme is reflected in the opening credits sequence that evolves from newspaper halftones to high-resolution photos. The rest of the plot, however, usually diverges significantly from the actual events that may have inspired the episode.[54] Promotional advertisements of episodes with close real-life case parallels often use the "ripped from the headlines" phrase, although a textual disclaimer, within the actual episode, emphasizes that the story and characters are fictional. This format lends itself to exploring different outcomes or motives that similar events could have had under other circumstances.

Some real life crime victims have felt used and exploited,[54] with one lawyer, Ravi Batra, going so far as to sue the show in 2004 for libel.[55] The show aired an episode entitled "Floater" on November 12, 2003, relating to a corruption scandal in Brooklyn Supreme Court in which a judge accepted bribes in return for giving litigants preferential treatment.[56] The episode was "ripped from the headlines" of the case of Gerald Garson, a New York Supreme Court Justice accused (and later convicted) of bribery.[56]

Episodes

Law & Order premiered September 13, 1990, and aired on NBC, with 456 episodes having been produced.

Cancellation

On May 13, 2010, reports surfaced that Law & Order might be canceled after 20 seasons on the air, preventing it from unseating Gunsmoke as longest running American primetime drama unless another network picked it up.[57] By May 14, 2010, The New York Times, Daily Variety and the Los Angeles Times reported official cancellation of the series.[3][58] Continuation of characters on spin-off series — including the forthcoming Law & Order: Los Angeles — has been mentioned as a possible means of providing closure beyond the series finale.[58]

On May 14, 2010, NBC officially canceled the show, opting instead to pick-up Law & Order: Los Angeles for a first season, and renewed Law & Order: Special Victims Unit for a twelfth.[1] The cancellation was announced after last-minute talks between NBC and Dick Wolf to extend the series failed to lead to an agreement.

The chairman of NBC Universal Television Entertainment, Jeff Gaspin, stated: "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."[59]

Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios, said, "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 L&O: LA and Law & Order: SVU."[59]

Following the cancellation announcement, Wolf announced that he still hoped to continue the series, and stated that he was seeking "other offers" from potential outlets to air the series. Wolf also discussed the possibility of airing a two hour TV film on NBC to conclude Law & Order, but said that such a plan had been delayed until he had exhausted every other possibility for continuing the series. Wolf did not specify whether NBC had already offered to air such a movie.[5]

Dick Wolf stated that, "The flagship series is in a medically induced coma, waiting for a life-saving medicine." Wolf is pressuring the series' producer NBC/Universal Media Studios to make a deal with TNT, which holds syndication rights to the show, for originals if an acceptable license fee can be bargained. Talks between the two will start up after upfronts.[60] However, TNT said in a statement it is not interested in picking up a 21st season for the series.[61]

Executive producer René Balcer spoke to Neal Conan on Talk of the Nation on May 24, stating that "we're not dead yet" and noting that there were still ongoing negotiations with cable outlets to see if the original series could be refloated. Balcer referenced the "medically induced coma" brought up by Wolf, calling the show's cancellation "corporately-induced".[62]

Although NBC cancelled the series, AMC started talking about reviving Law & Order;[63] however, attempts to revive it failed, and according to creator Dick Wolf, the series "moved into the history books".[6][64]

Spin-offs and adaptations

The longevity and success of Law & Order has spawned a number of series and a television film that all use the name Law & Order. Although there were fears initially that the failure of such shows could hurt the original series, it was felt the brand name was needed because of the commercial desirability such a brand name creates.[65] To differentiate it from other series in the franchise, Law & Order is often referred to as "The Mother Ship" by producers and critics.[66]

Television film

The firing of Chris Noth in 1995 was, at the time, one of the least popular cast changes among fans. Noth remained popular with fans after his firing and received so much fan mail as a result that he had to hire a personal assistant to help him handle the volume. Although Dick Wolf defended the decision to fire Noth, he decided in 1998 to produce a television film that would explore what happened to Noth's Detective Mike Logan after he left the series. Originally titled Logan in Exile, the film's title was changed to Exiled: A Law & Order Movie during production.[33][67] The film shows Logan as an officer on Staten Island assigned to domestic crimes. He takes on a murder case in the hopes of it leading to a return to his old Manhattan beat and is teamed with Detective Frankie Silvera (Dana Eskelson). The case soon leads to his old precinct, however, and the possibility that one of his old colleagues may be taking bribes from the mob. The movie was criticized for not measuring up to the standards of the series and for placing Noth in a blatantly dominant role in the story.[68] Wolf had planned to make Exiled the first in a series of films in the franchise, but the film was less successful than expected and, as a result, future plans for films were eliminated.[33][67] The movie also marks the final appearance of John Fiore in his recurring role as Detective Tony Profaci.[67]

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Main article: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Haunted by the murders of Robert Chambers, Dick Wolf planned a new television series to focus on the investigation of sexually-based offenses and serve as a mechanism for addressing complex issues through the context of popular culture.[66] Originally titled Sex Crimes, the show was renamed Law & Order: Special Victims Unit to take advantage of the popularity of the original series.[65] Starring Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler and Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson,[69] the series premiered on September 20, 1999[70] and is currently in its 11th season. Also reprising their roles are Dann Florek as Captain Donald Cragen, a role he originated in the first three seasons of the original series,[71] and Richard Belzer as Detective Sergeant John Munch, a character originally featured on Homicide: Life on the Street that also appeared in three crossover episodes for Law & Order.[72] Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has become the highest rated show of the franchise and has won and been nominated for numerous awards, including an Emmy award for Hargitay as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series during the 2005–2006 season.[73]

Law & Order: Criminal Intent

Main article: Law & Order: Criminal Intent

The second series of the franchise, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, premiered on September 30, 2001. Focusing almost exclusively on the investigation of high profile crimes, the series follows the detectives of the NYPD's Major Case Squad. The show originally starred Vincent D'Onofrio as Detective Robert Goren and Kathryn Erbe as Detective Alexandra Eames. Unlike the other series of the franchise, Criminal Intent showed the crimes from the perspective of the criminal(s) as well as of the police.[74] In season 5, Chris Noth joined the cast, reprising his role as Detective Mike Logan, a role he played in the first five seasons of the original series. He would star in half of each season's episodes, alternating with D'Onofrio and Erbe,[75] In 2007, facing sagging ratings and the possibility of cancellation, new episodes of Criminal Intent were moved from NBC to the USA Network, where the series received a larger audience and has run since.[76] Noth departed the series in 2008 and was replaced by Jeff Goldblum as Detective Zach Nichols.[77] D'Onofrio and Erbe left the series at the beginning of the ninth season in 2010, and Goldblum now stars in all current episodes, along with his partner, Detective Serena Stevens, played by Saffron Burrows.[78]

Law & Order: Trial by Jury

The third series of the franchise, Law & Order: Trial by Jury, premiered on March 3, 2005. Unlike the other series of the franchise, Trial by Jury focused almost exclusively on the prosecution of criminal offenses, and often showed cases from the perspectives of defense attorneys and judges as well as the prosecutors.[79] The series starred Bebe Neuwirth as Assistant District Attorney Tracey Kibre and Amy Carlson as Assistant District Attorney Kelly Gaffney, the first time a Law & Order series has featured two female leads.[80] Also reprising their roles from the original series were Jerry Orbach as retired NYPD Detective-turned-DA Investigator Lennie Briscoe, who was originally planned as a regular but was only able to film two episodes due to his illness,[80] and Fred Dalton Thompson as District Attorney Arthur Branch, playing the role simultaneously on both series.[81] Reception of the new series was mixed, with some critics feeling like it would be a fourth hit for Wolf,[79] while other critics believed the show was unoriginal and put defendants and defense attorneys in an overly negative light.[82] Trial by Jury was canceled by NBC after only twelve episodes, making it the first series of the franchise to be canceled.[80]

Law & Order: Los Angeles

On January 10, 2010, NBC programming chief Angela Bromstad announced at the winter TCA Press Tour that the network was in talks with Dick Wolf about producing a new series, entitled Law & Order: Los Angeles, and indicated that NBC was seeking to hire writers for a pilot.[83] NBC confirmed the new series order on May 14, 2010.[1]

Reports in early May suggested that NBC had made the decision to pick up Law & Order: Los Angeles with a 13-episode order for fall 2010, having brought Brotherhood creator Blake Masters on board to co-create the new series set in Los Angeles with Wolf.[84] René Balcer will serve as showrunner on the new Los Angeles series and will executive produce alongside the project’s writer Blake Masters, Wolf and Peter Jankowski.[85]

The fall timeslot for Law & Order: Los Angeles will be Wednesdays at 10:00 P.M. (Eastern) on NBC,[86] which was the time slot for the original series for most of its run.

On June 11, 2010; Michael Ausiello posted the character profiles for the characters of Law & Order: Los Angeles along with the Armchair Casting Director’s suggestions on the actors portraying them.[87]

The series will be the second series in the Law & Order franchise to be set outside New York and the fifth Law & Order-titled series in the franchise.[83] The description of the series, as posted on NBC's official website, reads, "From Dick Wolf, comes a foray into the glitz, glamour and guilt of Los Angeles. From the tony Beverly Hills to the seedy side of Hollywood, LAPD's elite Robbery Homicide Division is on the case. Fusing classic ripped-from-the-headlines storytelling with the backdrop of LA, the series delves into the high-profile crimes of the West Coast." [88]

On July 7, 2010, Skeet Ulrich signed on to play LAPD Detective Rex Winters.[89] Alfred Molina was the next cast member announced on July 24, 2010, set to play the role of DDA Peter Morales.[90] On July 29, 2010; Corey Stoll was the next cast member announced, set to play LAPD Detective Tomas "TJ" Jaruszalski.[91] Terrence Howard joined the cast on July 30, 2010; Howard will play Deputy D.A. Joe Dekker who will work alongside Deputy D.A. Morales. Howard and Molina will be splitting the workload, each appearing roughly in the half of the episodes thus allowing the show to feature big feature names and the actors to stay active in movies.[92] On July 31, 2010; Regina Hall and Wanda De Jesus joined the cast as Assistant District Attorney Evelyn Price and Lieutenant Arleen Gonzales.[93]

Some actors read or had been informally approached for the two detective roles, including James Van Der Beek, Michael Rapaport, Michael Ealy, Dylan Walsh and Dean Cain. NBC and Dick Wolf are casting a wide net for the leads of the new Law & Order series. While casting on the project is still in preliminary stages, the original filming date for casting is no longer slated to begin July 22; to give producers from UMS and Wolf Films more time to cast the project, the filming date has been pushed to August 2.[94]

Reality series

In 2002, Dick Wolf produced a reality series based around the prosecution of cases in the District Attorney's office of San Diego, California. Alternately titled Crime & Punishment and Law & Order: Crime & Punishment, elements of Law & Order were used to take advantage of the franchise including using the same font as the original series' title screen, opening narration similar to that of other franchise shows, and the use of Mike Post's "clang" sound. Each episode followed a different case and a different prosecutor as a case unfolded in the court room. Often the prosecutor was the only fully "fleshed out" character in each episode while witnesses appeared and disappeared without much development and defendants often did not testify in open court. Because of this, many critics felt the series had more in common with shows such as COPS or The Jerry Springer Show than it did with Law & Order.[95] The series ran for 26 episodes between 2002 and 2004.

British adaptation

Law & Order: UK, named Law & Order: London in early reports, received its debut airing on February 23, 2009, on one of Britain's main commercial networks ITV. The series stars Bradley Walsh, Jamie Bamber, Freema Agyeman, Harriet Walter and Bill Paterson, with scripts based on episodes from the US original. It is produced by Kudos in association with Wolf Films and NBC.[96]

Crossovers and other appearances

Law & Order crossed over seven times with other NBC shows.

Homicide: Life on the Street

Chris Noth appears as Mike Logan in the cold open of the Homicide episode Law & Disorder (ep 3x15). Taking place entirely in a Baltimore train station, Logan hands off a prisoner (John Waters) to Frank Pembleton (Andre Braugher). The two detectives engage in some friendly banter about which city is better: New York City or Baltimore. They argue over topics such as Babe Ruth and Dorothy Parker.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Law & Order: Criminal Intent

During the first season of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, several cast members from the original series made guest appearances as their Law & Order characters. Dianne Wiest appeared in the first episode of the series, "One",[97] Jerry Orbach and Jesse L. Martin guest starred in the episode "Poison",[98] S. Epatha Merkerson appeared in the episode "Badge",[99] and J.K. Simmons appeared in the episode "Crazy".[100] Leslie Hendrix also reprises her role as Medical Examiner Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers as a recurring character throughout the run of the series starting with the first season episode "The Faithful".[101]

In 2005, Chris Noth reprised his role as Detective Mike Logan for the show's fourth season.[102] This appearance led to Noth joining the cast in the fifth season, appearing in the starring role for half the episodes of the season.[75] Noth remained with the show for three seasons before departing in 2008.[77] Also appearing during the show's fifth season were Fred Dalton Thompson[103] and Carolyn McCormick.[104]

Law & Order: Trial by Jury

Fred Dalton Thompson appeared as a regular in Trial by Jury, reprising his role from the original series.[81] Jerry Orbach was originally planned as a regular but was only able to appear in two episodes before succumbing to prostate cancer.[80] A crossover episode between Trial by Jury and the original series featured the resolution of Ed Green's shooting during the fifteenth season episode of the original series, "Tombstone," and featured Dennis Farina, Jesse L. Martin, S. Epatha Merkerson, and Sam Waterston.[105] Carey Lowell appears in two episodes of Trial by Jury as Jamie Ross, who is now a judge.[106][107][108] Also appearing on Trial by Jury were Leslie Hendrix in the episode "Baby Boom"[109] and Carolyn McCormick in the episode "Day."[110]

Other appearances

Carolyn McCormick and J. K. Simmons each made appearances on the FOX series New York Undercover, a series produced and co-created by Dick Wolf, in the psychiatrist roles they originated in Law & Order. McCormick appeared in the show's third season episode "Smack is Back" as Dr. Elizabeth Olivet.[111] while Simmons appeared in the fourth season episode "Mob Street" as Dr. Emil Skoda.[112] Fred Dalton Thompson also appeared in a cameo as District Attorney Arthur Branch in the first episode of the short-lived Wolf-produced series Conviction, which also featured Stephanie March reprising her Special Victims Unit role as Bureau Chief Alexandra Cabot.[113][114]

Ratings

Seasonal rankings (based on average total viewers per episode) of Law & Order on NBC.

Note: Each U.S. network television season starts in late September and ends in late May, which coincides with the completion of May sweeps. Season 18 started in January and was held back as a mid-season replacement when NBC announced their 2007–08 schedule in May 2007. The 20th season premiere was on Friday, September 25, 2009 at 8:00 PM (ET) and 7:00 PM (CT) on NBC.

Season Premiere Finale Episodes Timeslot Rank Viewers
(in millions)
1 1990–91 September 13, 1990 June 9, 1991 22 Tuesday 10:00 pm N/A N/A
2 1991–92 September 17, 1991 May 14, 1992 22 N/A N/A
3 1992–93 September 23, 1992 May 19, 1993 22 Wednesday 10:00 pm N/A N/A
4 1993–94 September 15, 1993 May 25, 1994 22 #23[115] 9.6[115]
5 1994–95 September 21, 1994 May 24, 1995 23 #27[116] 11.6[116]
6 1995–96 September 20, 1995 May 22, 1996 23 #24[117] 10.9[117]
7 1996–97 September 18, 1996 May 21, 1997 23 #27[118] 10.5[118]
8 1997–98 September 24, 1997 May 20, 1998 24 #24[119] 14.1[119]
9 1998–99 September 23, 1998 May 26, 1999 24 #20[120] 13.8[120]
10 1999–00 September 22, 1999 May 24, 2000 24 #13[121] 16.3[121]
11 2000–01 October 18, 2000 May 23, 2001 24 #11[122] 17.7[122]
12 2001–02 September 26, 2001 May 22, 2002 24 #7[123] 18.7[123]
13 2002–03 October 2, 2002 May 21, 2003 24 #10[124] 17.3[124]
14 2003–04 September 24, 2003 May 19, 2004 24 #14[125] 15.9[125]
15 2004–05 September 22, 2004 May 18, 2005 24 #25[126] 13.0[126]
16 2005–06 September 21, 2005 May 17, 2006 22 #35[127] 11.2[127]
17 2006–07 September 22, 2006 May 18, 2007 22 Friday 10:00 pm #54[128] 9.4[128]
18 2007–08 January 2, 2008 May 21, 2008 18 Wednesday 10:00 pm #38[129] 10.7[129]
19 2008–09 November 5, 2008 June 3, 2009 22 #62[130] 8.2[130]
20 2009–10 September 25, 2009 May 24, 2010 23 Friday 8:00 pm
Monday 10:00 pm		 #60[131] 7.2[131]

Awards and honors

Law & Order has been nominated for numerous awards in the television industry over the span of its run. Among its wins are an Emmy award for outstanding drama series in 1997, Screen Actors Guild awards for Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series for Sam Waterston in 1999 and Jerry Orbach in 2005, and numerous Edgar Awards for Best Episode in a Television Series Teleplay.

DVD releases

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has released the first seven seasons of Law & Order, as well as the fourteenth season, for Region 1.[132]

In Regions 2 & 4, the first six seasons have been released on DVD by Universal Pictures, with season 7 being released in April 2010.
In Region 2, the first season was released on June 16, 2003,[133] followed by the second on February 28, 2005,[134] the third on November 21, 2005,[135] the fourth on July 17, 2006,[136] the fifth on July 23, 2007,[137] the sixth on February 16, 2009,[138] and the seventh on April 12, 2010[139] In Region 4, the first two seasons were released on November 7, 2007,[140][141] with the third a year earlier on August 15, 2006,[142] the fourth on September 19, 2006[143] the fifth on July 30, 2007,[144] the sixth on March 4, 2009[145] and the seventh on April 21, 2010.[146]

Other media

Computer games

In addition, there are three computer games of Law & Order in which the player investigates crimes and then prosecutes the resulting cases. There is also a computer game based on Law and Order: Criminal Intent.

Books

See also

References

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Law & Order cancelled". The Spy Report (Media Spy). May 15, 2010. http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2010/05/15/law-order-cancelled/. Retrieved May 15, 2010. 
  2. ↑ Brian Stelter; Bill Carter (May 14, 2010). "One 'Law & Order' Gets a Death Sentence, as Another Joins the Force". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/15/arts/television/15law.html. Retrieved May 16, 2010. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Brian Stelter; Bill Carter (May 14, 2010). "NBC Cancels 'Law & Order'". The New York Times. http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/nbc-cancels-law-order/. Retrieved May 16, 2010. 
  4. ↑ NBC Universal (May 14, 2010). "NBC announces pickups for new drama 'LOLA' ('Law & Order: Los Angeles') and returning 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' and 'Law & Order' ends its historic run on NBC May 24". Press release. https://www.nbcumv.com/mv/#1274052289516. Retrieved May 16, 2010. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/17/law-order-creator-still-looking-to-bring-original-back/
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Law & Order is dead, says Wolf". The Spy Report (Media Spy). July 31, 2010. http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2010/07/31/us-law-order-is-dead-says-wolf/. Retrieved July 31, 2010. 
  7. ↑ Courrier and Green (1999), p. 17
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Courrier and Green (1999), pp. 17–18
  9. ↑ Courrier and Green (1999), pp. 21–22
  10. ↑ Carlson, Erin (2008-10-31). "Can "Law & Order" outlive "Gunsmoke"?". Associated Press/San Jose Mercury News. http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainmentheadlines/ci_10868230. Retrieved 2008-11-06. 
  11. ↑ "Law and Order: Cast and details". TV Guide. http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/law-order/cast/100255. Retrieved 2008-11-06. 
  12. ↑ "Commissioner Oliver Presents "Law & Order Way"". NYC.gov. http://www.nyc.gov/html/film/html/news/091604_commissioner_oliver_presents.shtml. Retrieved 2004-09-14. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Courrier and Green (1999), p. 69
  14. ↑ Schwarzbaum, Lisa (1993-02-26). "The Jailhouse Rock". Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,305720,00.html. Retrieved 2010-01-05. 
  15. ↑ Simon, Scott (2008-12-06). "Richard Belzer: 'I Am Not A Cop'". On the Media (NPR). http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97905053. Retrieved 2010-01-05. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Green and Dawn (2009), p. 60
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Courrier and Green (1999), p. 25
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Courrier and Green (1999), pp. 120–122
  19. ↑ Courrier and Green (1999), pp. 110–111
  20. ↑ Courrier and Green (1999), pp. 25–26
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Courrier and Green (1999), pp 26
  22. ↑ Courrier and Green (1999), pp. 131–132
  23. ↑ Courrier and Green (1999), p. 111
  24. ↑ Courrier and Green (1999), pp. 123–125
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Courrier and Green (1999), pp. 144–145
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "Conspiracy". Writers: Michael S. Chernuchin & René Balcer. Director: Ed Sherin. Law & Order. NBC. September 30, 1992. No. 2, season 3.
  27. ↑ Courrier and Green (1999), pp. 144–146
  28. ↑ "American Jihad". Writers: Aaron Zelman & Marc Guggenheim. Director: Constantine Makris. Law & Order. NBC. 2002-10-02. No. 1, season 13.
  29. ↑ Courrier and Green (1999), pp. 33–34
  30. ↑ Courrier and Green (1999), pp. 115–117
  31. ↑ Courrier and Green (1999), pp. 128–131
  32. ↑ Courrier and Green (1999), pp. 35–37
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 Courrier and Green (1999), pp. 34–35
  34. ↑ Courrier and Green (1999), p. 130
  35. ↑ Courrier and Green (1999), pp. 134–135
  36. ↑ Courrier and Green (1999), pp. 333–335
  37. ↑ Huff, Richard (1999-04-30). "Bratt Leaving 'Law & Order'; 'Ally' Doc Joining Force". New York Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/1999/04/30/1999-04-30_bratt_leaving__law___order__.html. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 
  38. ↑ Courrier and Green (1999), pp. 331–332
  39. ↑ "Hill Leaves 'Law & Order'". New York Daily News. 2000-07-14. http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/2000/07/14/2000-07-14_hill_leaves__law___order_.html. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 
  40. ↑ Shister, Gail (2001-04-23). "'Law & Order' gets its first blonde as Rohm joins the cast.". Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-5884955_ITM. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 
  41. ↑ "Sen. Fred Thompson to join the case of 'Law & Order'". USA Today. 2002-08-29. http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2002-08-29-law-order-thompson_x.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Starr, Michael (2004-05-18). "Jerry Orbach Signs Off After 12 Years on 'Law & Order'". Fox News.com. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,120231,00.html. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 
  43. ↑ Brantley, Ben; Severo, Richard (2004-12-29). "Jerry Orbach, Star of 'Law & Order,' Dies at 69". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/29/arts/29cnd-orba.html. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 44.3 Roush, Matt (2008-04-23). "A Dramatic Exit for Jesse L. Martin". TV Guide. http://www.tvguide.com/roush/dramatic-exit-jesse-9896.aspx. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 
  45. ↑ Levin, Gary (2004-12-06). "'Law & Order' stays orderly". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2004-12-06-lno-inside_x.htm?csp=34. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 
  46. ↑ Marinovich, Milosh (2006-05-31). "'Law & Order' Cast Shakeup". CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/31/entertainment/main1671381.shtml. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 Steinberg, Jacques (2006-07-16). "'Law & Order' Meets the Law of Supply and Demand". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/16/arts/television/16stei.html. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 Fretts, Bruce (2008-01-02). "Cheers: Sisto Lays Down the Law". TV Guide. http://www.tvguide.com/cheers-jeers/Cheers-Sisto-Lays-8673.aspx. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 
  49. ↑ Cooper, Gael Fashingbauer (2007-07-18). "'Law & Order' Shows Get New Blood". msnbc.com. http://testpattern.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/07/18/274549.aspx. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 
  50. ↑ Tucker, Ken (2008-12-19). "TV: Sam Waterston's bark keeps giving Law & Order its bite". Entertainment Weekly. 
  51. ↑ Itzkoff, Dave (2010-04-02). "S. Epatha Merkerson to Leave 'Law & Order'". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/arts/television/03arts-SEPATHAMERKE_BRF.html. Retrieved 2019-04-03. 
  52. ↑ "Ask the Editors"; TV Guide; April 19, 2010; Page 6.
  53. ↑ "Everybody's Favorite Bagman". Writer: Dick Wolf. Director: John Patterson. Law & Order. NBC. 1990-10-30. No. 6, season 1.
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 54.2 Conroy, Tom (2009-10-23). "'Law & Order' Fictionalizes the Taconic Parkway Tragedy – Is It Too Soon?". AOL Television. http://insidetv.aol.com/2009/10/22/law-and-order-fictionalizes-taconic-tragedy-is-it-too-soon?icid=main. Retrieved 2009-10-23. 
  55. ↑ Farhi, Paul (2009-03-08). "Ripped From the Headlines – and From the Heart". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/05/AR2009030504029.html. Retrieved 2009-10-23. 
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 "Batra v Wolf, 2008 NY Slip Op 30821(U)" (PDF). Supreme Court, New York County. March 14, 2008. http://www.nycourts.gov/reporter/pdfs/2008/2008_30821.pdf. Retrieved July 25, 2010. 
  57. ↑ 1:27 p.m. ET. "It's official: NBC cancels 'Law & Order'". msnbc.com. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37140119/ns/today-entertainment/. Retrieved 2010-05-15. 
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 "It's official: Original 'Law and Order' to end – Entertainment News, TV News, Media". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118019334.html?categoryid=14&cs=1. Retrieved 2010-05-15. 
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 NBC (posted on TVByTheNumbers.com) (May 14, 2010). "NBC Cancels 'Law & Order'; Orders 'Law & Order: LA'; Renews 'Law & Order: SVU'". Press release. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/05/14/its-official-nbc-cancels-law-orders-law-renews-law-order-svu/51404. Retrieved May 15, 2010. 
  60. ↑ Finke, Nikki (2010-05-17). "TOLDJA! 'Law & Order' Heading To TNT? Or Will Dick Wolf Howl At NBCU's Hardball?". Deadline. http://www.deadline.com/2010/05/toldja-law-order-heading-to-tnt/. Retrieved 2010-05-23. 
  61. ↑ Braxton, Greg (2010-05-25). "TNT arrests 'Law & Order' rumors". Los Angeles Times. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/05/tnt-arrests-law-order-rumors.html. Retrieved 2010-05-28. 
  62. ↑ Rene Balcer on Talk of the Nation
  63. ↑ http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/07/law_order_amc.html
  64. ↑ "'Law & Order' is L.A.-bound". USA Today. July 30, 2010. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/livefrom/post/2010/07/law--order-is-la-bound/1. Retrieved July 31, 2010. 
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 Green and Dawn (2009), pp. 10–11
  66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 Green and Dawn (2009), p. 2
  67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 67.2 Courrier and Green (1999), p. 307
  68. ↑ Courrier and Green (1999), pp. 312–313
  69. ↑ Green and Dawn (2009), p. 11
  70. ↑ Green and Dawn (2009), p. 187
  71. ↑ Green and Dawn (2009), p. 13
  72. ↑ Green and Dawn (2009), p. 150
  73. ↑ Green and Dawn (2009), p. 387
  74. ↑ Mink, Eric (2001-09-30). "More Law, More Order: The third installment of the "Law & Order" franchise uses a criminal's point of view". New York Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/2001/09/30/2001-09-30_more_law__more_order_the_thi.html. Retrieved January 6, 2010. 
  75. ↑ 75.0 75.1 Stanley, Alessandra (2009-09-25). "A 'Law & Order' Spinoff Acquires Some Reinforcements". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/11/arts/television/11tvwk.html. Retrieved 2010-01-06. 
  76. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (2008-05-22). "USA renews "Law & Order: Criminal Intent"". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2254792220080523. Retrieved 2010-01-06. 
  77. ↑ 77.0 77.1 "Jeff Goldblum Has 'Criminal Intent'". Zap2it.com. 2008-06-26. http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-jeffgodlblumlandocriminalintent,0,2869315.story. Retrieved 2010-01-06. 
  78. ↑ Eng, Joyce (2009-09-25). "Report: D'Onofrio, Erbe and Bogosian Leaving Criminal Intent". TV Guide. http://www.tvguide.com/News/DOnofrio-Erbe-Bogosian-1010183.aspx. Retrieved 2010-01-06. 
  79. ↑ 79.0 79.1 Stanley, Alessandra (2005-03-05). "A Spinoff Lets Women Administer the Justice". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/03/arts/television/03stan.html?pagewanted=print. Retrieved 2010-01-06. 
  80. ↑ 80.0 80.1 80.2 80.3 Weiner, Allison Hope (2005-05-23). "Case Closed". Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1063781,00.html. Retrieved 2010-01-06. 
  81. ↑ 81.0 81.1 "Fred Thompson Doubles Up on 'Law & Order'". Fox News. 2004-10-07. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,134745,00.html. Retrieved 2010-01-06. 
  82. ↑ Bianco, Robert (2005-03-02). "Derivative 'Trial by Jury' doesn't take 'Law' into own hands". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-03-02-trial-by-jury_x.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-06. 
  83. ↑ 83.0 83.1 Daly, Bridget (2010-01-10). "Law & Order: Los Angeles In the Works". Hollyscoop. http://www.hollyscoop.com/tv/law--order-los-angeles/law--order-los-angeles-in-the-works_2102.aspx. Retrieved 2010-01-13. 
  84. ↑ Nellie, Andreeva (2010-04-12). "NBC Picks Up 'Law & Order: LA' For Fall; 'SVU' Cleared For 12th Season With Cast; Original 'L&O' Looks Good For Record 21st". Deadline. http://www.deadline.com/2010/04/nbc-taps-lola-for-fall/. 
  85. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (2010-04-20). "'L&O' Veteran Rene Balcer To Run 'LOLA'". Deadline. http://www.deadline.com/2010/05/lo-veteran-rene-balcer-to-run-lola/. 
  86. ↑ Gorman, Bill (2010-05-16). "NBC 2010 Fall Schedule Revealed". TvByTheNumbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/05/16/nbc-2010-fall-schedule-revealed/51502. 
  87. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (2010-06-11). =Ausiello Files – Entertainment Weekly "Armchair Casting Director: Law & Order: Los Angeles". http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/06/11/armchair-casting-director-law-order-los-angeles/ =Ausiello Files – Entertainment Weekly. 
  88. ↑ "Law & Order: Los Angeles". NBC.com. http://www.nbc.com/law-and-order-los-angeles/about/. Retrieved 2010-06-20. 
  89. ↑ "Skeet Ulrich Joins Law & Order: Los Angeles". TVGuide.com. http://www.tvguide.com/News/Skeet-Ulrich-Law-1020254.aspx. 
  90. ↑ Zap2it.com, "'Law & Order: Los Angeles': Alfred Molina is Deputy D.A. Morales", 24 July 2010 (accessed 24 July 2010)
  91. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (2010-07-29). "Corey Stoll Joins Cast Of 'Law & Order: LA'". http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/corey-stoll-joins-law-orderla/. 
  92. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (2010-07-30). "Terrence Howard To Join 'Law & Order: LA'". http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/terrence-howard-to-join-law-order-la/. 
  93. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (2010-07-31). "Regina Hall & Wanda De Jesus Join 'Law & Order: LA'; Cast Locked In For Monday Start". http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/regina-hall-cast-locked-in-for-monday-start/. 
  94. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (2010-07-16). "'Law & Order: LA' Start Date Pushed". Deadline. http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/law-order-la-start-date-pushed/. 
  95. ↑ Wertheimer, Ron (2002-06-15). "TELEVISION REVIEW; Making a Reality Show From Real-Life Trials". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/15/arts/television-review-making-a-reality-show-from-real-life-trials.html. Retrieved 2010-01-06. 
  96. ↑ James Welsh, "'Torchwood' writer to lead UK 'Law & Order'," Digital Spy (Thursday, January 10, 2008, 09:42 GMT).
  97. ↑ "One". Director: Jean de Segonzac, Writ. René Balcer & Dick Wolf. Law & Order: Criminal Intent. NBC. 2001-09-30. No. 1, season 1.
  98. ↑ "Poison". Director: Gloria Muzio, Writ. René Balcer & Stephanie Sengupta. Law & Order: Criminal Intent. NBC. 2001-11-11. No. 7, season 1.
  99. ↑ "Badge". Director: Constantine Makris, Writ. René Balcer & Marlane Gomard Meyer. Law & Order: Criminal Intent. NBC. 2002-04-28. No. 20, season 1.
  100. ↑ "Crazy". Director: Steve Shill, Writ. René Balcer. Law & Order: Criminal Intent. NBC. 2002-01-13. No. 12, season 1.
  101. ↑ "The Faithful". Director: Constantine Makris, Writ. René Balcer & Stephanie Sengupta. Law & Order: Criminal Intent. NBC. 2001-10-17. No. 4, season 1.
  102. ↑ "Noth set to reprise Law & Order role". New Zealand Herald. 2004-12-03. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=9001438. Retrieved 2010-01-07. 
  103. ↑ "NBC'S Law & Order: Criminal Intent Two-Hour Movie Special To Feature Vincent D'Onofrio, Chris Noth, Kathryn Erbe AND Annabella Sciorra, Nov. 6, 9–11 P.M. ET/PT". The Futon Critic. 2005-11-03. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20051103nbc01. Retrieved 2010-01-07. 
  104. ↑ "To the Bone". Director: Jean de Segonzac, Writ. René Balcer, Warren Leight, & Charlie Rubin. Law & Order: Criminal Intent. NBC. 2006-05-06. No. 20, season 5.
  105. ↑ "Skeleton". Director: David Platt, Writ. David Wilcox. Law & Order: Trial by Jury. NBC. 2005-04-15. No. 8, season 1.
  106. ↑ "Carey Lowell Guest Stars on NBC's "Law & Order: Trial by Jury," Friday, April 8, 10PM ET/PT". The Futon Critic. April 6, 2005. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20050406nbc02. Retrieved January 7, 2010. 
  107. ↑ "Forty-One Shots". Director: Caleb Deschanel, Writ. Walton Green. Law & Order: Trial by Jury. NBC. 2005-03-04. No. 2, season 1.
  108. ↑ "Bang & Blame". Director: Caleb Deschanel, Writ. Chris Levinson. Law & Order: Trial by Jury. NBC. 2005-04-08. No. 7, season 1.
  109. ↑ "Baby Boom". Director: Michael Pressman, Writ. Joan Rater & Tony Phelan. Law & Order: Trial by Jury. NBC. 2005-03-25. No. 5, season 1.
  110. ↑ "Day". Director: Caleb Deschanel, Writ. Chris Levinson. Law & Order: Trial by Jury. NBC. 2005-05-03. No. 11, season 1.
  111. ↑ "Smack is Back". Director: Jesus Salvador Treviño, Writ. Steven Phillip Smith. New York Undercover. FOX. 1996-11-07. No. 7, season 3.
  112. ↑ "Mob Street". Director: Don Kurt, Writ. Brad Kern. New York Undercover. FOX. 1998-02-12. No. 5, season 4.
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Law & Order franchise
Current series
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999–present) · Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001–present) · Law & Order: Los Angeles (2010–present)
Past series
Law & Order (1990–2010) · Law & Order: Trial by Jury (2005–2006)
Foreign adaptations
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Homicide: Life on the Street (1993–1999) · New York Undercover (1994–1998) · Deadline (2000–2001) · Crime & Punishment (2002–2004) · Conviction (2006)
Other media
Exiled: A Law & Order Movie · Video games
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See also: media relating to Law & Order at Wikimedia Commons
Law & Order
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Characters
Police
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Manhattan district attorneys
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Recurring characters
Dr. Elizabeth Olivet • Emil Skoda, M.D. • Elizabeth Rodgers, M.D.
Seasons
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See also
List of characters  · List of episodes  · List of actors and actresses who have appeared in the series