Now the TV media can begin talking about something else. My guess is that Dick Wolf's had a busy 24 hours.
Update: Dick Wolf's issued statement is one I've used many a time: "Never complain. Never explain."
Here's NBC's official announcement:
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – May 14, 2010 – NBC has picked up the new drama “LOLA” (“Law & Order: Los Angeles”) as well as renewed “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” for the 2010-11 season. In addition, NBC will end its historic and record-tying “Law & Order” when the mothership series concludes its 20th season on Monday, May 24 (10-11 p.m. ET).
The announcements were made today by Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios.
Jeff Gaspin, Chairman, NBC Universal Television Entertainment 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."
Bromstad added: “‘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.’”
The brainchild of creator and Emmy Award winner Wolf, "Law & Order" has spawned one of the most successful brands in primetime television. It is the 1997 Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Drama Series and the record holder for the most consecutive (11) nominations in that category for a primetime series (tied with "Cheers" and "M*A*S*H"). It premiered on September 13, 1990, and eventually tied “Gunsmoke” as the longest-running drama series in television history.
The new “LOLA” (“Law & Order: Los Angeles”) is a procedural crime drama that will follow the theme and storylines similar to the “Law & Order”-brand series on the streets of Los Angeles. The series, from executive producer Dick Wolf and Blake Masters (“Brotherhood”), is a Wolf Films production in association with Universal Media Studios. Casting and pre-production work are continuing.
“Law & Order: Criminal Intent” continues to air in its ninth season on USA Network.
Well…after all..this isn't so surprising…It was a good move from NBC.
What the hell, NBC?
This was a terrible move by NBC. Forget the audience members (like myself) who haven't watched for years and who would have tuned in for a final season. The real stupidity of this is trying to launch a new L&O show after royally pissing off all the existing L&O fans.
It almost makes you think NBC made a mistake in firing Silverman (He was an idiot but at least his idiocy manifested itself in dirt cheap reality shows)
With LA coming in and the originals ratings continuing to decline its no surprise, even though not a fan of any of the series, still glad to see the original have a long run, fans and even the execs should be content with that. With LA, SVU, CI and I believe UK is still airing, there are more than enough shows to get a L&O fix.
I am surprised, I was 100% certain the show would be renewed (before I found out about the TNT agreement ending).
Goes to show you that once you get to season 3 or so, syndication (both reaching it and keeping it) are all that matter.
Angela Bromstad is a hypocrite. Back in December, she told Businessweek, “I wouldn’t want to be responsible for not having ‘Law & Order’ break the record.” She's done exactly that. I think renewing it for one more season couldn't hurt since they've been below SVU's ratings for years now. She should have kept her word, but I'm sorry to see it go.
You know, I would have said that Law and Order needed to be canceled a few years ago but to break a record and give it one more season of at least 13 episodes to end it would have been a good idea too. I donno I feel like something like this like canceling a long running show like this should have had more planning and less out of the blueness to it.
I can understand that from a business standpoint, the show was past it’s prime and probably not deserving of renewal. But, as a lifelong L&O fan, I think this has to go down as one of the biggest TV upsets. No finale, no wrap up, nothing. Just a regular episode to end 20 years.
They could’ve at least given fans a movie-of-the-week…something. Geez, what a disappointment.
Also, why pick up a spin off of a series, but cancel the original? If LOLA will have the same format as Mothership, why not just keep Mothership?
I can understand that from a business standpoint, the show was past it’s prime and probably not deserving of renewal. But, as a lifelong L&O fan, I think this has to go down as one of the biggest TV upsets. No finale, no wrap up, nothing. Just a regular episode to end 20 years.
They could’ve at least given fans a movie-of-the-week…something. Geez, what a disappointment.
Also, why pick up a spin off of a series, but cancel the original? If LOLA will have the same format as Mothership, why not just keep Mothership?
Why would NBC expect a lot of lapsed viewers to turn in for the final season of a non-serialized show?
That makes no sense. NBC makes a lot of stupid moves, like renewing Chuck, but this was a rare moment of sanity for them.
Why would NBC expect a lot of lapsed viewers to turn in for the final season of a non-serialized show?
That makes no sense. NBC makes a lot of stupid moves, like renewing Chuck, but this was a rare moment of sanity for them.
“Also, why pick up a spin off of a series, but cancel the original? If LOLA will have the same format as Mothership, why not just keep Mothership?”
Some guesses:
1. Lure of the new, for everyone involved (except of course existing L&O actors)
2. The potential for more money for Dick Wolf, assuming he could only choose 2 shows, and not get all 3.
3. LOLA almost certainly cheaper for NBC
“Also, why pick up a spin off of a series, but cancel the original? If LOLA will have the same format as Mothership, why not just keep Mothership?”
Some guesses:
1. Lure of the new, for everyone involved (except of course existing L&O actors)
2. The potential for more money for Dick Wolf, assuming he could only choose 2 shows, and not get all 3.
3. LOLA almost certainly cheaper for NBC
I can’t imagine, considering the production climate in California that it would any cheaper to do a show in Cali than in NY. Maybe I’m wrong. I’m still waiting for L&O, CSI, and NCIS to hit Toronto…
I can’t imagine, considering the production climate in California that it would any cheaper to do a show in Cali than in NY. Maybe I’m wrong. I’m still waiting for L&O, CSI, and NCIS to hit Toronto…
I’m saddened by this, NBC wouldn’t be losing money on Law and Order. They were so close to breaking the record, why not give it a 13 episode or even a 6 episode order?
Even if they weren’t making profits on the first airing from advertising, they would have recouped it from international syndication if nothing else.
I’m saddened by this, NBC wouldn’t be losing money on Law and Order. They were so close to breaking the record, why not give it a 13 episode or even a 6 episode order?
Even if they weren’t making profits on the first airing from advertising, they would have recouped it from international syndication if nothing else.
SoCal location may be cheaper, however that’s not what I was considering. In general, because of price creep, older shows are more expensive than new shows.
SoCal location may be cheaper, however that’s not what I was considering. In general, because of price creep, older shows are more expensive than new shows.
I won’t argue that all of your guesses don’t make perfect sense from a network exec’s POV, but as a fan of the show for well over a decade (and I’m only 24, so that’s saying something) I can’t help but feel disappointed.
On a side note, since the season finale is also the series finale, I really hope they don’t kill Van Buren. Boy, talk about a real downer of an episode!