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Say It Ain't So: <em>Law & Order</em> May Be Canceled
By
Jen Chung
Published May 13, 2010
Modified May 13, 2010
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By
Jen Chung
Published May 13, 2010
Modified May 13, 2010
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E! and Deadline Hollywood say that NBC has canceled the longest running drama on television, Law & Order, which has been on the air since 1990. E! reports, "The cast and crew of the mothership procedural were informed of the show's fate earlier today," while Deadline Hollywood weighs in, "This is very surprising as NBC brass had indicated lately that they would bring L&O for a record-breaking 21st season. But with strong development, especially on the drama side, and soft ratings for L&O, NBC apparently opted not to keep the aging series, which spawned several successful spinoffs. The latest, Law & Order: Los Angeles, will launch next season." (LOLA is apparently not a joke.)
EW's Michael Ausiello isn't totally sure, "NBC is declining to comment on a Deadline report claiming the network has opted to not to renew the long-running procedural for what would have been a record-breaking 21st season. If true, it means Dick Wolf will have to settle for simply tying Gunsmoke‘s record as TV’s longest-running drama series. 'It’s a fluid situation,' says a source close to the talks. 'It’s not a done deal. It’s possible this is just a negotiations tactic.'"
We're a little numb trying to process all of this—this past season has been really good (loads better than any of the CSIs, at least)! Last month, it was announced that beloved Lieutenant Anita Van Buren portrayer S. Epatha Merkerson would be leaving the show. Maybe Betty White should join the show.
Tagged
cancellation
dick wolf
Law & Order
nbc
S. Epatha Merkerson
tv
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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