'Law & Order' creator Dick Wolf calls end of 10 p.m. dramas on NBC 'sad'

With the 10 p.m. hour that was long “Law & Order’s” domain on NBC now in the hands of Jay Leno, the long-running crime procedural has been given the 8 p.m. slot on Fridays for its 20th season, which begins Sept. 25.

“I understand the economic thinking behind it, but it is sad,” creator Dick Wolf said of NBC's decision to do away with five hours of scripted drama a week.

Speaking at a midday celebration on the show's New York set to kick off the new season, Wolf said he’s confident that "Law & Order" will still draw an audience earlier in the night. “It’s been on cable in every time slot literally 3 in the morning to 8 at night,” he said. “I think people respond to storytelling. I would prefer to have it on a 10 o’clock because I think that’s when people for originals go. But that’s over for now, anyway.”

This season, the program reaches a key milestone -- it will tie “Gunsmoke” as the longest-running prime-time drama on television. Now Wolf is setting his sights on his next target.

“It’s been a great 20 years,” he told the cast and crew before slicing into one of three cakes that spelled out the "Law & Order" logo. “We’re looking forward to the next 20.”

Wolf said he’s not being facetious. “The stories are literally endless,” he said. “I feel the same way now as I felt 20 years ago: The show is arguably as good as it’s ever been, and I don’t know anything that’s any better.”

That said, if and when “Law & Order” does come to a conclusion, Wolf said he isn’t planning a grand finale. “I don’t care whether it’s hopefully 15 years from now, 10 years, two years – whatever it is, I don’t think there will be a final episode,” he said. “The show has never really dealt with the idea of people’s personal lives. It’s a workplace show. And when this goes off, the sun will come up the next morning and the NYPD will still be operating and people will still be killing each other. And that’s the way I’d like the show to go out.”

A dozen of the program’s current and former cast members -- including Sam Waterston, S. Epatha Merkerson, Benjamin Bratt, Jesse L. Martin, Jeremy Sisto, Anthony Anderson and Linus Roach -- crammed into the jury box on the show's familiar courtroom set as Wolf received a certificate from the city commemorating the occasion.

“Oh, God bless him!” exclaimed Waterston later when asked if he was on board with Wolf’s desire to see the show continue for another two decades.

“I haven’t looked for myself beyond breaking the record,” he added. “We’re tied this year. I think having come this far, it would be really wonderful to set a new record. Then after that, I have no plans.”

-- Matea Gold

Photo credit: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

Comments

[Sarah]

I'm not watching Jay Leno and I don't know anyone who is. So, maybe Mr. Wolf will see his beloved program return to the 10PM slot.

[Guest]

If it was anyone else, the type of show Leno runs would be canceled. But knowing it's him, I think the NBC executives are letting it slide for now.

I don't like the timeslot change, but I believe it's temporary and as long as the show is on-air instead of off, I can manage. Double dose of crime drama on Fridays for me: Law & Order followed by Southland (correct me if I'm wrong on the times).

[Richard]

Jay Leno is a disaster. The first-show interview with Jerry Seinfeld was wooden, at best ... if it wasn't for Seinfeld carrying 80% of that conversation it would have been a complete flop. And the "lay up" question for Kanye West about "what his mother would think of the Taylor Swift incident" that let West shed a few years to try to repair his image was cringe TV.

NBC: just shoot him now.

[M. Nick]

I'm getting frustrated with the recent liberal slant to the story lines. The latest "Bush Bashing" episode was over the top. I had to turn it off and I never turn off L&O.
I hope they get back to catching killers and leave the politics for CNN, etc.

[ken]

WOW - use are a more of a leftist than anyone realized.
I am finished with Law & Order & you

[Guest]

I agree lets leave politics to CNN, because those Bush bashing episodes will throw off people and quite frankly boring. Lets continue catching those killers out there Mr Wolf. I cant get enough of L&O. Jay Leno is not that great, so because its him do we see his show lasting long?

[Nantz]

What's sad is the total lack of regard for his "Law And Order: Criminal Intent" series, first throw to cable and now sheparding out the bulk of the cast. If in recent statements Dick Wolf has said "Vincent D'Onofrio made Robert Goren one of the most loved TV dectectives on television" then why doesn't he show more support for the show? True, USA Network is trending towards "lighter fare", and Robert Goren is viewed as "dark" and no longer fits their mold, BUT, it's highly suspect when Mariska Hagitay and Christopher Meloni were appeased with more money, after their recent demands, seemingly closing the coffers to pay Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe and Eric Bogosian. A source from NBCU whose identity was not given attended a meeting in which she revealed the actors were offered 1/2 cut in salary. Pretty shoddy treatment to have Vincent appear in a 2 hour premiere and then "maybe" come back for guest appearances leaving one thinking that if the ratings tank he'll get called back. JPMorgan has estimated NBCU's worth at 35 billion, so hard to believe the money isn't there. Sour grapes? You better believe it, we hung in there for 8 years, Dick Wolf, and this is the thanks we get for our loyalty! No matter, once the majority of the cast leaves, we will leave also, and no one will be watching USA Network, NBC or any affiliates. So, take all your money, board your mothership and fly off to another galaxy, Dick, we will no longer be watching.

[MaryLou]

I am a firm believer that having Jay Leno at 1o was a big mistake and no one I know has watched it once. But having Dick Wolf comment on it is a joke. This is a man who is gutting Law and Order CI saying “I’m a firm believer that the Law & Order audience, in a sense looks forward to these casting changes.” We have accepted changes in the past, but they never involved getting rid of all the major characters and keeping the one that just got there. I love Law and Order and have watched every episode in its 20 years, and that was because of the characters.

[Bea]

I hope the show continues for a long time. I would, however, like to see the writers do a follow-up of the episode Killerz to show whether
Skoda or Olivet was correct about the little girl.

[Joyce]

I think that " Law and Order " Special Victims Unit -
Is the best show I've seen in years - - on TV.

It's truely honest - -without being to blunt - -and
also - - no foul language is used - -and it's great !

I Have watched all the other seasons that Netflix
has on their on their list - -and I watch them
on my flat screen computer - - and don't have to wait for them to be mailed to me .

I think " Dick Wolf " is the most talented writer
I've ever come in contact with !
I've watched - - -at least - - 200 programs in the
10 years of the series - - and every story is completely different - -without resembling another
program at all ! ! !

WONERFUL JOB DICK - - - -KEEP THOSE SHOWS COMING
FOR YOUR LOYAL FANS OUT HERE ! ! ! THANKS ! ! ! !

Sincerely, Joyce
Dec. 1, 2009

I've seen years 1 thru 10 - - and 20 to 25 episodes on each disc.

[Ecce]

I just love Law & Order and Dick Wolf has had some special shows. But I guess I won't be watching any more series. When people start putting Political crap in the show, that's it. We all are unhappy with every Political person that's up at the White House and we don't want to hear any more.

[george]

Honestly how much more of these crime solving, hospital emergency, friends hanging out together shows can we take. It's all remakes of shows past. Time to move on. Where's the inspiration for original, innovative programming? I would say the only Network that comes close is AMC, with Mad Men and Breaking Bad. There isn't anything out there close to either show. Brilliant writing and wonderful casts. Hopefully other networks will take notes and try something NEW for a change. It's just a matter of time for the majors. People are getting bored with these one dimensional shows. No matter how many times you reheat leftovers, it's still leftovers...blah!

[Dr. Art]

Attacking Limbaugh, Beck and O'Reilly was the end! I will never watch another L & O or Wolf production. All you liberals want to do is take take take take and take. Who will defend this country? Not I said the liberal idiot...not I said the socialist.

[Jula Rose]

Law and Order SVU is a show that only glorifies lawyers, which we have a ridiculously high count of in the U.S.. So many, that many new grads can not find jobs. Look in the yellow pages and you'll find more ads and listings of lawyers than any other profession or business.
There's a reason that Dick Wolf is named Dick, because he is one. He's a far left thinker who has used his show as his platform. Thank goodness for shows like Leno's, which is helping can Dick's overrated tired show. Now there's a reason to stay up late!