It looks like
Law and Order won't have the chance to be TV's longest running drama series after all. Word on the street is that NBC has decided not to renew Dick Wolf's procedural series for what would have been a record-breaking 21st season, just a day after reports surfaced that the network is contemplating to
pull the plug on Heroes.Though NBC has yet to confirm the news, several media outlets have already reported that the cast and crew of
Law and Order were informed of the show's fate earlier today.
Deadline, which first reported the cancellation, points out that there might have been a "reneging" on the network's part to pick up a new 16-episode season since NBC reportedly wanted Wolf to help finance the pickup of
Law and Order, and Wolf's team was unwilling "to make certain deal concessions." On the other hand, an insider told
Entertainment Weekly that "it's possible this is just a negotiations tactic."
However, if the cancellation reports are true, it means that L
aw and Order will be tied with
Gunsmoke's record as TV's longest-running drama series, and won't have a shot at TV history. It also means that the May 24 season finale will also be the show's last.
Trivia: How Well Do You Know Law and Order? A lot of fans probably didn't see this coming in spite of the show's dwindling ratings. If you recall, NBC president Angela Bromstad mentioned earlier this year that she's a "
Law and Order junkie... I wouldn't want to be responsible for not having
Law and Order break the record."
Meanwhile, there are reports that
Law and Order may head to cable, specifically on TNT, which has been running repeats of the series for years. But the cable network is quick to shoot down rumors of a discussion about the possible acquisition.
"Law and Order has been a valuable programming asset for TNT. Currently, we have multiple seasons under license, up to and including Season 20. With this series, TNT is the buyer and NBC is the seller. TNT is not in ongoing discussions about picking up the series for first-run episodes,"
TNT said in a statement.
NBC will announce its schedule for next season on Sunday, May 16 so be sure to check back for updates.
(Image courtesy of NBC)