NBC's verdict: 'Law & Order' to end after 20 years

JACK MCCOY. Sam Waterston played the executive assistant district attorney... — **JACK MCCOY.** Sam Waterston played the executive assistant district attorney on "Law & Order" since 1994. Each episode married police investigation in the first half-hour with courtroom prosecution in the second. It was a popular formula that led to spinoffs and an "L&O" franchise. Credit: NBC Universal

By VERNE GAYverne.gay@newsday.comMay 14, 2010

NBC on Friday officially denied "Law & Order" a 21st season and a shot at the record book as prime time's longest running drama.

NBC said the last episode will air May 24, locally at 10 p.m. Given the sudden notice, a show that spawned four spinoffs (including a new Los Angeles-based one) and graced the network's schedule for 20 years won't even get a chance to say goodbye.

"Never complain, never explain," said creator Dick Wolf in a clenched jaw of a statement. Wolf had reportedly battled the network for the renewal. Several websites had reported Thursday that a renewal had seemed assured as recently as Monday.

Wolf wanted his shot at breaking "Gunsmoke's" 20-year run, but falling short felt almost inconsequential Friday. "Law & Order" has been the single most important prime-time TV production in Manhattan for 20 years, employing thousands before and behind the camera. The show revived a moribund TV industry here, while establishing a once bleak West Side location on the Hudson River into a bustling shopping and production haven.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement that the show "began filming in the city at a time when few series did." He also thanked Wolf's show for helping showcase the city's depth and versatility as a setting.

"L&O" launched on Sept. 13, 1990, when the big guns on the NBC schedule were "The Cosby Show," "Cheers" and "Golden Girls."

As conceived by Wolf, the show's formula would begin with the crime, followed by the investigation by police and - in the second half - prosecution of the crime by the district attorney's office. Or, as the famous voice-over prologue had it: "In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups . . ."

Jeff Gaspin, chairman of NBC Universal Television Entertainment, said in a statement that "the full measure" of its contribution "cannot be overstated."

NBC also announced Friday that the spinoff, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," would be renewed for a 12th season and that it had ordered a new spinoff, "Law & Order: Los Angeles." "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" continues to air on USA, NBC's cable sibling. Another spinoff, "Law & Order: Trial by Jury," lasted only one season, 2005-06.