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nylisa
My Children
Member since 5/05 7905 total posts
Name:
MaMa
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'Law & Order' Faces Chopping Block
(April 16) -- For years, Law & Order — on the air since 1990 — has been chasing the record held by CBS' Gunsmoke, which ran for 20 years to become TV's longest-lasting drama.
Which shows should be kept? Which have outstayed their welcome? But NBC might deny it that chance. For the first time, the crime show's future is uncertain. It hangs between renewal and cancellation — "on the bubble," in industry jargon — because of sagging ratings. The show is averaging 9.2 million viewers this season, less than half the audience it had five years ago as a top-10 show.
Blame normal declines among aging series, a glut of procedural crime dramas and the show's banishment to Fridays this season from its longtime Wednesday home. Whatever the cause, it has earned Law and its never-quite-a-hit spinoff, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, spots on the list of 22 shows fighting for survival.
The major networks will announce their fall lineups in mid-May, and with them, a death sentence or reprieve for these shows. USA TODAY's 10th annual Save Our Shows survey asks viewers to weigh in on which deserve another season and which should be put out to pasture.
As usual, the list includes faded freshmen (Jericho, The Class), critical favorites that haven't found an audience (Friday Night Lights) and other diehards whose longevity reflects weaker new-series development (Crossing Jordan, According to Jim and George Lopez ).
NBC's modestly rated Scrubs and CW's Gilmore Girls are hung up because of money: Expiring contracts with top stars mean each will cost more.
Two more series — ABC comedy Notes From the Underbelly, premiering tonight (10 ET/PT), and Fox's Drive, due Sunday — aren't included. Nor are reality and game shows. Passionate (if small) audiences have helped save shows such as Arrested Development and Veronica Mars in past years, though Mars' luck has run out. This year's rallying cry may fall to Friday Night Lights, which has earned high praise but a comparatively tiny audience of 6.2 million. How do network chiefs choose which shows stick around?
"It's a combination of need and want," Fox's Peter Liguori says. "Need comes in with, 'Where are there good scheduling pairings?' and want is shows that are undeniably unique and creatively strong."
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Posted 4/16/07 2:07 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
MikesWife
Wanting...........
Member since 1/06 6887 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: 'Law & Order' Faces Chopping Block
I love Friday Night Lights. I hope it sticks around.
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| Posted 4/16/07 2:10 PM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: 'Law & Order' Faces Chopping Block
I hope not. It's may favorite show. I watch all the re-runs and repeats too. I DVR it on Friday.
I would be so upset if it got canceled.
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| Posted 4/16/07 2:12 PM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: 'Law & Order' Faces Chopping Block
I loved the original L&O for a long time, and still watch the reruns, but I think it jumped the shark a while ago. I think it's been dying slowly since Jerry Orbach left.
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| Posted 4/16/07 2:15 PM |
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PaddysGirl
Little princess is here!
Member since 4/07 5923 total posts
Name:
Crystal
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Re: 'Law & Order' Faces Chopping Block
Noooo  I love this show. I am constantly watching the reruns as well.
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| Posted 4/16/07 2:15 PM |
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nylisa
My Children
Member since 5/05 7905 total posts
Name:
MaMa
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Re: 'Law & Order' Faces Chopping Block
Posted by Crystal
Noooo I love this show. I am constantly watching the reruns as well.
Me too but I think the worse thing they did for it was to move it to Fri.
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| Posted 4/16/07 2:17 PM |
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saraH
happy birthday sweet kate!
Member since 5/05 16555 total posts
Name:
I know that God exsists, I held her in my arms...
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Re: 'Law & Order' Faces Chopping Block
the original L&O is still the best. And I agree, that since they've moved it to friday, the ratings went down.
I would definitely be upset if it goes off the air.
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| Posted 4/16/07 2:19 PM |
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Shanti
True love
Member since 6/05 12653 total posts
Name:
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Re: 'Law & Order' Faces Chopping Block
Nooo, I love L&O!
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| Posted 4/16/07 2:22 PM |
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jxnoscar
Baby Delicious!
Member since 8/06 4156 total posts
Name:
Nancy
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Re: 'Law & Order' Faces Chopping Block
WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
How can this be
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| Posted 4/16/07 2:56 PM |
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CaseyGirl
Mommy to 3 Boys :)
Member since 5/05 19978 total posts
Name:
Jen - counting my blessings...
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Re: 'Law & Order' Faces Chopping Block
It's about time. I am one of the few people who can't stand Law & Order.
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| Posted 4/16/07 3:01 PM |
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