- Law & Order
-
▪ American television programlongest-running law enforcement series and the second longest-running drama in American television. Airing on the National Broadcasting Company (National Broadcasting Co., Inc.) (NBC) network beginning in 1990, the show has enjoyed strong ratings throughout its run and won the 1997 Emmy Award for best drama series.The hour-long Law & Order is set and shot in New York City and approaches its crime and law enforcement narratives in a novel way, depicting the case at the centre of each episode from two perspectives, that of the police and that of prosecutors. The first half of the show typically follows the regular cast of police officers as they investigate a crime, with their efforts resulting in the arrest of a suspect. In the second half of the show, the plot and perspective shift to the Manhattan district attorney's office, as the prosecutors prepare their case and go to trial. Most of the show's cases are inspired by actual crimes or trials “ripped from headlines,” but the events in the show are purely fictional. Law & Order's split-structure relies on high-stakes and complex cases that pose myriad problems for both the investigators and the prosecutors. During the series' long run, there have been many cast changes. Major characters include Detective Lennie Briscoe (played by Jerry Orbach, 1992–2004), District Attorney Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston, 1994– ), Detective Mike Logan (Chris Noth, 1990–95), Assistant District Attorney Claire Kincaid (Jill Hennessy, 1993–96), Detective Reynaldo Curtis (Benjamin Bratt, 1995–99), District Attorney Arthur Branch (Fred Thompson (Thompson, Fred)), and Lieut. Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson, 1993– ). The series regularly features high-profile guest stars, such as Julia Roberts (Roberts, Julia) and Samuel L. Jackson. To add realism, the show has also included New York City politicians, such as mayors Rudy Giuliani (Giuliani, Rudolph W.) and Michael Bloomberg (Bloomberg, Michael), playing themselves.Law & Order has become a network franchise and engendered several spin-offs, including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999– ), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001– ), Law & Order: Trial by Jury (2005–06), and Conviction (2006).
* * *
Universalium. 2010.
