Okay, let's talk about Law & Order. Seriously, how long was that show on TV? Feels like it was on since the invention of television itself, doesn't it?
I swear, my grandma watched it, my mom watched it, and now I'm watching reruns. It's like a multi-generational obsession. Is it a good thing or are we stuck in a time warp?
A Timeline That Seems to Stretch Forever
It officially premiered in 1990. That's right, the year of hammer pants and questionable hairstyles. It originally wrapped up in 2010. Talk about an incredible run.
But wait! It got resurrected in 2022. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes of procedural drama. Did we even need it back?
The OG Law & Order: A Record Breaker
The original Law & Order series ran for 20 seasons. Twenty! That's a lot of "dun dun" moments.
For years, it tied with Gunsmoke for the longest-running primetime drama. That's a whole lot of cowboys and detectives, I gotta tell ya.
Then it was off air for over a decade. Only to return and keep solving crime in the Big Apple.
The Many, Many Spinoffs
And don't even get me started on the spinoffs. There's Law & Order: SVU, which is basically immortal.
Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Trial by Jury... the list goes on! It's like they were trying to create a Law & Order cinematic universe.
Each iteration with it's own gritty feel and memorable characters.
My Unpopular Opinion
Okay, here's my controversial take: I think it was on for too long. Yes, I said it!
I love a good procedural, but at some point, aren't all the stories basically the same? Different crime, same formula.
It became comfort food television. Safe, predictable, and perfect for when you just want to zone out. But did it start to feel old, really old?
The Eternal Question: Why So Popular?
So, why did it last so long? Well, it's got a few things going for it. The ripped-from-the-headlines plots were always engaging.
Plus, the format is brilliant. Half the show is cops, half is lawyers. Two dramas in one! It's a genius idea!
And the rotating cast kept things fresh (sort of). Although, I do miss some of the old faces. Jack McCoy, anyone?
The Verdict
So, how long was Law & Order on TV? A really, really, really long time. Long enough to see several fashion trends come and go (and come back again).
Long enough to make dun dun a part of our cultural lexicon. Long enough to make us all feel like amateur detectives.
Was it too long? Maybe. But hey, who am I to judge? Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I hear Mariska Hargitay calling. I've got a rerun to watch.
And honestly, that's okay. It is the show that just keeps coming back.
It may be on for a long time to come.
