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Plot Twist: NBC Renews 'Law & Order'

'Mothership' back for season 18, but spinoff to move to cable sibling

By M. Morris,  Newser Staff

Posted May 14, 2007 2:23 PM CDT

(Newser) – In a fitting move for a show that made its name with unexpected twists, ratings-challenged "Law & Order" will return to NBC's fall lineup for its 18th season, the network announced today. The eleventh-hour deal relegates the show's "Criminal Intent" spinoff to fellow NBC Universal network USA, with reruns on NBC, a reversal of the current broadcast-to-cable arrangement.

The unexpected renewal is a victory for Dick Wolf, executive producer of both series as well as the "Special Victims Unit" spinoff (in recent years the most successful "L&O" incarnation). Wolf has made no secret of his desire to have "Law & Order" run longer than "Gunsmoke," which aired for a record 20 seasons.

Dick Wolf Receives A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
Dick Wolf Receives A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame   (Getty Images)
Jeff Zucker arrives at Tavern on the Green for the Annual Fresh Air Fund Gala, honoring American Heroes, in New York, on Thursday, June 3, 2004.
Jeff Zucker arrives at Tavern on the Green for the Annual Fresh Air Fund Gala, honoring American Heroes, in New York, on Thursday, June 3, 2004.   (KRT Photos)
Order, creator Dick Wolf posing Thursday March 29, 2007, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame after receiving a star, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. Wolf has been a copywriter and producer of television commercials before a career in television drama in the 1980s as a writer on...
Order," creator Dick Wolf posing Thursday March 29, 2007, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame after receiving a star, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. Wolf has been a copywriter and producer of television...   (Associated Press)
Dick Wolf Receives A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
Dick Wolf Receives A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame   (Getty Images (by Event))
Jeff Zucker Named NBC Universal President And CEO
Jeff Zucker Named NBC Universal President And CEO   (Getty Images)
 Order  police television drama that will air on NBC Friday May 18, 2007. NBC announced its fall schedule Monday and the show will be back for its 18th season. (AP Photo/ NBC, Eric Liebowitz)
Order" police television drama that will air on NBC Friday May 18, 2007. NBC announced its fall schedule Monday and the show will be back for its 18th season. (AP Photo/ NBC, Eric Liebowitz)   (Associated Press)
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