TNT Confirms: No 21st Season for 'Law & Order' Here

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that reps for TNT have squashed rumors that they may be picking up a 21st season of 'Law & Order.' After announcing its cancellation from NBC a few weeks rumors began to swirl that the show might be picked up by cable network, TNT, which already airs re-runs of the 20 season show. 'Law & Order' creator, Dick Wolf was interested in airing the show's 21st season on TNT, thereby setting the record for the longest-running television series ('Law and Order' is currerntly tied with 'Gunsmoke.')

As Deadline.com preciously reported, the move was dependent on licensing fees, as well as Wolf's asking price. He apparently makes $350,000 per episode; a price that would have to be lowered at TNT. Even though three Law & Order spin-offs are already on air at NBC, Wolf is adamant on keeping the flagship show.  "Law & Order: Los Angeles," is one of the spin-offs slated for NBC's Fall season. If Wolf is successful on getting L&O its 21st season, it will become the longest-running television drama.

In a statement out late yesterday, however, Turner Broadcasting reps issued a statement denying the possibility of a 'Law and Order' pick-up.  The statement reveals: "We are not in current talks, and we are not interested in a Season 21." The company will have a say in any future for the show, however, as they control the re-run rights

The chairman of NBC, Jeff Gaspin has said of the cancellation "The full measure of the collective contributions made by Dick Wolf and his ‘Law & Order' franchise over the last two decades to the success of NBC and Universal Media Studios cannot be overstated. The legacy of his original ‘Law & Order' series will continue to make an impact like no other series before."

The current cast of 'Law & Order' includes S. Epatha Merkerson, Sam Waterson, Anthony Anderson,Jeremy Sisto, Linus Roache and Alana De LA Garza. Past cast members include Jerry Orbach, Jesse L. Martin, Chris Noth, Benjamin Bratt, Elisabeth Rohm, Angie Harmon, and Jill Hennessy amoung others. Not to mention the hundreds to actors who have guest starred in episodes over the years.

NYT estimates that over 8,000 people in New York City are employed by the series and its spinoffs.