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Synopsis: "Law & Order" marks its 11th season
on NBC and is television’s longest-running drama series currently
on the air. The series that explores crime and the legal system is the
1997 Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Drama Series and the record holder
for the most consecutive (nine) nominations in that category.
With its recent renewal through May 2005, "Law & Order"
is set to become the longest-running police series and second longest-running
drama series in the history of television.
Filmed entirely on location in New York City, this realistic program
looks at crime and justice from a dual perspective. In the first half-hour,
Detectives Lennie Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Edward Green (Jesse L.
Martin) investigate crimes and apprehend suspects under the supervision
of their precinct lieutenant, Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson).
In the second half-hour, the focus shifts to the criminal courts.
Under the watchful eye of new District Attorney Nora Lewin (two-time
Oscar-winner Dianne Wiest), Assistant District Attorneys Abbie Carmichael
(Angie Harmon) and Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) must work within a complicated
justice system to prosecute the accused.
Some cases may be simple, but most are multi-faceted. The investigations
are challenging, prosecutions are complicated, and decisions about legal
procedures and plea-bargaining vexing. In the often arduous and complex
process of determining innocence and guilt, lives hang in the balance.
During its record-setting 10th season, "Law & Order" averaged
a 6.3 rating and 18 share in adults 18-49 (up 13 percent vs. the previous
season), ranking the show among the top 20 series on television in this
demographic for the first time. The show achieved its top total viewers
average in eight years with 16.3 million viewers overall (up 17 percent),
ranking the series in the top 15 for this category. Aside from NBC’s
Thursday series, "Law & Order" was the highest-rated program
and most dominant time period winner on NBC's schedule.
(Courtesy NBC Entertainment, Fall 2000)
The Episodes
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