‘Law & Order’ waits on verdict

The “Law & Order” franchise is in a bit of disorder.

As NBC prepares to announce its fall schedule to advertisers next week, the future of “” and one of its spinoffs, “,”,” is at a crossroads.

Though NBC has already announced the return this fall of shows such as “Heroes” and “Southland,” “Law & Order,” which is just a few seasons short of becoming the longest-running drama in television history, has not officially been picked up.

“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” which premiered in 1999, has already been renewed, but the status of leads Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni is still in doubt. They are reportedly presenting a united front in seeking more money, while network executives have responded by saying the show will come back “with or without them.” (“Law & Order: Criminal Intent” has remained above the fray and just launched its eighth season on the USA Network, a sister network of NBC.)

While Dick Wolf, the creator of both series, has kept quiet about their future, industry insiders seemed cautiously optimistic that in the end “Law & Order” will be renewed and that Hargitay and Meloni will resume their places on “SVU.”

While not a ratings blockbuster, “Law & Order” -- or “the mother ship,” as it is called within “L&O;” circles -- has always been reliable. Its revolving door of lead actors has not damaged the show’s standing with loyal fans.

“ ‘Law & Order’ is so well-written, and it’s that defining characteristic that has kept it going,” said Doug Snauffer, author of “Crime Television,” which looks at crime-related dramas and comedies since the 1950s. “It’s also the atmosphere that is so important. New York is a major character. It’s such a cut above so many of the crime shows.”

He added, “They’ve done such a good job with casting that it’s never really hurt the show. Whoever they get always has a great deal of chemistry. Like the workplace, there’s always a lot of turnover.”

However, the situation with “Law & Order: SVU” is a bit different. Hargitay and Meloni, who rank as the longest-lasting team currently on network television, are regarded by many fans as crucial to that drama’s popularity.

“If it were announced that Mariska and Meloni were leaving, there would be this huge outcry,” said Snauffer. “It’s not the kind you’d hear with ‘Law & Order,’ or even ‘Law & Order: Criminal Intent.’ [‘SVU’] could not get away with it.”

But Wolf has earned a formidable reputation as a stern negotiator who has little patience for backstage drama. After the fourth season of “Law & Order,” Michael Moriarty, who played Executive Assistant District Attorney Ben Stone, left the series after a widely publicized rift with Wolf.

In 1996, Wolf faced a similar situation with his Fox series “New York Undercover.” In the third season, the show’s stars, Malik Yoba and Michael DeLorenzo, refused to show up for work and demanded more money and creative control.

Wolf threatened to kill off their characters and reportedly sketched out a script that started “Exterior. Cemetery -- Day.” The two quickly returned to work, with none of their demands met.

--

greg.braxton@latimes.com