When it comes to TV empires, few can rival Dick Wolf's Law & Order franchise. With its gritty New York setting and formulaic brilliance, the original series became a cultural juggernaut. But when Wolf tried to take the franchise to the sun-soaked streets of Los Angeles with Law & Order: LA (affectionately nicknamed “LOLA”), the result was a one-season wonder that left fans scratching their heads. What happened to this star-studded spin-off, and why did NBC pull the plug so quickly?
The Premise and Promise:
On paper, Law & Order: LA had everything going for it. The show swapped New York's concrete jungle for the glitz and grit of Los Angeles, with episodes named after iconic neighborhoods like Boyle Heights and Silver Lake. The cast was a who's who of Hollywood talent: Skeet Ulrich and Corey Stoll as the lead detectives, Alfred Molina as the seasoned chief detective, and Terrance Howard and Alana de la Garza as the legal eagles. Even the structure stayed true to the franchise's tried-and-true five-act format.
But here's the twist: LOLA wasn't just a carbon copy of its New York predecessors. It had a distinctly laidback, West Coast vibe that set it apart. So, why didn't it stick the landing?
The Chaos Behind the Scenes:
The show's downfall can be traced to a series of missteps, both creative and logistical. For starters, LOLA underwent a massive creative overhaul midway through its run. Skeet Ulrich was replaced by Alfred Molina, and Terrance Howard stepped in to fill the shoes of departing cast members. Even the police chief role saw a switcheroo, with Rachel Ticotin taking over from Wanda de Jesus.
To make matters worse, the show took a four-month hiatus after airing just eight episodes. When it returned in April 2011, it felt like an entirely different series. The cast was different, the momentum was lost, and viewers were left confused. As NBC chair Robert Greenblatt later admitted, the show was “put on the schedule without a pilot” and suffered from “all kinds of chaos.”
The Ratings Game:
Despite the turmoil, LOLA wasn't a complete ratings disaster. In fact, it was doing “okay” in the numbers game, according to Greenblatt. But “okay” wasn't enough for a franchise known for its blockbuster success. The show simply didn't attract the massive audience NBC was hoping for, and with no signs of growth, the network decided to cut its losses.
The Legacy of Law & Order: LA:
While LOLA may have been a blip in the Law & Order universe, it wasn't without its merits. The writing remained sharp, the character work was strong, and Corey Stoll's performance was a standout. But in the end, the show's identity crisis and lack of continuity proved to be its undoing.
Law & Order: LA is a fascinating case study in how even the most promising spin-offs can go off the rails. Despite its A-list cast and fresh setting, the show's chaotic production and lack of a clear vision doomed it from the start. It's a reminder that in the cutthroat world of television, even the mightiest franchises can stumble.
So, what do you think? Could Law & Order: LA have succeeded with better planning, or was Los Angeles simply the wrong fit for the franchise? Let us know your thoughts!
