What was the impact of 'Law Order' on TV dramas?

What was the impact of 'Law Order' on TV dramas?

Pamela Douglas (Screenwriter) gives expert video advice on: What makes a drama a hit?; What was the impact of 'Law Order' on TV dramas? and more...

Law & Order took stories straight from the current headlines. They would take topical issues and run them as stories for the continuing cast to work on. So you were sure when you watched it that they would be something that was intellectually interesting if you were living in the world today and had some sophistication.