20 Years of 'Law & Order' Opening Credits (Video)

By Scott Harris Posted May 14th 2010 05:00PM

They say that all good things must come to an end, but some endings are still more surprising than others. Case in point: 'Law & Order,' which has been canceled by NBC after a groundbreaking 20-year run that established it as not only one of the longest-running shows in television history, but one of the most influential.

But it's not only 'Law & Order's' longevity that sets it apart; it's also the cast. While most hit television series rely on one or two stars to carry the franchise, over the last two decades 'Law & Order ' has survived -- and thrived -- on massive, constant cast turnover, with more than thirty actors getting face time during the show's iconic opening credits.

With that in mind, we thought it would be a fitting tribute to 'Law & Order' to take a look back at some of those title sequences, which remain a living record of the fact that while faces and fashions may change, one thing always remains the same: justice.

And what better way to kick off our celebration than with this all-encompassing YouTube extravaganza, which cleverly compiles the title sequences from every season of all four 'Law & Order' franchises (including 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,' 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent' and the short-lived 'Law & Order: Trial By Jury'). We haven't seen this many old, familiar faces since our last high school reunion.

The first season of 'Law & Order' introduced the world to Mike Post's memorable theme song. And it gave us our first real look at Chris Noth, who would later go on to even bigger celebrity as Mr. Big on 'Sex & the City.' You may also recognize Dann Florek as Capt. Don Cragen -- though he would be replaced at the end of season three, he returned six years later on 'Law & Order: SVU,' where he still stars.

Season three marked the first title sequence appearance for the legendary Jerry Orbach, whose character, Detective Lennie Briscoe, became synonymous with both the show and the NYPD in general after debuting midway through the second season.

For season four, Dann Florek and Paul Robinette were dropped in order to make the cast more gender balanced. The new women who came aboard that year would prove to be two of the most popular actors in the show's history: Jill Hennessy and the legendary S. Epatha Merkerson.

What many people consider to be the classic 'Law & Order' lineup was completed in season five with the addition of Sam Waterston as Executive Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy. Can we get a chung-chung?

By the time season thirteen rolled around, 'Law & Order' had become more than just an American institution; it had become an international television phenomenon. As proof, here's the exceedingly cool British credits, including Orbach's most popular partner, Jesse L. Martin, and former U. S. Senator and Presidential hopeful Fred Thompson.

At the time, season seventeen was considered by many to be the show's low point, as years of failed effort to find a decent replacement for the late, great Orbach culminated in the unpopular casting of Milena Govich. At least in Britain they got to listen to this Rob Dougan theme before each episode.

Season eighteen finally saw a return to critical acclaim for 'Law & Order' thanks in part to the addition of new cast members Jeremy Sisto and Linus Roache, who took over as executive assistant D.A. after Waterston's Jack McCoy got bumped up to district attorney. Sadly, that new creative life didn't lead to a resurgence in the ratings, but that's okay -- with over 450 episodes in the vault, we'll probably be seeing 'Law & Order' in reruns for centuries to come.

Tags: Law and Order

Comments

(33)

Friday 14 May

By Shirley Holliday

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I am very sorry to see "Law and Order" being canceled. I watch all the "Law and Order" shows,"Special Victim's" and "Criminal Intent". I even watch the reruns during the day. The shows always have good story plots and the actor are real pro's.
Why take a good show off, just because you think it should be ??

Sure hope that you won't pull the rug out under, "Special Victims" and Criminal Intent"

I'm sure that it will be replaced by some dysfunctional family situation, or a gay show.

By catabutler2

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Why did Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erb leave L&W, CI?
I loved both of them.
Are they Keeping Christopher Meloni and Mareska Hagarty?
I love the whole crew of L&W, SUV.
Leave us with something.

Saturday 15 May

By Gerry

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I love all of Law and Order show they shouldn't take them off. I wish they would bring them back soon. Yes, they problemly will put some dumb show on in there place. Sure hope you leave us with something to watch

By Jim

It wouldn't be so pathetic is NBC had something to follow up with in the way of programing. First it was Southland, then Medium, Conan and Leno, what is up with the idiot exects at NBC? Fortunately cable is picking up the slack and will soon put clowns like this out of business. Need I say, "Breaking Bad?"

By ksr

Law & Order is still one of the best shows on TV. I think I am just going to stop watching NBC. Who is making all these bad choices for NBC? Maybe they should just cancel that person that is making all these bad choices? I make a point to watch all of the L&O shows. I like them all. We as an audience have been loyal to these shows. So our reward is they are canceling it? Don't get it? I say if the actors still want their jobs keep it going.

By batseattle

It's a good show ,we watch all the time . It will be miss alot .

By Tahira Abdurrahman

Why! Why! Why!

By kmjdu

I think it stinks.The cancellation I mean.The show was as good as it ever was.

Wednesday 19 May

By zanytothemaxx

This is rediculus. What has NBC got to offer if they cancel Law and Order. Maybe TNT or another cable oulet will pick them up

This is rediculous. Law and Order is still the best NBC has to offer. Maybe TNT or another network will pick them up, but I will not be watching re-runs of Flipper on NBC.

By amokfl

I used to watch L&O religiously when Jerry Orbach was part of the cast. After his departure and untimely death I wasn't a regular anymore. Cheers Jerry. Missed you.

By Dee-money

Law&Order isn't cancelled.. It is ending...It has been on tv for more then 20 years now....its beyond that cancellation point. heroes got cancelled Las Vegas got cancelled..those shows are. Law and Order is just ending (although NBC sucks as of lately for doing this anyway)

By tv

Law and Order gone. I love the show no matter who plays what. I started watching L and O when Jerry Orbach was on there. I love the show. Why are they taking all the good shows off.

By Ron Ferreira

First Leno now this! I am seeing no real reason to continue watching NBC. What are their hit shows this season anyway?

By Niesy

I love Law & Order....I will miss watching it....

By tuffpaw

Someone start a FB page to tell NBC execs that they are making a mistake and they should rethink this decision.

By Vonn

I LOVE all of them my favorite is Criminal Intent (Vincent D'Onofrio & Kathryn Erb) NOBODY can replace them! I can't say more about this show ! I can still watch the marathons all day!Why cancel a show like this !!!

By Christina

Thank you NBC, for (yet again) confirming that network television programming executives are the stupidest forms of life on the planet. Why are the networks so afraid of intelligent, well written shows? Don't they have flunkies to explain the big words to them?

By darrell

Although I stopped watching L&O after Jerry Orbach, Dennis Farina and Jesse Martin left, I still would have liked to have seen the show break Gunsmoke's record of longest TV drama. Alas. But, this aside, I have always wondered that out of all the dozens of characters that have graced the openings, Leslie Hendrix has never been included. As Dr. Rodgers she is one of my favorite characters in the L&O franchise. She has been on all four franchise shows at one point or another, and is one of only 5 L&O characters to have done so. And now that she is pretty much a regular on L&O C.I., she needs to be in the main credits, she deserves it!!

By Fred

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The shows of L & O are just crap. Yes, it was good at one time but it has drifted into "things that are never allowed in court, police work, etc."

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