He’s one of TV’s most successful execs — but with few exceptions, “Law & Order: SVU” creator Dick Wolf has been a one-trick pony.
When “Law & Order” tied “Gunsmoke” as the longest-running drama on TV in 2010, it was a milestone for Wolf, and the end of an era. After 20 years on the air, NBC canceled it. Now, after 14 years, “SVU” celebrates its 300th episode on Wednesday, marking another win for Wolf.
But outside of the “Law & Order” universe, he’s shot a lot of blanks — and faces an uphill battle with NBC’s “Chicago Fire,” which has had trouble snaring the same kind of attention as his crime franchise.
“I am not unreasonably optimistic about ‘Chicago Fire’ settling in,” Wolf said yesterday. “But that Wednesday night [time slot] is like a land war in Asia. I’m hoping that people will find it."
Wolf pointed to two major non-“L&O” franchise success stories, HBO’s “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” and the Oscar-winning short film “Twin Towers,” which started as a TV project.
NBC
Jesse Spencer as Matthew Casey in ‘Chicago Fire.’
“It would be really unseemly of me to complain about a lack of success,” he said.
But his past is littered with the wreckage of almost 20 flops. Ranging from this season’s anemic reality show “Stars Earn Stripes” to a drama about Washington interns, circa the Monica Lewinsky White House period.
Even the “Law & Order” universe has stumbled at times, “Law & Order: LA” was DOA last year and “Deadline,” a 2001 show set at a New York City tabloid, barely made it out of the gate.
“It’s very difficult to be in my position and complain or moan about anything,” Wolf said. “ ‘Law & Order’ tied ‘Gunsmoke’ and ‘L&O: Criminal Intent’ is still a joy to me in reruns.”
Source : nydailynews[dot]com
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