Law & Reorder: Canceled NYC-centric drama may have second life

The demise of “Law & Order” has gripped New Yorkers, from the city’s top cop down to everyday fans. But the case isn’t closed.

Just days after the drama was dropped abruptly from NBC’s fall lineup, creator Dick Wolf reportedly is seeking “other offers” to salvage the show – and its place in Gotham’s economy.

Wolf will do everything in his power to keep the original series alive, leaving a rumored full-time “Law & Order” movie on the backburner, according to the New York Times on Monday. TNT, which picked up NBC castaway “Southland,” is in talks to pick up the series, Variety reported.

Saving “Law & Order,” which contributes $79 million to the city’s economy each year and 4,000 jobs each season, is imperative, fans said Monday. It keeps a spectrum of locals working, from struggling actors to caterers.

“It’s proved that filming on location can really change the character of the show,” said Amy Oztan, 37, of Clinton Hill, who worked as an extra on the series. “It’d be a great loss.”

Oztan, who runs filminginbrooklyn.com, argued the city should provide tax credits to keep shows in the area.

“They’re being pennywise and pound-foolish. They’re going to regret not being on top of something like this,” she said.

The show, which acting legends Jerry Orbach, Sam Waterson and many others have starred in, has tied with “Gunsmoke” for the longest-running drama at 20 seasons. It’s last day on NBC is next Monday.

It’s a favorite of celebrities and everyday New Yorkers alike. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly wrote a column mourning its loss. Mayor Michael Bloomberg last week called it “a New York City institution.”

Superfan and Gold medal Olympian Lindsey Vonn has started a Facebook fan page in support of “Law & Order.”

“I can’t believe they want to cancel it,” the skier, who appears in the show’s last episode, tweeted. The “Save Law & Order” Facebook page had more than 16,000 followers as of Monday night.

“It’s just a matter of it having filmed in your backyard,” admitted Eric Holland, 28, of Williamsburg. “It’s just a thrill to see a street you walk down.”

UGO.com TV editor Hilary Rothing on Monday joked she’s appeared several times on the show during her commutes through Grand Central Terminal.

A deal with TNT “wouldn’t be surprising,” she said. “It makes sense for them because they’re already running ‘Law & Order’ reruns. It’s just a matter of all the parties coming together.”

The option of filming the show in Los Angeles to save money didn’t appeal to Rothing.

“It’s a staple of New York’s TV industry,” she said. “This whole L.A. thing is crazy. How are they going to get to crime scenes with L.A. traffic?”

emily.ngo@am-ny.com