http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/nbc-plans-beef-development-order-more-law-order-12412

As for "Law & Order," Bromstad told the magazine the Dick Wolf series will be back for another round of episodes. That means the show will break "Gunsmoke's" record to become the longest-running drama in primetime.

“I’m a ‘Law & Order’ junkie,” Bromstad told BusinessWeek. “I wouldn’t want to be responsible for not having ‘Law & Order’ break the record.”

NBC offices were closed for the New Year's holiday.

Looks like "Law and Order" may break the record from "The Simpsons".

Those two shows don't know the word 'cancellation'.

"Law & Order" may break the record set by "Gunsmoke" but "Gunsmoke" still has something on "Law & Order"... it had the same actor (James Arness) in all 20 seasons. I know that character of Frasier Crane tied with ol' Matt Dillon, but still. Matt Dillon was in all 20 seasons of "Gunsmoke." "Law & Order" has a series a cast changes, and no one from the original cast has made it all the way.

Man, some shows just don't know when to die. I bet there were people in the mid to late 60s and into the 70s wondering why "Gunsmoke" was still on, lol.

I've never been a fan of "Law & Order", but I can understand renewing it. If your that close to a record, it would be foolish to cancel it just before breaking the record.

I totally understand why it is being renewed. It finally gives NBC some positive exposure when it does happen.

"Law & Order" may break the record set by "Gunsmoke" but "Gunsmoke" still has something on "Law & Order"... it had the same actor (James Arness) in all 20 seasons. I know that character of Frasier Crane tied with ol' Matt Dillon, but still. Matt Dillon was in all 20 seasons of "Gunsmoke." "Law & Order" has a series a cast changes, and no one from the original cast has made it all the way.

Man, some shows just don't know when to die. I bet there were people in the mid to late 60s and into the 70s wondering why "Gunsmoke" was still on, lol.

I've never been a fan of "Law & Order", but I can understand renewing it. If your that close to a record, it would be foolish to cancel it just before breaking the record.
Plus L&O doesn't have nearly as many episodes made as Gunsmoke did. I don't know how many L&O episodes have been produced up to this point, but I do know that Gunsmoke ended up with over 600!!

Plus L&O doesn't have nearly as many episodes made as Gunsmoke did. I don't know how many L&O episodes have been produced up to this point, but I do know that Gunsmoke ended up with over 600!!
Gunsmoke had 635 episodes. As of right now, 444 episodes of L&O have aired. They'll never catch Gunsmoke in episodes.

Gunsmoke had 635 episodes. As of right now, 444 episodes of L&O have aired. They'll never catch Gunsmoke in episodes.
Thank you, Sonny!!