With a plethora of spin offs and multiple seasons on the originals im just incrediblely baffled how both shows managed to last well over 30 plus years, like my god to people really love redundancy or what????!!!!!! Even the people at CSI knew it was time to end it at some point.
Because they are actually popular outside of listnook.
33
Crystal-Skies6 days ago
+2
Yup. These procedural shows, from NCIS to L&O, One Chicago, Grey’s Anatomy, the 9-1-1 shows, etc all have lots of fans not just in America, but worldwide. And lots of ppl know them even if listnook doesn’t care.
Some people here act like NCIS is just an “old people” show or that female viewers are solely responsive for Grey’s being renewed. In reality, these shows have a diverse mix of old/young, male/female and American/international viewership. They get BILLIONS of streaming minutes and have fandoms (even if they’re not “omnipresent” online). Streaming is a young-skewing thing AFAIK lol. Plus they don’t cost 20M an episode and can have a revolving door of characters. They’re goldmines for networks.
Criticize the shows all you want (many do), but I think anyone claiming these shows are solely for “old people” or that “no one” watches them and acting stumped as to why they go on “forever” doesn’t want to admit their bias towards the show/format or that young people actually do watch these shows (though maybe not on live tv).
2
Firesky54Apr 17, 2026
+27
Because they are popular and people watch them.
Listnook still don’t understand that they are in a bubble and don’t effect the real world.
27
ChiefWatchesYouPeeApr 17, 2026
+2
Exactly
Listnook forgets how may midwestern, southern, and middle aged/elderly women and men their are that shows like this appeal too.
2
Crystal-Skies6 days ago
+1
Outside America, International audiences love these shows and they have lucrative licensing deals. When America plus overseas audiences watch, exces see more reasons to continue. I rolled my eyes whn Grey’s Anatomy was renewed for another season and the same echo chamber was claiming no young people watches that show or that a single demographic (women) is responsible for its renewal.
Grey’s, NCIS, Law and Order, etc, not only have popularity in America, but worldwide. The only reason why it seems “old” is bc that’s who watches the live broadcast. These shows are juggernauts in streaming, which is dominated by young ppl. On Disney Plus, Grey’s one of the most watched American dramas in multiple market in Western Europe and Southeast Asia IIRC.
1
Crystal-Skies6 days ago
+1
This. Every time Law and Order, NCIS, the One Chicago or Grey’s get renewed, the same echo chamber on this sublistnook says that those shows are solely watched by old people/so-called “Boomers”, that no young person watch them, or in the case of Grey’s Anatomy, it’s become a cliche to claim that the show’s renwewal is solely due to vapid women watching it.
In reality, the LIVE viewing of these shows skew older bc that’s who mostly watches live tv. These shows rack up BILLIONS of streaming views and make a ton of money in merchandise sales. That’s a market largely driven by younger people and, these shows have viewers outside of America too. Grey’s Anatomy is one of the most watched American dramas on Disney Plus in international markets.
You don’t have to like the shows and ppl can criticize them all they want, but the claims that only old ppl watch these shows when accounting for all ways to watch them or that they’re not “successful” is a massive lie.
1
EmezleeApr 17, 2026
-12
But for 30 years really at that point I lost complete interest in a show!
-12
CakeisaDieApr 17, 2026
+13
The world isn't about just you and your preferences?
If you dont like it stop watching thats all there is. Im bored with wheel of fortune but tons of people watch it.
13
Firesky54Apr 17, 2026
+5
And? The world isn’t just about you and what you think about procedure shows.
Plenty of people likes them and that’s ok just like it’s ok to dislike them.
5
rb2mApr 17, 2026
+8
I mean, at this point, they’re gaining new fans as fast or faster than they’re losing old ones. And both shows are really easy to drop for a season or two and pick back up without needing to watch everything you missed.
And just because YOU (one singular person) don’t find them interesting anymore doesn’t mean MILLIONS of other people don’t find them interesting. Millions actually do find them interesting and tune in each week to watch.
8
EmezleeApr 17, 2026
-3
Every show gotta have a beginning middle and end to it you can't drag it on forever in a day and expect people to continue watching it, and to add grease to the fire NCIS was technically a spin off of JAG that somehow managed to become its own series!!!
-3
rb2mApr 17, 2026
+4
I feel like the shows have proven that they don’t have to have an “end.” And again, obviously people still watch. MILLIONS of people in fact. Just because YOU don’t enjoy the shows doesn’t mean they should be cancelled.
I’m not sure what you’re trying to prove with JAG/NCIS? JAG centered on Harm and Mac (and more Harm than Mac) mostly where NCIS has always had a more ensemble cast. JAG was structured more like the beginning, middle, end you referenced where NCIS is more like L&O and can continue as long as the network would like.
4
EmezleeApr 17, 2026
+1
I only mentioned it because I'm pretty sure they never intended for NCIS to be more than simply a JAG spin off. It originally centered on a specific group of characters and now it has become it's own franchise very similar to the likes of Law & Order, CSI, and all the other procedural shows out there that has been dragged on for years.
1
danielcw189Apr 18, 2026
+1
>Every show gotta have a beginning middle and end
why?
1
[deleted]Apr 18, 2026
+1
[deleted]
1
EmezleeApr 18, 2026
-1
Because you are telling a story over multiple seasons their has to be an ending at some point.
-1
uCannoTUnseEThiSApr 17, 2026
+10
Honestly some people just want something easy to watch after work, no thinking required. Pretty much background noise with a plot. Can't blame them tbh
10
brilliant-trash22Apr 17, 2026
+2
Yeah this is me for the tv shows FBI and CIA. I work as an engineer where I have to think analytically for 8+ hours a day and at the end of the day, I just want something procedural that I can have as background noise and has somewhat of a crime mystery.
Idk if OP in this question/thread is just pretending to be insufferably dense or trying to feel self-righteous because they want to criticize primetime TV that millions of people watch
2
Crystal-Skies6 days ago
+1
That’s a common reason why they keep making them. I think Deadline or The Hollywood Reporter noted that when interviewing someone who worked on those shows (don’t quote me on that tho lol).
They don’t need intricate plots bc it’s usually case of the week style, they can usually keep their budgets low, and have a revolving door of actors if they get too expensive. The only mention for CSI is that cast salaries and the CGI to make those graphic shots cost lots of time and money. I believe D*** Wolff shows are good at letting go of talent or using simpler sets to avoid rising costs.
I’ve been rewatching all those old procedural shows when I’m bored and it’s fun to just put it on the background or simply watch and not need to watch 50+ episodes before.
1
EmezleeApr 17, 2026
-18
Law & Order and NCIS is anything but dumb television people want something dumb then watch Bevis and butt head now that is brain cell dying television!!!
-18
CakeisaDieApr 17, 2026
+6
Its comfort food.
You have a murder or crime you get an answer usually by the end of the episode.
Its easy to pick up and put down while being interesting because crime is always interesting.
6
ButterscotchPast4812Apr 17, 2026
+6
Cause SVU and NCIS are c**** to produce and are lucrative as hell. SVU will probably stay on air until Mariska Hargitay wants to retire.
CSI was more expensive to produce because they were cinematic and focused looking more like a film. It was their thing and part of why they were ground breaking.
6
EmezleeApr 17, 2026
-1
CSI and NCIS are literally the same exact type of show so how the hell can one be more expensive then the other?!!! I honestly can't see how any of those shows are lucrative when it's basically the same things with a different titles on it and now you got FBI and CIA to like if I want to see crime i’ll watch the news!
-1
ButterscotchPast4812Apr 17, 2026
+2
NCIS is a lot younger of a series than CSI. The ratings were probably a factor in why CSI ended. NCIS was also inspired by CSI. CSI was a ground breaking television franchise but it's interesting that NCIS has had more spinoffs.
Procedural crime dramas are lucrative because most of them are c**** and people watch them all over the world. They are familiar and easy to watch. You don't really need to engage all that much to watch them.
FBI and CIA are actually d*** wolf (creator of law and order) shows.
2
EmezleeApr 17, 2026
+1
CSI started in 2000 and NCIS started in 2003 so its not that young at all!!!!
1
ButterscotchPast4812Apr 17, 2026
+1
Like I said ratings was probably a factor and the cinematography was probably more expensive on CSI
1
NeedsToShutUpApr 17, 2026
+1
A reminder NCIS is itself a spinoff of JAG.
1
ButterscotchPast4812Apr 17, 2026
+1
The backdoor pilot on JAG is the only episode of NCIS I've ever seen.
1
danielcw189Apr 18, 2026
+1
2 episodes actually
1
EmezleeApr 18, 2026
And somehow miraculously not only out lived JAG but became it’s own franchise???
0
JDGAFFLINApr 17, 2026
+3
People love crime.
3
LuppercusApr 17, 2026
+3
Well personally I got tired of CSI, is very fornulaic so I see your point. NCIS I never watch it to begin with.
But in defense of SVU at least it has engaging plots and different archs, also a variety of themes. I myself haven't watch it in a while but probably would re take it some day.
3
RueTheQuaisApr 17, 2026
+3
Do you watch the shows at all? If you did, you'd have some answers.
First, they're mystery procedurals so they draw drama from the cases while only occasionally focusing on character arcs of the main cast. OG L&O has the least amount of personal stories.
Second, they refresh the cast. Original L&O has none of the OG cast. SVU just one character and NCIS maybe has one. That means there are new characters to explore and the cast costs are kept down.
People watch procedurals for the comfort of the formula. And as long as that happens, networks will turn to their reliable performers.
3
TheHumanTarget84Apr 17, 2026
+9
Law and Order was cancelled for like a decade.
And it's probably about to be cancelled again.
9
bravetailorApr 17, 2026
+4
Probably referring more to SVU.
4
Reasonable-HB678Apr 17, 2026
+2
SVU will eventually break the record currently held by Gunsmoke for most total episodes for an hour long dramatic scripted series. The direct spinoff Organized Crime, that's officially been cancelled.
2
GsrjApr 17, 2026
+1
They're very close I think gunsmoke ended at 635 episodes and svu will hit 600 episodes next season so if gets renewed again they'll have the record
1
Accomplished_Fly729Apr 17, 2026
Your age is showing, when people say Law and Order, they are talking about SVU.
0
EmezleeApr 17, 2026
-2
Whils still having spin offs with SVU lasting for almost 30 damn years so no Law & Order hasn't ended at all!!!!
-2
ButterscotchPast4812Apr 17, 2026
+2
The original law and order series was cancelled and was not on air for a decade. Wolf brought the series back about five years ago and it's currently on the bubble. Which means it may be cancelled yet again.
SVU kept chugging along and continues too. It surpassed the original series in popularity about two decades ago and (so far) is the only law and order series to be renewed for the upcoming season.
2
EmezleeApr 17, 2026
-1
The Law and order franchise has been running continuously for well over 30 years literally since 1990 so again law & order has never ended!!!
-1
ButterscotchPast4812Apr 17, 2026
+1
"Law and order special victims unit" and "law & order" are two different shows. There is a distinction there.
The original "law & order" series was cancelled in 2010 and then brought back in 2021. "Law and order special victims unit" has been on air continuously since 1999.
>On May 14, 2010, NBC officially canceled Law & Order,[186]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_%26_Order
1
AgentElmanApr 17, 2026
+1
You probably think Star Wars is the name of a movie and not a series which contains Episode 4 A New Hope
1
ButterscotchPast4812Apr 17, 2026
+1
There a distinction between a franchise and a television/movie series that spawns the franchise.
1
EmezleeApr 17, 2026
-2
It's still apart of the greater Law & Order franchise that has been running since 1990. No matter how you dissect it it's still Law & Order!!!!
-2
GrinningPariahApr 17, 2026
+2
It feels like you're less interested in learning the answers to your question than you are in yelling at people about this show you don't like.
2
LuinAelinApr 17, 2026
+3
Because people want them.
Listnook is a terrible gauge of popularly
3
bathroomheaterApr 17, 2026
+2
They are c**** to make and they use actual cases as the basis for episodes. There are like 3 actual characters everyone else isn’t a regular so salaries aren’t crazy. No crazy travel expenses or set building expenses. They use the same office/courtroom/interrogation area/jail cells/apartments and just change wall colors. Wardrobes are repeatable. I feel like outside of the main characters they spend like 40k an episode.
2
EmezleeApr 17, 2026
-3
Cheapness should not be an excuse to drag a show for 30 years! NBC and CBS always whine about not having enough space on their schedule, like yeah because they are holding on to 30 plus year old shows whitelist keep making spin offs of those shows that's why FBI airs on CBS in the first place!!!!
-3
DefinitelynotGRRMApr 17, 2026
+5
You are not understanding what people here are telling you. They aren’t dragging anything. They are popular shows outside of the little Listnook bubble. Something you can just throw on and enjoy for an hour at a time.
5
EmezleeApr 17, 2026
-2
That's even all the more reason to not drag a show along because at some point people stop watching and just leave it on as background noise
-2
bathroomheaterApr 17, 2026
+2
It’s episodic television. It’s not drawn out it’s just self contained. Each episode has its own story. A beginning a middle and an end. A fully contained arc and each one is different and they constantly make episodes referencing viral crimes so it’s topical and keeps people engaged.
Source: I have a friend who used to play a background beat cop on svu and we played a drinking game where we drank everytime we saw him
2
All_Lightning879Apr 17, 2026
+1
That’s why NBC has had a difficult time getting something different to last a while: they don’t prop them up for success.
1
EmezleeApr 17, 2026
-4
Because they rely on ONE franchise for literally 30 plus years what did they expect to happen?!?!
-4
All_Lightning879Apr 17, 2026
+1
D*** Wolf, The Voice, and the NBA take center stage over something like Brilliant Minds, and that’s almost gone.
Sitcoms don’t last long just for being too smart, and that’s a sad realization.
1
EmezleeApr 17, 2026
+1
To make matters worth that the none of the original cast is even on NCIS so why even bother continuing the damn show!?
1
All_Lightning879Apr 17, 2026
+2
Well, they’re really good at planting seeds, and people love seeing Gary Cole and Wilmer Valderrama on their screens every week.
2
EmezleeApr 17, 2026
+2
It's not even the same show anymore it's Whatever NCIS evolved too CBS has really dragged that show on for way too long and yet have to problem cutting the cords off of a good new series!!!
2
ViskerRatioApr 18, 2026
+1
Shows that last a long time tend to combine two key factors: "c****" and "low barrier to entrance".
These sorts of police procedurals are normally c**** because you're largely just shooting on the same soundstage for every episode. You'll go outside from time to time, but most locations are ones that essentially exist for the purposes of filmed entertainment rather than trying to get permission to shoot at the Eiffel Tower or needing to CGI space stations and dragons.
You also don't need to know anything to jump right in. If you've never seen an episode of L&O or NCIS, you've got all the information you need within 5 minutes of watching an arbitrary episode. You've got a bunch of law enforcement types with well-honed personality quirks trying to solve a case. There's no 'mythology' you're missing because you didn't watch every episode from the beginning. There are no character arcs where the episode #79 version of a character has learned valuable life lessons that the episode #5 version of the character didn't know. Heck, they're probably still wearing the same wardrobe years later.
This makes the show accessible for new viewers and ensures a constant influx of them.
1
zowietremendouslyApr 17, 2026
+1
The Simpsons has been on longer.
1
Accomplished_Fly729Apr 17, 2026
Most shows quit right before hitting diamonds. The trick is to stick around long enough for your audience to become old as f***.
0
Toxic_LanternApr 17, 2026
They’re basically crime ASMR: predictable, self-contained, endlessly rerunnable. Networks love c**** syndication, older audiences love routine. If you ever watch daytime cable at a hotel, it’s 70% these shows.
0
EmezleeApr 17, 2026
I know how cable works I used to have it and yes they actually have stations that are dedicated to drama/procedural shows!
0
i_hate_ketchup777Apr 17, 2026
-1
old people love recycled c*** they’ve seen 100 times.
65 Comments