For me, the original Law & Order series was the best drama on television. It was purely through the random luck of late night channel surfing that I got to know the series, through reruns. I'm sad to hear the franchise is in trouble, but I can't say I'm surprised. I'm more surprised that it's lasted as long as it has. I think the problem was that Law & Order became a "franchise" - it spread itself too thin. I never really cared for the spin-off shows. I caught just one episode of Criminal Intent, but it didn't hook me the way the original LaO did. Also, I simply could not be bothered to try and keep up with all the cast changes. That sort of thing does not inspire viewer loyalty - not mine, at any rate.
So for me personally, yes, LaO has outlived its usefulness. I hate to say that, because in the beginning it was so superb in every way. LaO had a formula that worked beautifully - simple yet capable of so much variety. But then they had to run the whole thing into the ground.
I have never seen West Wing, so I can't comment on it. But I do like Spider Robinson's cheeky opinion of it.
