By Walter Brasch
Dick Wolf, who created "Law & Order" and its two successful spin-offs, "Law & Order: SVU" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," should probably consider establishing a branch office in Pennsylvania.
It seems that whenever any of the New York City cops take a road trip to find a fugitive or track down a witness, they go to Pennsylvania. Apparently, New Jersey is only a buffer zone.
Part of the reason why Pennsylvania routinely figures into the hour-long dramas may be because Wolf, a New Yorker, is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Other possibilities, although much more remote, may be because his first of three wives was named Susan Scranton; and Jerry Orbach, who played wise-cracking Det. Lennie Briscoe for 12 seasons, lived in northeast Pennsylvania several years.
Nevertheless, Pennsylvania has been the site of sufficient plots the past couple of years as the three TV series have increased their levels of social consciousness.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
2
2
1
