Law & Order’s Dick Wolf Knows His Fascination With Crime Is Weird – Looper

In a 2010 interview with NPR’s “Fresh Air,” aired right before the original finale of “Law & Order,” Dick Wolf spoke about his fascination with crime. Host Terry Gross asked the prolific showrunner if he approached the crime cases of the series from a mindset of tragedy or interest. Wolf replied, “Unfortunately, I wish I’d had the former thought occasionally. It was always the latter: This is kind of interesting.” The producer then explained his face-value odd choice by adding, “There’s no personal involvement. It’s how cops do it.”

Wolf then bluntly shared how his creative side always took over, which allowed him to tell sometimes uncomfortable stories authentically. He continued, “You know, it’s almost like coming in – you’re almost seeing a movie when you go to these things because they can be so horrific, but there is – if you’re a writer, certainly, and you’re interested, the attraction far outweighs any kind of moral quandaries that you might find yourself in.”

In the interview, the “One Chicago” creator also pointed out how writing procedural dramas remove the need to become mired in interpersonal relationships. This allows the cases to become the main focal point, which helps to offer audiences an open and closed storyline in one hour. His interest in the subject certainly spurs viewer engagement, particularly in the first series in the franchise that started it all.