The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - It's case closed for "L.A. Law."

After eight award-winning seasons, the NBC series about the lives, loves and courtroom battles of yuppie lawyers has been canceled.

The final episode will air May 19, the network said Tuesday.

There was no immediate word on how the writers would end the series.

"L.A. Law" premiered on Sept. 15, 1986, and drew immediate critical acclaim. Created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher, it won 15 Emmy Awards and was named outstanding drama series for a record-tying four times.

That matched the mark held by Bochco's "Hill Street Blues."

But "L.A. Law" lost its creative punch in recent years and was slipping badly in the ratings.

NBC tried to salvage it. William Finkelstein, who was with the show in its heyday, was brought in as executive producer this season. New cast members were added, and Susan Ruttan, who played office manager Roxanne Melman, was dumped.

The changes weren't enough; the series failed to break out of its slump and regain the large audiences it once drew. Read Next Article