That didn't last long.
After a two-week relocation, NBC has decided to move "Law & Order" back to its longtime 10 p.m. Wednesday timeslot, starting this week. Skein had shifted to 9 p.m. Wednesdays so that NBC could try out new caper drama "Heist" in the later timeslot.
Move didn't work, however. "Heist" has been a Nielsen disappointment, underperforming vs. "L&O's" numbers in the timeslot. "L&O," has flirted with all-time lows in the earlier hour.
"Heist" will face intense competition in the 9 p.m. hour from Fox's "American Idol" results show, ABC's "Lost" and CBS' modest frosh hit "Criminal Minds."
NBC also announced a few other sked tweaks Friday.
"Celebrity Cooking Showdown," which had been set to air at 8 p.m. April 17-21, will now bow at 9 on April 17, bumping "The Apprentice" from the timeslot for a week. It'll get a lead-in boost from the 25th episode of "Deal or No Deal."
Peacock also seems to be leaning toward keeping red-hot "Deal" on Wednesday nights, slotting a special "Miss USA" edition of the skein for April 12. For at least a couple weeks, the Friday edition of the skein is set to be replaced by repeats of "Las Vegas."
NBC also is trying to give low-rated midseason drama "Conviction" some added exposure, slotting a 10 p.m. Monday tryout for the Dick Wolf skein on April 10.
Contact the Variety newsroom at
news@variety.com