I just saw a commercial for next week's episode.

Usually at the end of each episode there is a disclaimer that the events depicted are not real. This coming show is too close for comfort and I wonder how the disclaimer will read then.

Love it! I honestly think that the "ripped from the headlines" writing is why these shows are so successful. I like this type of reality based drama so much more than something like, say, Raines. I'm so disappointed that they gave Jeff Goldblum such a turkey of a show - silly and cheesy! L&O is so much better, and , yes, the original is still the best! =o) =o) =o)

I don't mind a storyline that has been taken from the headlines as long as they can keep the story interesting and suspenceful. I have seen other stories that they have done very well that were based on actual headlines.

Why not? They aknowledge that it's a borrowed story and they *always* change the outcome, so there is at least some creativity involved. Like the episode about the murdered pubisher who was going to publish a book about a "hypothetical" muder confessions? Total rip off of the OJ book. Except Judith Reagan wasn't murdered in real life so therein lies the creativity. It's TV and drama is big. Truth is stranger than fiction. If you didn't know about the real life story, would you enjoy the episode. If yes, that's really all that matters.

It makes the story more authentic, even if you know it isn't totally true, some of the best stories are real ones.It helps the authors get their ideas for the storylines.

why not? professional writers have literary licenses to distort, develop, analogize, fictionalize, etc. anything they know how to write about. I haven't had the chance to see that episode yet, though. Thanks for the insights!