I've done work experience with a firm and been involved in a civil case for awhile now. I know exactly what courses I'll be studying (cept I am waiting till i've got more experience to decide on electives...don't even have to choose law electives until 3rd year anyway)... Very few people would choose a course because someone on tv makes the proffession look good. You also have to remember law is very popular because its regarded as a great background course to alot of different careers, so alot of people will choose it if they are unsure about what they want to do in the future ect.
Alot of people will also choose law because of the high UAI. The fact of the matter is if you are in a course that is known to have a high entry score, potential employers will look upon this more favourably, because, generally, it means your smarter. Eg. commerce/law graduate will be more likely to get a job than a straight commerce graduate (assuming that the only variable was the course)
and I agree about the money thing. Alot of people choose law for the high graduate starting salaries.