"Boston Legal" (2004) TV series 2004-2008

User Rating:

8.6/10   

Creator:

David E. Kelley

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

3 October 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the courtroom.

Plot:

This Spinoff of The Practice will focus on Civil Law.

Plot Keywords:

Eccentric | Civil Law | Boston Massachusetts | Law Firm | City Name In Title

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 12 wins & 49 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sat. Nov. 7	10:00 PM	MyNetwork	Fat Burner	#3.15
Sun. Nov. 8	1:00 PM	WGNAMER	Tortured Souls	#1.15

Cast

James Spader	...	Alan Shore (101 episodes, 2004-2008)
William Shatner	...	Denny Crane (101 episodes, 2004-2008)
Candice Bergen	...	Shirley Schmidt (91 episodes, 2005-2008)
Rene Auberjonois	...	Paul Lewiston (71 episodes, 2004-2008)
Mark Valley	...	Brad Chase / ... (70 episodes, 2004-2007)
Julie Bowen	...	Denise Bauer (52 episodes, 2005-2008)
Christian Clemenson	...	Jerry Espenson / ... (50 episodes, 2005-2008)

Also Known As:

Fleet Street (USA) (working title)
The Practice: Fleet Street (USA) (working title)
Untitled 'The Practice' Spinoff (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

60 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | Argentina:13 | Singapore:NC-16 (season 2) | Singapore:PG (season 1) | Singapore:M18 (season 3) (season 4) (season 5) | Singapore:M18 (season 4) | New Zealand:M

Filming Locations:

Raleigh Manhattan Beach Studios - 1600 Rosecrans Avenue, Manhattan Beach, California, USA

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Trivia:

Before becoming a regular cast member, Rene Auberjoinos guest starred in most episode of the first half of season one.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In several episodes when Denny and Alan are looking to join (and actually do join) a branch of the military, they choose the Coast Guard Auxillary, to which the show mistakenly refers to as "the Auxilliary Coast Guard".

Quotes:

Denny Crane: Did my client tell you that this drug is unapproved by the FDA?
Mark Harrison: Yes.
Denny Crane: Did he tell you that, ah, there could be side effects?
Mark Harrison: Yes.
Denny Crane: You were fully informed.
Mark Harrison: I was.
Denny Crane: You consented.
Mark Harrison: I did.
Denny Crane: Take it again?
Mark Harrison: Absolutely.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Two and a Half Deaths (#8.16)" (2008)

Let's hope for a long and enjoyable journey...

Programs like Boston Legal are competing for some very coveted viewers. Dangerous Housewives may be more the taste for those looking for "the edgey dramedy" on prime time and Nip/Tuck and Rescue Me have also found a loyal following with some pretty important demographics.* The kind of viewers that can keep a show like Boston Legal alive for a few seasons.

I'm a huge fan of the show...and was one of those people who only began to watch The Practice when Spader appeared. The moral ambiguity of the show's primary characters and the splash of David Kelly made for a wonderful show. That it found the viewers it did is a tribute to the inspired casting and originality of it's story lines. I think Shatner is a wonderful comeback story and the inclusion of Mark Valley may prove to be a superb choice...introducing a fellow who is much more than a pretty face. His character will go nose to nose with Alan Shore and not in the fluttery Major Burns manner. This is a guy who's gonna a win a few...and that in itself bodes well for the show. I look forward to reading everyone's comments on this terrific show.

*This year the Sopranos will return with first run episodes again and it's the farewell season. The show will runs opposite Boston Legal as will Nip/Tuck.