Is Boston Legal the most preposterous show on television… or just the most entertaining? And if it’s one, the other, or both… why is nobody talking about it? I’m actually convinced that there’s a silent minority of Legal fans out there — and if you are, please pipe up — who watch the show on a weekly basis yet keep its immeasurable charms to themselves. I know I’m one of them.
ABC keeps Boston Legal in its arsenal but never drags it out for display, what with those housewives and doctors and dancing stars and brothers and sisters and Others taking up so much of their promotional time. Which must explain how David E. Kelley gets away with writing a show that plays like the perfect mix of The Practice’s bleeding-heart ethos and Ally McBeal’s flights of fancy. In fact, I’d venture to say that one crisp, fast-moving hour of Legal is more wholly satisfying than Desperate Housewives‘ endless parade of idiocy (can we just get rid of Nora, already?), Brothers & Sisters‘ too-crowded family saga, and any of ABC’s unfortunate reality TV offerings. Here’s why:
-The trials They’re compelling, timely, and often imbuedwith a tawdry twist. (The usually ultra-liberal closing arguments canannoy, but hell, at least they’re well-considered.) This season’s firststunner involved a murdered judge, her young lover, and his icky sexualattraction to his mother. It ended quickly — in less than sixepisodes! — and with a jaw-dropping mother/son French kiss. I kid you not.
-The fourth wall As in… there is none. Head on over to Wikipedia’s Boston Legal pageto see just how many times it’s gone all meta on us. And start payingcloser attention if you haven’t already noticed this wink and nod tothe perceptive viewer.
-The little lady You’ll see a shout-out to MeredithEaton-Gilden in this Friday’s new issue of EW, but she also deservesprops right here on our blog. The wee actress is a total riot asDenny’s on-again/off-again girlfriend, Bethany, and every time shecomes onscreen, well… let’s just say my neighbors know about itbecause I’m usually bellowing out something stupid like,"Betha-NYYYYYY!" and raising my fists in victory. (My cats don’t likeit, either.) Delta Burke arrives next week as her mother. Those of uswho still think Delta deserved an Emmy, Golden Globe, SAG, and People’sChoice Award for her performance as Cherry Cherry on Popular await, panting eagerly.
-Mark Valley Hey, I just like looking at his pretty face. But really, David E. Kelley, can’t you give Keen Eddie more to do?!
-The guest stars Constance Zimmer, Katey Sagal, Michael J.Fox, Heather Locklear, Rupert Everett, Anthony Heald, Leslie Jordan,Christian Clemenson, Tom Selleck, Parker Posey, Robert Wagner…need Igo on? Oh wait, yes! I do! Betty White! First of all, I must say thatwatching Betty (pictured, with James Spader) hit poor Leslie Jordan’s sniveling sadsack over the headwith a frying pan last season was a high point in my TV-watchingcareer; watching her waltz out during that bizarro boxing sequence acouple of weeks ago, totally unannounced, sent me into another fit ofdelight. What can I say? For those of us who began worshipping at thealtar of the idiot box from an early age, few shows can match Legal forhey-it’s-that-guy! delight.
Boston Legal isn’t without its problems. Nobody was piningfor Lake Bell and her boobs to return. Craig Bierko is gobbling up waytoo much scenery as the braying (and boring) new hotshot lawyer JeffreyCoho. The over-the-top antics can become grating. And at some point,it’d be nice to see Alan Shore actually try, you know, having a realrelationship that lets him act his age, not like a horny 19-year-old.What do you think? Is Boston Legal deserving of a largeraudience? Has it kept you entertained this season? And don’t you thinkBethany should become a series regular?
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Alan Shore (James Spader’s) cross-examination of a Scientologist a week ago should be shown as anti-brainwashing material to the Tom Cruises/Jason Lees/John Travoltas of the world. You’re right – this show is amazing.
In closing….Denny Crane.
Boston Legal is an amazing show that I never miss…people should give it a try. Last nights episode had one heck of a shocker at the end……the kiss!!!!!!!
Love, love love the show! The balcony scenes are my favorites; they remind me entirely too much of me and my best friend. Its scary really!
Boston Legal has become appointment TV for me. It’s outrageous and amazing all at once, and to all the Nip Tuck fans out there, watch it an hour later, and start watching Boston Legal.
I LOVE “Boston Legal” and I don’t use that word loosely. “The Practice” took itself way to seriously and “Ally McBeal” didn’t take itself serously enough. So what did Davide E. Kelly do? He did exactly what you said, he basically gave us the best of both worlds. A lot of people might think that the trials are unbelievable but has anyone read lately what people actually do kill for and sue for?
My favorite part of Boston Legal is the running joke of Denny Crane and Alan Shore referring to “episodes”. Last year, Alan actually said to Denny, “I haven’t seen you much at all this “episode” and this year Denny told the new guy (one of the show’s few weaknesses) that if he were that important he would have shown up in the first “episode”. There are also slick comments about feeling like they are in one of those TV “dramas”. About Alan Shore, James Spader is perfect. I think Alan is a lost little boy and I love the fitted for the pants angle and the blow up Shirley is the greatest.
If “Boston Legal” has any problem is that it is too smart for most people. Thank you David E. Kelly for not falling back on cliches. These people are unique. Tom Sellick’s fiance who bursts into musical soundtracks, the guy with the hands on his thighs who was upset because they took his “girlfriend” (the blow up doll) away, Betty White (need I say more), Denny Crane – one of the most original characters ever. He has no Matlock modesty or Perry Mason seriousness. Denny Crane and his mad cow and his 6 wives is one of the most original characters ever. If I want cliches, I’ll watch “Studio 60″.
I love BL–I find it laugh-out-loud funny. The bleeding-heart liberal stuff gets annoying, but when there’s a wee woman lurking about, I just can’t let it bother me. I do think they keep adding unecessary people. Why give Monica Potter the boot and then bring on Frances Zimmer? Dump Coho and the frightening she-male Sally. Her orange hair is the least of her problems. And absolutely no more Betty White. Love the actress, but her character on BL wore out her welcome long ago.
Denny Crane, indeed.
I am a little confused here. Is Bethany played by a real dwarf? Because it just seems as if the actress when given speaking lines looks facially about 5-5′4 but when she walks it is as if a double is being used for size.
Boston Legal is a great show anyway.
LOVE THIS SHOW. Denny Crane and Alan Shore are my favorite will they or won’t they couple. My friend and I are dressing as flamingos this Halloween in honor of last years episode
I’ve watched “Boston Legal” since it started, and I love it…It always catches me off guard when Denny Crane/Bill Shatner talks to the audience. “Denny Crane…I won an Emmy, you know!” Ha!
I was kinda thinking the same thing last night while watching. At this point, I honestly don’t think any other show entertains me like Boston Legal does. It has really come into its own in its second and third seasons. You also gotta appreciate that Boston Legal made fun of Nancy Grace before it was trendy.
It’s nice to see that a David E. Kelley show is IMPROVING as it goes on. The first few seasons of The Practice and Picket Fences were among the greatest episodic television in history, but they slowly devolved. This happened much more quickly with Ally McBeal and Boston Public.
The show currently has its strongest cast. The children pretending to be lawyers last year weren’t very good, and I didn’t even like Tara on The Practice. I didn’t mind Monica Potter’s character, but with the current cast in place, I don’t miss her. Whatever your feelings for Craig Bierko, you gotta love Constance Zimmer and her clever zings. I agree that Brad, and Paul for that matter, don’t get enough screentime, but when you have characters like Denny Crane and Alan Shore, you can’t complain too much. Boston Legal is great, so everybody watch it!
BL rocks in so many ways. Shatner and Spader are hilarious, and Kelley has finally balanced out his charming kookiness with actual compelling courtroom drama in a believable way. My only objection is the ongoing “everybody lusts for Candice Bergen” theme – Tom Selleck, Shatner, Spader — I don’t know, but it’s getting kind of old (like Candice Bergen). Sorry, I know I will be accused of worshiping at the Hollywood altar of youth, and there’s no question that she’s still beautiful and in great shape, and as a woman I feel guilty for even thinking it, but come on now – lust-inducing? Other than that suspension of disbelief, I LOOOVE it.
To Stephanie: yes, Meredith (who is a friend of mine), is an actual dwarf – she is 4′ 3″ … and one hell of an actress – check out the movie ‘Unconditional Love,’ which she totally steals from Kathy Bates and Rupert Everett. There are many different forms of dwarfism; and in Meredith’s case her head and face are indeed of ‘average’ size. She is also a terrific and funny person in ‘real life’. So glad for her success – and yes, they should definately keep her around on BL!! She is also guest starring on ‘House’ later in the season. Kudos to EW for doing an article on her also!
my ex and i started watching the show the first season. now, we aren’t friends, we don’t talk, i couldn’t care less about him…but we always email each other about each episode of BL.
I’m glad someone else ain’t digging Jeffrey Coho. I don’t think this show needs another main character. I liked the cast that closed out Season 2: Alan, Denny, Shirley, Paul, Brad and Denise. If they needed to add a character, it at least should have been female.
Love BL – watch it every week. Last night’s kiss will stand out as one of the most disturbing things ever shown on television – but at least it was completely earned, unlike, say, Fear Factor. Spader and Shatner are so perfect in those roles — their Emmy wins in past years came as no surprise to me! It’s interesting to see what happens with a show when the network has enough faith to keep it around, but is not making such a big deal of it that it’s subject to anything more than the creator’s whims (and given that it’s Kelly, who’s given us some GREAT TV in the past 20 odd years, thank goodness!)
This is the only legal show I regularly watch because it cracks me up and I am now a lawyer after working 17 years as a legal secretary. I will say I have never worked in a firm like this but Shatner as Denny Crane is channeling someone I know.
Its also the biggest employer of actors from the Star Trek series on TV (so far, Shatner, Rene Aberjoinois (sp?)(Paul) and Armin Shimmerman (Judge Hooper, the husband) from Deep Space 9 and Ethan Phillips (the father of the kid on trial this month) from Voyager.)
The show was always weakest with its younger lawyers — in fact its legal secretaries i.e. Betty White were often more interesting than the young lawyers — the exception being this season’s Constance Zimmer (who was also great in In Justice). I also love the Bethany character and think they should bring her into the firm as a lawyer, not just Denny’s love interest.
Yes, this show is brilliant, and yes, it doesn’t get anywhere near the attention it deserves. Well-written characters, interesting storylines, and spot-on acting make this one of the most worthwhile shows on television.
Perhaps a Popwatch is the first step to an Emmy?
Love this show. Love Alan Shore. Love Denny Crane. And now…love Bethany. Keep the “episodes” coming!!
I ADORE Boston Legal. Last night’s episode was incredible.
Is EW reading my mind? I was thinking this very day that I would LOVE to see a TV Watch on Boston Legal! It’s the best written show on TV right now and its cast is amazing. I never even think of Kirk when I see Shatner these days. It’s always “DENNY CRANE!” This show is a must see. It’s smart, funny, intellectually appealing (unlike MOST of the drivel on TV these days) but doesn’t take itself so seriously that it all becomes preachy.
The acting superb, the storylines intriguing and timely, the writing sublime and the twists and turns shocking! It’s perfection. (Am I gushing? I THINK SO!!!)
Thank God for TIVO because I had to pause the program when they introduced Shirley Schmidt-ho. Kudos!
P.S. LOVE the Bethany character! She needs to stay! She’s the perfect foil for Denny!
Have watched this show from the very beginning, loved the original cast. The more “new” characters added seem to take away from the main actors that I so enjoy–Alan and Denny!! They don’t get nearly as much air time as they used to. Can do without Candice Bergen and her bloodshot eyes. Get rid of the contacts and get some glasses! Betty White has always been a hoot with any role she plays. She will always be “forever young.” This is overall an excellent show, with not nearly enough hype from critics. I have been hooked since Alan Shore met Denny Crane. What a comical duo.
Bethany should absolutely be brought on as a regular to this show. She is the BEST addition to the show, and we love her character. She is not only beautiful but talented and plays off of any character she is with on the show.
LARGER than life she is.
Rock on little lady you RULE the Boston Legal school my dear!
Ditto on Bethany: but how are we to believe she sneaks so surreptitiously?
By the by, on Houston television, Shatner is doing an ad for a personal injury lawyer. I wonder if the ad is old or if the guy is just working his ass off like always.
Love this Show, but get rid of two characters….
Jeffrey Coho and Hands!
i mused abt boston legal in my latest post to my myspace blog! its kind of ironic that i’d see another blog discussing similar themes… check it out!
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=47690703&blogID=184545723&Mytoken=241ECA8D-DA87-4B67-A2FB06F68AF3E5B112913667
I watched “The Practice” and started to get so bored with it’s holier than thou attitudes. I started detesting the characters because of their poor me attitudes. I kept watching because I loved the trials and waited eagerly for the twist endings that rarely disappointed. With “Boston Legal” we get everything that was wonderful about “The Practice” raised to HUGE heights! Yes, it’s over the top but it me it makes it much more honest than the characters on “The Practice.” These lawyers are CRAZY but they’re brilliant. You’re skeeved out by Alan Shore even while you admire his arrogance and success in court. There isn’t enough that can be said about Denny Crane because he’s just awesome. Because of my devotion to this show, I figured for sure it wouldn’t last – because that’s my luck. But I started talking to people about it and they started watching it. Everyone seems to like it just as much. I don’t know why there isn’t MORE talk about this show because it’s so awesome!
I was beginning to think that I was the only one who watched. EW needs to do a weekly recap. The show is hilarious!
The Peg Bundy kiss was disturbing! This show has never been shy to push the envelope. One of the reasons I’m hooked. It’s smart, relevant, and has some of the best performances week after week.
Denny Crane…cukoo for Cocoa Puffs.
I, too, had just been wondering at the lack of buzz and wishing for an TV Watch! I’ve watched it (and all of David’s other shows) from the beginning, and had my problems with each, but this week I decided that Boston Legal has become a genuine self-referential masterpiece of pure entertainment. How fantastic was the ad this week in which Shatner argued with ABC’s over-the-top announcer (“Who ARE you?”)? Sure the show more-than-occasionally goes over-the-top, and many subplots misfire (sex counseling with Sally? Really?), but I simply adore all of the meta winking and maintain that there’s no greater pleasure than watching the divine Mr. Spader delivering one of David E Kelley’s leftist closing arguments. I even love Shatner — hadn’t anticipated that one. And I still haven’t grown tired of the look-down Bethany jokes. Yet even with all of the absurd humor, the show has never lost the ability to turn on an emotional dime — a while ago I choked up out of nowhere when Alan revealed that his wife had died.
Nicholas, you are dead-on about how it’s the perfect mix of the Practice and Ally, about Betty White (LOVE HER), and about Lake’s boobs. Thanks for devoting a Popwach to this criminally underrated show!
The addition of Bethany Horowitz to the show has been the BEST thing this season. I hope she is seen in more episodes because her acting is just phenom. and she is gorgeous. I particularly like the side she brings out
in Denny. I don’t neccesarily see them winding up together, but I would like her to stay on in the firm.
How clever and original of DEK to cast such a talented and spicy actress! I could see her reaching out to other characters, in fact, I loved the sexual tension between her and Brad as they were yelling at each other like school kids!