Boston Legal applauds privilege
Published November 17, 2004
Smith observes that women don't fare much better than the minorities and the insufficiently schooled in this legal drama as celebration of prosperity. The 'sleep your way to success' motif is played so often it appears to be the only one there is. Females may be present, but they are not really partners — except in bed. In addition, all three of the women given recurring screen time are attracted to Alan Shore, which is unlikely. One suspects it is a way for them to 'earn' some attention. The effect is to make their interchangeability all the more apparent.
The reviewer's parting words on this unsettling television drama are insightful.
Those involved in the show describe it as "light" and "funny," as if it were just a frothy entertainment. And several reviewers celebrate its "loopiness," "fruitiness," and "La-La Land" wackiness. Nothing, however, can hide the fact that, despite its idiosyncrasies, Boston Legal is all too accurate in its portrayal of our cultural moment, in which the gaps between richer and poorer grow ever larger and social and political empathy grows ever more anemic. It's a cultural moment for which David E. Kelley seems to have discovered a particular affinity, both in the later seasons of Ally McBeal and here again in Boston Legal. Looking back, it appears that L.A. Law will eventually stand as his finest work. On that show, he showed sympathy for human fallibility and the frailty of aspiration. He also remembered that language could mean something more than the momentary reaction it produced, that "story" could accumulate into something other than a collection of vignettes, however witty or outrageous they may be.
In the coming four years, I expect to see concerns about social justice increasingly trivialized. The kind of people who say that either there are no hungry folks in America, or that they deserve their fate, will be heard more loudly than ever, while the voices of those who are concerned about the more than 11 million households without sufficient food are ignored. A proposal to burden the low-income and middle-class even more by repealing the federal income tax and imposing a regressive national sales tax may go forward with the blessings of the Bush administration. Embryonic stem cell research will continue to be shelved as the national leadership pays homage to the anti-abortion movement. Women's wages will continue to shrink. Homosexuals, newly aware of where they stand with much of the population, will hesitate to assert themselves. I fear the suffering will be accompanied by a laugh track.
- Boston Legal applauds privilege
- Published: November 17, 2004
- Type:
- Section: Culture
- Writer: Mac Diva
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I agree with you that the lawyers on Boston Legal are what we referred to as 'pig-dogs' in law school.
But, there are people of color just as amoral as white folks. Condoleezza Rice is not alone. So, that is not a reason for having an all-white cast. Though I did not go into it in the entry, the support staff in Boston, or any large city, would be disproportionately minority. By not having a support staff, the show ignores reality.
As for the over-sexualization of female characters, it is like a throwback to the '80s. The time when law firms held wet tee-shirt contests is past, one hopes.
Well, since Hispanics are the majority minority for you folks in the States, who make South African apartheid bureaucrats say "whatever", can't you at least take some solace that John Ashcroft's job has been outsourced to a Mexican?
(So do you have some sort of stereotypes teevee stock market, where you trade wops for spics, chinks for heebs, and so on, as long as they are stereotypes who look nothing like the fat-ass bastards who are watching?)
And also, Lake Bell was horrid as a slutty, slightly stupid bartender in "Miss Match", she isn't any better as a slutty, slightly stupid lawyer in "Boston Legal".
And one last thing, "Denny Crane".
Does anyone know who does the soundtrack to Boston Legal?
Basil, the soundtrack is the best of Rick James, Leadbelly and George Clinton & the Funkadelics.
Actually, I think the soundtrack is just a collection of negro spirituals. No, really.
What was the band and title of the song about Canada played during the hellicopter scene in the last epposide?
I too am trying to find out who's the band and title of the song about Canada played during the helicopter scene in the last episode. I watched the credits closely at the end and Danny Lux is responsible for the music on the series. I can't find a trail to him and the song used "Welcome to Canada. Any suggestions? By the way I am new to the show in this second season. Absolutely adore the humor of Denny Crane & Alan Shore
This is the best show on television currently. Spader and Shatner both won emmys and the writing is sharp. They have added stronger female characters. This is my favorite program to watch by a long shot.
Boston Legal isn't The Practice and it isn't intended to be. It's a different kind of show which happens to have a couple of characters and a city in common.
Basically, Boston Legal is a show where they put Spader and Shatner on screen as much as possible and encourage them to act like lunatic hams for 45 minutes, and the result is usually amusing. Based on the last episode I'm not sure they even have anything we'd recognize as a traditional script. I think Spader and Shatner are just making the plot up themselves, such as it is.
Dave
the band is called five iron frenzy
There's a little bluesy theme music from the last scene this week where Alan and Denny are in the flamingo costumes on the balcony. Anyone know this tune or is it just random music performed by the Danny Lux? Thanks.
I think Boston legal is easily one of the funniest things around and I love it. Spader,Bergen and Will Shatner are great. Just can't wait for it to come out on dvd in the UK.
hey anyone wants the theme tune I have it so e mail me if you want it sent to you.
please, whats the name of the main theme and who plays it?
SOMEONE PLZ HELP!!! I NEED THE OPENING THEME SONG FOR THIS SHOW.... PLZ ITS LIFE OR DEATH!!!!!
[Personal contact info deleted]
Hey Will could you tell me the name of the theme song please!!!!!!!!
THANKS!!! I REALLY NEED IT!!!
I agree, please someone give us a link to the file, or at least give us the name of the song. It is a great song, please, please, please tell me.
Besides, it looks as if I'm not the only one who wants to know.
WHATS THE THEME TUNE!
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Maybe the real problem you have with Boston Legal isn't race issues, but that it makes abundantly clear the creatures who practice law are fundamentally corrupt, evil and amoral. It is impossible to find evidence to the contrary.
Just David E. Kelley's self-loathing of his own fundamental corruption surfacing like pus, waiting to be lanced.