I think the scripted shows that networks have in the can are nearly eliminated. Sure, there are a couple of extra episode here and there that are going to be aired in the coming weeks (NBC is throwing up the last two filmed episodes of Chuck next Thursday).
Last night there was a new Boston Legal (and I think there's another new one next week), but "new" for Boston Legal seems to be a relative term. The episode last night centered around Denny being crazy and insisting on doing a trial by himself. Assuming that there have been about 85 or 90 episodes of Boston Legal on the air, I think it's safe to say that no fewer than 40 of them have dealt with Denny's being crazy and no fewer than ten of those have featured Denny insisting that he could handle a trial all by himself.
This is to say that while the episode was technically "new" it was really just the same story with some of the specifics change around. It was still fun, it was still amusing, and Denny's antics haven't yet gotten old, but it's not really new either.
The series is nearly at that 100 episode mark that means it can enter syndication, but I wonder how it will fare there. The show has featured a revolving door cast and numerous episodes feature people on the opening credits that simply are not in the episode at all. Last night Candice Bergen's character appeared for no more than 30 seconds, while John Larroquette's had a single line. The two actors are perhaps the best ones on the show and their characters intriguing, yet somehow they all get the short end of the stick when it comes to story arcs and screen time. I miss the two characters now and Boston Legal is still airing new episodes; I wonder how I'll feel when it goes into repeats.
So, what am I doing with this strike hampering my primetime viewing habits? Well, I'm looking for new things to watch.
Article comments
1 - FormerQuetteFan
I gave up on John Larroquette when he came to Boston Legal. He really showed his real personality as an egotistical actor that no longer cares about his acting, but rather who he works with. I personally wrote him a letter back in October expressing my disappointment in his Sack character. I have yet to get a reply or at least an autograph. O.o
I found Carl Sack to be just a piece of moving cardboard and the whole "Carl loves Shirley" thing to be contrived. Up to this point I think the season (And the show itself) will be left on a cliffhanger where Carl asks Shirley to marry him and Denny gets insanely jealous, only to steal Shirley back when and if they try to get married next season... that is if ABC renews it which seems to be up in the air up to this point.
Let's be honest, the show is ABC's live action version of 'King of the Hill'. It's only there for timeslot filler. Boston Legal is written like a very bad The Practice fan fiction. It's a truly overrated show.