Most of the characters were inspired in their professional lives but otherwise lacked balance and clarity. Just like most of us. Instead of pretending that the legal system was a sure path to justice, Kelley had the moxie to show us that the truth often works out to be something messier. Very often the humor in The Practice was raunchy and audacious. Over the top. But it never felt inconsistent in a tabloid universe such as the one Kelley created in the series and has some moorings in the world in which we live and strive.
And then came Boston Legal. Kelley introduced the the character of Alan Shore as a friend of Ellenor Frutt (the amazing Camryn Manheim) in The Practice and made him the lynchpin of Boston Legal. Alan Shore is played by James Spader, a wonderfully sinister actor with reptillian eyelids, an understated, canny libido and moral equivocation that generally cuts to the practical. You would think he would be the perfect fit in a show that never cops to easy solutions. One of the pleasures of watching Spader in his many films was that even when he was playing someone who was quite wicked, the character never seemed wicked. In fact, he had a gift for making the heroes look disingenuous or just plain stupid.
All this would have worked handily for BL were it not for the tone and execution (among other problems) which are ridiculously, almost unbelievably wrong. Spader has been turned into a sweet michievous tiger whose teeth and claws have been removed. Yes, he can still go after the bad guys, but his demeanor is an all too accurate example of how Kelley has gone wrong. He's promiscuous but not heartless. He's cavalier but not irresponsible.
Another example is William Shatner's character, Denny Crane. I don't know if Shatner is a boyhood hero of Kelley's or not, but Crane is a pompous, vapid, intolerant egomaniac that is a key character in BL, and he's just not that funny. Kelley has milked every last drop of the cluster of running gags attached to Crane, down to the poor parched teat, and to what end? We're clearly supposed to grasp Crane's idiocy (in the mode of say, Peter Griffin or Archie Bunker) and find it contemptible and amusing. Perhaps Shatner's legendary love affair with himself is being spoofed. Yet then, Kelley will kick in another aspect of Crane's identity that will (I guess) salvage his humanity. I will grant you this is delicate chemistry. I'm not saying it couldn't work, but it doesn't. It's embarassing and miscalculated.
Article comments
1 - Shari
I feel your pain and I congratulate you on not using the words "ethically-challenged" to describe Alan Shore.
One of Kelley's biggest problems is with female characters who he has lost the ability to write without keeping Ally McBeal firmly in mind. A character is either neutered or obsessed with sex.
Perhaps part of the problem is that Kelley can't see a woman in anything but a sexual way unless she's elderly or overweight and there's a paucity of either type of woman on BL save Candace Bergen and the occasional Betty White appearance. And Shirley Shmidt is essentially one of his neuters.
As you mentioned, they've stripped Shore of most of his bite by chaining him to Denny Crane and offering him too few interesting cases in which to showcase his unconventional personality. The reason his character worked so well in The Practice was because his stay there was short-lived. Now that he's a part of the regular staff at Crane, Pool and Schmidt, he's had to be toned down a lot to keep at least a shred of credibility to his continued employment. Shore as a character would work a lot better as a solo practitioner.
2 - TV & FG
Personally, I think that "The Practice" was an excellent show early in its run, and then much like Kelley's "Ally McBeal" severely lost its way and needed to disappear (possibly a couple of seasons before it did).
I also find "Boston Legal" absolutely hysterical, and quite clever. I think it's funny in a way "McBeal" never was and handles court and the law in a far better manner than "The Practice" ever did. I think the in-jokes on "Boston Legal" are great and Shatner is fantastic as an utterly ridiculous, over-the-top character. And what about Candice Bergin, Julie Bowen and the rest? It's a really well-rounded bunch of supporting players. I'd actually argue that "Boston Legal" took till about the end of its first season before it hit its stride and that the second season was truly inspired.
I am very much looking forward to wherever it may head from here.
3 - Ty
I totally feel you, but I still watch BL because of the lack of 100% courtroom drama's on TV (L&O doesn't count because it is not 100% legal drama)...thank god Justice and Shark are two new 100% legal dramas to add some flavor to world of 100% legal drama.
4 - NancyGail
I take it you don't like BL. I don't always either, and I do the reviews. Perhaps the best part (for me) is the real life situations which get made into storylines. Oh, The Practice in its last season happend like this-DEK was told tht the only way it would happen was if he fired half his cast. From what I've read, Alan Shore then was a lot nastier. However, his adeptness at that still manages to come out.
5 - Baronius
I agree with every word you said about The Practice, except calling Lara Flynn Boyle beautiful. When The Practice was firing on all cylinders, it was amazing. The last season was horrible, and it has kept me away from Boston Legal. Shore/Spader is a caricature of - of what? I have no idea. Crane is, as near as I can figure, a caricature of Shore.
I still can't believe that a show could be so bad that I wouldn't watch Julie Bowen.
I've been thinking about The Practice recently, mainly because of Justice. I liked the way cases would take from 1/2 to maybe five episodes. Justice feels so forced in fitting that 44 minute limit. Of course, both shows abuse the "murder trial starts in two days" cliche. That was my favorite absurdity on The Practice. "Sure we'll take the case. When does the trial start?" Heh.
6 - Jewels
Nicely written, I understand your affinity with TP but I find the bada bing humor of Boston Legal more to my liking. I do think that Kelley needs to start doing something different with Spader. (Regarding Shatner, he's on target with him, actually.) With James, it is getting old and not so clever anymore. There is so much more Spader's character could do - the first season was really well done, but he is (Kelley) losing his way a bit with some of the characterizations getting trite and boring. Enjoyed the article.
7 - Christopher Soden
I appreciate everyone's thoughtful and reasoned feedback. To my mind, what Kelley has done with BOSTON LEGAL amounts to the same as taking a fine meal (roast lamb, potatoes, brussels sprouts, salad, Italian Cream Cake) pureed it in a Cuisinart, and spoon fed it like baby food to audiences too stupid or lazy to appreciate being intrigued or challenged. I'm sick of the way so many members of the entertainment industry PANDER to the philistines and knuckleheads. If Kelley were an escort they'd be calling BOSTON LEGAL: "Hand Job."
8 - alpe
What did you think of "Murder One" - should you have happened to watch it?
9 - zour
I've just finished watching the very last episode of BL. It was such a great pleasure!
If you were tied up to german television series like I am, you'd never ever write so harsh about BL. Instead your tv set would be no more.
TV series here are almost all shallow, featherbrained and boring. No TV station does something like Kelley does.
BL seems to take a lot politics into courtroom, replaying obscure or prominent verdicts and being
fun with these topics all the time.
I can understand some kind of disappointemnt while having so many good stuff on TV. But for me
Boston Legal is just a life raft.
The 4th seaoson of The Practice will be dubbed soon. Maybe I'll agree with you afterwards.
10 - Christopher Soden
I thought MURDER ONE was excellent.
11 - Simeon Cole
I think BL is amazing. Televeision has and always wil be entertainment. Those producers and critics whom forget that the art form is simply art often attempt (and fail mind you) to fulfill its function.
As a means to sparking debate and creating awareness concerning social issues often too complex for the average television viewer or critic to comprehend (certainly bloggers)I believe BL does a wonderful job.