Denny Crane, as he was introduced to viewers last year, trod a thin line between brilliance and insanity. Everything from his persistent repetition of his name to his frequent non sequiturs was a carefully crafted act that allowed him to shock and surprise as soon as he got into a courtroom to deliver a withering cross examination or closing. Not only do we not see this Denny in action in "Legal," we don't really see this Denny at all. Shatner plays the character as a little divorced from reality, but mostly together and cogent, a far cry from the almost schizophrenic character we saw last season.
Despite reeling in the two stars, the show is a success. Lake Bell and Rhona Mitra provide more than just eye candy for the male viewers, but its a shame there was no way to get Rebecca DeMornay back as senior partner Hannah Rose. She was the only character who could really go toe-to-toe with Shore, and his fresh competition in the form of Washington DC transplant Brad Chase (Mark Valley) is less than inspiring. In fact, Chase seems to exist mainly to give Shore someone to sling barbs at.
All criticisms aside, there's no reason why "Boston Legal" shouldn't be every bit as good as "The Practice," if not better. The show has a high standard to meet, but its clear from the first episode that everyone involved is more than up to the challenge.
Article comments
1 - Jim Carruthers
As with every other DEK project, it started off solid, but how soon till all the wheels fall off the bus. Since almost all of the characters, while entertaining, are amoral weasels with no redeeming qualities, I'll be surprised if "Boston Legal" makes a full season.
I was comparing it with Canadian programmes "The Associates" and "This Is Wonderland" (which did the pantsless lawyer gag, but this was a public defender who cracked) and "Boston Legal" doesn't have a lot of depth to carry it very far.
I think Shatner and Spader are excellent, but I don't think the show can go far. I'm thinking this will be as successful as "Matchmaker" (which shares some of the same cast, and the characters were much more sympathetic).
2 - Jim Carruthers
Oh, crap, I meant "Miss Match" which featured the charming Alicia Silverstone and Ryan O'Neal as civil lawyers and Lake what'sher name as a bartender, so she's got a promotion!
I think "Boston Legal" is the result of some game between Darren Star and David E. Kelly. As long as the outcome involves something with Michelle Pfeiffer, hey, we're all winners.
3 - Justene
This review was chosen for Advance.net. You will be able to find it on newspaper sites including Cleveland.com.
4 - WCG
Boston Legal is by far the worst drama series ever. The producer tries to make is dramatic but fails in the process. I remember one scene from the last show the a female lawyer was cross examining this guy who stole a wallet while the guy still had the wallet. Wow, so dramatic,...please note my sarcasm. I finally flipped the channel after hearing the mentally incapable female lawyer scream objection 3 times. Please take this show and shove it.
5 - HHH
If you like smug humor and scenery-eating acting this is your series. Oh look, Shatner plays a scene with a Botox needle in his head---HOW FUNNY! Can't you see how cute we're being?
Switch to a scene of Candice Bergen playing Murphy Brown once again. Like left-wing self-rightousness? This is your series.
They couldn't cancel this garbage fast enough.
6 - Temple Stark
I'm sorry HHH but you are off-base. This series is designed to be politically INcorrect. It has nothng to do with right or left.
It's just a lame spin-off. Spader and Shatner do their jobs - they make you hate them as characters.
Perhaps too well.
7 - charles perry
Last season was a gem.. The opener was not so good. Ill timed, unnecessary inserts of Denny where last year they were perfect. Scene cutting too swift. Too many commercials. In Mexico it can be seen free of ads and greatly improves.
8 - Dan
One of the few venues left where you can stick
your finger in the eye of the "nations biggest clowns", without being arrested for terrorism.
Dan
9 - MJF
Last year the show was pretty good this year it has turned into unbearable crap
10 - J. DeSantis
We watch entertainment to be entertained not to be spoon-fed DEK's version of the truth. Tonight's episode (the IRS trial) was inaccurate in many ways - the politics being the most glaring. The wiretapping has NOT been ruled illegal by any court as stated as fact by the Shore character. Further, ever not pay your taxes and get away with a $1000.00 fine and suspended sentence? The IRS has it's own set of fines and tries cases in Federal Court. Go on the IRS web site and check it out. They are brutal with people like the dippy assistant. "Ignorance of the law is no excuse."
Boston Legal had been a fun-filled outrageously humorous show for the most part and that's all. Nothing heavy there and nothing heavy expected. Now DEK is peddling Hollywood's liberalism once again. He will never learn it takes viewers to make money.
I know - you're right - don't watch. Good idea! We will no longer watch.
11 - L. B. Terrell
I have enjoyed B.L. as a very humorous, not overly serious but a fun way to kill an hour. However, it would appear to the casual observer, that B.L. is being supported by large donations from the D.N.C. and as a pay back, the show is carrying their political water.
For the inserted left-liberal-leaning comments not to be missed by the viewers, the writers could insert the word "Comrade" in front of the names of some of character who recite the propaganda unchallenged.