OK guys, calm down. It's just a TV show.

Agreed. I simply dislike others putting words in my mouth (post) that I clearly did not say or intend.

Although David E. Kelley pisses me off a lot of the time (See my sig AND THE LACK OF THE PRACTICE LAWYERS MAKING APPEARANCES ON BL), I like that brings up relevant social issues that may not be on the front pages of newspapers these days. Last night was a good example with a drug that helps you forget events to avoid developing post-traumatic stress disorder.

This kind of thing actually exists and is in testing
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=68

What I found really interesting was that this (the drug to forget case) was one of the few times I completely was all for the OTHER side, not the side taken up by the BL lawyers. The 16 year old girl wants to take this drug AND her shrink daddy wants to give it to her. I think the outcome was wrong in the case, and it didn't help the senile judge didn't even give an eloquent speech in his granting of a TRO.

I don't know about the rest of you, but the upcoming abortion crap is a complete snoozer to me. I was hoping we could keep this crap out of our 100% legal/courtroom dramas, but I guess not.

I thought this ep was weak (as they seem to get more and more, vs. the occasional good one that sneaks in). I agree about the "forget pill" story as well. It was weak and the BL team had the much weaker position on it. In fact, for someone so supposedly and demonstrably eloquent and clever, I thought Shirley's silly excuse for a defense was absurd and would never have resulted in the verdict that they gave.

Of course, Kelley has to continue his ad nauseum listing by name of his political enemies. Whichever side you support (or a more reasonable middle), this gets tiresome in the sheer repetition. Seemingly EVERY case Shore gets these days must require a name-that-politician aspect. It has gone beyond championing a position to simple name-calling.

And the Clarence/Clarice office romance with the female attorney??? Please.

Although David E. Kelley pisses me off a lot of the time (See my sig AND THE LACK OF THE PRACTICE LAWYERS MAKING APPEARANCES ON BL), I like that brings up relevant social issues that may not be on the front pages of newspapers these days. Last night was a good example with a drug that helps you forget events to avoid developing post-traumatic stress disorder.

This kind of thing actually exists and is in testing
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=68

. The 16 year old girl wants to take this drug AND her shrink daddy wants to give it to her.

I didn't see the whole episode, but I was under the distinct impression that the girl didn't want to take the drug.

The girl was in favor of taking the drug, for sure.

Now that W.Wing is gone and X-Files as well, this is the only program I make sure to record.
I thought this was one of the better ones. It is amazing that the story line concerning the "church" that, for $40K, promised to make the judge "straight" rather than homosexual - coincided with that day's news about an extremist (Rev. Haggard) who was caught having a homosexual affair and now claims he went to a "camp" for 3 weeks and is now cured of his homosexuality!
I liked Spader's Court arguement raving about how homosexuals are picked on by evangelicals, Repuclicans etc.<G>.
I agree that the upcoming abortion argument has been overdone over the years. I have liked other issues in past shows. Showing an intelligent woman getting accidentally pregnant is too much of a stretch right there.
[Not as bad a stretch as on Studio 60 where two characters were stranded on the roof of a building and they couldn't call for help because neither of their cell phones had a signal!]

...mike

I didn't see the whole episode, but I was under the distinct impression that the girl didn't want to take the drug.

You must have missed the part where she clearly said she wants to take the drug because she didn't want to have the memory of the fat Rabbi rubbing himself all over her and also his lewd remark "Why do Priests get to have all the fun?"

this is the only program I make sure to record

Same here, I love its sense of humor.

R

Surprise, surprise...another recent cast addition leaves the show!

MASH, Law & Order, ER, and Cheers aside, the sheer amount of in-season cast changes is ridiculous.

I don't know if he's really off the show for good. He had a lot of air time last night and he did say he was going to be staying in the city working for smaller firms. Perhaps we'll see a Brad vs. Jeffrey battle in the courtroom.

Out of curiosity is Julie Bowen pregnant in real life and thus they are using this for a story line?

I would normally think she isn't, but then again, her facial features had something different going on which has been very clear for the last 2 weeks - thus I am wondering if her hormones with pregnancy are in play.

Yes, she is.

http://www.hollywood.com/news/Boston_Legal_Star_Julie_Bowen_Pregnant/3584165
'Boston Legal' Star Julie Bowen Pregnant at Hollywood.com

Don't you guys think it was COMPLETELY out of character for Alan to "rdess down" Gerry like he did? I mean, we never seen him so condescending to Gerry in the past.

It was an unusual episode last night. I did find it entertaining though.

nc

Don't you guys think it was COMPLETELY out of character for Alan to "rdess down" Gerry like he did? I mean, we never seen him so condescending to Gerry in the past.

It was an unusual episode last night. I did find it entertaining though.

nc
Not really, especially since Jerry had been interrupting Alan during his questioning of the witnesses. I knew that was bugging Alan, so it was just a matter of whether he would go after Jerry in the courtroom or outside of it.

Not enough Denny Crane in the episode, though.

Lots of other actresses getting pregnant this year on shows that I'm watching:

Marcia Cross on Desperate Housewives
Sarah Wayne Callies on Prison Break
Amanda Peet on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Jaime Pressley on My Name is Earl

Grrrr....stupid firmware update on the DVR missed this episode.....and of course its not on ABC.com :(

Grrrr....stupid firmware update on the DVR missed this episode.....and of course its not on ABC.com :(uTorrent

New episode this Tuesday 3/20/07

New episode this Tuesday 3/20/07
Finally :rolleyes:

Back to the BL of old...luv it! Give Alan the spotlight, and he shines! Odd how Coho wasn't even around last, no loss IMHO.

Candice Bergen looks ill or something. Her face is very drawn.

nc

I agree that was a very good episode last night which was more along the lines of last season.

Coho is gone, he left the firm although I imagine we will see him back in a few episodes as a opposing counsel.

Doubtful. Craig Bierko has other things (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0081572/) going on.

We finally get a new episode, and a good one to boot, and next week it's not on. Way to hold your audience. I don't know how anyone can watch network TV without a DVR. I just set mine for first run and wait for them to show up.

ABC officially announced today it is picking another season of "Boston Legal".

ABC officially announced today it is picking another season of "Boston Legal".

Hallelujah !! I hope they tone down the sillyness and give us more in the vein of the episode last night's episode.

Way to go ABC!

I want more Lincoln Meyer !! And the little guy who hits people with frying pans. I love the silliness !!

Bill

Last night's ep was on the boring side for me. Alan's little talk to MM's character at the end was the only thing that really redeemed it IMO.


ron

I am curious whatever everyone thought of tonight's ep.

I feel it was the WORST EPISODE EVER.

The main storyline was way way way too serious for BL, completely out of character for the show. Even when BL has serious "Cases," there is still humor interjected. This was even more serious than the most serious "Practice" episodes.

Also, I found the whole flashbacks with Shatner to be quite lame. Not sure what it is from, I assume "The Defender," but I'd like to be corrected, but since that is not part of the BL universe, I find its usage ridiculously lame, not to mention utterly cheesy.

I still like this show, but I am going to try to erase this episode from memory.

I thought it was a fantastic episode. I like the humor side of the show too, but I still thought it was great. I thought the flashback scenes with Shatner using the footage of "The Defender" were wonderful and really made the story line.

I liked it, too. Boston Legal does a great job of tacking back and forth between farce and serious drama without coming off the rails. I thought last night’s show was a good example of all this. What could be sillier than the setups with the politician and the hooker, and the “mad bomber?” Still, the payoff in both threads was moving and convincing, I thought. Denny’s and Alan’s ruminations about their fathers in their end-of-the-show scene on the balcony was especially effective.

I thought it was good, but the Navy Seal stuck in the vent was stupid. I guess it was their only method of comic relief during such a serious show.

The "And So it Goes" song was well integrated too. I sang that song in high school. :D

You can really tell Julie Bowen is preggy now. Her face is breaking out all over. Worst I've ever seen her completion.

I thought the flashback scenes with Shatner using the footage of "The Defender" were wonderful and really made the story line.Thanks RemyM, I was wondering what old lawyer footage Shatner was in that they kept showing clips from.

Last night was not shown in HD on WABC-DT via Cablevision. Yet the local news was in HD after the show. Did anyone get it in HD?

HD in SF, KGO via Comcast

Found a thread that said it was a network issue for east coast starts.
http://avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10265872
It was fixed for the Pacific time starts.

It was not in HD here in OKC either. Thus, I didn’t watch it. I suspect that the reason it was in SD here was the fact that the local station had its weather map on the screen. I HATE when they do that.

Hmmm...NONE of the ABC programming was in HD in Huntsville, Alabama last night. Odd.

Wolfie

I used to love this show. Last night was just another example of how low-brow and silly it has become with some absolutely ridiculous and lame story lines and characters. I'm really surprised that it has been renewed already for next season. It has transcended any believability whatever and become farce - and not particularly entertaining farce. You can only suspend disbelief so far in a non-fantasy show before it becomes....well...Boston Legal.

And please - for those who so quickly respond to any negative critique of a show, no advice to "not watch", etc. I am well aware of my right to "not watch", just as I am aware of my right to negatively critique what I used to once admire.

I used to love this show. Last night was just another example of how low-brow and silly it has become with some absolutely ridiculous and lame story lines and characters. I'm really surprised that it has been renewed already for next season. It has transcended any believability whatever and become farce - and not particularly entertaining farce. You can only suspend disbelief so far in a non-fantasy show before it becomes....well...Boston Legal.

And please - for those who so quickly respond to any negative critique of a show, no advice to "not watch", etc. I am well aware of my right to "not watch", just as I am aware of my right to negatively critique what I used to once admire.
Tivoed but haven't watched the latest episode. In general I agree with your evaluation this year - although last week's show was one of their best. Whenever they present an especially well written episode, I suspect that David Kelley's hand has been heavier than usual. The reason this year's Boston Legal has been so frustrating is that in every show there are moments of brilliant dialog, often in the closing scene, but you usually have to wade through a bog of dopey, completely ridiculous plotting, such as the Clarice/Clarence stupidity.

I used to love this show. Last night was just another example of how low-brow and silly it has become with some absolutely ridiculous and lame story lines and characters. I'm really surprised that it has been renewed already for next season. It has transcended any believability whatever and become farce - and not particularly entertaining farce. You can only suspend disbelief so far in a non-fantasy show before it becomes....well...Boston Legal.
I think you're missing the point. It's supposed to be ridiculous and low brow, that's it's appeal. It's been that way for years, although it did try to be a bit more serious at the beginning, I suppose.

I like it because there's little to nothing else on TV that's so far out there in la la land.

I used to love this show. Last night was just another example of how low-brow and silly it has become with some absolutely ridiculous and lame story lines and characters. I'm really surprised that it has been renewed already for next season. It has transcended any believability whatever and become farce - and not particularly entertaining farce. You can only suspend disbelief so far in a non-fantasy show before it becomes....well...Boston Legal.

And please - for those who so quickly respond to any negative critique of a show, no advice to "not watch", etc. I am well aware of my right to "not watch", just as I am aware of my right to negatively critique what I used to once admire.

I can't believe you have such criticism towards last night's episode when the previous weeks ep, in my book, was the worst episode ever.

What did you think of the hostage crap?

Thanks RemyM, I was wondering what old lawyer footage Shatner was in that they kept showing clips from.

And thank you for ignoring my post before RemyM's where I mentioned "The Defender" many many hours before RemyM did.

I used to love this show. Last night was just another example of how low-brow and silly it has become with some absolutely ridiculous and lame story lines and characters. I'm really surprised that it has been renewed already for next season. It has transcended any believability whatever and become farce - and not particularly entertaining farce. You can only suspend disbelief so far in a non-fantasy show before it becomes....well...Boston Legal.

And please - for those who so quickly respond to any negative critique of a show, no advice to "not watch", etc. I am well aware of my right to "not watch", just as I am aware of my right to negatively critique what I used to once admire.

I blame DEK, and yes I have a bias as my sig shows.

DEK is a stubborn fool.

Want proof:

Answer this: How many times has a NEW episode of Boston Legal got better ratings up against a NEW episode of SVU?

Z-e-r-o, zilch, never. And it never will because DEK is too stubborn to give the people what they want:
Gripping legal/courtroom drama with some humor on the side. Not a show that is 75% humor, 25% DEK politics.

I only wish DEK would stop crapping on The Practice (and refusing to acknowledge that The Practice and BL are in the same Universe, save some judges that only hardcore fans like myself might recognize) and give us an arc with a big NON-political case in which the other side is brilliantly represented by a former Practice lawyer, and Steve Harris is back to finally play Judge Eugene Young.

Plenty of The Practice lawyers (actors) are not that busy: Michael Badalucco, Steve Harris, Kelli Williams, Dylan McDermott, Lisa Gay Hamilton, even Jessica Capshaw...probably only Camryn Manheim is out of the question because she is busy on another show, but that's plenty.

I miss The Practice lawyers, and hell, I even miss the interaction between Alan Shore and Eugene Young.

Let's see if that (along with an ad blitz to promote this arc) could boost the ratings

Maybe one day this will happen, but by then, nobody will be watching.

I blame DEK, and yes I have a bias as my sig shows.

DEK is a stubborn fool.

Want proof:

Answer this: How many times has a NEW episode of Boston Legal got better ratings up against a NEW episode of SVU?

Z-e-r-o, zilch, never. And it never will because DEK is too stubborn to give the people what they want:
Gripping legal/courtroom drama with some humor on the side. Not a show that is 75% humor, 25% DEK politics.

I only wish DEK would stop crapping on The Practice (and refusing to acknowledge that The Practice and BL are in the same Universe, save some judges that only hardcore fans like myself might recognize) and give us an arc with a big NON-political case in which the other side is brilliantly represented by a former Practice lawyer, and Steve Harris is back to finally play Judge Eugene Young.

I miss The Practice lawyers, and hell, I even miss the interaction between Alan Shore and Eugene Young.

Let's see if that (along with an ad blitz to promote this arc) could boost the ratings

Maybe one day this will happen, but by then, nobody will be watching.

We've been down that road - it worked 10 years ago - not today - which is why its expand or die - but then again, your nick is Pappy97, so maybe you are stuck in a time warp?

Of course, Lilly Tomlin pulled an audience at one point in time as well.

This just in: Today TV writer David E Kelley was held at gunpoint in his Malibu home by a disgruntled "The Practice" fan wearing a "pappy97" t-shirt. The man refused to release Kelley unless he agreed to revamp his new show, Boston Legal, in the image of Kelley's earlier show The Practice that ended three years ago. Police reported hearing Kelley yelling "Dude, it was just a TV show. It's over" from inside the house. Once the clearly agitated man was subdued with tear gas and taken into custody, bystanders said he was heard mumbling over and over, "I'll only talk to Alan Shore". Details at 11:00!


ron

This just in: Today TV writer David E Kelley was held at gunpoint in his Malibu home by a disgruntled "The Practice" fan wearing a "pappy97" t-shirt. The man refused to release Kelley unless he agreed to revamp his new show, Boston Legal, in the image of Kelley's earlier show The Practice that ended three years ago. Police reported hearing Kelley yelling "Dude, it was just a TV show. It's over" from inside the house. Once the clearly agitated man was subdued with tear gas and taken into custody, bystanders said he was heard mumbling over and over, "I'll only talk to Alan Shore". Details at 11:00!
ronI think justice will be served if he's committed to a looney bin rather than jail.

I was hoping to see it in all it's HD (and widescreen glory) but the screw up with the east coast HD feed squelched that plan. Hopefully next week they'll have their act together. I hear this problem is rather rare and I'm confident the real HD feed will be back next week.

This just in: Today TV writer David E Kelley was held at gunpoint in his Malibu home by a disgruntled "The Practice" fan wearing a "pappy97" t-shirt. The man refused to release Kelley unless he agreed to revamp his new show, Boston Legal, in the image of Kelley's earlier show The Practice that ended three years ago. Police reported hearing Kelley yelling "Dude, it was just a TV show. It's over" from inside the house. Once the clearly agitated man was subdued with tear gas and taken into custody, bystanders said he was heard mumbling over and over, "I'll only talk to Alan Shore". Details at 11:00!


ron

You forgot the part where I demanded an early copy of "The Practice" Volume 1 DVD. :D

And for the record, BL is a spinoff of The Practice, set in the same universe, but DEK just pisses on that "universe" except for obscure references.

I think you're missing the point. It's supposed to be ridiculous and low brow, that's it's appeal. It's been that way for years, although it did try to be a bit more serious at the beginning, I suppose.

I like it because there's little to nothing else on TV that's so far out there in la la land.

I don't think I'm missing the point really, I think we just disagree. The show has transformed itself into cartoon silliness that is mixed with occasional real wit and intellectual content. To me, it doesn't really know (the writers I guess) what type of show it really is/was. It had its roots in The Practice and branched out from that, which is fine and probably necessary. But the buffoonery that is going on now is beyond the pale. I think it's more of a descent in quality than a planned change of format/type for its audience.

Do you really find the senile old judge so interesting and funny (forget any believability) that he shows up week after week? There are many similar story lines (Clarence/Clarice springs to mind). Yet they are able to intersperse such total silliness with political speech making more than occasionally. It's probably just a matter of taste, but I miss what it used to be vs. what it has become. And, like The Practice before it, as any Kelley show begins to decline, it almost always comes with a style change to moronic behavior and characters.

imo, the program about Denny Crain on the TSA Watchlist had to be one of the best episodes of Boston Legal ever.

It showed the total ridiculousness of the no fly list and what travellers are going through at the airport.

It could have never have been done, ripped out of the headlines, by Law and Order or Shark.

And on another subject, I heard on KABC-TV news the other night that Julie Bowen went into labor on the set.

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/04/12/ap3606262.html

I don't think I'm missing the point really, I think we just disagree. The show has transformed itself into cartoon silliness that is mixed with occasional real wit and intellectual content. To me, it doesn't really know (the writers I guess) what type of show it really is/was. It had its roots in The Practice and branched out from that, which is fine and probably necessary. But the buffoonery that is going on now is beyond the pale. I think it's more of a descent in quality than a planned change of format/type for its audience.

Do you really find the senile old judge so interesting and funny (forget any believability) that he shows up week after week? There are many similar story lines (Clarence/Clarice springs to mind). Yet they are able to intersperse such total silliness with political speech making more than occasionally. It's probably just a matter of taste, but I miss what it used to be vs. what it has become. And, like The Practice before it, as any Kelley show begins to decline, it almost always comes with a style change to moronic behavior and characters.
I liked The Practice for what it was, almost always serious. I like Boston Legal for what it is. It's true that in the beginning, Boston Legal wasn't really sure what it was. It tried to be both silly and serious. Now they've decided to be almost 100% silly. Sometimes they do have a problem of knowing when to quit, or at least stop doing the same thing week after week, but a lot of shows have that problem, so I don't begrudge Boston Legal having the same trouble.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see a return of something like The Practice, I just don't expect that from Boston Legal.

What do I know? I liked Murder One, which apparently nobody else did, given its short run. :p

You forgot the part where I demanded an early copy of "The Practice" Volume 1 DVD. :DAt least you have a sense of humor about it. There's some posters here on AVS that would have just flipped out on me :)


ron

What do I know? I liked Murder One, which apparently nobody else did, given its short run. :pMurder One was one of a number of wonderful, intelligent shows that got cancelled for reasons of nobody watched. Boomtown, Karen Sisco, Buffalo Bill, Frank's Place, .....
I love the witty stuff and like the serious stuff but hate the silly stuff of Boston Legal. As long as the serious or witty stays above 25%, I'll stick around. Mostly it's struggled to reach 15% this year.

Murder One was one of a number of wonderful, intelligent shows that got cancelled for reasons of nobody watched. Boomtown, Karen Sisco, Buffalo Bill, Frank's Place, .....
I love the witty stuff and like the serious stuff but hate the silly stuff of Boston Legal. As long as the serious or witty stays above 25%, I'll stick around. Mostly it's struggled to reach 15% this year.

Agree. But BL is still sinking fast for me.

What do I know? I liked Murder One, which apparently nobody else did, given its short run.

Me too.

I know a special on Va Tech is important, but did they have to pre-empt this week's BL for it?

I feel bad about the incident, I really do, but somehow I think ABC purposely chose this show because they always crap on it (The Whole Grey's Anatomy fiasco, etc).

Would they have dumped an episode of Ugly Betty for this Primetime special? Desperate Housewives?

Certainly Dancing with the Stars.

Thanks for nothing ABC.

I liked The Practice for what it was, almost always serious. I like Boston Legal for what it is. It's true that in the beginning, Boston Legal wasn't really sure what it was. It tried to be both silly and serious. Now they've decided to be almost 100% silly. Sometimes they do have a problem of knowing when to quit, or at least stop doing the same thing week after week, but a lot of shows have that problem, so I don't begrudge Boston Legal having the same trouble.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see a return of something like The Practice, I just don't expect that from Boston Legal.

What do I know? I liked Murder One, which apparently nobody else did, given its short run. :p

I think you and I are in the same shoes. After all, I loved Justice and "The Jury."

Even L&O: Trial by Jury wasn't half bad.

I think you and I are in the same shoes. After all, I loved Justice and "The Jury."

Even L&O: Trial by Jury wasn't half bad.


all 12 episodes..... :rolleyes:

You need to lock your TV on Court TV and be done with it - because network TV will never be to your liking.


I know a special on Va Tech is important, but did they have to pre-empt this week's BL for it?

I feel bad about the incident, I really do, but somehow I think ABC purposely chose this show because they always crap on it (The Whole Grey's Anatomy fiasco, etc).

Would they have dumped an episode of Ugly Betty for this Primetime special? Desperate Housewives?

Certainly Dancing with the Stars.

Thanks for nothing ABC.

So let's think about this, you are pissed off because ABC pre-empted Boston Legal - a show that you say is in the dumper.

So they could have aired BL and you could have bitched how bad it was - or they could pre-empt it and you can complain about that? ;) ;)

BL was preempted by ABC? So I guess that's why my HD DVR didn't record Boston Legal. Are the HR20-100s really that smart? Dang, I'm impressed. Good thing. I thought it had missed a recording. I've seen enough about VT and I'm ready to put it behind me now. That was one recording (if it had recorded) that would have been deleted very promptly.

BL was preempted by ABC? So I guess that's why my HD DVR didn't record Boston Legal. Are the HR20-100s really that smart?
My SA8300HD recorded something from 10-11PM on ABC last night. I had no idea BL was pre-empted.... and I guess the DVR didn't either. I was in my HT room last night, and I saw the red "Record" indicator on... I'll see what it recorded this evening.

Apparently DirecTV is better about updating their guide data than anybody else, my TiVo sure didn't figure it out. It does already have the new show title and description for next week, though. Sadly, I had to tell it to manually record next week's, since it thought it already got it last night.

My SA8300HD recorded something from 10-11PM on ABC last night. I had no idea BL was pre-empted.... and I guess the DVR didn't either.The Tivo/DVR is only as good as the GUIDE data fed to it. Unless the source of that GUIDE data can feed a schedule update to the cable company in enough time to get that change to your recording device (and in such a way as to cause it to NOT record what previously was an already scheduled recording event), you're going to get a recording anyway of whatever turns out to have been on that channel at that prescribed time.

In my 6412 case, I actually got a recording which showed up as a solid all-white rectangular bar in the "MyDVR Recordings List" where normally there would be the program's name (i.e. Boston Legal) in foreground white letters. It did have the recording duration/time/channel information but had a strange date of 1998. And it definitely was the full hour's recording of the ABC news special. But it was not "Boston Legal" text, nor was it "Dateline" or whatever else name they gave to the news special.

Fortunately I had no problem deleting it. I'm sure they'll show us the preempted B.L episode at a later date, which is all that's really important to me.

Apparently DirecTV is better about updating their guide data than anybody else, my TiVo sure didn't figure it out. It does already have the new show title and description for next week, though. Sadly, I had to tell it to manually record next week's, since it thought it already got it last night.
That's been my experience, when Discovery-HD pulled "The Lost Tomb of Jesus" a week or so back, only my DirecTV HR10-250 had the right guide data, neither Comcast nor Dish showed the updated program info, both still showing the "Tomb" episode right through the airtime.

It was interesting that my S3(Comcast) was wrong and the HR10-250(DirecTV) was right as both use the same guide data, at least I thought they did.

That's been my experience, when Discovery-HD pulled "The Lost Tomb of Jesus" a week or so back, only my DirecTV HR10-250 had the right guide data, neither Comcast nor Dish showed the updated program info, both still showing the "Tomb" episode right through the airtime.

It was interesting that my S3(Comcast) was wrong and the HR10-250(DirecTV) was right as both use the same guide data, at least I thought they did.

Tivo and most others use Tribune for program information. Obviously, as changes are made, data is changed - however, many systems only update the program information once a day, which would eliminate last minute changes.

So let's think about this, you are pissed off because ABC pre-empted Boston Legal - a show that you say is in the dumper.

So they could have aired BL and you could have bitched how bad it was - or they could pre-empt it and you can complain about that? ;) ;)

As I've always said, I need my fix of 100% legal/courtroom drama, so if the show doesn't air, we get 0% legal/courtroom drama. :)

As I've always said, I need my fix of 100% legal/courtroom drama, so if the show doesn't air, we get 0% legal/courtroom drama. :)

And when it does air, you arent happy with it either - so its loose/loose.

And when it does air, you arent happy with it either - so its loose/loose.

Exactly. This is one loose show and could use a LOT of tightening up. But then it would probably be a lose/lose situation all over again.

A heads up for Boston Legal fans that use the BEV 9200 DVR. It seems they didn't get the update last week when the show was pulled at the last minute so the DVR may have marked tonights episode as a repeat and decided not to record it. I know it did in my case.

hope this helps...

Finally a good episode of BL!

First off, you have a great case (although not based in any law) of social akwardness where both attorneys (Jerry and Clarence) and the plaintiff are socially akward.

The other AIDS case was okay, but I am getting tired of the senile judge.

And we got to see more of Gail O'Grady, who is hot for a 44 year old.

In my book, a good ep is one where at least one of their cases is somewhat interesting. Hopefully we'll see more eps like this in the future.

Finally a good episode of BL!

First off, you have a great case (although not based in any law) of social akwardness where both attorneys (Jerry and Clarence) and the plaintiff are socially akward.

The other AIDS case was okay, but I am getting tired of the senile judge.

And we got to see more of Gail O'Grady, who is hot for a 44 year old.

In my book, a good ep is one where at least one of their cases is somewhat interesting. Hopefully we'll see more eps like this in the future.
Yeah, I loved it, too. The socially clueless but curiously competent Jerry and Clarence squaring off against each other in a lawsuit where the issue was social awkwardness” was a hoot.

I really like James Spader’s Alan Shore. The guy is brilliant and weird but curiously loveable at the same time. He never fails to tickle me to death. The still scrumptious Gail O’Grady was fun, too.

I can’t remember when I have laughed out loud as often as I did while watching last night’s episode.

The only down side for me was Clarence’s failure to tell the jury that one of the central tenets of any fraternity is the family-like support members pledge to provide for each other. That’s why members are called “brothers” or “sisters.” Welshing on that obligation for social awkwardness, as the plaintiff’s sorority sisters did in that episode, was a betrayal of monumental proportions, which Clarence should have exploited. Of course, we were all supposed to hate sorority members, as the writers of last night’s episode reminded us with their fictional national officer of the sorority who came off as an arrogant twit. [/Rant]. :)

Anyone else enjoy the the begining to this week's episode? That song playing inside Jerry's head - Way to Funny! Did not expect that at all. :D

Anyone else enjoy the the begining to this week's episode? That song playing inside Jerry's head - Way to Funny! Did not expect that at all. :D

This show really loves breaking the 4th Wall :D

Did you notice that they kept on cutting back to him "singing" DURING the opening credits?

IMHO best episode of the season so far..... Denny was in classic form.
"This is America... We don't care!" :D :D Denny Crane!

Anyone else enjoy the the begining to this week's episode? That song playing inside Jerry's head - Way to Funny! Did not expect that at all. :D


that was absolutely genius. its a catchy tune too. I hope someone uploads that to youtube or something, it was just great.

I enjoy Denny, too, especially his interaction with Alan. I love Jerry, too. His character is a masterpiece of comic writing and they have given him a lot to do the past couple of weeks. My only criticism of this week’s episode was that the courtroom scenes with Alan and his client, the former Guantanamo Bay detainee, were way too West Wingy for my tastes. If I want political commentary, I’ll listen to National Public Radio, or watch the Fox All Stars. :)

My only criticism of this week’s episode was that the courtroom scenes with Alan and his client, the former Guantanamo Bay detainee, were way too West Wingy for my tastes. If I want political commentary, I’ll listen to National Public Radio, or watch the Fox All Stars. :)

I've gotten past the politics of the speeches and just enjoy their delivery. But in fairness there were shots at both sides of the isle this week.

I really don't care at all for where Alan was in last night's episode. I dont watch this show much anymore.

But Jerry's intro to last night's episode, and Danny aksing the guy about him being on the no-fly list, was funny as hell!

IMHO best episode of the season so far

I think so too, really good/funny stuff.

R

Geez I guess all those appelate decisions are just imaginery, Mr Kelley didn't mention those as in his opinion the United States has already trashed the Bill of Rights as certainly the ends justifies the means.

BOSTON LEGAL is certainly great comedy, very inventiive writing, sometimes great drama - with the requisite usual and frequent cinematic liberties used in nearly all such legal shows, such as tort cases with the liable party folding in days, instant trials for nearly everything, even criminal cases, endless interesting point of law being discussed, few if anyone in the firm ever working, with billable hours just falling from heaven -all neatly told in one or maybe several episodes

A show about real legal work would certainly bore most people

Fine with that - but when David E Kelley pretends to present balance, and ends up with pure proganda - its ends up more like something Goebels would have been proud of

Last night's show was flat our pure classic political propaganda on David E Kelley's part. Apparently Mr Kelley now and then finds if necessary to completely misstate the actual relevant opposing legal arguments -to counter whatever side Mr Kelley is hyping

The "argument" you often see in a David E Kelley hit piece is a lecture, in the disguise of a balanced two sided court presentation where Mr Kelley often plays fast and loose with the facts

Last year David Kelley pulled the same stunt with his shows on the Texas Death cases he featured last year - absolute legal nonsense

He does it in a clever way, pretending each puts out legitmate articles, when in fact only one side is presented

Now that said, David E Kelley is a writing genius, probably the best in the business -but he's also a skilled political propagandist pushing his agenda

I concur, the opening sequence with Jerry singing along with the intro theme was priceless, hands down the funniest, most innovative bit I've seen in a while.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeXJh_5WUzY

definitely worth another look!

Tonights lecture could be summarized as: "The horrific and oppressive nature of United States immigration laws and why they shouldn't be enforced"

Of course the fact that these laws are rarely ever enforced (one big case in approx 10 to 20 yrs in Massachusetts - just recently) and the fact pattern presented by Kelley tonight is beyond ludicrous) - David Kelly continues on his quest

David E Kelley in full form tonight in full Hollywood propaganda mode

He alluded to that when the judge said to Alan "this is not the place to voice your political stance." Kelly was pretending that we, the audience, was the judge.

So are they building up to getting Denny back in trial? Or is Shatner retiring?

David E. Kelley is a jerk. This show has gotten way too political. Can ya get the hell off yer soapbox Dave?

Shatner is still awesome though :)

nc

David E. Kelley is a jerk. This show has gotten way too political. Can ya get the hell off yer soapbox Dave?

Shatner is still awesome though :)

nc
Yes, Kelley’s trotting out of his Hollywood conventional political wisdom every week in multiple scenes is getting harder and harder to take. Still, I have loved the way the show has featured Jerry in recent weeks. Further, there is no more effective actor working these days than Spader, even when he is forced to speak lines filled with Kelley’s tiresome left wing political palaver. Let’s spend more time on “companion ducks” and shotguns and the Stanley Cup in the office, and less on either immigration or the Iraq War, shall we? The show is a whole lot funnier that way.

Next week's season finale has been pushed back to May 29 -- after the May sweep has ended.

A special "Bachelor: After the Rose" will run next Tuesday at 8, followed by a two-hour "DancingWith The Stars".

ABC very quietly made the announcement today by simply noting it as a schedule change.

Next week's season finale has been pushed back to May 29 -- after the May sweep has ended.

A special "Bachelor: After the Rose" will run next Tuesday at 8, followed by a two-hour "DancingWith The Stars".

ABC very quietly made the announcement today by simply noting it as a schedule change.

Nice of ABC to show a preview LAST NIGHT and now secretly make it two weeks from now. Thanks for nothing ABC.

Next week's season finale has been pushed back to May 29 -- after the May sweep has ended.

A special "Bachelor: After the Rose" will run next Tuesday at 8, followed by a two-hour "DancingWith The Stars".

ABC very quietly made the announcement today by simply noting it as a schedule change.
I think the term is "Stealth Programming" :D

Anyone in the Philly area, the last episode was not in HD. It had the bug and did not fill the screen, did this happen to you also? I recorded it OTA. All I can figure is the local ABC was preparing to run scrolls at the bottom regarding the primary so they didn't flip the HD switch.

... is Shatner retiring?
I hope not, because there'd be no reason to watch without Shat!
Denny Crane!! :D

Alan to Denny: “What would Tom DeLay do with the illegal’s?”
Denny: “Send them off to Iraq to fight for us, and don’t let them back in”

Alan to Denny: “What would Dick Cheney do with the illegal’s?”
Denny: “Shoot em!”

Classic!!!

Excellent season finale. Loved Denny's line as he walked through the reporters "I used to fly my own space ship." I just find this show to be very entertaining. Some serious courtroom stuff with the thrown in comedy to keep it interesting. As Denny and Alan said on the balcony at the end, can't wait for next season.

This program, which used to have a lot of intelligent, moving dialog among the crap, has become unwatchable.

I don't know about "unwatchable", but it has certainly declined. It is now more farce than anything, with the predictable Kelly political ranting here and there and the occasional bit of drama/suspense/surprise. More silly farce than all the rest, though. Just recall the two "unusual" attorneys jumping up and down for many minutes, or the....too many examples to list. It's mostly silliness that can not be taken seriously anymore, and that may be all they are (now) after.

I do agree, the occasional insider comment ("I used to be captain of my own spaceship"), etc are humorous, but mostly it's silly, unbelievable and political posturing.

I agree that a lot of it is silly. In fact any relationship between what goes on in real courtrooms and real law offices, and the set of Boston Legal, isn’t just coincidental, it’s miraculous. Still, when they stay away from tired political cant I think it’s still funny most of the time.

I enjoyed how silly and free of politics the season finale was last night. It left me with the impression that Boston Legal doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is a VERY good thing. They seemed to remember that most of us watch the show because it’s funny, not for its ostensibly prescient insights into the issues of the day.

I enjoyed how silly and free of politics the season finale was last night. It left me with the impression that Boston Legal doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is a VERY good thing. They seemed to remember that most of us watch the show because it’s funny, not for its ostensibly prescient insights into the issues of the day.

I also enjoyed the humor and political-free ep last night, but I watch the show first and foremost for the 100% legal/courtroom drama, and then the humor is icing on the cake.

My only crack at the Season Finale was that in the murder case, we did not find out who "really" did it. This broke convention not only from The Practice episodes, but also murder cases on Boston Legal. Please spare me the "This is about Denny and their strategy more than anything" crap. The point is, most everytime there has been a murder on The Practice AND Boston Legal, at the end, we get something telling us who actually did it. Otherwise that case was great.

And when it comes to legal drama + humor, it doesn't get any better than Jerry and his wooden cigarette. Funny stuff. :)

My only crack at the Season Finale was that in the murder case, we did not find out who "really" did it.

Yeah, that was a bit disappointing. They took way too much time literally "jumping for joy" and other useless silliness - time that could have given us the truth behind the mystery. That would have been more satisfying.

I like the show, its' funny.

I also enjoyed the humor and political-free ep last night, but I watch the show first and foremost for the 100% legal/courtroom drama, and then the humor is icing on the cake.

My only crack at the Season Finale was that in the murder case, we did not find out who "really" did it. This broke convention not only from The Practice episodes, but also murder cases on Boston Legal. Please spare me the "This is about Denny and their strategy more than anything" crap. The point is, most everytime there has been a murder on The Practice AND Boston Legal, at the end, we get something telling us who actually did it. Otherwise that case was great.

And when it comes to legal drama + humor, it doesn't get any better than Jerry and his wooden cigarette. Funny stuff. :)
Of course one of both of the boys may well have been the killer, but that didn't stop the sleazy attorneys from using a trick to get them off. Suborning perjury should get them disbarred. First time I remember Kelly having the boys doing something so clearly immoral and unethical. Besides, having codefendents accuse each other is an old plot trick that I'd seen in other shows, so it wasn't even clever.

If you think Jerry's mannerisms are funny I guess you have a higher silliness tolerance than I do. I don't find that, or the Clarence/Clarisse bit, remotely funny. I find myself fast forwarding through the really stupid parts.

Of course one of both of the boys may well have been the killer, but that didn't stop the sleazy attorneys from using a trick to get them off. Suborning perjury should get them disbarred. First time I remember Kelly having the boys doing something so clearly immoral and unethical. Besides, having codefendents accuse each other is an old plot trick that I'd seen in other shows, so it wasn't even clever.

If you think Jerry's mannerisms are funny I guess you have a higher silliness tolerance than I do. I don't find that, or the Clarence/Clarisse bit, remotely funny. I find myself fast forwarding through the really stupid parts.
Yes, no lawyer, at least no sane lawyer, would even consider doing what Alan and Denny did to get their clients off in the season finale. Their conduct wasn’t just unethical, it was feloneous. Honestly, though, it didn’t bother me a bit because the show goes out of its way to set up outrageously overdrawn, incredible situations just to get a laugh. It works for me.

I am not a big Clarence/Clarice fan, either, but I like the Jerry character a lot. He is unique, and that’s saying something for a character in a network show.

Yes, Jerry's dual personalities are marvelous acting, while Clarence/Clarice less so. Having two "dual personalities" of such magnitude in one legal show - even less so. And throw in the Clarence dating female attorney plot, less and less so. Heck, I guess 1 out of 4 isn't bad for network TV these days.

Yes, Jerry's dual personalities are marvelous acting, while Clarence/Clarice less so. Having two "dual personalities" of such magnitude in one legal show - even less so.

To the show's credit, Clarice and any other alternate personality of Clarence is gone, leaving just socially awkward and shy Clarence, who I actually like.

What's great about the Jerry/Clarance team is that both are shy/socially awkward, but portrayed to still be good lawyers. Not all male lawyers are alpha males as some shows would have you believe.

I agree completely. It appears they are now downplaying a few (thank God) of the sillier things like Clarice/Oprah and even the dating with the female lawyer. Hopefully, the ever more ridiculous Brad and his new wife Denise will get a more serious turn as well.

A ton of people were fired from "Boston Legal" today, but John Larroquette has been hired as a regular cast member. Source: http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Exclusive-Boston-Legal/800016952

"Heads are rolling over at Crane Poole & Schmidt.

Julie Bowen, Mark Valley, Rene Auberjonois and Constance Zimmer have all been let go from the show, sources tell me. ABC and David E. Kelley Productions declined comment, but a Legal insider confirms that "their contract options were not picked up."

To fill the void, Night Court's John Larroquette is joining the show as a series regular next season, but he won't be reprising his Emmy-winning role from Kelley's The Practice. Instead, he will be playing an attorney from the New York offices of CP&S. Also Dirt's Tara Summers will be coming on board as a young associate. Finally, current cast member Christian Clemenson (Jerry) has been upped to series regular."

A ton of people were fired from "Boston Legal" today, but John Larroquette has been hired as a regular cast member. Source: http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Exclusive-Boston-Legal/800016952

"Heads are rolling over at Crane Poole & Schmidt.

Julie Bowen, Mark Valley, Rene Auberjonois and Constance Zimmer have all been let go from the show, sources tell me. ABC and David E. Kelley Productions declined comment, but a Legal insider confirms that "their contract options were not picked up."

"

Holy Cow! They have gutted the cast.

Works for me, in fact I could do without Candice Bergen as well.

Works for me, in fact I could do without Candice Bergen as well.
It works for me, too. I have no particular interest in the cast members who were let go, so their termination doesn’t concern me much. I have loved the “Jerry” character this year, so it’s good news that he is being made a regular. I also really like John Larroquette. I saw him just today in a guest starring roll on one of last season’s House episodes and he was terrific.

I have to confess that I like Candace Bergen, so I would have hated to see her go.

Poor Constance Zimmer! She can't hold a steady job. This show is keeping all the nut cases and getting rid of all the serious characters. I'm done with it. It's getting way to "silly" for me.

According to George Takei nobody wants to work with Bill Shatner.

A ton of people were fired from "Boston Legal" today, but John Larroquette has been hired as a regular cast member. Source: http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Exclusive-Boston-Legal/800016952

"Heads are rolling over at Crane Poole & Schmidt.

Julie Bowen, Mark Valley, Rene Auberjonois and Constance Zimmer have all been let go from the show, sources tell me. ABC and David E. Kelley Productions declined comment, but a Legal insider confirms that "their contract options were not picked up."

To fill the void, Night Court's John Larroquette is joining the show as a series regular next season, but he won't be reprising his Emmy-winning role from Kelley's The Practice. Instead, he will be playing an attorney from the New York offices of CP&S. Also Dirt's Tara Summers will be coming on board as a young associate. Finally, current cast member Christian Clemenson (Jerry) has been upped to series regular."

Can't say I am surprised, after all, every 3-4 months the cast is changed with additions or substractions. To me it is pretty ridiculous how much turnover they have had.

Brad, Denise, Paul, and the GF to Clarence? Come on now. I know most people didn't like Clarence having this GF, but I did. I like that the fat awkward guy was with a cute lawyer. Nice to see the shy one win for a change, but now she is gone.

The John Larroquette this is absolutely f**king ridiculous. Although DEK loves to piss on The Practice, whenever he has brought actors over, he has kept them in character (mostly judges, but still).

Now he brings over Larroquette, but not in his recurring Practice role, but something else? Inexcusable!

Yes I know the practice, volume 1 is on DVD, but it is lacking in features. Thanks for nothing David E. Kelley!

A ton of people were fired from "Boston Legal" today, but John Larroquette has been hired as a regular cast member. Source: http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Exclusive-Boston-Legal/800016952

"Heads are rolling over at Crane Poole & Schmidt.

Julie Bowen, Mark Valley, Rene Auberjonois and Constance Zimmer have all been let go from the show, sources tell me. ABC and David E. Kelley Productions declined comment, but a Legal insider confirms that "their contract options were not picked up."
Strange..... Why go to all the trouble of writing the "wedding/childbirth" episode, etc... then get rid of the two main characters?
Constance Zimmer hasn't had a substantial role in any episode in a long while now, and as long as I've been watching BL (two full seasons) all Rene Auberjonois seems to do is say "Denny!" every few episodes. No great loss with any of them IMHO, cause the show is about Denny & Alan anyway. As far as Candace Bergen is concerned, I like her much better now that they've removed her as a ridiculous sex object for Denny/Alan and made her more of a moderating force/decision maker (as is appropriate for a named partner). I'd love to see her do a few more cases too, she seems to be a competent litigator with some insight.

According to George Takei nobody wants to work with Bill Shatner.

LOL ... old "beefs" die hard????

If I had to pick the 4 to go, this would probably be it. So, I'm hopeful of a turn in direction for the show next year. Nothing of substance is being lost. Brad had gone from early star to buffoon, Rene A. was a bit player with little to do, Julie Bowen's character played out the string in the serious MJ Fox plot followed by moving on to the "slut in the office" role of Friends-With-Benefits and ensuing pregnancy (an easy way to rid the show of her AND Brad - off to raise the kid). Zimmer had a gimmer (hehe) of hope early on, but became a joke/bit player devoted solely to the Clarence or Clarice plot. Thankfully, that silliness is now over as well. Of course, while I welcome the changes, it all depends on who they add, besides LaRouquette, to fill out the office. Maybe bring back Eugene from the Practice as a new, tough (not-senile) judge to contend with. That could be fun.

Maybe bring back Eugene from the Practice as a new, tough (not-senile) judge to contend with. That could be fun.

I wish, but we know better than that. Considering Laroquette is coming back not as his "Practice" character,

if anything DEK will give the ultimate f**k you by bringing back one of the actors who played a lawyer in the "The Practice" to play a different character.

I know some of you don't care about these issues, but you would if we were talking about different shows/actors.

For example, if when Star Trek:TNG was on the air, if Leonard Nimoy guest starred but not as Spock, that would drive people nuts.

Crapping on "The Practice" by pretending like BL is not a spinoff set in the same universe is just as bad.

If I had to pick the 4 to go, this would probably be it. So, I'm hopeful of a turn in direction for the show next year. Nothing of substance is being lost. Brad had gone from early star to buffoon, Rene A. was a bit player with little to do, Julie Bowen's character played out the string in the serious MJ Fox plot followed by moving on to the "slut in the office" role of Friends-With-Benefits and ensuing pregnancy (an easy way to rid the show of her AND Brad - off to raise the kid). Zimmer had a gimmer (hehe) of hope early on, but became a joke/bit player devoted solely to the Clarence or Clarice plot. Thankfully, that silliness is now over as well.I agree with everything you say.

Brad and Denise have become non-characters. When was the last time they were actually in a courtroom situation, either as co-counsel or on their own behalf? He's a partner and never has a case that we see? Ever? She only does research for others? Brad has truly become a buffoon.

If you recall, I started this thread quite a while ago, when it had a different title, regarding "B.L. commits suicide", first letting Lake Bell go after four episodes or so into Season1 and then eliminating Rhona Mitra at the start of Season 2. At first I wasn't impressed or familiar with Julie Bowen, but she actually had grown on me as I saw her perform more and more. I think she had lots of potential as a light, comedic character if not a primary lawyer character. I enjoyed her conflict with Parker Posey during their brief time together. But she really has drifted into obscurity, no doubt contributed to by her real-life pregnancy.

I really liked Constance Zimmer when she first appeared. Sarcastic, quick witted, rapier tongued, hostile and agressive toward the other lawyers with zingy one-liners, I thought she'd be a good addition to the cast. And then that was that, and she was a different person. She never actually became a courtroom personality, and got involved in that whole ridiculous Clarence/Clarise thing story line.

Rene? Who?

We'll see what next season holds. It really has come down to Denny and Alan. And I always look forward to James Spader's brilliant courtroom performances, especially his closings. He is one fabulous actor... and given very very good lines to speak.

Overall, I feel the law firm "balance" was more well distributed in "L.A. Law" (at least in its early years, when it was still about law). But all shows change over the course of time. No stopping it.

I guess congrats are in order for our much ballyhooed BL as it did pick up an emmy nod for Best Drama (although shouldn't it be Best Comedy?)

I've already seen blog press (FWIW) slamming the emmy nod.

As I always say, it's a flawed show but I'm glad to see one of the shows I watch get an emmy nod.

I suppose that's one way to look at it. Personally, while I still watch and find it entertaining, if silly, I don't think it in any way deserves an emmy nod for ANY category - including Spader. Spader is good - best thing on the show, but BL long ago left its roots as serious drama and became mostly comedy. It is occasionally entertaining fluff, with DEK's usual political rants, but by no means is it emmy worthy IMO - especially given the overlooked shows that so outclassed it.

Agree that Boston Legal had a real bad year. Silly, silly plot lines took up way too much time. There is still magic in the Spader/Shatner closing, and the writing by Kelly for the courtroom scenes is always excellent even if the results are totally predictable. There were some great shows that should have been nominated in its place. The Shield, Dexter, Rescue Me (if classified drama rather than comedy), Friday Night Lights, Rome, and Deadwood were all brilliant, and having Boston Legal beat them out shows how pathetically clueless the nominators are.

Agree that Boston Legal had a real bad year. Silly, silly plot lines took up way too much time. There is still magic in the Spader/Shatner closing, and the writing by Kelly for the courtroom scenes is always excellent even if the results are totally predictable. There were some great shows that should have been nominated in its place. The Shield, Dexter, Rescue Me (if classified drama rather than comedy), Friday Night Lights, Rome, and Deadwood were all brilliant, and having Boston Legal beat them out shows how pathetically clueless the nominators are.

Boston Legal, Dexter: good.

Rome, Deadwood: crap.

R

Agree that Boston Legal had a real bad year. Silly, silly plot lines took up way too much time. There is still magic in the Spader/Shatner closing, and the writing by Kelly for the courtroom scenes is always excellent even if the results are totally predictable. There were some great shows that should have been nominated in its place. The Shield, Dexter, Rescue Me (if classified drama rather than comedy), Friday Night Lights, Rome, and Deadwood were all brilliant, and having Boston Legal beat them out shows how pathetically clueless the nominators are.

Actually, I was think the Emmy people love BL because they are very liberal and love that BL champions liberalism to the extreme.

BUT, my hope is that ABC will use the emmy nod as promotion for the upcoming season. I can just see ABC though touting Grey's as an emmy nominated show, but not BL.

Also, BL got an emmy nod, and SVU didn't (FWIW). I'd like to see BL finally beat SVU in head-to-head ratings when both air new eps.

Another issue though I have with the nomination is that you could argue this is a comedy show, and should not be considered for Best Drama.

I just hope either Heroes or BL wins it. I don't watch the other shows.

Boston Legal, Dexter: good.

Rome, Deadwood: crap.

R

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but to classify those two shows as crap is like saying Berkshire Hathaway is a crap stock...

Boston Legal, Dexter: good.

Rome, Deadwood: crap.

R
Lord help you, man.

I'm glad BL is back in the news with nominations. Brings me renewed hope that the show will continue on for at least another year or two.

The thing about BL that keeps me watching is that its entertaining. Is Rome a terrific series? Yes. Did I watch it? Yes. Was it more "entertaining" than BL? No, or if so, in a different way. BL is light comedy-drama, Rome is a view of a slice of life with the skin ripped off. Sometimes graphic, frequently violent, ultra-realistic, a battle between good and evil, and re-telling of an epochal turn in history--what's not to like? Its not for your typical fourth grader, but he or she should be in bed at 9:00 on Sunday nights anyway (unless they're up watching Sunday night football...).

Regards,
Fitzie

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070724/ap_on_re_us/katrina_hospital_deaths

Sound familiar? I believe this is also the episode that was submitted for Emmy consideration.

I'm surprised there was no mention of BL in that article.

I was a little surprised as well given it's Emmy nomination.

Season premiere is September 25th with several cast changes.
http://www.abcmedianet.com/web/showpage/showpage.aspx?program_id=001654&type=lead

...with several cast changes.

Imagine that. Who would have ever thought that Boston Legal would change their cast members? :p

Thanks for the heads up!

Time to set the DVR again..."record all new."

Thanks,
Fitzie

First show will be starting at 9:30PM, likely 1-1/2 hours long, so make sure your TiVo's/DVRs/VCRs are programmed accordingly.

I'm not the only one who thinks BL has had a ridiculous number of cast changes over its several seasons:
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/09/12/213926.php

The Revolving Door at Boston Legal
Written by NancyGail
Published September 12, 2007
See also:
» DVD Review: The Food of the Gods
» TV Review: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
» DVD Review: City of Violence - Two Disc Ultimate Edition

The start of the television season is a few weeks away, and already promos are being aired. For those shows new to the lineup, this makes sense. After all, viewers are more inclined to watch something if they believe they will enjoy it. Heavy hitters such as Desperate Housewives and The Office do not have this concern. No matter what else may be available, fans are setting their TiVos so they do not miss a minute.

However, another group exists. These are the shows which have a fan base no matter what. All words are sacrosanct, and every theme is worthy of attention. Even cast changes will not affect whether or not somebody flips the channel.

For me, Boston Legal falls into the last category. Throughout their run, a revolving door has ushered several attorneys out of the firm. Sally, played by Lake Bell, was the first. A good lawyer, she was sent packing by Shirley Schmidt (Candice Bergen) for not being good enough ("Schmidt Happens"). Being involved with Alan Shore (James Spader) only helped prove her guilt.

Tara Wilson (Rhona Mitra) and Lori Colson (Monica Potter) were next, although both left of their own accord. While either could have returned, neither did. Sally would oppose Alan in court, and end up in bed with him. Before she left for good, Brad Chase (Mark Valley) shared her bed too ("Whose God is It Anyway?").

Garrett Wells (Jusin Mentell) and Sara Holt (Ryan Michelle Bathe) disappeared into thin air, and hardly anyone noticed. The lawyers who replaced them however shook the firm to its core. Marlene Stanger (Parker Posey) transferred in from the New York bureau and quickly made her exit ("Couldn't We All Get a Lung?"). Jeffrey Coho (Craig Bierko) made a name for himself by acquitting a law clerk accused of murdering a judge. Claire Simms (Constance Zimmer), who came with Coho, found herself without a cohort when he left ("Fat Burner"). However, she quickly became involved with Clarence Hall (Gary Anthony Williams).

Now it's time for season four, and changes are in the air again. Brad and Denise Bauer (Julie Bowen) had a baby, which sets the stage for her maternity leave. Both Mark Valley and Craig Bierko will be appearing on other shows this fall, Denise should find work elsewhere, because Julie Bowen won't be back in the fall either. Paul Lewiston (Rene Auberjonois) has a granddaughter who deserves his time and attention. He hinted more than once his priorities are not with his work. I wouldn't be surprised if he makes new arrangements.

To make up for the departures, two attorneys are about to join Crane, Poole, and Schmidt. John Larroquette, who most people remember from Night Court , has signed on. At one point, he did a memorable guest stint on The Practice . Why am I not surprised to see another connection between the two shows? Tara Summer is also part of the team. While I am unfamiliar with her work, viewers are going to be seeing a lot more of Jerry Espenson (Christian Clemenson). Apparently, his work impressed the founding partners so much that he got promoted from recurring guest star to season regular.

Thanks Pappy97 for making the great NancyGail summary available. It's like family reunion time, where you sit around saying "whatever happened to...?" and the response is "...well, I shouldn't be telling you this but...."

More kudos to JSpader, Esquire for his good work. What about Denny Crane? Did he get totally left out?

Regards from one who is a part of the "fan base no matter what"--at least so far. "No matter what" covers a very large spectrum of the universe.

Fitzie

Well my DVR has scheduled Tuesday night's new episode. Can't wait.

Just out of curiosity, what time did your DVR set to record it? I own the E* ViP-622 and it set the time up to be 8:28pm CST to 10:00pm CST. I have it set up to automatically record 2 minutes early (thus the 8:28), but I also have it set up to extend the recording 3 minutes. Shouldn't that be 10:03pm?

Is this an hour and a half season opener?

Is this an hour and a half season opener?

Yes, the press release has it scheduled for 9:30-11:00 ET.

much better than anything last season. sad to see a few people go but oh well.

It was okay, but I have the following gripes.

1.) John Laroquette re-entering the Practice/BL Universe and playing a different role. I know this happens occasionally in the TV world, but I think it is good practice to not f**k with a TV universe. More proof that DEK doesn't want to consider BL a Practice spinoff, even though it is!

2.) Brad was seen, and Denise got mentioned by Jerry. BUT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO *MENTION* of Paul and Claire. Yes I know they are gone, but as far as the show's universe goes, they should have said something. I don't recall last season's finale Paul saying he was leaving, neither Claire who was in a relationship with Clarence. There was ample opportunity to mention both characters, but instead they just fade out of existence.

3.) Consider how much DEK has p*ssed all over the Practice/BL Universe, I should probably resign to the fact that DEK will continue to ignore the Practice as the show that set up BL, and more importantly, that we will never see a Practice lawyer do even a guest stint (or cameo) as their Practice character.

More likely, we'll see Dylan McDermott NOT play Bobby Donald, and maybe Kelli Williams NOT play Lindsey. I guess that is how DEK roles with his Practice/BL franchise.

Pappy97 bemoaned the fact there was no mention of Paul and Claire. Also, that no members of the "Practice" are doing crossover stints.

While I noticed the lack of reference to Paul and Claire by those who normally associated with them (i.e., SuperB. and Clarence) I thought the lack of explanation was actually pretty realistic. When one comes into a situation after an absence, people don't go around saying things like "oh, here's what happened to so and so since you were last here, and here's what happened to oddball..." and etc. Typically, people get mentioned when it's actually relevant. For example, if you ask "whatever happened to Joe" and the responder says, "hey, I thought you knew, Joe got killed in a car wreck last fall..."...(or Joe ran off with someone's wife, or whatever). We've got plenty of time to find out what Paul and Clarice are doing. I'm more interested to see if the blonde judge gets her baby.

The Larroquette character should fit right in, he's apparently as nutty as anyone else.
Why worry about Practice crossovers?

Regards,
Fitzie

So far Larroquette's BL character pales in comparison to his The Practice character (and he's a poorman's Paul, too)...

A love letter to Boston Legal from Boston Legal yet they managed to pull it off. Thats why we watch this show :)

The Larroquette character should fit right in, he's apparently as nutty as anyone else.
Why worry about Practice crossovers?


I worry about Practice/BL universe continuity which DEK doesn't give a crap about. And it's been painfully obvious since 2004(!) that lawyers from The Practice should be making guest appearances on the show. But DEK doesn't even try to solicit their services. It's pathetic and a f**k you to fans of The Practice.

I've been saying this for a while now: It's like DEK wants to pretend that BL is NOT a spinoff of The Practice and that it is not in the same universe. Too bad there are fans like me to remind him and call him out for his pathetic pis*ing on the Practice/BL universe by bringing Laroquette in a different role and continuing to not even TRY to bring any Practice lawyers for guest stints.

The non-mention whatsoever of Paul and Claire, lawyers in the Firm (Paul was a senior partner and main cast member of the show since the beginning!) is just icing on the cake.

Paul at least had dropped hints that his heart wasn't in the firm as much with his daughter to worry about... so to some degree I can understand that lack of mention.

I would like to know how Claire was written out, since they kept Clarence it seems like they'd have to visit that.

But to me the glaring one was Brad & Denise. Denise left for maternity leave, I get that... but Brad was a partner too... and suddenly he pops up in the DA's office? And no one on the show seemed surprised he was prosecuting the murder case.

Very entertaining show! I didn't like it too much twards the end of last season, but so far, this show rocks! Denny is unreal!

Hey, what's the deal with the homosexual overtones? Never realized it before, but there sure is allot guy/guy stuff here, huh?

Laroqueete isnt ad good as when he was in Night court, but its ok.

Most entertaining episode I've seen from this show in a while!

The guy who plays Jerry is great...perfectly casted IMO.

I'm not a prude, but I think too much ex thrown in does not help the show any. I enjoy the drama :) They kicked out 3 women (I think it was three) from the show, and now they are getting women BACK on the show. Are fans asking for more females on the show?

Hey, does Spader wear a wig? Sure looks lkike it in the very front of his head.

I still find their lack of explanation for Brad interesting.

Denise was said to be on maternity leave, and the actress herself had a baby so she too could be on maternity leave. They also could have written her out of the show if the actress isn't coming back. However, they still have Brad on the show but without any explanation he is suddenly in the D.A.'s office?

That clearly indicates he isn't coming back... and Brad was a partner vs Denise "just" a lawyer... so it seems like they would need to say something about how/why Brad went to the D.A.'s office.

Oh, BTW, I found Denny's interpretation of Shirley & Carl Sack to be completely hilarious! The look on Denny's face when Alan said he thought Shirley and carl were an item.

This was good stuff :)

nc

I still find their lack of explanation for Brad interesting.

Denise was said to be on maternity leave, and the actress herself had a baby so she too could be on maternity leave. They also could have written her out of the show if the actress isn't coming back. However, they still have Brad on the show but without any explanation he is suddenly in the D.A.'s office?

That clearly indicates he isn't coming back... and Brad was a partner vs Denise "just" a lawyer... so it seems like they would need to say something about how/why Brad went to the D.A.'s office.

Besides Spader waving at Brad, they really didn't use Brad at all. They didn't play up his former ties to the firm or anything like that.

Not that it helps, but they mention Denise because she is still part of the firm.

But that still pales in comparison to Constance Zimmer's character. She just dropped off the face of the planet in terms of the BL universe and they had an opportunity to mention a name and what happened to the character this last ep too but chose not to.

As Brad did to the murdered woman's husband...Would a DA go right up to the husband and say "Don't leave this jurisdiction." The courtroom hadn't even cleared out, and the DA was suppposedly trying to defend this family. Why is this guy already accused? Did I miss something?

That semed a bit odd to me.

nc

As Brad did to the murdered woman's husband...Would a DA go right up to the husband and say "Don't leave this jurisdiction." The courtroom hadn't even cleared out, and the DA was suppposedly trying to defend this family. Why is this guy already accused? Did I miss something?

That semed a bit odd to me.

nc

Well with the defendant not guilty, the Commonwealth (in real life) might want to find someone to convict for the crime. Brad realizes that the defense was right, the police didn't look into the Doctor's alibi. Perhaps now if they do they will uncover evidence that he did it. That's why Brad said what he said.

The DA's job is not to defend the family, but to defend the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

One thing I didn't like in this episode was a bait and switch with the shrink.

Several times we heard the shrink say "you don't want to hear what I have to say" or something to that extent to the defense counsel. There was a heavy implication that the shrink knew whatever he had to say was going to be bad to the defense. Perhaps something out of left field like "The doctor and the defendant were having a gay affair" or something.

But when the shrink finally testified, he simply confirmed the affair between the victim and the defendant. It felt like the writing in this episode was very bait and switch. You were led to believe the shrink was going to say something out of left field, but then says what the defense was hoping he'd say.

If you don't believe me watch the scenes with the shrink again. It is very clear that he tells the defense counsel that they don't want to hear what he has to say.

As Brad did to the murdered woman's husband...Would a DA go right up to the husband and say "Don't leave this jurisdiction."

I think this would be out of character for a D.A. to do in real life... he would probably quickly contact the local law enforcement, though, and begin working on the new case.

However, it was in perfect character for Brad... because he has always shown a zeal for doing the right thing... and as a result of the trial seemed convinced that he had been prosecuting the wrong man, and Brad would want to put that right.

Besides Spader waving at Brad, they really didn't use Brad at all. They didn't play up his former ties to the firm or anything like that.

Not that it helps, but they mention Denise because she is still part of the firm.

But that still pales in comparison to Constance Zimmer's character. She just dropped off the face of the planet in terms of the BL universe and they had an opportunity to mention a name and what happened to the character this last ep too but chose not to.

That's true also... Especially with Clarence still being featured on the show... you'd think at least he would mention her in passing since they had been getting very close by the end of last season.

Great season so far. The translating nun was the highlight of the show last night.

Loved when Denny tried to object to his firm winning the case :D:D:D

"like switzerland, only with a bigger peenor."

LOL.


show is back on track with a lot of the 'derailment' it lost in season 3 with brad/denise. dialogue is getting sharper, and more of alan in court finally.

It ticks me off when people continue to be shocked by Spader winning Emmy's. Sure DEK writes the dialogue, but Spader has a great emmy-deserving delivery of them.

People just get ticked off when he wins emmy for his work on BL because it is BL, a show that these haters don't take seriously when it comes time for the Emmy's. If Spader was on the Soprano's they wouldn't care, but since it is BL, they create a ruckus.

And that's your opinion. Personally, although Spader's acting is excellent, I would still give the nod to Gandolfini. Spader plays the same Alan every week: Underbite out. It gets annoying.

And that's your opinion. Personally, although Spader's acting is excellent, I would still give the nod to Gandolfini. Spader plays the same Alan every week: Underbite out. It gets annoying.

And that's your opinion. My issue is not with who actually deserves it, but a bias against any actor from Boston Legal because the show is Boston Legal and not the Sopranos.

Now again that is my opinion, but that is based on observations. Do you disagree that there is a bias against Boston Legal and its actors? Considering the enormous response to Spader again winning an emmy for BL, I think there is such a bias.

I guess you guys are prolly right, there is a little bias to Spader, but still his character, (Alan) and Denny are simply great together, their little chats never get old, I think the lightness of them sharing their inner most thoughts is what keeps the viewers coming back:-)

Do you disagree that there is a bias against Boston Legal and its actors?

No. I don't disagree. Although I don't have that bias, I know many probably do. I'm not comparing BL vs. The Sopranos. I'm comparing Gandolfini va. Spader and I'd give it to Gandolfini. That's just me though.

No doubt about it, Gandolfini gave some great performances. Who can forget seeing him creep through the nursing home corridor with a pillow in his hand, searching for his mother's room? And his fight at the motel with the snitch? And his punishment of the hood in the parking lot, when he found out the guy had killed his (the hood's) hooker girlfriend?

But Spader's good too. His performance on Tuesday night may get him another Emmy.

Regards,
Fitzie

I don't think people are shocked/biased against Spader at all. The show simply doesn't belong in a "serious drama" category against shows like Sopranos and House and others. Spader is truly wonderful in his part, but it is decidedly (IMO) one dimensional and only emmy winning in that he deftly delivers David Kelly's political speech of the week very well. Seriously, do you really think this show is a drama in most ways? If they are saluting a "one time" dramatic reading, then Spader can contend. But as a dramatic actor in a serious drama over the course of a series? I don't think so. He makes a nice "closing" week-to-week, which his character adroitly described the other night ("I give long closings").

For me, that's not sufficient to overcome the competition he had in the category at the Emmy Awards. Even Spader seemed uncomfortable and made a nice self-deprecating comment that "I feel like I just stole a bunch of money from the mob". He did, and they and we all knew it. He's good at what he does and I continue to watch, but I disagree that he deserved that Emmy and I don't think it's out of bias against the show.

I am really disappointed at Alan character lately. Very "unentertaining".

Hilarious scene was when they are in court, the army guy tells of his coming out...seeing Denny's face and the judges expression. Quite a moment I thought.

I lke that they give Shirley more time. This makes up for her VERY infrequest time on camera last season.

Hey, Dave, can ya get off yer soap box? Really getting tired of the political statements.

nc

I'm nearly done with this spiral into a cross between over-the-top silliness and cartoon stupidity, mixed with DEK's incessant soap box ranting and name calling. I really used to enjoy this show, but it's been run into the ground. The occasional well-written, and delivered, Shore speech is still well done, but also waaaay overdone. It seems this show can only be either complete fantasy/silly or a total political diatribe. Are we to believe there are no other interesting or controversial issues anymore, save ones directly set in the world of political bashing? I would think by now, even if you are of DEK's political bent, you would be tired of hearing his one-note grandstanding. I am.

I'm nearly done with this spiral into a cross between over-the-top silliness and cartoon stupidity, mixed with DEK's incessant soap box ranting and name calling. I really used to enjoy this show, but it's been run into the ground. The occasional well-written, and delivered, Shore speech is still well done, but also waaaay overdone. It seems this show can only be either complete fantasy/silly or a total political diatribe. Are we to believe there are no other interesting or controversial issues anymore, save ones directly set in the world of political bashing? I would think by now, even if you are of DEK's political bent, you would be tired of hearing his one-note grandstanding. I am.

This sums up my feelings perfectly. I continue to watch, but it has gotten very old to me as well. I tivo the show and the last couple of shows haven't even been watched yet. Two years ago, I watched them either live or the next day and last season that slipped to some point during the week it aired, but never did I have two unwatched shows on my Tivo at the same time. It just isn't as funny any more.

Wow, did you guys miss a good episode last night. :)

Aside from the "gays in the military" story there was the American Cultural Imperialism story and the revelation of Alan's youth story.

I really enjoyed this week's show. :)

The return of the translating nun was great, and the line of the night was Denny's "popped a fly rod in my waders". Sure the cases and polical statements get on me sometimes, but there are always some very entertaining moments in this show.

I'm nearly done with this spiral into a cross between over-the-top silliness and cartoon stupidity, mixed with DEK's incessant soap box ranting and name calling. I really used to enjoy this show, but it's been run into the ground. The occasional well-written, and delivered, Shore speech is still well done, but also waaaay overdone. It seems this show can only be either complete fantasy/silly or a total political diatribe. Are we to believe there are no other interesting or controversial issues anymore, save ones directly set in the world of political bashing? I would think by now, even if you are of DEK's political bent, you would be tired of hearing his one-note grandstanding. I am.

Interestingly enough, last night did not have an Alan Shore closing statement.

If you read my post it says the "occasional" closing - not that last nite had one, if that is what you are suggesting I said (or not, I could be wrong).

But as to the other posts, I admit to the "occasional" fun moment as well - but as you point out, there were 2 or 3 at most. That does not make a good show. This show has and continues to miss so many good opportunities in favor of ridiculous plots: several beyond senile judges routinely misapplying law, Alan/Denny hugging and in dresses or costumes, suing the US Military in STATE court and the senile judge admitting he has no jurisdiction but tries the case anyway and gives the military an unenforceable order, word salad, etc.

Throw out all the theater of the absurd silliness, maybe bring in Judge Eugene for some serious drama and fun. But as Leland McKenzie used to say in LA Law (also a Kelly show) - let's move it along Douglas. This is getting old.

Though I'm almost a contemporary of some of the elder actors, I'm having a hard time with the soap opera/romantic moments between them. I know Shatner's a clown figure, but JLR and CB...ick. Candace Bergen was stunningly beautiful, classily beautiful and now a shadow of all that. Who wants to see a late 50s guy chase around a late 60s former beauty.

What the heck happened to James Spader. Go back 7 years to a movie called Supernova. He was probably ~ 40, but cut, fit, and unrecognizable as the Alan Shore character. Alan Shore is a pompous ooze with mannerisms reminiscent of my great aunt (now dead) whom I'm, still to this day, unsure of...genderly speaking.

Last, but not least, Saffron Burrows will be appearing next week on Bones. It's an uncredited appearance as yet another calcium rich corpse. There is no flesh left on that frame. She and Spader look like Laurel and Hardy...except Stan was much fatter.

A few humorous moments aren't letting this show stick to the sides of the toilet...circling the drain.

Bring back Parker Posey!

Bring back Parker Posey!

Ditto ten times over on that, she's fantastic, would love to see her in some more episodes.

I wonder why they keep revamping the cast on this show?

They got really poor use out of Julie Bowen and Constance Zimmer last year, and now they're gone, through no fault of their own.

They brought in a new girl with a British accent, but she is no Rhona Mitra from the first season.

This is a show that smells like it is done, creatively.

I stick with Boston Legal despite Kelly’s silly lefty rants only because much of the other stuff is funny and sometimes moving. The thread involving the “coming out” of the general, for example, was painfully bad and unfunny – I fast forwarded through all but the first few minutes of it. Why Kelly would think that he could make something like that work when he knows nothing about the military and hates the institution and its members is beyond me. But the “word salad” stuff with Spader, Lorraine the sexy new lawyer, and Denny were a lot of fun, very funny, and rather sweet at the end.

Spader really is a big time talent. He is one of those actors who could read from the phone book and still make it entertaining.

I thought the past two episodes were top notch! The chicken story show was really really tops, and the gay general story was just below it.

I have totally forgotten about Julie Bowen and Mark Valley and Rene Auberjonois and Constance Zimmer (who had a fantastic debut as a wisecracking sarcastic oponent for Alan, but whom they wrongly converted into a nun starting with her second episode and ruined her character).

I'm now very much involved with Tara Summers (and Jerry's ill-fated puppy love for her) and Saffron Burrows. I think they're great, and their characters are wonderfully entertaining. I especially enjoy the crazy relationship between Lorraine and Alan.

And the alpha male rivalry between Carl Sack and Denny Crane is hilarious. And of course Alan and Denny's moments out on the balcony are always priceless, especially the one where Alan told Denny about his 14-year old "first time". HILARIOUS! William Shatner was terrific as the listener.

I started this thread years ago when Rhone Mitra got the axe (after Lake Bell had been expelled after just 4 episodes into Season 1), thinking the show was soon to be history. But the episodes that have started this season have been well written and fast paced, clever, emotional, laugh-out-loud funny in the right places, allow Alan to make long and brilliant closings (e.g. the one about sex education about condoms rather than preaching abstinence re: Aids as the criterion for whether you get federal funds or not, as grounds for dragging the government into court for complicity to commit murder), and I find the multiple office romances and Denny's peripheral reactions wonderfully entertaining.

P.S. - I do not miss Clarence.

i must have missed it, what happened to clarence? he was there a few weeks ago in the dance finals episode...

i must have missed it, what happened to clarence? he was there a few weeks ago in the dance finals episode...Well he's still in the opening credits, but he was totally absent from these last two episodes. I simply mentioned this because of all the MIA characters I honestly find his least endearing to me.

I don't think he's out for good, but he didn't appear since the dance finals. Instead, they seem to be playing up the Jerry/Katie office-mate case-mate story line, which I find terrific.

Another very humorous addition to the "chicken" episode was Currie Graham (recurring role as the DA/prosecutor) who kept rolling his eyes and making faces as Carl Sack made his case, and closing (added to by the translating nun's emotion). That coupled with Denny's disbelief (and "I appeal!)" when the jury declared "not guilty" was hilarious.

All in all, the best written episode in a long long time. Everybody had something funny to do.

Where's Denny Crane?
By Rob Owen Pittsburgh Post-GazetteTV Editor in his blog “Tuned In” October 23, 2007

"Boston Legal" fans take note: ABC will pre-empt tonight's previously scheduled "Boston Legal" episode for a "20/20" special on the California Wildfires.

Tonight's scheduled episode will now air next Tuesday.

http://www.post-gazette.com/tv/tunedin/

Where's Denny Crane?
By Rob Owen Pittsburgh Post-GazetteTV Editor in his blog “Tuned In” October 23, 2007

"Boston Legal" fans take note: ABC will pre-empt tonight's previously scheduled "Boston Legal" episode for a "20/20" special on the California Wildfires.

Tonight's scheduled episode will now air next Tuesday.

http://www.post-gazette.com/tv/tunedin/

Just great, ABC loves to do this and always with Boston Legal...God Forbid a special 20/20 during a disaster pre-empt Grey's Anatomy, or even Ugly Betty, but BL, sure why not, and announce it at the last minute.

I forget what the deal was, but this happened last year with an episode as well.

All things considered, if they actually give some good coverage then I have no complaints as serious real news like this is more important and I can get my BL fix next week.

When it bothers me is when they pre-empt and then don't say anything of consequence and just use it for a ratings grab to appear to be covering the news. Hopefully there will be substance here and not just a ratings grab situation.

I forget what the deal was, but this happened last year with an episode as well.

All things considered, if they actually give some good coverage then I have no complaints as serious real news like this is more important and I can get my BL fix next week.

When it bothers me is when they pre-empt and then don't say anything of consequence and just use it for a ratings grab to appear to be covering the news. Hopefully there will be substance here and not just a ratings grab situation.

I was referring to last season, when I believe without any notice BL was pulled in favor of a 20/20 special for the Va. Tech Tragedy. The Va. Tech special didn't have much news, it was just a ratings grab situation as you put it.

I too have no problem with good coverage but since every time this comes up they pre-empt Boston Legal, it seems like ABC is always looking for an excuse NOT to show BL.

Even forgetting that BL gets crap treatment vs. Ugly Betty and Grey's, what about Cavemen and Carpoolers? Everyone believes these shows are going to be the first to be axed by ABC, so ABC could have pre-empted those shows in favor of their 20/20 special, but noooo, they have to pre-empt BL...again.

Ain't no way they are going to pre-empt Dancing With The Stars I agree 100% w/ pappy97 on what should have been pre-empted last night - I hope they get these wildfires under control. Absolutely heartbreaking to see all the devastation out there.

I was referring to last season, when I believe without any notice BL was pulled in favor of a 20/20 special for the Va. Tech Tragedy. The Va. Tech special didn't have much news, it was just a ratings grab situation as you put it.

Now I remember it... You're 100% right here. That was pretty much a fluff piece that gave nothing new to the story that had been in the news since it happened. A perfect example of the ratings grab and a show pre-empted for something that really didn't serve any good purpose.

I didn't watch last night's special, but maybe/hopefully it was of more value. I was burned last time so I didn't give it a chance.

Very good show last night. I really like the Katie Lloyd character, also a terrific compliment to jerry, who is also a great character. I actually enjoyed the whole show until the end - the seen in church. It struck me that DEK is, again, on his political soapbox.

Also, what the heck happend to you mare?? She looks aweful. Pwerhaps so because the last time I saw her was in some made-for-TV movie and St Elmo's Fire :) I really didn't get the whole story-line with her and Alan at all. Is this gonna be continued? It lost me...

As a whole, the show was good.

nc

Also, what the heck happend to you mare?? She looks aweful. Pwerhaps so because the last time I saw her was in some made-for-TV movie and St Elmo's Fire :) I really didn't get the whole story-line with her and Alan at all. Is this gonna be continued? It lost me...nc

That story line will continue next week. She will be going to trial.

It struck me that DEK is, again, on his political soapbox.
When did he ever step off it? :D:D:D
I just take his political rants with a grain of salt, but at least he makes you think certain situations- one way or another, like it or not.

Very good show last night. I really like the Katie Lloyd character, also a terrific compliment to jerry, who is also a great character. I actually enjoyed the whole show until the end - the seen in church. It struck me that DEK is, again, on his political soapbox. .

As a whole, the show was good.

nc

He may have been on his soapbox, but at least it was not in the form of an utterly ridiculous lawsuit. I'm glad to see that DEK did not use that vehicle here because we are tired of it. My issue with the Joesph Washington story was that it was so predictable once he was a "free man" that someone would kill him. I even told my wife this before anyone came up to him and asked him to leave town. It's just so typical and sad to see DEK fall into a typical story-line.

And the murder trial is interesting because I could see someone in that lady's shoes want to kill a murderer who got for temporary insanity and want to get off for the same thing.

The fascinating thing is that it seems to me when the killer of her daughter got off, I think she went insane, full-time. Perhaps not legally insane, but definitely off her rocker. The character should end up in a psych ward.

It is sort of an interesting scenario... the guy who killed the woman's daughter was probably just a jerk, a mean one obviously, who got away with murder by faking temporary insanity. Meanwhile, the mother seems to have actually gone insane... but is trying herself for temporary insanity, not realizing that she has it 100% of the time and is deluding herself with her own sanity.

Also kind of hard to not sympathize with her, assuming of course she did kill a guilty man. Hate to see them go off in another direction and prove that guy didn't kill her daughter after all.

Meanwhile.. I always hate when they go the route of the tortured soul who finally gets something positive only to be ultimately killed. It does speak volumes of how people preach about acceptance and forgiveness but don't practice it. Even had he been actually guilty of the rape, there's a huge difference in a 17/16 year old kid statutory rape situation and someone who molests minors... but they all get lumped into the same sex-offender list. That, to me, is the failing of the list. I 100% agree with having a list and letting people know about potentially dangerous people... but some reason has to be applied.

I wouldn't want to be near a convicted child predator, especially if I had children... but a guy in a statutory rape scenario that occurred when he himself was legally a minor, that is unlikely to repeat itself.

Then you pile on with him not being guilty after all... and at least one person had gotten so used to hating him, couldn't let it go. I just hate stories that end that way.

Also kind of hard to not sympathize with her, assuming of course she did kill a guilty man. Hate to see them go off in another direction and prove that guy didn't kill her daughter after all.

In order to plead temporary insanity you are admitting you killed someone but did not realize what you were doing, so he had to be guilty.

In order to plead temporary insanity you are admitting you killed someone but did not realize what you were doing, so he had to be guilty.

Not necessarily. He could have copped to it but somehow didn't do it. Probably wouldn't happen in real life, but this is fantasy so it could be he admits to doing it, but someone else did it. He just admitted it to protect someone and protected himself by going with temporary insanity.

I really doubt BL will go this route and show that someone else killed this lady's daughter.

This seems to be a murder case straight out of The Practice, which is refreshing. The more I think about it, the more I think Alan Shore will come to the conclusion that the lady is insane, and not temporarily insane.

My issue with the Joesph Washington story was that it was so predictable once he was a "free man" that someone would kill him.

Yep ... about as predictable as the weekly AVS posts "discussing" DEK's "agenda." :D

I wouldn't want to be near a convicted child predator, especially if I had children... but a guy in a statutory rape scenario that occurred when he himself was legally a minor, that is unlikely to repeat itself.

Well this storyline did play out in real life...sort of... with the Genarlow Wilson case only it was oral sex instead of rape as depicted on the show. He was released from prison last week actually after serving 2 years of a 10 year sentence.

Yep ... about as predictable as the weekly AVS posts "discussing" DEK's "agenda." :D

For once, I thought Kelley's "agenda" (if truly a political one was intended this week) was very nicely turned into the story and characters. That's the way to do it, if you need to do it. And DEK obviously needs to do it! Usually it's just rammed down your throat in a dramatic A. Shore closing with brilliance and bravura aplenty. This time, it was touchingly interwoven into a story of some interest (if, as pappy says, predictable) and with some finesse. Personally, "agenda" didn't come to my mind in this case.

I fell asleep midway thru (and hadn't recorded). What happen to the insane Mare Wittingham? Did she get off?

nc

Not guilty on both counts. Denny is in a heep of trouble for firing the " fat " lawyer. Alan and Denny are talking sleepover again. I love this show.


Bill

I loved this week’s episode, too. Alan’s speech to the jury was a classic. Before that, I kept thinking how far in over his head the DA was in terms of both charisma and eloquence. Spader would have made one hell of a trial lawyer.

I think that the Carl Sack character, as played by John Larroquette, brings a lot to the show. In some, maybe most ways Sack is a meanspirited stuffed shirt but every time I think that’s all he is he does something that makes me laugh.

Did anybody recognize the actress playing the fired fat lawyer’s lawyer, Pamela Aldon, from Californication? I think that she is a hoot.

Boston Legal has shown amazing legs. More than once I have thought that it had jumped the shark but it always manages to stagger back on course and become entertaining again.

I hated last night's episode. This is the FIRST time that I couldn't give a crap what Alan was saying to the jury. I felt like he didn't believe what he was saying. This is the first time I was hoping Alan would lose.

Denny is just being made to look like an a-hole now. I'm even starting to hate him and that's not good for the leading guy.

When Sack walked into Denny's office, I already knew the "Mad Cow" line was coming.

When the very first frame of Mrs. Owens' hands showed up on her legs, I already knew it was going to be Jerry's love interest.

This show is just getting WAY too predictable for my taste. It's not even funny anymore.

I hated last night's episode. This is the FIRST time that I couldn't give a crap what Alan was saying to the jury. I felt like he didn't believe what he was saying. This is the first time I was hoping Alan would lose.

Denny is just being made to look like an a-hole now. I'm even starting to hate him and that's not good for the leading guy.

When Sack walked into Denny's office, I already knew the "Mad Cow" line was coming.

When the very first frame of Mrs. Owens' hands showed up on her legs, I already knew it was going to be Jerry's love interest.

This show is just getting WAY too predictable for my taste. It's not even funny anymore.
Well, as Denny put it in this week's episode, "What people say about you isn't important so long as they are talking about you." :)

The biggest thing I HATED about the ep last night was that instead of letting Jerry get involved with a normal sexy cast member, they had to invent a loser with a similar condition to him to be his GF.

Somehow I've noticed over the years that TV writers hate to allow a geek/nerd/social outcast to ever get with someone beautiful/sexy/etc. They think that viewers might find it unrealistic, but of course, they fail to see that inventing someone "on his level" seems very contrived, more contrived than the BS jury findings and liberties taken with the legal system.

When watching last night's episode, was anyone else thinking of the movie, A Time to Kill, which had a very similar plot Matthew McConaughey as the defense lawyer of Samuel L Jackson's character being on trial killing his daughter's rapists?

Still an enjoyable series. Shatner is an absolute riot to watch.

No. McConaughey's performance in A Time to Kill totally blows away Spader's performance last night. It's not even close.

I know you were talking about the situation, but it did not cross my mind and A Time to Kill is in my library.

I hated last night's episode. This is the FIRST time that I couldn't give a crap what Alan was saying to the jury. I felt like he didn't believe what he was saying. This is the first time I was hoping Alan would lose.

I agree completely and was thinking the same thing, I was in another room just listening to that part and I felt like I had seen and heard the same case a hundred times before. I was rooting for the prosecutor and disappointed he didn't lose because then it wouldn't have been completely predictable.

Maybe they just jumped the shark? No matter how absurd the case you know they will win.

Frankly, if I was a parent in her position, I would probably do the same thing. Kill the killer.

No. McConaughey's performance in A Time to Kill totally blows away Spader's performance last night. It's not even close.

I know you were talking about the situation, but it did not cross my mind and A Time to Kill is in my library.
This goes to show that if it weren’t for differences of opinion, we wouldn’t have horse racing. I liked A Time to Kill. But that was despite McConaughey, not because of him. I view him as a sometimes appealing but whiney voiced pretty boy who can be effective in lightweight romantic comedies but is overmatched in dramatic roles, see U-571.

In stark contrast Spader is a powerful onscreen presence, as well as being a very funny guy. He won the Cannes Festival’s Best Actor award for his performance in Sex, Lies and Videotape, and has won three Emmy Awards, two for Boston Legal in 2005 and ’07, and another for The Practice in 2004.

This goes to show that if it weren’t for differences of opinion, we wouldn’t have horse racing. I liked A Time to Kill. But that was despite McConaughey, not because of him. I view him as a sometimes appealing but whiney voiced pretty boy who can be effective in lightweight romantic comedies but is overmatched in dramatic roles, see U-571.

I've seen U-571. Probably over 20 times. Loved the movie.

I've seen U-571. Probably over 20 times. Loved the movie.
This probably accounts for our difference of opinion concerning both McConaughey’s and movies generally. My view of McConaughey’s performance in U-571 was aptly summarized by the reviewer, Charles Taylor, who wrote:

“It's said that Houdini used to perform a trick in which he would thread meat hooks in his mouth. McConaughey sounds as if he were using his cake hole to solve a Rubik's Cube covered in maple syrup. His words keep slurring and shifting, and his "How's this for intensity?" stare must be the least expressive in movies.”

http://archive.salon.com/ent/movies/review/2000/04/21/u571/index.html?CP=SAL&DN=110

Taylor hated the movie, too, but I think his assessment on that score was probably too harsh. The movie looked great and was exciting, despite its over-the-top implausibility. Thus, despite McConaughey’s expected woodenness, I agree that the film was fun.

I agree completely and was thinking the same thing, I was in another room just listening to that part and I felt like I had seen and heard the same case a hundred times before. I was rooting for the prosecutor and disappointed he didn't lose because then it wouldn't have been completely predictable.

Maybe they just jumped the shark? No matter how absurd the case you know they will win.

Although I enjoy BL, it's hard to say the show jumped the shark considering it was flawed from the beginning.

Since BL plays up humor much more than The Practice, I think DEK thinks it is okay to have predictable outcomes for BL cases. This whole kill the killer stuff has been done on The Practice and other legal shows too many times that I agree it shouldn't have been used, or another twist should have been added.

We need from fresh writing for BL, especially the non-humor stuff (the humor stuff is pretty good though). DEK shouldn't be left by himself to write pure legal drama, he has no new ideas.

I heard an interview with Shatner on the Howard Stern show last week (Thurs. I believe) and Shatner said he signed on for four seasons. Since they are in their forth season, who knows if he'll sign another contract for a fifth season or even if the show will be around for that. Shatner made it sound like a big "if" the show goes into a fifth season...

Why was the fat lady case dismissed? It was obvious prejudice. I really didn't understand the meaning of this.

The judge with the football helmet...hilarious!

All in all, a poor episode. The show has been very lacklustre as of late. This whole thing with Lorraine and Alan is stupid. She's not that hot anyway. Bring back Sally! :)

nc

What was with that episode? :eek: Denny must've PO'd the writers before their strike, that episode was trash, and I'm usually pretty easy going. Fat case - dismissed? :eek:

The "message" we're supposed to get is that you can't always judge a person by the way they look. Alan and Denny just knew that the fat judge was going to rule against them, but she didn't. That's the point.

As far as the helmet and the falling down, the judge ruled against his actual beliefs. It was okay to humiliate Clarence, but not him. That's why the falling on his face was funny.

By the way, it looks like DEK went on writers strike years ago and never left. ;)

Why was the fat lady case dismissed? It was obvious prejudice. I really didn't understand the meaning of this.
nc
I understood it the firm being fair in offering the fat lady her job back as reasonable restitution. But the fat lady didn't take it, instead getting greedy and wanting to sue.

The judge saw it as a frivolous lawsuit and dismissed it. That's how I interpreted it.

I thought it was a good episode. Many laugh out moments for me, which doesn't happen much with most TV shows these days.

Nice to see Thomas F Wilson getting some screen time, best remembered as Biff Tannen from the Back to the Future films.

I understood it the firm being fair in offering the fat lady her job back as reasonable restitution. But the fat lady didn't take it, instead getting greedy and wanting to sue.

The judge saw it as a frivolous lawsuit and dismissed it. That's how I interpreted it.

I thought it was a good episode. Many laugh out moments for me, which doesn't happen much with most TV shows these days.

Nice to see Thomas F Wilson getting some screen time, best remembered as Biff Tannen from the Back to the Future films.

Note that it appears that the judge was going to dismiss the suit without even hearing from Alan so you don't know if it was going to be dismissed because they turned down the offer to get her job back.

Of course without a ruling we don't know why it was dismissed, but if it was in fact going to be dismissed without the knowledge of Crane Poole & Schmidt's offer to give her the job back, I believe as a lawyer myself the reason her case was kicked was because obesity is not a "protected class" under our legal system.

Get fired for race? gender? perhaps age? That's one thing, but obesity doesn't fall into that category when it comes to at will employment under the federal civil rights scheme and most states. We already have employers banning workers from smoking to reduce health insurance costs, and honestly it is only a matter of time until (some) companies require a certain BMI (Body Mass Index) based on your age, gender, and height or else you will get canned.

As a side note, in this case the woman was propositioned by Denny, refused the "chubby sex" as Denny put it, and was fired a week later. Had she claimed the firing was sexual harrassment related (and not because she was fat. Sure he said it was because she was fat, but she has a good argument that the facts are she turned down sex and was canned a week later), well then, the "cha-chings" might have really led to $$$$$$$$.

Did DEK really have to take a jab at fat people and call the obese judge, Judge FUDGE? Come on now, low blow from DEK.

I understood it the firm being fair in offering the fat lady her job back as reasonable restitution. But the fat lady didn't take it, instead getting greedy and wanting to sue.

The judge saw it as a frivolous lawsuit and dismissed it. That's how I interpreted it.

I thought it was a good episode. Many laugh out moments for me, which doesn't happen much with most TV shows these days.

Nice to see Thomas F Wilson getting some screen time, best remembered as Biff Tannen from the Back to the Future films.

He also has a bit part as boyfriend of Melinda's co-worker on Ghost Whisperer...:)

Biff showed up on "House" the other night too.

Fans of Alan Shore should not miss the motion picture "Dream Lover" tonight on MGM-HD (DirecTV channel 255) at 8:20pm and 11:35pm (EST); one of James Spader's best films (with great support from Mädchen Amick)...

IMDB: 1994 - "Ray is young, charming, successful and the owner of a prosperous architect company. However, he has recently gone trough a very painful divorce. His friends try to cheer him up by showing him the positive sides of being single but for Ray marriage and stability is just too important. But when he meets Lena his gloom is quickly forgotten. She is beautiful, sensual, mysterious and he is drawn to her like a moth to a candle. They marry quickly, have their first child and Ray lives in a total bliss. But then strange incidents occur which shed some light on Lenas background. Ray slowly realises that he hardly knows anything about her at all. Who has he really married? "

Did DEK really have to take a jab at fat people and call the obese judge, Judge FUDGE? Come on now, low blow from DEK.

there are 2 types of women in DEK's world. the skinny ones you want to have sex with, and the fat ones you make jokes about.

what about the way alan talked to the plaintiff's lawyer. that wasn't a come on, that was just sexual humiliation.

I know we have to give these characters some latitude but come on!

PS: what's saffron burrows' character job at the firm beside titilating the men.

Fans of Alan Shore should not miss the motion picture "Dream Lover" tonight on MGM-HD (DirecTV channel 255) at 8:20pm and 11:35pm (EST); one of James Spader's best films (with great support from Mädchen Amick)...

IMDB: 1994 - "Ray is young, charming, successful and the owner of a prosperous architect company. However, he has recently gone trough a very painful divorce. His friends try to cheer him up by showing him the positive sides of being single but for Ray marriage and stability is just too important. But when he meets Lena his gloom is quickly forgotten. She is beautiful, sensual, mysterious and he is drawn to her like a moth to a candle. They marry quickly, have their first child and Ray lives in a total bliss. But then strange incidents occur which shed some light on Lenas background. Ray slowly realises that he hardly knows anything about her at all. Who has he really married? "

Might check out "Slow Burn" as well, Spader plays a character so different from Alan Shore many may not even catch that it's him at first glance.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0165477/

Might check out "Slow Burn" as well, Spader plays a character so different from Alan Shore many may not even catch that it's him at first glance.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0165477/When's it on?

...but from IMDB review: "...Spader is a fine actor who just doesn't need this kind of drivel on his record. Scale of 0-10: a 2 for Spader and the desert scenes."

When's it on?

...but from IMDB review: "...Spader is a fine actor who just doesn't need this kind of drivel on his record. Scale of 0-10: a 2 for Spader and the desert scenes."

The movie wasn't very good, but the character he plays is so far from his Boston Legal persona it's worth a look.

You might catch it on one of the movie channels, I really don't know of any specific air dates.

Also from IMDB,

A high point is James Spader's heavy accent as "Marcus" -- usually you only see him playing half-asleep yuppies. This film proves he also has great technique. It's Minnie Driver, however, who is the hypnotic focal point of the film -- her passion radiates from the screen.

Slow Burn - From Netflix: "Obsessive and driven, Trina McTeague (Minnie Driver) spends her life in the desert in a self-imposed quest: to find a priceless cache of diamonds an ancestor was carrying when she died. Just as Driver's about to give up the search and reorder her life, two escaped convicts (Josh Brolin and James Spader) enter the picture. Together, they might find the gems … if they don't double-cross each other first."

Be sure to rent the DVD of "2 Days in the Valley" (1996 - TV versions might be edited) - Netflix: "The lives of several strange characters intersect in John Herzfeld's quirky crime comedy. A depressed has-been director (Paul Mazursky), an arrogant art dealer and his long-suffering assistant, a loser hit man (Danny Aiello), a cold assassin (James Spader) and his girlfriend (Charlize Theron), all with several cops (Keith Carradine, Eric Stoltz and Jeff Daniels) in their pursuit, get tangled up in a murderous insurance scam." IMDB - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115438/

Besides the James Spader action, you don't want to miss the catfight between Teri Hatcher and Charlize Theron (in her motion picture debut).

I was going to mention "2 Days in the Valley", which is actually a pretty good film, and the character Spader plays is yet again another 90 degrees away from the BL and Slow Burn characters, the man really has some range.

The courtroom situations in Boston Legal are beyond preposterous but that’s not the point, it seems to me. The show is not really a courtroom drama. Instead, it is an over-the-top comedy in which the goal of the writers is to make us laugh out loud as often as possible. It works for me because I have learned to ignore the implausibility of the situations presented and to enjoy the funny hijinks. Kelly sometimes spoils the fun when he engages in “social commentary” and lets his Hollywood Lefty hobby horse come out and play. Fortunately, though he doesn’t do that very often.

The courtroom situations in Boston Legal are beyond preposterous but that’s not the point, it seems to me. The show is not really a courtroom drama. Instead, it is an over-the-top comedy in which the goal of the writers is to make us laugh out loud as often as possible. It works for me because I have learned to ignore the implausibility of the situations presented and to enjoy the funny hijinks. Kelly sometimes spoils the fun when he engages in “social commentary” and lets his Hollywood Lefty hobby horse come out and play. Fortunately, though he doesn’t do that very often.

Most courtroom dramas are have courtroom situations that are beyond preposterous (it is why few attorneys watch courtroom dramas, they can't stand the implausibility, but I am in the minority that enjoys it), I'd call this a courtroom drama with a lot of humor thrown in.

DEK doesn't throw in social commentary very often?? Really? I'd say if you go back and watch all BL eps to date, more than 80% of them have this "social commentary." Seems like he does it all too often (although not last week).

Once again when ABC wants to milk something, BL gets the shaft. I don't which is a more embarrassing pre-emption: ABC fluff news specials with no substance or a post-Bachelor re-cap or whatever you call it.

Disappointed, but not surprised given that it's Thanksgiving week ...

Disappointed, but not surprised given that it's Thanksgiving week ...

What does that have do with ABC continually giving the shaft to Boston Legal?

It just shows that ABC thinks BL is a crap show. They'd never pull these stunts with Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, Dancing w/ the Stars, or even the Bachelor.

Hell something is wrong when the Bachelor is more regarded to ABC than Boston Legal.

I'm guessing with the strike they want to save a new episode for later.

I'm guessing with the strike they want to save a new episode for later.

Oooh. Good point.

I was going to say that ... but I didn't want to get sucked in to a pointless discussion. ;)

Plus the traditional repeat season is upon us anyway. In any case, I can't remember BL getting "yanked" this season (except once for the fire report.)

Great inside joke on the Dec 4th episode, Denny gets arrested, tries to make a phone call and the thing makes a Star Trek communicator sound as he flips it open.

Great inside joke on the Dec 4th episode, Denny gets arrested, tries to make a phone call and the thing makes a Star Trek communicator sound as he flips it open.

Not the first time they have used the trek communicator sound on Denny Cranes phone. I still enjoyed it and was laughing during the entire theme song probably because I was severely intoxicated hehe.

Would have been great if Denny had said "Alan, beam me up now!". :D

Would have been great if Denny had said "Alan, beam me up now!". :D

Yeah that would of been awesome!

Denny's photocopy of the Queen, Priceless.
He loves the British/

Last nights episode (12/18/07 Green Christmas) was enjoyable...
Denny was hilarious with the paint ball gun antics! Even gets a shot off at John Larroquette in the end :D:D

Last nights episode (12/18/07 Green Christmas) was enjoyable...
Denny was hilarious with the paint ball gun antics! Even gets a shot off at John Larroquette in the end :D:D
I liked it, too. This was one of the best Boston Legal episodes I can remember. Kelly’s decision to allow a send up of the enviro-crazies was both uncharacteristic and inspired.

The thread involving Alan’s defense of Clarence against the bank was very smart. Anyone with experience in the mortgage lending business knows that foreclosing on a piece of property, only to become the owner of a property that is worth far less than the amount owed against it and a debtor who almost certainly can’t pay the difference is a decision that will hurt the lender almost as much as the debtor -- as Alan and the Bank executive clearly understood. What made it all so smart to me is that lenders characteristically are afraid to do a workout of a loan in order to keep the debtor paying because they –almost always wrongly – assume that doing so is a sign of weakness. It’s not, trust me on this.

Denny is a never ending source of fun for me. He is a curmudgeon for the ages but a funny, warm, and charming one. I also like the fresh-faced Katie. She somehow manages to be innocent and vulnerable while demonstrating that she is also very, very smart.

Good stuff!

I hadn't watched the "Oral Contracts" episode (Denny is once again arrested, this time for allegedly soliciting gay sex in the court men's room) from two weeks ago until last night. It had some very good moments, I especially enjoyed the witty repartee between Shirley and Bethany (Denny's "little" ex girlfriend) in the courtroom and when the the shock jock on the stand quipped to Bethany "you sure like to come on strong" and Shirley shot back from across the room "better to be the canon... then to be shot out of one!" OMG that was hilarious! :D:D:D:D

Last nights episode (12/18/07 Green Christmas) was enjoyable...
Denny was hilarious with the paint ball gun antics! Even gets a shot off at John Larroquette in the end :D:DFrakkin' hilarious, it was! I don't regularly watch BL, but that was the absolute best-ever ep amongst the several I've seen. Shatner's quotes were priceless.

I want one of those air puff pistols Denny was using. I've got one of the below and they're a lot fun, it's amazing how far the puff of air will go. :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/keenanj/airgun.jpg

There was supposed to be a new BL on tonight but in another last minute change ABC will instead show a rerun of Cashmere Mafia. According to ABC Medianet the change was made yesterday. They list two new BL episodes to air on 1/15 and 1/22.

There was supposed to be a new BL on tonight but in another last minute change ABC will instead show a rerun of Cashmere Mafia. According to ABC Medianet the change was made yesterday. They list two new BL episodes to air on 1/15 and 1/22.
Yeah, I was expecting the new episode last night also. They can't have too many more episodes in the can anyway. I think the next episode will be #11 of the season, and most shows had 12 or 13 episodes at most.

It's amazing this show gets any ratings at all the way it's pre-empted every other week or just off the grid for a few weeks at a time... It's at the point where I'm actually surprised when I happen to see my DVR's red record LED turn on at 10pm Tuesday night!
Boston Legal is the show "season pass" was specifically created for :D:D

It's amazing this show gets any ratings at all the way it's pre-empted every other week or just off the grid for a few weeks at a time... It's at the point where I'm actually surprised when I happen to see my DVR's red record LED turn on at 10pm Tuesday night!
Boston Legal is the show "season pass" was specifically created for :D:D

That's true for me too.

It's amazing this show gets any ratings at all the way it's pre-empted every other week or just off the grid for a few weeks at a time... It's at the point where I'm actually surprised when I happen to see my DVR's red record LED turn on at 10pm Tuesday night!
Boston Legal is the show "season pass" was specifically created for :D:D

That's what ABC did to the Practice also. Between the pre-emptions and time/day changes it was hard to find out when the next episode was on.

I just got the TiVoHD, so the cable co's rental SA8300HD is going back to Cablevision Tomorrow.
Last night I decided to clean out all my preferences, and recordings, etc. I had three episodes of BL on the hard drive still... the latest one was the Christmas "Green People" episode. My wife has only seen bits and pieces of BL, but she sat down with me to watch this particular full episode. When they had the meeting at C.P.S. with the Green People guy/his attorney and Denny started shooting the guy with the airgun from under the table... I thought my wife was going to lose it! Her direct quote (about Denny) was "what is his problem?" I just looked at her and proudly said.... Denny Crane! :D:D:D
Love BL!!

Bumping, as tonight is supposed to be a new episode. Hope there's no last minute switcheroo by the network to run some Dateline special or some other rerun.

It will be on tonight and it is new.
http://www.abcmedianet.com/web/progcal/progcal.aspx?Date=01%2f15%2f2008

Because of a scheduling conflict and a forgetful mind I missed recording of Tuesday night's episode. Is there any site I can go to on-line that will play it back for me?

Jack

Because of a scheduling conflict and a forgetful mind I missed recording of Tuesday night's episode. Is there any site I can go to on-line that will play it back for me?

Jack
In my case, I didn't get it either, although I have a Season Pass setup on my TiVo. I stupidly and unconsciously chose to record both a Law & Order: SVU and Comanche Moon in the 9 -10 pm CST time slot. I didn't realize what I had done until I looked at this thread this morning. [Expletive deleted]!

For reasons I don't really understand, the ABC Web site does not offer full episodes of Boston Legal online, although they do make available recent episodes of many other series. [ANOTHER expletive deleted]!

It was a good, but not great, episode. There are no carry over story lines to next week's final new show.