Boston Legal

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Boston Legal
Created byDavid E. Kelley
StarringJames Spader
John Larroquette
Christian Clemenson
Tara Summers
Candice Bergen
William Shatner
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes88 (list of episodes)
Production
Running time42 minutes
Production companies20th Century Fox Television
Dick Clark Productions
David E. Kelley Productions
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseOctober 3, 2004 –
present

Boston Legal is a Golden Globe, Peabody Award and Emmy Award-winning American legal drama created by David E. Kelley. The show premiered on ABC on October 3, 2004. A spin-off of the long-running series The Practice, Boston Legal follows the personal and professional exploits of a group of attorneys working at the law firm of Crane, Poole & Schmidt.

Production details

Before the show's premiere, it had a working title of Fleet Street, an allusion to the real street in Boston where the fictitious Crane, Poole & Schmidt had its offices. The working title was later modified to The Practice: Fleet Street, but this title was dropped in favor of Boston Legal before the show premiered. Incidentally, the actual building shown on TV as the home of the law offices is located at 500 Boylston Street, 12 minutes away from Fleet Street.

Most of the final episodes of The Practice were focused on introducing the new characters from Crane, Poole & Schmidt in preparation for Boston Legal's launch. Thus, the story of Boston Legal can be said to begin with the episode of The Practice in which Eugene Young and Jimmy Berluti of Young, Frutt & Berluti decided to fire Alan Shore without consulting Ellenor Frutt, beginning a story arc of several episodes. They give Alan a severance package of only fifteen thousand dollars, even though Alan has brought in over six million dollars of revenue to the firm. Tara Wilson gets fired for her loyalty to Alan, and Alan goes to Crane, Poole & Schmidt to represent himself in the matter, thinking he has a claim under Massachusetts law to take over Young, Frutt & Berluti. Denny Crane, senior and founding partner of Crane, Poole & Schmidt, takes an interest in the case and even argues at the trial, cross-examining Young. During this period, Ellenor also has a run-in with Hannah Rose (Rebecca De Mornay), a partner at Crane Poole & Schmidt, who Ellenor ends up seriously injuring when they get into a fight due to Hannah's condescending remarks to Ellenor. The character of Hannah Rose was dropped prior to the Boston Legal pilot being filmed.

The jury awards Alan the millions of dollars of revenue he brought in to Young, Frutt & Berluti but does not order the firm to rehire him, so Denny hires Alan at his firm. After Young is appointed a judge, his first case (in the final episode of The Practice) happens to be with Alan for the defense, making Young wonder if Alan judge-shopped (this opens the door for Steve Harris to guest-star on Boston Legal as a judge, although to date, no starring Practice characters have made guest appearances on Boston Legal).

The pilot was originally produced with James Spader, Lake Bell, Mark Valley, Rhona Mitra and William Shatner playing the main characters, with an expanded storyline featuring Larry Miller as Edwin Poole, and with John Michael Higgins as senior partner Jerry Austin. Monica Potter was later cast as junior partner Lori Colson. After completing several episodes, the producers felt the show needed grounding, and Rene Auberjonois was cast as senior partner Paul Lewiston, effectively replacing John Michael Higgins. Despite this, Higgins's character still appeared in the first two episodes. The pilot premiered on ABC on October 3, 2004, following the series premiere of Desperate Housewives.

On November 30, 2004, it was announced that Candice Bergen would join the cast as senior partner Shirley Schmidt. [1] The producers had been looking to introduce the character since the fall. [2] Lake Bell and Executive Producer Jeff Rake subsequently left the series, while Rene Auberjonois was made a main cast member. [3][4][5]

Boston Legal was renewed for a second season on 5 April, 2005. The final five episodes of the first season were initially pre-empted until April 24, 2005 for several weeks to expose midseason series Grey's Anatomy to a larger audience behind Desperate Housewives. [6] Grey's Anatomy, however, was highly successful in the timeslot, and Boston Legal was pre-empted until the fall of 2005, where it would take over NYPD Blue's Tuesday timeslot for an extended season of twenty-seven episodes. [7][8] Both Rhona Mitra and Monica Potter departed the series over the hiatus, while Julie Bowen was cast as Denise Bauer. [9] Ryan Michelle Bathe and Justin Mentell were later cast as junior associates Sara Holt and Garrett Wells [10]. A new writing staff headed by Janet Leahy took over as of episode four of the second season.

The second episode of Season 3 introduced Craig Bierko as Jeffrey Coho and Constance Zimmer as Claire Simms. In episode 3x11 Gary Anthony Williams was added to the main cast as Clarence Bell, a role he had played twice earlier in the season. Also introduced in this episode was Nia Long as Vanessa Walker, in a guest role that lasted 3 episodes. In the 15th episode of the third season, Craig Bierko left the show.

On June 4, 2007, TV Guide announced that Rene Auberjonois, Julie Bowen, Mark Valley, and Constance Zimmer would not return for the fourth season.[11] On June 13, 2007, it was reported that actor John Larroquette would join the cast as a senior partner transferred from the New York offices of Crane, Poole & Schmidt; and actress Tara Summers would be joining as a young associate. Also, Christian Clemenson, who appeared occasionally as Jerry Espenson, a brilliant but socially inept lawyer, would be upgraded to contract player.[12] (Note that Larroquette previously appeared on BL forerunner The Practice as another character, a hyper-intelligent man on trial for killing his gay lover; this role earned Larroquette an Emmy Award.) The possibility was left open that Rene Auberjonois, Mark Valley, Julie Bowen, and Constance Zimmer could return in guest roles.[13] On July 2, 2007, it was reported that both Rene Auberjonois and Mark Valley would return in recurring roles;[14] furthermore, it was announced that Taraji P. Henson would join the cast later in the fourth season, with Saffron Burrows appearing in a recurring role. It was subsequently reported that Burrows would become a full-time cast member.[15]

On July 19, 2007, Boston Legal was nominated for six Emmy awards, including Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series (James Spader), Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (William Shatner), and its first nomination for Best Drama Series in three years. On September 14, 2007, James Spader won the Emmy for his role as the lead character in the show, whilst nominations were lost for William Shatner and Christian Clemenson in their roles for Supporting and Guest Actors, respectively. Also, the show itself lost as Best Drama Series to The Sopranos.

On May 13, 2008 ABC announced that Boston Legal would return for a fifth (and final) season in the fall. [16][17] Saffron Burrows will not return as a series regular, having joined the cast of My Own Worst Enemy. The final season will consist of 20 episodes to bring it over the "100" episode mark, setting it up for a successful syndication run. [18]

Despite ABC's initial announcement in May that Boston Legal would have one final 13-episode run in the Fall, speculation has since surfaced that Boston Legal may receive an additional episode-order if the show has another strong showing in the Emmy Awards this summer and produces solid ratings in its new Fall time slot. [19]

It has since been confirmed that the original 13-episode order would be the show's last episodes.

On June 18 and June 20, 2008 it was reported [20][21] that Gary Anthony Williams and Taraji P. Henson would not return for the fifth season as Clarence Bell and Whitney Rome respectively.

On July 17, 2008, Boston Legal was nominated for a series high seven emmy-nominations, including for Best Drama Series for a second year in a row. Spader, Bergen and Shatner were also nominated for their respective roles.

Cast

Current cast members

Actor Character Status Seasons
James Spader Alan Shore 2004- (The Practice:2003-2004) 1-
John Larroquette Carl Sack 2007- 4-
Christian Clemenson Jerry Espenson 2007- (recurring 2005-2007) 2-3, 4-
Tara Summers Katie Lloyd 2007- 4-
Candice Bergen Shirley Schmidt 2005- 1-
William Shatner Denny Crane 2004- 1-


Former Main Cast Members

Actor Character Duration Seasons
Rene Auberjonois Paul Lewiston 2004-2007 (recurring Season 4) 1-5
Lake Bell Sally Heep 2004-2005 (recurring Season 3; 2007) 1, 3
Rhona Mitra Tara Wilson 2004-2005 (The Practice 2003-2004; recurring Season 2) 1-2
Monica Potter Lori Colson 2004-2005 (recurring Season 2) 1-2
Mark Valley Brad Chase 2004-2007 (recurring Season 4) 1-3
Ryan Michelle Bathe Sara Holt 2005-2006 2
Betty White Catherine Piper 2005-2006 (credited as "Also Starring) 1-3
Julie Bowen Denise Bauer 2005-2007 2-3
Justin Mentell Garrett Wells 2005-2006 2
Constance Zimmer Claire Simms 2006-2007 3
Craig Bierko Jeffrey Coho 2006-2007 3
Gary Anthony Williams Clarence Bell 2006-2008 3-4
Saffron Burrows Lorraine Weller 2007-2008 4
Taraji P. Henson Whitney Rome 2007-2008 4

Recurring cast and notable guest stars

As in The Practice, a lot of stars from other David E. Kelley shows have guest starred on Boston Legal. These include Chi McBride reprising his role from Boston Public. Other guest stars include:

  • Scott Bakula as Jack Ross (4.13, "Glow in the Dark")
  • Ed Begley, Jr. as Clifford Cabot (2 episodes in Season 2, 1 episode in Season 3)
  • Ralph Bellamy as Denny's father (3.18, "Son of the Defender") (footage from 1957 episode of Studio One)
  • Shelley Berman as Judge Robert Sanders (3 episodes in Season 2, 6 episodes in Season 3, 2 episodes in Season 4)
  • Jill Brennan as Gracie Jane (a parody of Nancy Grace) (2 episodes in Season 2, 7 episodes in Season 3, 4 episodes in Season 4)
  • David Dean Bottrell as Lincoln Meyer (8 episodes in Season 3)
  • Jayne Brook as Rachel Lewiston (5 episodes in Season 2)
  • Delta Burke as Bella Horowitz (5 episodes in Season 3)
  • Marisa Coughlan as Melissa Hughes (9 episodes in Season 2, 3 episodes in Season 3)
  • Christine Ebersole as Sunny Fields (4.18 "Indecent Proposals")
  • Rupert Everett as Malcolm Holmes (2 episodes in Season 2)
  • Francis Fisher as Carrie Lancing (1.02 "Still Crazy After All These Years")
  • Michael J. Fox as Daniel Post (5 episodes in Season 2, 1 episode in Season 3)
  • Currie Graham as ADA Frank Ginsberg (3 episodes in Season 2, 3 episodes in Season 3, 1 episode in Season 4)
  • Henry Gibson as Judge Clark Brown (3 episodes in Season 1, 3 episodes in Season 2, 3 episodes in Season 3, 10 episodes in Season 4)
  • Meredith Eaton-Gilden as Bethany Horowitz (14 episodes in Season 3, 1 episode in Season 4)
  • Mary Gross as Leigh Swift (3 episodes in Season 4)
  • John Michael Higgins as Jerry Austin (2 episodes in Season 1)
  • Heather Locklear as Kelly Nolan (2 episodes in Season 2)
  • Nia Long as Vanessa Walker (3 episodes in Season 3)
  • Shelley Long as Miriam Watson (1.17, "Death Be Not Proud")
  • Jane Lynch as Joanna Monroe (3 episodes in Season 3)
  • Larry Miller as Edwin Poole (2 episodes in Season 1, 1 episode in Season 2)
  • Megan Mullally as Renata Hill (3.17, The Bride Wore Blood)
  • Gail O'Grady as Judge Gloria Weldon (4 episodes in Season 3, 3 episodes in Season 4)
  • Meredith Patterson as Missy Tiggs (2 epiodes in Season 2, 1 episode in Season 3, 1 episode in Season 4)
  • Ethan Phillips as Michael Schiller (3 episosdes in Season 3)
  • Parker Posey as Marlene Stanger (3 episodes in Season 2, 1 episode in Season 3)
  • Freddie Prinze, Jr. as Donny Crane (2 episodes in Season 1, 1 episode in Season 2)
  • Missi Pyle as Renee Winger (2 episodes in Season 3, 1 episode in Season 4)
  • Carl Reiner as Milton Bombay (Episode 1.16, Let Sales Ring)
  • William Russ as Christopher Palmer (1 episode in Season 2, 1 episode in Season 3, 2 episodes in Season 4)
  • Jeri Ryan as Courtney Reese (2 hour finale of Season 2)
  • Katey Sagal as Barbara Little (5 episodes in Season 3)
  • Tom Selleck as Ivan Tiggs (3 episodes in Season 2, 1 episode in Season 3)
  • Al Sharpton as Himself (2 episodes in Season 1)
  • Armin Shimerman as Judge Brian Hooper (7 episodes in Season 3)
  • Robert Wagner as Barry Goal (2 hour finale of Season 2)
  • Kerry Washington as Chelina Hall (4 episodes in Season 1, 1 episode in Season 2)
  • Jaleel White as Kevin Givens (1 episode in Season 3)

Episodes

Main article: List of Boston Legal episodes

Ratings and audience profile

Though the show has never produced blockbuster ratings, it has maintained the majority of its audience over the past seasons and continues to be one of ABC's most influential shows because of the audience it draws. According to Nielsen Media Research, Boston Legal draws the richest viewing audience on television, based on the concentration of high income viewers in its young adult audience (Adult 18–49 index w/$100k+ annual income).[22] During the fourth season, "Boston Legal" moved to Wednesdays at 10:00 pm on April 30, 2008.

Seasonal rankings (based on average total viewers per episode) of Boston Legal on ABC.

Note: Each U.S. network television season starts in late September and ends in late May, which coincides with the completion of May sweeps. All times mentioned in this section were in the Eastern and Pacific time zones.

Season Timeslot Season Premiere Season Finale TV Season Season
Rank 		Viewers
(in millions)
1st Sunday 10:00 pm October 3, 2004 March 20, 2005 2004–2005 #27[23] 12.5[23]
2nd Tuesday 10:00 pm September 27, 2005 May 16, 2006 2005–2006 #46[24] 10.3[24]
3rd September 19, 2006 May 29, 2007 2006–2007 #48 9.9[25]
4th Tuesday 10:00 pm

Wednesday 10:00 pm

September 25, 2007 May 21, 2008 2007–2008 #51 9.8[26]
5th Monday 10:00 pm September 22, 2008 TBD 2008–2009 TBD TBD

DVD releases

On February 9, 2006, tvshowsondvd.com announced that Fox Home Entertainment was releasing Boston Legal Season 1 on DVD on May 23, 2006.[27] It is the first David E. Kelley show that FOX has released on DVD in the United States (though Ally McBeal has been released on DVD in other countries). The season one box set had five discs while the season two and three sets had seven discs.

Note: Some of the Season 1 DVDs, provided by select offline retailers, included a promotional DVD featuring the episodes from The Practice that introduced Alan Shore and the firm of Crane, Poole & Schmidt. This was only included in the very early sales of the DVD as a promotion.

DVD Name Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
Season 1 May 23, 2006 July 24, 2006 August 9, 2006
Season 2 November 21, 2006 March 5, 2007 February 21, 2007
Season 3 September 18, 2007 January 14, 2008 October 10, 2007
Season 4 September 23, 2008 TBA TBA

Awards

Awards won

Emmy Awards:

The Emmys won in 2004 were for The Practice, but for the same characters as they play on Boston Legal

Golden Globe Awards:

  • Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV William Shatner (2005)

Peabody Awards:

  • Boston Legal won a Peabody Award for its 2005 season.

PRISM Awards:

  • Performance in a Drama Series, Multi-Episode Storyline Rene Auberjonois, Jayne Brook for the season two episodes "Live Big", "Shock and Owww!", "Stick It", "Word Salad Days", "Squid Pro Quo" and "Spring Fever" (2007)

Satellite Awards:

Awards nominated

Emmy Awards:

  • Outstanding Drama Series (2008)
  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series James Spader (2008)
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series William Shatner (2008)
  • Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Candice Bergen (2008)
  • Outstanding Drama Series (2007)
  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series James Spader (2007)
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series William Shatner (2007)
  • Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series Christian Clemenson (2007)
  • Outstanding Director for a Drama Series Bill D'Elia; Son of the Defender (2007)
  • Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour); Lincoln (2007)
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series William Shatner (2006)
  • Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Candice Bergen (2006)
  • Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series Michael J. Fox (2006)
  • Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series Nikki Valko, Ken Miller (2006)
  • Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series Phil Neel (2006)

Golden Globe Awards:

  • Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television William Shatner (2007)
  • Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television Candice Bergen (2006)
  • Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series – Drama James Spader (2005)

Screen Actors Guild:

  • Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series James Spader (2007)
  • Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (2007)
  • Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Comedy Series (2006)
  • Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series James Spader (2006)
  • Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series William Shatner (2006)
  • Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Candice Bergen (2006)

Satellite Awards:

  • Outstanding TV Series - Comedy (2005)
  • Outstanding Actor in a TV series - Comedy James Spader (2005)
  • Outstanding Actress in a TV series - Comedy Candice Bergen (2005)
  • Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV William Shatner (2005)
  • Outstanding TV Series - Drama (2004)
  • Outstanding Actor in a TV series - Drama James Spader (2004)

Meta-references

The show frequently utilizes the device of breaking the fourth wall, but usually in a sly manner that can also be interpreted as the characters only jokingly pretending they're on a television show.[28]

References

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ Rice, Lynette. [2] "Legal Aid"]. "Entertainment Weekly" online, 10 January 2005.
  3. ^ [3]
  4. ^ [4]
  5. ^ [ http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20041115abc01]
  6. ^ [http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20050216abc01>
  7. ^ [5]
  8. ^ [6]
  9. ^ [7]
  10. ^ [8]
  11. ^ Ausiello, Michael. "Boston Legal Cleans House, Drops Four Actors!". TV Guide online, 13 June 2007.
  12. ^ Ausiello Report at TV Guide
  13. ^ "Larroquette added to 'Boston Legal' bill". Reuters, 14 June 2007.
  14. ^ "More cast changes at 'Boston Legal'". Reuters, 2 July 2007.
  15. ^ "Actress Burrows makes it 'Legal'". 25 July 2007.
  16. ^ http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/boston-legal/100068
  17. ^ http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117985459.html?categoryid=14&cs=1
  18. ^ http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-bostonlegalfinalseason,0,7596840.story
  19. ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ed-martin/why-emboston-legalem-is-o_b_103255.html
  20. ^ http://www.accessatlanta.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/accessatlanta/peachbuzz/entries/2008/06/20/clarice_not_bit.html
  21. ^ http://blogs.bet.com/entertainment/whattheflick/?p=226
  22. ^ "ABC Renews BOSTON LEGAL, MEN IN TREES, BROTHERS, UGLY, HOUSEWIVES, GREY'S, LOST, 7 More For Next Season!!", Ain'tItCoolNews.com.
  23. ^ a b "2004-05 Final audience and ratings figures". Hollywood Reporter. 2005-05-27.
  24. ^ a b "2005-06 primetime wrap". Hollywood Reporter. 2006-05-26.
  25. ^ "Hollywood Reporter: 2006-07 primetime wrap". May 25 2007. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |source= ignored (help)
  26. ^ "Season Program Rankings" (PDF). ABC Medianet. 2008-05-28. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
  27. ^ Boston Legal DVD news: Season 1 Street Date. Denny Crane. | TVShowsOnDVD.com
  28. ^ Stanley, Alessandra (2006-02-14). "THE TV WATCH; Beneath the Quirks, There's Always a Message for the Masses". New York Times.

External links

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