Bye Bye Boston Legal
I guess it puts me in the ‘old people’ demographic, but I
have to say that I am still p.o.’d that Boston Legal is off the air. The series finale aired a couple of weeks ago
and has been touted as one of the best series finales ever. In the media, it has
been made to sound like only people over 50 watched this show. That is
categorically not true. I have ranted
about how fabulous William Shatner and James Spader were for years now, and quite
a few of my friends watched it.
No other show on television was so ridiculous and proud of it.
- When the network moved their time slot? The characters acknowledged it on the show by having Alan show up to a Tuesday meeting that had been moved to Wednesday.
- When Denny Crane (William Shatner) got arrested in the men’s room at the courthouse, he opened his phone to call lawyer and friend Alan (Spader) and the phone made the “communicator” noise from Star Trek. He even talked into it like it was a communicator. I was rolling on the floor laughing.
- Denny Crane’s unabashed desire to shoot anything and anyone that pissed him off was fabulous. The paintball gunfight over politics between Denny and Alan was absolutely hilarious. What better way can you think of to work out our political differences?
- Jerry Espenson – a lawyer with Asberger’s syndrome, went from the office joke “hands” to a hostage-taker wielding a knife, to a partner in the firm. And not once did I say those words “that’s just not logical.” Even though I fully should have.
- When Denny and Alan took on the Supreme Court, they not only skewered the decision making, but made it fun! A couple of quotes:
“Look at Ginsburg – does the women
not want me?” Denny Crane
“I think you should get a little
band to play people off: Like the Oscars or the Emmys.
Just a thought.”
Alan
Shore to the Supreme court about attorneys exceeding their time limit
And at the end of every episode, you could count on Denny
and Alan - two guys drinking scotch and smoking cigars on the balcony and
talking about their feelings. Ridiculous. And beautiful. I think this show made an art out of ‘jumping the
shark’ moments. It did it so much that I began to look forward to the
outlandishness trying to top itself. Check it out. I think some of you will be surprised.
There are actors that I will associate with one role for the rest of their lives. It is a role that an actor plays that defines him not only as a performer, but as a person. Lesser known James Spader, was stuck as “Stef” from Pretty in Pink – the uber bad ‘hot’ guy who wants to sleep with Andie. William Shatner was supposed to be Captain Kirk forever. And by sheer brilliance in writing and performance, those definitions are forever altered in my mind. William Shatner is Denny Crane. James Spader is Alan Shore. They were my best friends and by FAR the most adorable couple on TV. I have never actually missed a character before! I know the actors are still out there, but the thought of never seeing Alan Shore again is…well…it just sucks.
Did you watch? What cancelled shows are you angry about?
on December 24, 2008 at 03:29 PM
I, also, am furious that Boston Legal has been discontinued. I had given it up last season because it became too sexually oriented and lost its humorous and irreverent references to same. It came back with a different format, much like when it originated under another title and when Alan first appeared. The sheer irreverence of Shore was enough to keep me watching. Then, he came back with his wit, his passion for justice and I was again hooked. I have a feeling, from the comments by Crane and Shore at the end of the program, that there is a chance they will show up in another venue in the not too distant future. One can only hope. I enjoyed the show, despite the sometimes bawdy content, if only because of the sheer eloquence of Shore's legal arguments. His use of the English language, the veracity with which he made his points, was something to behold. Never mind the political bent of the program, that was obvious - who cares? No one votes based on a television program anyway. It was nice to watch a program with intelligent conversations, good use of the language; no hip hop, no "street/hip" talk. I guess it was too much to expect that it would last, given the appetite of the general public, who want more reality shows. I suggest to them that if they want "reality" just watch the evening news. I get a craw full of reality every night. Goodby, Alan Shore. 'Twas nice to know ye. Come back soon. Denny Crane.
Morjana on December 24, 2008 at 03:48 PM
Cancelled WAY too soon: Firefly. (Sob!) The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. Space: Above and Beyond. Pushing Daisies.
Cancelled too soon: Stargate Atlantis. (SOB!) Star Trek: The Original Series.
Cancelled, even though they had been on a long, long time, but they were ALWAYS excellent: Stargate SG-1 (ten years). Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Star Trek: The Next Generation. The X-Files.
Marilyn Meredith on December 24, 2008 at 03:56 PM
I'm a great-grandma, a Republican conservative, and I loved Boston Legal! I will definitely miss the smartest and most intelligent writing and acting on TV.
Marilyn Meredith on December 24, 2008 at 03:56 PM
I'm a great-grandma, a Republican conservative, and I loved Boston Legal! I will definitely miss the smartest and most intelligent writing and acting on TV.
Kilgore on December 24, 2008 at 07:19 PM
This first time I ever watched this show it was the last final episode. I timed it just right.
Ben Bergman on December 25, 2008 at 05:49 AM
What is wrong with having shows that appeal to people over 50? There are certainly plenty of shows that appeal to, and sometimes only to, people under 50. Are commercial sponsors really that unwilling to support intelligent, older adult oriented programs, such as Boston Legal? Or is it the networks unwillingness to provide programs for everyone because of the "bottom line"?
Sangailbar on December 25, 2008 at 07:28 AM
Please Please Bring Boston Leagle back. I recently became and avid fan. Being able to only get four chanels, I looked forward to seeing it each week
marikris on December 25, 2008 at 08:18 AM
I was devastated to learn the show was being canceled. (After all, didn't William Shatner win an award for Denny Crane not too long ago?) I loved the postmodern crux of it - it knew it was a show and it poked fun at itself. I'm just going to have to pretend that somewhere in Boston, Chang, Pool and Schmidt is still kickin' legal butt.
Some other shows that I couldn't believe were canceled: Firefly (as someone already listed. I own the dvd set and it's so good -_-) and Journeyman (aired only one season but I was hooked). I'm sure there are others I feel as strongly about; I just can't think of them at the moment.
Happy holidays!
Anita on December 25, 2008 at 08:46 AM
I cried watching the last show. I will totally miss this show and the people playing these great characters. Script writers were genius. PLEASE BRING IT BACK !!!
thiele taft on December 25, 2008 at 11:44 AM
I totally agree. I am so sad that I don't have Boston Legal to look forward to on Monday nights (or Tuesday, or Wednesday, or whatever night they moved it to next). This was the most creative, the most topical, the most interesting, the funniest and most poignant show on tv. I am so mad at ABC I am thinking of not watching this channel anymore.
Proof on December 25, 2008 at 05:38 PM
I'm with Morjana: Firefly was great and Brisco County Jr. was the role Bruce Campbell was born to play. Both cancelled way too soon!
Colin Fraizer on December 25, 2008 at 05:46 PM
The writing was good and the acting was funny. You ask "who cares" that it was a platform for Kelley's political views? Answer: the people who were tired of having it beat over their heads in every episode. People who don't lean left (I'm a libertarian) don't expect mass market television to propound their philosophy, but the constant drumbeat of liberalism and skewering of anyone who disagrees just gets old. The show could have been more of a commercial success with more evenhandedness.
--Colin
Gary Keedwell on December 25, 2008 at 06:18 PM
I agree with Colin...The politics turned me off. I'm glad that it is gone.
Alan Cole on December 25, 2008 at 06:55 PM
Shux, I'm still steamed that the network -- that same network -- 86d Big Shots & Cashmere Mafia from earlier this season.
I'm likewise irritated that they canceled Total Security (1997) & Vengeance Unlimited (1998) & C-16 (1997) -- good shows on which the network suits pulled the plug before the shows had time (i.e., not even a full season) to find an audience.
Sheesh.
-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.
Glenn Smith on December 25, 2008 at 07:34 PM
I too agree that constantly watching the leftist clique giggling at and teasing the people they disagree with in every venue of our culture is ruining mainstream entertainment in general. It's like watching the "in" crowd bully the geeks, nerds and unattractive in high school. I can ignore it for a while, but it has long past being annoying. To me it is now pathetic, angering and disappointing and reminds me of racist jokes that are considered cool when everyone shares your point of view. It the Amos and Andy of our time and I try not to support it. Without it this and many other shows would deserve the praise you give Boston Legal.
Vincent on December 25, 2008 at 07:51 PM
I'm a 30 something that loved this show. It was very funny, but very true to some of our inner most thoughts that we are scared of sharing. I am very disappointed that it has been canceled.
Phil on December 25, 2008 at 08:18 PM
As sad as I am to see it go, the final show had to be the most satisfying ending to a series that I have seen. Just right.
Fod on December 25, 2008 at 10:34 PM
I used to love the show. Wouldn't miss it, for exactly the reasons that Shauna wrote about. It was hilarious and fun, with engaging characters.
The constant distortion and ridicule of conservative views started getting old and I finally quit watching this spring when they had the damaged veteran eating seals from the harbor. (Another anti-war episode that spun me up was the 18 year old baby brother killed in Iraq after being stop-lossed. Wrong though, the numbers didn't add up and I think they even tried to make them work in the next episode. It still reeked.)
At last count (in November) close to half the country still leaned right. I just don't understand why they worked so hard to alienate and drive away half the potential audience.
Their efforts paid off though, we left, now they're gone too.
Too bad really. At one point I considered the show one of the so very few decent reasons to turn on the TV.
Robbins Mitchell on December 26, 2008 at 02:38 AM
Well,some episodes were so painfully preachy on certain legal and political issues that from time to time the show bordered on being pedantic....but it never failed to satisfy as legal entertainment in a way that was timely about a lot of the issues it treated with...count me as one of the mourners....however much I love and adore Denny Crane,Alan Shore is unquestionably the best courtroom attorney in the history of television...breathtaking to watch in action
Locomotive Breath on December 26, 2008 at 05:54 AM
Watched the show a couple of times and got tired of being preached at no matter how funny it was. Denny Crane is Hollywood's stereotype of a right winger. I agree with other posters. Play half the country as idiots and half the country won't watch. Dug its own grave it did.
Maybe Eli Stone will be close behind.
Sharon Fowler on December 26, 2008 at 06:50 AM
My husband and I are 55 yr old baby boomers and LOVED Boston Legal. We live in the greater Boston area and enjoyed the views of the city, but tuned in for the show. Always surprising, always heartwarming, and always topical. We will miss it, but understand that somethings are better left in their prime than slowly grinding down to a miserable end. We still watch Seinfeld re-runs and laugh even when we know the joke is coming. I imagine we will watch old episodes of Boston Legal the same way. I just hope David Kelly has something else up his sleeve to fill the void!
sfcmac on December 26, 2008 at 07:25 AM
I agree with Locomotive Breath. When people like Kelley produce preachy shows that insult my intelligence with leftwingnut views, I will not watch. I never saw a complete episode of Boston Legal, and I cannot say I'm heartbroken over its cancellation.
capn jack on December 26, 2008 at 10:26 AM
I lost interest after hearing one too many radical leftwing comments. Too bad entertainers can't keep their political views out of their work.
Bobbie Laughman on December 26, 2008 at 01:40 PM
I've not watched Boston Legal or any current TV show, but, after reading what you've said, I'll look for it online or on DVD. We don't watch anything current due to lack of cable, satellite or antenna. We make do with DVDs. I've always liked Shatner, but even more after he stopped taking himself so seriously.
What I'm heartbroken over is the cancellation of the Joss Whedon show "Firefly" - which I'd never even heard of until my husband brought home a DVD set of the only 14 episodes ever made. We've watched about 2/3 of them, and are dreading the day when we finally reach the last one - we are trying to stretch them out! I guess the appeal was not broad enough to keep it on the air, but it's surely a hit in our home.
sangray on December 26, 2008 at 04:35 PM
I am a latecomer to Boston Legal--having just started to watch it
this season. That being said, I agree that it was one of the better
tv choices. For the most part, I dislike tv intensely and think that
it caters to the lowest possible intellectual levels. James Spader
has always been a favorite of mine. Hopefully, they will find another
vehicle for him and for Shatner.