I hear that, after intense negotiations with David Kelley about cutting the show's licensing fee, ABC has renewed Boston Legal for a 5th season. A source tells me: "Watch for the cast to be scaled down to Spader, Shatner, Candace, and fewer people around them." Sources are telling me that Kelley's other show for ABC, Life On Mars, "probably will be ordered" and is "looking like it should be officially picked up any minute." But insiders say it will have new showrunners: October Road alum Josh Applebaum and André Nemec.
So, in other words, they’ll be changing the cast for about the 10th time in 5 years. And they think that will increase the audience?
Comment by Mike — May 11, 2008 @ 1:58 pm
As long as the main characters come back to Boston Legal, it will work out because of David E. Kelley’s writing. Figure this out, it’s not necessarily his choice, but the networks choice and budget issues.
Comment by Rebecca — May 11, 2008 @ 2:13 pm
I’d love to know who is watching this show? Is it the same people that watch Two and Half Men? According to Jim? So much crap.
Comment by chris — May 11, 2008 @ 2:15 pm
Kelley had the Dick Wolf lightbulb go off in his head a decade ago when he saved The Practice by pruning off star Dermot Mulroney to cut costs.
He has used this technique judiciously since then, trimming shows as Boston Public and now Boston Legal every season to “freshen the pot” as well as keep the core casts.
Craig Bierko signed on last year for a cup of coffee, and promptly got two more pilots (including the short-lived Unhitched). Mark Valley came back for a guest shot, as did Rene Auberjonois. Only Julie Bowen has yet to show up from last season’s cast bduget cuts.
Comment by mrJeff — May 11, 2008 @ 2:24 pm
As long as they keep the original three actors, the show will work with David’s writing. With ABC playing hardball, it was absolutely magic he was able to work it out.
Comment by Rebecca — May 11, 2008 @ 2:43 pm
Life On Mars won’t work on US TV.
It’ll end up some watered down, message of the week show. I just don’t see ABC embracing the non-PC, hard drinking ethos attitude of the 70’s.
Comment by Tips — May 11, 2008 @ 3:11 pm
David has just used the same 22 scripts for the last 10 years for all of his shows, I say its time for him to settle into his money and stop giving us the same characters with different names now. ABC played hard but they caved in to get Life on Mars, that sucks.
Comment by Mikey Mills — May 11, 2008 @ 3:16 pm
why doesn’t david kelley do a show about what lawyers are REALLY like
just like someone should do a show about what cops are REALLY like
Comment by truth — May 11, 2008 @ 5:57 pm
Chris,
You want to know who watches Boston Legal? Intelligent, well-read people who know quality television and like buddy-type relationships. I don’t watch Two and a Half Men and According to Jim, but I do watch Boston Legal, Masterpiece Theater, Monk, Psych, Law and Order, Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, Supernatural, Brothers and Sisters.
Boston Legal is a great enough show that I went to the Paley Fest for it. I buy very few DVDs but I bought all available Boston Legal, Deadwood, Band of Brothers, Rome, Miami Vice, Stargate SG-1, and Stargate Atlantis.
So it’s too bad that you show your ignorance by dissing one of the best shows on TV and mocking its audience. What do you watch, reality crap? Sounds like your speed.
Comment by Know Good TV When I See It — May 11, 2008 @ 9:46 pm
Watch the BBC original of Life on Mars before watching the Americanized version.
Comment by John from Chicago — May 11, 2008 @ 10:13 pm
As long as Spader and Shatnet around, i don’t care about the rest. It’s a great show and i’m delighted it’ll get another year.
Comment by Anonymous — May 11, 2008 @ 10:58 pm
Great news! I was a little worried about the show not being renewed. And the cast cuts shouldn’t be a big problem as long as they don’t touch Spader, Bergen or Shatner.
Comment by Anonymous — May 12, 2008 @ 1:33 am
PHEW!!!! That’s all I can say. TV is SORELY lacking today in true adult intelligent entertainment today and Boston Legal is the only intelligent, truly FUNNY show that an adult with half a brain can watch and be entertained. It is the only show that succeeds in being self-effacing and proves that while it can hammer on the issues and smack down those who need it - it doesn’t take itself too seriously. David E Kelley is brilliant, and TV wouldn’t be the same without a David Kelley show.
As for “who watches”? Every person I know or meet talk about how this is “the best show on TV,” “the only show I watch” etc, etc….and the people I meet and know are all educated, interesting, well traveled and intelligent people……not particularly people who watch “Two and a Half Men” Personally, none of the people I know (TV people included) would included those two shows in the same category. I don’t know the numbers or the categories they bring in…even if they do hit the same groups….I still wouldn’t put them in the same category - not even close.
Comment by Anonymous — May 12, 2008 @ 6:33 am
I think all that enjoy Boston Legal agree that as long as Spader, Shatner and Bergen are still the main three characters, we’re happy. Another season!
Comment by Anonymous — May 12, 2008 @ 10:51 am
So actors are going to be hired and fired on Boston Legal? Hmm. Why isn’t this surprising? It’s been musical chairs with the casting on that show since before the first episode aired (remember Rebecca De Mornay getting her walking papers before the first episode and being replaced by Monica Potter who they couldn’t even be bothered to write a character for until the end of the season at which point they ditched her too)?
Comment by Francine Fishpaw — May 12, 2008 @ 2:13 pm
The best show on TV. I actually look forward to it every week. I’m heartened it’s lasted so long. I rarely laugh out loud or talk back to my tv, except when viewing BL. Keep it up.
Comment by Annette — May 21, 2008 @ 8:08 pm