James Spader
William Shatner
Candice Bergen
René Auberjonois
Mark Valley

Created by:
David E. Kelley

2004-2008
Comedy, Crime, Drama
ABC
TV-PG

“Boston Legal” rivals “Ally McBeal” as the most ridiculous legal TV show ever made; just check out the theme music, whose wailing riffs are used as segues from scene-to-scene. Both shows were created by David E. Kelley, who specializes in this kind of thing. So it’s on purpose.

James Spader and William Shatner enjoy themselves as two lawyers who do whatever they want, wherever they want. The rest of the cast members just respond to them, and they do a good job of it. This show occasionally comes up with a dramatic moment or two, but they’re largely unnecessary. In some ways, this show could go even further into ridiculousness.

As it is, “Boston Legal” is somewhat entertaining, especially if you like Spader or Shatner. However, despite its craziness, it could be a little funnier and more incisive. Surprisingly, it seems to be holding back. If you watch it, you won’t be blown away; but you may be distracted for 40 minutes.

(On a side note, all of these legal shows that aired just before “The Good Wife” started its run remind me of just how stellar “The Good Wife” really is.)

Verdict: OK to Somewhat Good

About: (Source: bostonlegal)

Boston Legal is a star-studded ensemble dramedy following the professional and personal lives of the eccentric attorneys employed by the law office of Crane, Poole & Schmidt. Morally questionable attorney Alan Shore joins his mentor Denny Crane at this powerful firm, where the modus operandi seems to be to take civil cases no one else will and to win them in any way possible. Each episode tackles legal cases ripped from the headlines, centering on racial discrimination and police brutality to botched plastic surgery and vengeful exes. But the show isn’t all about work; it also follows office romances and even courtships between the firm’s employees and their clients.