Boston Legal

About Boston Legal

Created by David E. Kelley, 'Boston Legal' is a legal drama-comedy television series that surfs the line between the gritty reality of law and its eccentricities. The series, which premiered in 2004, follows the personal and professional lives of the eccentric lawyers at the high-prized Crane, Poole & Schmidt law firm. With a bold setting in Boston, the show integrates intense courtroom drama with humor, addressing social issues and moral dilemmas along the way.

Making/Production

Boston Legal, a spin-off of The Practice, reached acclaim due to its thought-provoking storytelling complemented by humor. A product of the creative genius David E. Kelley, Boston Legal was produced by Kelley, Bill D'Elia, and Janet Leahy for ABC. The dramatic cinematography and naturalistic direction allowed the show to have its unique charm and appeal.

Actors

• James Spader as Alan Shore: James Spader portrays the unethical yet charming lawyer Alan Shore. An unpredictable anti-hero, Spader's performance is nuanced, embodying the eccentric nature of the character with sheer authenticity.
• William Shatner as Denny Crane: Embodying the confident, flamboyant, and often outrageous Denny Crane, William Shatner breathes life into his character, making him one of the show's most memorable personalities.
• Candice Bergen as Shirley Schmidt: Candice Bergen plays the tough, wise, and assertive Shirley Schmidt, offering a grounded perspective amongst the eccentric colleagues. Bergen's performance is commanding and strong, a true representation of her character.

Trivia/Interesting Facts

• Throughout the series, Denny Crane mentions he has "mad cow disease," but he really suffers from Alzheimer's.
• Many episodes reference William Shatner's iconic role as Captain Kirk from 'Star Trek.'
• The series is known for breaking the fourth wall, with characters often directly addressing the viewers.

Awards

Boston Legal went on to win several awards, including a multitude of Primetime Emmy Awards. James Spader, William Shatner and Candice Bergen received repeated recognitions for their sterling performances. The show's unique blend of drama and comedy also earned it a Golden Globe.

Quotes

• “When the weapons of mass destruction thing turned out to be not true, I expected the American people to rise up. Ha! They didn't.” - Alan Shore
• “Denny Crane: I'm not getting older. I'm getting better.”
• “Shirley Schmidt: I prefer to look at the law from a fresh point of view.”

Music, Soundtrack

• Opening theme: "Boston Legal Theme" by Danny Lux
• Ending theme: Leftover from the original opening theme song, a rendition of "Thowdown" by Danny Lux
• Additionally, the episodes were interspersed with a variety of pop, classical, and golden oldies music that added a lyrical dimension to the storylines.