I've started watching Boston Legal.

[Trekker4747]

My mom got me hooked on it, just picked up Season 1 on DVD.

How have I not watched this show over the last few years?!

The Shat? Awersome.

Spader? Good (Not, 2x Emmy Award Winning better than Hugh Laurie good, but good. )

 

[bigdaddy]

No I think he is beats Hugh Laurie good, however Laurie really should have one something by now.

The show is great up to the end of season 3, season 4 and 5 are way way out there, just for a heads up.

My favorite line from last week's episode...

“If he (Denny Crane) walks, I walk. Alan Shore might, too. Maybe even Carl. We could do a spin-off; don’t think we haven’t been approached already. Hell, it’s not like you want the bunch of us anyway, the network sure doesn’t.” –Jerry Espensen

 

[Trekker4747]

BTW - Rhona Mitra makes my heart stop.

I really don't think he beats Hugh Laurie. I'd argue they're on par with one another, but "better." Hugh plays an insufferable, misanthropic ASS and makes him likable, lovable, engaging, and deep.

From what I've seen? Spader just delivers really great closing arguments.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Hugh plays an insufferable, misanthropic ASS and makes him likable, lovable, engaging, and deep.

You've perfectly described Spader's character also (except change misanthropic to mysoginistic), and more so as the series goes on. I think Laurie does a fantastic job as well, and is equally deserving of recognition, but this does not mean that Spader hasn't earned his. They really are very well-matched, and I'd love to see something with both of them some day.

Alan Shore is far more than just a good closing argument, though that has become his trademark of sorts. The relationship with Denny alone is worth the accolades, and the character has a vulnerability that contrasts nicely with his outward arrogance and demeanor. His sardonic behavior often covers just how much he really cares for his coworkers and friends, and that is used to good effect throughout the series.

 

[cardinal biggles]

Yeah, it's a shame you're discovering it just as it's about to end.

 

[Trekker4747]

Yeah, it's a shame you're discovering it just as it's about to end.

I've several seasons to go through. I think I'll do fine. It's a shame to see it end, yes.

 

[Jax]

Your about to watch 101 episodes of one of the greatest shows ever and my current favourite show on the air. It can even be the most funny thing on TV or the most serious and thats why I love it.

Denny Crane

 

[Allyn Gibson]

Spader? Good (Not, 2x Emmy Award Winning better than Hugh Laurie good, but good. )

Laurie's main problem with the Emmys is that he's picked lousy episodes for the Academy's consideration. (They look at a single episode, not the entirety of the season.)

 

[Captain Shaw]

Yeah, it's a shame you're discovering it just as it's about to end.

I've several seasons to go through. I think I'll do fine. It's a shame to see it end, yes.

Its only 5 and the last one is not a full season

 

[Angel4576]

Spader's great as Alan Shore, but let's be honest, Laurie's House is one of the best written/acted characters in recent memory.

 

[Agent Richard07]

It's a good show, but be prepared to see a lot of the cast disappear with no explanation.

Also, the first episode of Boston Legal wasn't really the beginning of the show. We were introduced to Denny Crane and his firm in the last few episodes of The Practice where Alan Shore had already been a regular character for a year. Those final episodes were pretty much "Boston Legal" episodes because the focus was on Alan, Denny and the rest of the gang at Crane, Poole & Schmidt as opposed to giving the cast of The Practice a big send-off. Rebecca De Mornay was there, but wasn't included when Boston Legal went to series. And here's another bit of trivia... One of the working titles of the show was The Practice: Fleet Street.

 

[Othello]

Easily one of my favorite shows and it never fails to make me laugh REALLY hard. Great tuff.

 

[Trekker4747]

Spader? Good (Not, 2x Emmy Award Winning better than Hugh Laurie good, but good. )

Laurie's main problem with the Emmys is that he's picked lousy episodes for the Academy's consideration. (They look at a single episode, not the entirety of the season.)

Yeah, that I agree with. I know which episode he picked from the first season for consideration. Not one *I* would've picked, but....

I also think his problem is that maybe he doesn't pay his "dues" to the Hollywood elite.

I will say this on BL. It's got one of the most annoying, "have to fast forward/chapter advance through this" theme songs ever.

It makes me LONG for Faith of the Heart.

 

[Agent Richard07]

I will say this on BL. It's got one of the most annoying, "have to fast forward/chapter advance through this" theme songs ever.

Spoiler: a future take on the opening theme.

Just wait until they break the fourth wall and have Denny playing along with the opening theme with his kazoo.

I actually like they way the teaser blends right into the first few seconds of the opening theme. It's a nice little touch.

 

[Jax]

I will say this on BL. It's got one of the most annoying, "have to fast forward/chapter advance through this" theme songs ever.

Spoiler: a future take on the opening theme.

Just wait until they break the fourth wall and have Denny playing along with the opening theme with his kazoo.

I love the song especially the new season 5 one, catchy tune.

 

[Trekker4747]

Lake Bell also makes me smile in the First Season.

 

[Harvey]

It's a good show, but be prepared to see a lot of the cast disappear with no explanation.

Well, to be fair, comapred to other David E. Kelley shows...there's more explanation than usual. Two of the three departures after season one are addressed explicitly, and deep into season two the third departure is recognized in a remark by Alan. And in season three, when a character departs mid-way through, there's a whole episode that gives them closure.

I haven't seen any of seasons four or five, yet, though, so I'm ready for the wheels to come off the wagon yet.

 

[bigdaddy]

I haven't seen any of seasons four or five, yet, though, so I'm ready for the wheels to come off the wagon yet.

Oh God! You are in for several surprises, like The Practice season 7 going into 8 surprise. You haven't seen anything yet.

And when they have the characters come back they don't really explain why they left, or how they got to where they are now, it's really crazy. There is one character they have in season 4, you see hi maybe twice in the whole season. He was an awesome character too.

 

[Trekker4747]

I'm now half-way through watchign the second season.

Still a fascinating show to me with a great cast. I'm seing more and more why Spader would win an emmy.

 

[hamudm]

We're on Season 4 and it's STILL one of my favourite shows. This shtick just never gets old I love it!