Harry's Law - David E. Kelly's new show

[bigdaddy]

Did anyone watch this?

It's on NBC so I doubt anyone did.

They should have just made this a Boston Legal spinoff, that's what this show feels like. Shockingly it doesn't take place in Boston. It's enjoyable in a crazy way, but it has Kathy Bates and should be even better. Besides Kathy Bates character the characters are really lame. The blond selling shoes? Really needed? It's a poor neighborhood and they have really nice shoes?

I doubt the show will last, but it wasn't a complete waste of time like House and Bones has become, so I'll probably stick around.

 

[Geck]

It's on my list of "shows I don't have time for right now but plan to check out in a few weeks." I wouldn't bother at all except for Kathy Bates. It seems to be getting pretty poor reviews, and David E Kelley is pretty hit-or-miss with me.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

I hadn't heard it aired. I saw the commercial and couldn't figure out the premise of the show compared to other DEK shows. Is there anything that sets it apart?

 

[startrekwatcher]

I enjoyed it--it is what you come to expect from Kelly--law-centered drama with a lot of quirkiness and liberal bias w/ statistics. It nicely fills the void left by Boston Legal

And I love Kathy Bates and she is perfect in this role. Definitely will keep watching it.

 

[bigdaddy]

Is there anything that sets it apart?

Kathy Bates.

That's it.

It also aired last night at 10pm on NBC.

The show is fine, but nothing special. Boston Legal quirkiness worked great because it built up as the show went on. It also had the love between the characters, Alan and Denny love each other and Shirley loves them both too. There was great actors to anchor the insane show down, and you really cared for the characters.

While Harry's Law is Kathy Bates, her character is great and tough, a less crazy Denny Crane, but her partner is horrible and her assistant is the blond bimbo stereotype who is selling shoes in a law firm!

I would give it a try as long as you aren't a crazy conservative, who all should know by now now to watch DEK's shows.

 

[the G-man]

Every David E. Kelley show might as well be a spinoff of the every other one: wacky lawyers, musical numbers and stunt casting.

The guy really needs to try something new. And, no, Boston Public and Chicago Hope don't count as something new because he put wacky lawyers in those shows too.

 

[bigdaddy]

The guy really needs to try something new. And, no, Boston Public and Chicago Hope don't count as something new because he put wacky lawyers in those shows too.

To be fair no one liked Boston Public after he put a wacko lawyer on it.


What exactly is "stunt casting"? Casting decent actors for roles is called good casting.

 

[danellis]

What exactly is "stunt casting"? Casting decent actors for roles is called good casting.

I suppose casting somebody to "make a splash," for the impact of their being cast, rather than necessarily because they're the right person for the job.

Casting Jeri Ryan for STarTrek, or The Rock for The Mummy might be examples (not wanting to pass judgement on either, just the motive for their casting).

dJE

 

[bigdaddy]

What exactly is "stunt casting"? Casting decent actors for roles is called good casting.

I suppose casting somebody to "make a splash," for the impact of their being cast, rather than necessarily because they're the right person for the job.

Casting Jeri Ryan for STarTrek, or The Rock for The Mummy might be examples (not wanting to pass judgement on either, just the motive for their casting).

dJE

Yes but I'm guessing he means casting Kathy Bates is stunt casting. She is the role and fits perfectly.

 

[Amaris]

I watched it and really liked it. Like stw said, it nicely fills the role Boston Legal left when it went off the air. I'll keep watching it.

 

[the G-man]

What exactly is "stunt casting"? Casting decent actors for roles is called good casting.

I'm thinking particularly of revolving door supporting cast members and weird celebrity cameos.

 

[O'Dib]

Having lately gotten into shows about people actively working on trampling the downtrodden (like Breaking Bad), it was uplifting to watch someone try and make the ghetto a better place. There were several truly moving moments. I, for one, liked the young lawyer (Rob Corddry's brother, whatever his first name is). I'll check out whatever's next.

 

[IndyJones]

It wasn't nearly as bad as the critics had led me to believe it would be, but...

I didn't like Paul McCrane's verbal tic just for the sake of having someone with a verbal tic, and the "ghetto" looked laughably like Sesame Street.

Hopefully it finds its feet, I do love good David E Kelly's shows.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Every David E. Kelley show might as well be a spinoff of the every other one: wacky lawyers, musical numbers and stunt casting.

The Practice was far more genuine than the rest as far as being a real legal drama without the antics. Every so often, they would have a funny side plot, but it was generally serious. Boston Legal, interestingly enough, was the mirror image. It was generally quirky, but had some quite powerful moments as well.

Anyway, I'll check out the first episode. David E. Kelly makes entertaining shows, so it's certainly worth that.

 

[bigdaddy]

It wasn't nearly as bad as the critics had led me to believe it would be, but...

I didn't like Paul McCrane's verbal tic just for the sake of having someone with a verbal tic, and the "ghetto" looked laughably like Sesame Street.

Hopefully it finds its feet, I do love good David E Kelly's shows.

The tic will also be incredibly annoying.

The "ghetto" is actually the street sets from Everyone Hates Chris. What an awesome show that was. At least they look like that's where they are from.

However I don't think it's a ghetto, just not a good section. I know some sections like that, they looks fine, but aren't areas you want to be.

 

[Snaploud]

It's a good thing the creepy mob dude turned out to be a hero with a heart of gold. Otherwise, the main character's offer to protect the local thug would have been a disaster. I don't think the writers thought that one through... Also, what's the deal with the main character being so shocked that somebody would want her to do criminal law...? What kind of law did she expect to practice in that neighborhood...?

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I don't generally watch law shows, this one happened to be on after The Cape and was just sort of on in the background while I was surfing. I had to laugh at the crazy soapbox ranting in the courtroom, it seemed a bit much to me but maybe that's normal for these shows?

 

[Amaris]

^ Yes. Watch Boston Legal and you'll see them in full form.

I think this show has a chance. DEK needs to let it grow organically. If you haven't figured it out yet, I love Boston Legal. It is, without a doubt, my favorite legal drama. I love the writing, the situations, the locations, the characters, it's all so much fun for me. I want this show to work, not just because I love Kathy Bates, but because I miss the presence of a Boston Legal type show being on TV.

 

[Admiral James Kirk]

I was a big fan of Boston Legal and a fan of Kathy Bates so no doubt I'll check this out. Not everyone loves the quirky craziness of Kelly's shows but it's what I love most. What I don't like about his shows are the dumb strawman politics. Still I'll put up with almost anything for a weekly dose of Kelly craziness.

 

[IndyJones]

I think this show has a chance.

It did get 11 million viewers for the premiere. That's not great, but on NBC? Not bad at all.