David E. Kelley's legal spin-off was an instant success thanks to stars James Spader and William Shatner, who won Emmys in the final season of The Practice. Spader and Shatner each promptly collected another Emmy for their work in Season 1 of Boston Legal, which introduces the wide range of characters who pass through the doors of high-priced, high-profile law firm Crane, Poole & Schmidt. Win-at-all-costs attorney Alan Shore (Spader) is known for his unorthodox style and questionable ethics in the pursuit of justice. He rules the office (and shares scotch and cigars on the balcony) with founding partner Denny Crane (Shatner), an eccentric, past-his-prime litigator who now gets by, for good or ill, on name recognition alone. Alan and Denny's over-the-top antics and the mental instability of another founding partner, Edwin Poole (Larry Miller), prompt managing partner Paul Lewiston (Rene Auberjonois) to call in Washington, D.C., associate Brad Chase (Mark Valley), and, later, Shirley Schmidt (Candice Bergen) from New York to restore a sense of order and decorum to the Boston office. Although somewhat embarrassed by a past romantic fling with Denny, Shirley is a no-nonsense partner and a confident, capable lawyer with the necessary gravitas to keep the firm from falling apart. Other associates include Sally Heep (Lake Bell), Tara Wilson (Rhona Mitra) and Lori Colson (Monica Potter). The first season's notable guest stars include Carl Reiner, Betty White, Philip Baker Hall, Dana Delany, and Shelley Long. ~ Joe Friedrich, All Movie Guide
Hotmail
