Boston Legal
Seen it?2004 | 5 seasons | 42 min | Comedy, Drama
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It won 4 Emmys, it was critically acclaimed and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Ted Lasso or Suits, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart.
- The pace
- 5 seasons: a few months of evenings, episodes of about 42 minutes, about 71 hours in all.
- What might put you off
- Rated TV-14. Probably too much for younger kids.
Alan Shore and Denny Crane lead a brigade of high-priced civil litigators in an upscale Boston law firm in a series focusing on the professional and personal lives of brilliant but often emotionally challenged attorneys. A spin-off of long-running series The Practice.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
Critically acclaimed
- AudiencesSolid
7.9 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 4 Emmys: Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Lead Actor – Drama Series, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Supporting Actor – Drama Series, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Guest Actor – Drama Series, Creative Arts Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Single-Camera Sound Mixing For A Series. Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television. Won 1 Peabody Award: Peabody Award: Outstanding Supporting Actress - Drama Series. Also nominated for 6 more Emmys, 2 more Golden Globes and 5 SAG Awards. Plus 7 other awards.
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Ran for 5 seasons and reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 454K people sought it out in the past year
Season by season
The show overall is a Saturday Special. Here's how each season stacks up; Season 5 is the high point.
- Season 12004 · 17 episodes · 8.0 out of 10Saturday
- Season 22005 · 27 episodes · 7.8 out of 10Saturday
- Season 32006 · 24 episodes · 8.0 out of 10Saturday
- Season 42007 · 20 episodes · 8.0 out of 10Saturday
Season 52008 · 13 episodes · 8.5 out of 10Friday
Trailer
More like this
Ally McBeal
Sunday Safe BetAlso from creator David E. Kelley: a legal dramedy, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Ted Lasso Friday Night FlickAnother dramedy, and a Friday Night Flick.
Suits Saturday SpecialAnother legal drama, and a Saturday Special.
Marvel's Daredevil Saturday SpecialAnother legal drama, and a Saturday Special.
Private Practice
Weeknight WatchAnother drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
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Cast & crew
Created by David E. Kelley
- James SpaderAlan Shore
- William ShatnerDenny Crane
- Candice BergenShirley Schmidt
- John LarroquetteCarl Sack
- Tara SummersKatie Lloyd
- Christian ClemensonJerry Espenson