August 28th 2007
Boston Legal Litigating With New Lawyers Once Again
Cast changes are nothing new for Boston Legal producers, but The characters that accompany the said two are so plain that they become time fillers between Alan’s and Danny’s capers. Their personalities are bland and unexciting to the point of waiting for commercials to have some excitement. To me they look like clerks from Kafka’s novel who occasionally have sex. All becomes apparent when we look at two new characters Jerry Espenson (Christian Clemenson) and Clarence (Gary Anthony Williams) who made the last episodes bearable. Their journey from dislike to partnership and “sort of friendship” created new pair that will give Alan and Danny run for their money. So, why aren’t the producers implementing this same formula on other characters? Why are they insisting on creating “normal” characters when this obviously doesn’t work? Where have Edwin Pool’s of the world disappeared? NOTE TO SELF: New reality show idea: “Clerks” – six bureaucrats stamp documents for eight hours every day. Pitch to CW when farmer looking for a wife show flops!
After half a dozen or so cast changes, Boston Legal is opening its office doors for the fourth time on September 25. Following not so good third season producers are rejuvenating the cast, once again. After firing Rene Auberjonois, Julie Bowen, Mark Valley and Constance Zimmer; they are introducing John Larroquette (”Night Court”), Tara Summers (”Dirt”) and Taraji P. Henson (”Hustle & Flow”).
when are they going to realize that characters and not the actors are the main problem in this potentially excellent show. If we study the remaining original characters Danny Crane (William Shater) and Alan Shore (James Spader) the only attribute that’s differentiating them from the rest of the cast are their idiosyncrasies. Danny with his mad cow disease and Alan with his, whatever-the-hell’s-wrong-with-him disease, have created their own little world where anything is possible and everything allowed. This disregard for the rule of law and intellectual superiority, mixed with unbelievable friendship, respect and support they show each other in those amazing balcony scenes is what brings me to my couch every Tuesday night.
