Boston Legal - A show I love

I admit it. I have never been a Star Trek fan - it doesn't matter what form it has taken: the old ST, Star Trek the New Generation, the movies or even the one with Kate Mulgrew as the commander.

That being said, I have always liked William Shatner (but not the show TJ Hooker, please). I think it first happened when I saw him on some old Columbo movies where he was trying to outwit Peter Falk. Maybe it was his spiel at Just for Laughs where he spoofed "I am a Canadian" but I think he is cool.

I liked Shatner's character (as the has-been emcee) in both Miss Congeniality movies. So finally he has been given a role that he can eat up the scenery with. I am talking about Denny Crane.... when in doubt about what to say Denny Crane simply says his name. Imagine Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid on some kind of stimulant and you would have the modern day version in Denny Crane and Alan Shore. Each week the show wraps up with the two of them smoking cigars, sipping scotch and talking - it is great television condensed into a 3 minute scene.

David Kelley (the guy who developed Picket Fences, Ally McBeal and the Practice) has developed this brilliant show which is both a dramatic and comedic showcase (It makes me laugh out loud - which is hard to do when it comes to television or movies). He has chosen a superb cast. Not only does Boston Legal have Shatner, it also has Rene Auberjonois, Candice Bergen, and James Spader. It has also attracted great guest stars such as Betty White, Michael J. Fox, Heather Locklear, Tom Selleck and Freddie Prinze Jr.

I could spend the whole night telling you how great the show is but instead I encourage you to set your vcrs for Tuesday night at 11 pm (if in the Calgary area) on ABC because unfortunately it is not yet available on peasant television or rent the Season 1 dvd which was just released at the end of May.

You know it has to be something special when both Shatner and James Spader have won Emmys for their performances as these characters for the past two years running. (Of course, this might change this year because my other other favourite James Gandolfini will be in the running again in his role as Tony Soprano.)

So please watch this show and help it to keep alive because numbers count and television executives would rather dumb down programs then provide people with intelligent television.