Knight at HOME at the Movies
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Two Terrific TV Shows...
One that sadly, failed to find a large enough audience and one that will return in the fall. Both, compelling TV dramas
worth digging into.
One that sadly, failed to find a large enough audience and one that will return in the fall. Both, compelling TV dramas
worth digging into.
Geena Davis deserved that Emmy for her portrayal of the unexpected first female
President of the United States in Commander in Chief. What she didn't deserve
was premature cancellation. Now Buena Vista presents the original pilot and the first
nine episodes of the drama in a 2-disc set that’s sure to please and sadden fans of
this terrific show that didn’t get a fair shake by its network (not unlike many other
recent excellent shows that have had trouble finding blockbuster sized ratings).
Davis, known best for light roles like her Oscar winner in The Accidental Tourist and my
favorite guilty pleasure, The Long Kiss Goodnight, is surrounded by an excellent cast
including a delightful, backstabbing foil for Davis in Donald Sutherland. Luscious
Natasha Henstridge, whose come a long way since Species, added plenty as
Sutherland’s aide de camp. A sub plot had one of Davis’ staff members as a
closeted gay. Polly Bergen who played Davis’ mother was added to the show, among
other changes, when this well done prime time drama took a nose dive in the ratings
– a victim to the over the top American Idol. But it wasn't enough to save the show
from extinction. There's a nice interview with Geena Davis and a commentary track
as extras. A second volume will follow.
It also took the Boston Legal producers a while to find the right elements – wacky and
serious – and the right cast members (many are called, few are contracted for long)
– to please major audiences. But the legal eagles at Crane, Poole & Schmidt (after
a mid-season ratings rescue thanks to Candace Bergen) did it. Conservative
Republican William Shatner, battling Alzheimer’s and a massive ego as head
attorney Denny Crane is paired with staunch liberal James Spader’s Alan Shore as
the defiantly individual but brilliant courtroom shark who never loses. Bergen is the
tough, no-nonsense rainmaker and Rene Auberjonois the partner that makes
everything tick. As in all David E. Kelley drama’s, there’s lots of sex and plenty of
eye candy (the male portion is embodied by hunky Mark Valley as an uptight,
competitor to Spader). A raft of name guest stars are also featured (along with
Betty White who joined the cast late in season one).
All this and much more are contained in the 5-disc, 17 episode Boston Legal
Season One set from Fox Home Entertainment. Standouts include the episode
“An Eye for An Eye” that has to be seen (sorry) to be believed (with guest star Rusty
Schwimmer) and the entire arc of episodes featuring Leslie Jordan, the diminutive
gay southerner who kills his mother with a frying pan. There are also a couple of
special features in the set.
President of the United States in Commander in Chief. What she didn't deserve
was premature cancellation. Now Buena Vista presents the original pilot and the first
nine episodes of the drama in a 2-disc set that’s sure to please and sadden fans of
this terrific show that didn’t get a fair shake by its network (not unlike many other
recent excellent shows that have had trouble finding blockbuster sized ratings).
Davis, known best for light roles like her Oscar winner in The Accidental Tourist and my
favorite guilty pleasure, The Long Kiss Goodnight, is surrounded by an excellent cast
including a delightful, backstabbing foil for Davis in Donald Sutherland. Luscious
Natasha Henstridge, whose come a long way since Species, added plenty as
Sutherland’s aide de camp. A sub plot had one of Davis’ staff members as a
closeted gay. Polly Bergen who played Davis’ mother was added to the show, among
other changes, when this well done prime time drama took a nose dive in the ratings
– a victim to the over the top American Idol. But it wasn't enough to save the show
from extinction. There's a nice interview with Geena Davis and a commentary track
as extras. A second volume will follow.
It also took the Boston Legal producers a while to find the right elements – wacky and
serious – and the right cast members (many are called, few are contracted for long)
– to please major audiences. But the legal eagles at Crane, Poole & Schmidt (after
a mid-season ratings rescue thanks to Candace Bergen) did it. Conservative
Republican William Shatner, battling Alzheimer’s and a massive ego as head
attorney Denny Crane is paired with staunch liberal James Spader’s Alan Shore as
the defiantly individual but brilliant courtroom shark who never loses. Bergen is the
tough, no-nonsense rainmaker and Rene Auberjonois the partner that makes
everything tick. As in all David E. Kelley drama’s, there’s lots of sex and plenty of
eye candy (the male portion is embodied by hunky Mark Valley as an uptight,
competitor to Spader). A raft of name guest stars are also featured (along with
Betty White who joined the cast late in season one).
All this and much more are contained in the 5-disc, 17 episode Boston Legal
Season One set from Fox Home Entertainment. Standouts include the episode
“An Eye for An Eye” that has to be seen (sorry) to be believed (with guest star Rusty
Schwimmer) and the entire arc of episodes featuring Leslie Jordan, the diminutive
gay southerner who kills his mother with a frying pan. There are also a couple of
special features in the set.
