The cast and crew of the David E. Kelley “drama” series Boston Legal had plenty of reason to celebrate when the recent Emmy nominations were announced. The series was nominated for Best Drama and series stars James Spader and William Shatner also picked up nominations. The cast and crew returned to work last week but their show’s future may not feel as secure as it once did.
Boston Legal, as you probably know, was a spin-off of Kelley’s popular drama The Practice. The quirky legal series debuted on October 3, 2004 and ranked 27th for the season with an average of 12.5 million viewers each week. Season two dropped to 46th for the year with 10.3 million viewers. Season three slipped to 48th and attracted an average of 9.9 million each week. Though the ratings are still respectable, the series can’t be considered a big hit. Last May, ABC even postponed Legal’s season three finale until after the sweeps period.
ABC renewed Boston Legal for a fourth season on March 21, 2007 so the show will certainly return at some point. The big question is “when?” Boston Legal was originally scheduled to return on Tuesday, September 25th but was bumped. The network had asked the show’s producers to create a special 90-minute episode to follow Dancing with the Stars but they declined. Now the series return date is up in the air. With falling ratings, is ABC losing interest in Boston Legal? The show certainly doesn’t seem to be a priority.
Whenever the series does return, you can expect to see a number of cast changes. Tara Summers, John Larroquette, Saffron Burrows, and Taraji P. Henson will all be joining the team as series regulars. Emmy-winner Christian Clemenson (Jerry Espinson) will become a series regular as well. Exiting the series will be Constance Zimmer, Julie Bowen, Mark Valley and Rene Auberjonois. Valley and Auberjonois have been booked for a few season four episodes, presumably to give the writers an opportunity to give the characters an exit out of the firm. Stay tuned! 
08-02-07 UPDATE: The producers seem to have changed their mind about ABC’s request to make the season premiere a 90-minute episode. Boston Legal will return on September 25th at 9:30pm. It will air Tuesdays at 10pm after that.
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Boston Legal is an excellent combination of good drama and a tasteful comedy and I never miss an episode unless I’ve had to work (in which case I tape it) and in some cases I’ve actually called off to watch it. Shatner is a horney, power crazy 14-year-old trapt in a 50-year old body-”Deny Crane”, you gotta’ love it. In my opinion he is only succeeded by James Spader’s character Alan Shore who I can’t even put into words of how brilliant and sarcastically ballsy he is. PLEASE DON’T CANCEL THE SHOW, I BEG YOU!!!!
Aloha
By far the most intelligent
show on network tv.
I wish ABC would be more
consistent with the show.
How about HBO?
I agree with a lot of the comments here about BL. Its far too intelligent, and “real” for most people to understand, and deal with! Its the perfect combination of real life issues being met head on with refreshing Political Incorrectness humor. It certainly doesn’t appeal to those who voted in our current administration!
The Best show to come along in years. The only show I make sure to tune into.
great show
This is the best show on t.v.! I love the wit and refreshing politically incorrect humor!The mentality of America has gone down the toilet when shows such as The Biggest Loser, The Bachelor, etc. are considered entertainment. Please bring Boston Legal back!
This is my absolute favorite show, please don’t take it off the air!!!
Please bring back Boston Leagal. It is the best there is. This present cast is so great. There is nothing like it, it is the best drama about lawyers I have ever seen. It is too sad to see it go. Not replaceable.
I enjoy Boston Legal. It has humor and also makes you think about issues. The balcony conversation is a great ending to each showing. They have great writers. Please keep this show on the air.
Boston Legal deserves to be brought back. Not only does the show address controversial issues; it does so with intelligence, humor, and wit. Its cancellation will leave a giantic void in our tv viewing. Boston Legal is a show that makes its viewers more thoughtful, informed, and involved!
What will I do on Monday evenings? Boston Legal is a well-written and intelligent. It is a shame that Boston Legal is leaving ABC. Oh well, I guess we can still watch America’s Funniest Home Videos………………….
Please DO NOT cancell this show! It is smart wittyand 100 nper-cent Better than Housewives.Dec.29th 2008
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