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.
I just started watching Boston Legal..more as a fluke when I didn’t have anything to watch. Well “I’m totally hooked!!!!” I absolutely Love James Spader’s acting. …superb! I even watch the Boston Legal marathons to try and catch up..It’s amazing! Please keep this show going. I never get tired of it..and can’t wait to actually watch the new season.
James Spader’s delivery is superb — almost like Modern Shakespeare — the show leaves you pondering deep issues — I cannot think of many shoes that do that these days and make you laugh. How he memorizes those long speeches for each episode is….. I would enjpy meeting the writers and the actors in a round table to see what they really think of some of the topics discussed It is a fabulous show– Watching reality shows only reminds me of the average mentally inept people I meet and interact with on a daily basis — I don’t find stupidity… Read more »
Please DO NOT cancell this show! It is smart wittyand 100 nper-cent Better than Housewives.Dec.29th 2008
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………………….
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!
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.
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.
This is my absolute favorite show, please don’t take it off the air!!!
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!
great show
The Best show to come along in years. The only show I make sure to tune into.