Diary of a Perfect Murder (1)

Season 1, Episode 1, Aired

Episode Summary

EDIT
7.5
out of 10
EPISODE RATING: Good
14 votes
  • Your Rating: 10
    "Perfect"
  • Your Rating: 9.5
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 9
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 8.5
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 8
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 7.5
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 7
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 6.5
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 6
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 5.5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 4.5
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 4
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 3.5
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 3
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 2.5
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 2
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 1.5
    "Abysmal"
  • Your Rating: 1
    "Abysmal"
Rate Now!
Atlanta lawyer Ben Matlock takes on the high profile case of a television reporter accused of murdering his former wife. The case is complicated when his daughter Charlene develops feelings for the accused killer.
WRITE A REVIEW

Cast & Crew

See All EDIT

Fan Episode Reviews (1)

See All

  • This review is for "Diary of a Perfect Murder - Parts 1 and 2."

    7.8
    "Good"
    By jamoon2006, Apr 11, 2008
    This TV movie that launched "Matlock" shows the formula for the show was in place from the very beginning. However, there are some traits and aspects of both the show and the character that are similar to, but not exactly like the Ben Matlock we got to know as the series went on.

    Andy Griffith, of course, has the character nailed from the get-go. When we first meet Matlock, he's rising to get the fresh eggs from his chicken coop. Next, he's in court, using his trademark razzle-dazzle to earn an aquittal for his client. One scene more than any other, however, perfectly sums up Matlock. After Tyler beats up a man who was hassling Ben and Tyler in a bar, Matlock stops for a moment to tell the bar patrons that if they ever find themselves in a similar situation to call him - "your personal injuries can mean big money!" - and hands out his business cards. But the Matlock of the pilot is far more adversarial with the police and the D.A.'s office and can play fast and loose with the facts. In the series, Matlock was still wily, but a little less of an outright rascal.

    Also good from the start is Kene Holliday as Tyler Hudson, Matlock's occasional PI. Holliday has a hip, cool delivery and Tyler almost feels like a character from another era. He and Griffith have great chemistry together in a relationship that is similar to, but more developed than, that of Perry Mason and Paul Drake.

    Fortunately, Lori Lethin was replaced after this pilot. Her Charlene is whiny, unprofessional and spends most of the movie getting into trouble. Linda Purl was a much better choice for the character.

    Of course, a pilot is more than just introducing characters and the premise of the show; you need a good story to go along with it. Fortunately, series creator and former "Columbo" scribe Dean Hargrove comes up with a nice mystery (even if he does crib the crucial final clue from a classic "Columbo") that involves investigative reporting, a mob scheme, jilted lovers and professional rivalries.moreless
WRITE A REVIEW
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

See All

FILTER BY TYPE

Matlock Forums


Add a Topic See All
Last Activity
Replies

Related Shows

Season 1 Episodes

See All
Ep 25
The Doctors
Ep 24
The Reporter
Ep 23
The Photographer
Ep 22
The People vs. Matlock
Ep 21
The Therapist
Ep 20
The Court-Martial (2)
Ep 19
The Court-Martial (1)
Ep 18
The Convict
Ep 17
The Nurse
Ep 16
The Rat Pack
Ep 15
The Author
Ep 14
The Chef
Ep 13
Santa Claus
Ep 12
The Professor
Ep 11
The Angel
Ep 10
The Cop
Ep 9
The Sisters
Ep 8
The Don (2)
Ep 7
The Don (1)
Ep 6
The Seduction
Ep 5
The Affair
Ep 4
The Stripper
Ep 3
The Judge
Ep 2
Diary of a Perfect Murder (2)
Ep 1
Diary of a Perfect Murder (1)

Contributors

Become a contributor
More
Less

TV Listings

Full Listings
TV.com Properties | Shows | Videos | News | Listings | Forums | People | Photos | TV.com Blog

CBS Entertainment | About TV.com | About CBS Interactive | Jobs | Advertise

© 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Ad Choice | Terms of Use