The Practice

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ABC (ended 2004)
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Show Summary

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David E. Kelley's Emmy Award-winning legal drama, The Practice, had eight amazing seasons, with promising, provocative, issue-related stories, coupled with the writer's trademark humor. Set in Boston, The Practice centers on a firm of passionate attorneys to whom every case is important and every client worth a fight to the end. Legal maneuvering is the firm's modus operandi, and they have it down to a science, making even the most questionable arguments convincing. And while they can't - and don't - win every trial, the pursuit of justice remains the priority until the final verdict is announced and sometimes afterwards. Pursuing justice, however, often confronts them with serious ethical and moral issues of conscience. The end of last season saw Bobby Donnell quitting the firm and leaving Eugene Young (Steve Harris) in charge. In the final season, we find Eugene not only tackling his new role as head of the firm, but also the new dynamic with co-workers Ellenor Frutt (Camryn Manheim), a single mom known for her fervent commitment to clients and for refusing to take "no" for an answer; Jimmy Berluti (Michael Badalucco), a hard-working "good guy" with a winning record and unparalleled loyalty to the firm; and a budding relationship with Jamie Stringer (Jessica Capshaw), a young associate recently out of law school. In addition to returning cast members Manheim, Harris, Badalucco and Capshaw, in the final season, Kelley injected the series with intriguing new characters, including acclaimed film actor James Spader, who will play Alan Shore, a complicated and ethically challenged lawyer, and Rhona Mitra, who will play Tara Wilson, a confident paralegal in her third year of law school who is also the firm's new tough-as-nails assistant. The multiple Emmy Award-winning drama has also earned a Golden Globe Award for Best Drama Series, a Peabody Award, a Viewers for Quality Television Award, an American Bar Association Silver Gavel Award and, most recently, a coveted Humanitas Award. Spin-offs: Boston Legal Other related shows (within the same "universe"): Ally McBeal, Boston Public, Gideon's Crossing Awards and Nominations 1998 Emmy Awards Nominated Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (David E. Kelley for Betrayal) Won Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (John Larroquette for playing "Joey Heric" in Betrayal) Won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Camryn Manheim) Won Outstanding Drama Series1999 Golden Globe Awards Won Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture (Camryn Manheim) (Tied with Faye Dunaway for "Gia") Won Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series - Drama (Dylan McDermott) Won Best TV-Series - Drama"The Practice" has received the award for Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series every full-length season. John Larroquette as "Joey Heric" (Season 2) Edward Herrmann as "Atty. Anderson Pearson" (Season 3) James Whitmore as "Raymond Oz" (Season 4) Michael Emerson as "William Hinks" (Season 5) Charles Dutton as "Leonard Marshall" (Season 6) Sharon Stone as "Sheila Carlisle" (Season 8) William Shatner as "Denny Crane" (Season 8) Broadcast History ----------------- First telecast: March 4, 1997 Last telecast: May 16, 2004 Show type: Drama Number of episodes: 168 Newtork: ABC (Simulcast in HDTV for the 2000-2001 season through the 2003-2004 season) ------------------------------ Spinoff: Boston Legalmoreless
8.8
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Episode Guide

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S 8 :  Ep 22 Aired 5/16/04
S 8 :  Ep 21 Aired 5/2/04
S 8 :  Ep 20 Aired 4/25/04
S 8 :  Ep 19 Aired 4/18/04
S 8 :  Ep 18 Aired 3/28/04

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Fan Reviews (18)

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  • Gripping, thought provoking, engaging stuff!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By McClawyer, May 07, 2009
    This show is absolutely fantastic.
    As an aspiring lawyer myself, I found it to be the most entertaining and appealing drama I have ever had the pleasure of watching.
    This particular show, as far as I'm concerned, out-performs anything that David E. Kelly has ever produced, and, all other legal dramas to boot!
    I purchased volume one on dvd a while ago and have nearly worn it out! I hope the manufacturer gets wind of these reviews and releases the other seasons quickly. It's a phenomenal show and simply wrong if 13 episodes only ever got released. That concludes my submissions in support of my case for further releases!moreless

  • John L.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By kristia71, Dec 29, 2008
    The three episodes in season 2 dealing with the character Joey Heric are a must see. Great dialog and word play among the characters. And as always a good twist in the end! This is a fantastic series and although I hated to see it end, it ended on a good note. Provided closure for fans of the cast. But I always wondered why they went with Boston Legal instead of a spin off surrounding more of the original characters. Such as following Eugene's experiences on the bench. Or the small practice that Jimmy and Jamie started. Regardless, the show is a definite must see.moreless

  • This show is about defense attorneys who, of course, defend mostly criminals and on another angle, a group of lawyers that started small, barely making rent and all until their reputation for defending scum uplifted their reputation.moreless

    7.3
    "Good"
    By Sarah306, Jul 22, 2008
    Hmm this is i think my second review. I really kept getting angry during the first few seasons of this show. I guess coz they were always winning even when the D.A. have a good strong case against their clients. Also what led to my irritability were Bobby Donnell's expressions when he wasnt getting he wanted, or when he was losing, it's like so personal and it gives me the impression that he's such a sore loser.
    I also used to not like Lindsay Dole because seriously she's emotionally imbalanced and i thought her getting off that murder charge (same with Bobby Donnel when he hired the hitman guy) i thought that was just so bogus and unreal.
    But as i got throught the ending of Season 6 & continued on to Season 7, i'm getting a new feel of the show. I think it gets better towards the end. There's a balance on the winning of the cases and a conscience from these defense attorneys.
    I hate to admit though that it's true what keeps getting repeated over and over in this series. Defense used to be about saving the innocent now it's just about winning. It's not finding the truth, it's not justice because these lawyers know that their clients are guilty and yet they get them off anyway. Also in retrospect, the DA's office have their own set of dirty tricks but you can see the frustration when the justice they supposedly fight for gets lost to the defense attorneys tactics & skill even.
    Justice no longer depends in the truth, but on how good the lawyer is, the best his speech can be in the end.moreless

  • A great show! Positively worth my time!

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By stefan26sept, Jun 26, 2008
    This is one my favorite shows, but in my opinion, by the choice of the cast (season 1-7) absolutely the best!

    I mean, every segment of every episode is very well thought.
    The fights, the fun moments, the serious moments, all the main and supporting characters - brilliant!
    And the recurring characters, e.g. judges Zoey Hiller and Roberta Kittleson are Oscar-worthy. Along with the main cast (again, the first seven seasons). Although there are no Oscars for TV shows... pitty!

    I don't quite understand the billing order, though. I get that Lara Flynn Boyle is last because she is the one that is most known for her prior work. But still, why is e.g. Michael Badalucco second?
    The logical order would be: Dylan McDermott, Kelli Williams, Steve Harris, Camryn Manheim, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Michael Badalucco, Marla Sokoloff and (/with) Lara Flynn Boyle.

    But season 8? I mean, come on! If the budget was SO low, than don't renew it for another season! They should have just aired the new show with new characters.
    But to fire six of them? OK, the storyline for Bobby was pretty much done, and Lindsay and Claire had their own business away from the firm, and I suppose that Lucy is a minor character, but... still, to fire Lisa Gay Hamilton was bad enough. But to fire Lara Flynn Boyle? That is a crime. An immense error by Kelley, which is why The Practice only gets 9 points from me.moreless

  • Please bring it back to regular TV! It's thought provoking, suspenseful, and meaningful - unlike many new shows out there today! I miss it!!!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By yoshilin, Jun 21, 2008
    Please bring it back to regular TV!!! It's thought provoking, suspenseful, and meaningful - unlike many new shows out there today! I miss it!!! The characters had a strong relationship, the stories were realistic, well most of them, and I just can't believe that it is so hard to find on tv these days. It should easily be deemed a classic. Mash, on the other hand, I don't understand why that's on all the time, on many channels. This is such a special show that I wish they could continue to make more new episodes - would such a thing be possible? Are the wonderful writers still around? Thanks for hearing me out.moreless
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cerebral, characters with double lives, characters with hidden agendas, city living, corruption

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