"The Practice" (1997)TV series 1997-2004

Creator:

David E. Kelley

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Release Date:

4 March 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Romance | Thriller

Plot:

This weekly television series is similar to other lawyer shows, but with a twist. Here, we follow the...

Plot Keywords:

Boston Massachusetts | Courtroom | Ethics | Law | Social Commentary

Awards:

Won 3 Golden Globes. Another 38 wins & 79 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sat. July 26	8:00 AM	FX	Axe Murderer	#2.26
Sun. July 27	7:00 AM	FX	Duty Bound	#2.27

Cast

Michael Badalucco	...	Jimmy Berluti (165 episodes, 1997-2004)
Camryn Manheim	...	Ellenor Frutt (164 episodes, 1997-2004)
Steve Harris	...	Eugene Young / ... (163 episodes, 1997-2004)
Dylan McDermott	...	Bobby Donnell (146 episodes, 1997-2004)
Kelli Williams	...	Lindsay Dole (138 episodes, 1997-2003)
Lisa Gay Hamilton	...	Rebecca Washington (136 episodes, 1997-2003)
Lara Flynn Boyle	...	Helen Gamble (116 episodes, 1997-2003)
Marla Sokoloff	...	Lucy Hatcher (108 episodes, 1998-2004)

Runtime:

60 min (168 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:PG (season 1) | Australia:PG (some episodes) | Australia:MA (one episode) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

City Hall Plaza, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Trivia:

The old courthouse at Pemberton Square, seen in most of the exterior shots of the cases the firm tries, is the courthouse for the Boston Municipal Court, and would not be the actual courthouse used for the most part in the cases seen in the series; federal cases are now tried at the modern facility at Fan Pier in South Boston, and superior court cases at the McCormack courthouse in the financial district.

Quotes:

Joey Heric: Helen, can I call you Helen?
Helen: No.
Joey Heric: Okay, Dorothy.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Ben Affleck/Fiona Apple (#25.13)" (2000)

WHO DID THIS!

I have seen David E. Kelley's other shows. Ally is OK. Picket Fences was good. Chicago Hope was OK. And now the Practice. The Practice is without question the greatest show put together through 6 seasons. I am dissapointed with season 7 (2002-2003) but the show has shocked me before, and I am not giving up.

The reason the Practice is the best show ever is 3 areas: Acting, Writing, and Casting. The main actors are superb with Jimmy Berlutti being the best. However, the most impressive is the casting and acting of the guest actors. I have never seen James Whitmore better as Raymond Oz. Michael Emerson as William Hinks. WOW Where did they find that amazing actor. John Laroquette as Joey Heric. WOW. I hated Night Court, but he is splendid in his 4 episodes of the Practice. I will never forget the judge that told stories and increased your sentence if you laughed. Who thinks of these stories? Michael Monks as the Podiatrist George Vogelman. WOW. Great choice there. I cant look at him anymore without believing he is a cross dressing killer in real life! And Richard Bay. WOW. The list goes on and on. And the writing. So many examples, but the final John Laroquette episode as a lawyer defending his gay lover to bury him, WOW. I clapped once that episode was over and sat stunned. I have a creative mind, but couldnt come up with that story in a million years. It is also the only show that I have seen that continues to bring back guest actors in the same role later in their lives. I wish they would bring back James Whitmore as Raymond Oz, but that may be too much since he lost his mind. And Judge Hiller, Kittleson, and Swackheim are so great.

The Practice may never recover from a poor start to the 7th season. If they don't, they still gave us the greatest 6 years in television history and I will always thank them for that.