I didn't like the pilot episode but Living's constant plugs made it hard to avoid and I'm glad I stuck with it, bought the DVD's and can walk around shouting Denny Crane and everyone thinking I'm completely insane
They seem to have dropped his 'Mad Cow' thing from the last 2 seasons...though he did mention Mad last night
That was one of the funniest episodes - and I liked the way Denny referred back to them being flamingos in a later episode when Alan was struggling to define their relationship/friendship, being a flamingo with someone symbolizes real friendship!
I was reading about William Shatner on the net yesterday, LOL he is a Vegetarian very much a democrat everything Denny Crane would be against. Shatners acting is just brilliant he is very good at being the comedian.
I think the best was when Jeffrey Coho and Claire turned up...
Denny: Oh please, if there were new guys they would have shown up in the season premiere
AND
Denny: Welcome, to Boston Legal.
Claire: Jeffrey, the gross man is fondling me.
Denny: It's the official firm greeting.
(squeezes Claire's butt)
Denny: Cue the music
Yes, they're the ones that I remember, the first one was the first one, if you see what I mean. I think.
Been watching since episode 1 (TV & Satellite Week ran an article on it waaaay back before the first series and as soon as I read the words David E. Kelley, I knew I was gonna watch) and absolutely love it, it's filled the hole Ally McBeal left when that was cancelled. (TV & satellite Week is a must buy if you love shows like this, they'll always remind you when it's back on or have news on new and future series - they championed Heroes and The Shield too, amognst others, which are also top notch)
I did love the scenes with Alan and Denise the other week when he could smell Coho and Action Man on her. Quality.
In the episode "An Eye for an Eye," Alan is asked if there is "someplace he'd rather be" to which he quips that he'd like to be on cable as that is where all of the best work is being done.
In "Gone," Denny, after shooting a homeless man in the face with a paintball gun, tells Alan, "They can't get rid of me, I'm the star of the show!"
In episode 209 "Gone" Denny tells Alan while on the balcony "I get action, I won an Emmy." William Shatner who plays Denny Crane has won two Emmys for the role. Alan Shore responded, "Just the same," as James Spader has also won two.
Denny complained that he was "tired of [his] Alzheimer's being a story point."
Alan says to Denny, "Ah, there you are. I've hardly seen you this episode."
Denny also says, in a late episode in Season Two, that everything he wants to express in life is bottled up inside of him like a "kidney stone", which is a possible reference to the kidney stone that William Shatner passed and later auctioned.
In "Race Ipsa" (an episode originally written and shot during the first season, and then--after the first season was abruptly curtailed to make way for Grey's Anatomy--moved to late in the second season with new footage added), Alan sees his colleague Chelina--not seen since she was introduced in the first season. Chelina says "God, the last time I saw you..." to which Alan continues, "I believe it was a Sunday, then I was taken off the air, you went off to do movies, I got switched to Tuesdays and..." and Chelina adds "Here we are...with old footage."
Later in "Race Ipsa", Alan's secretary Melissa cautions Alan not to get involved with Chelina, noting "She's only a guest star."
In the episode "Squid Pro Quo," Denny references a new character on the show, expressing that he can't wait to "see her next week."
During "BL: Los Angeles" (the finale of the second season), Denny attempts to persuade Shirley to kiss him by stating: "Shirley, this is the sweeps episode." At the end of the episode, on the balcony, Alan makes toast to "To next season, my Friend." Denny asks "Same night?" and Alan replies, "God, I hope"
In an early Season Two episode, shortly after the series moved from its original Sunday night schedule to its new Tuesday home, Denny and Alan are fishing in a rain sewer grate, during which Denny muses on various changes in his life he has had to endure. Among them, he states, "I miss my old time slot."
In the second episode of the second season, Denny asks Alan, "Show over already? You look beaten."
In the season premiere of the third season, Alan is speaking of how his recent casual sexual relationship with Marlene Stanger (Parker Posey) allowed him to act more like his true self and says, "These past few years I've felt this inexplicable compulsion to be somewhat redeeming as if I were some series regular on a television show."
In the second episode of the third season, "New Kids on the Block," a new male law partner and a law associate arrive at the firm and tell Denny they're the new guys, to which Denny responds "If there were new guys they would have shown up in the season premiere." Then, Denny grabs the new girl's buttocks and says "Welcome to Boston Legal." After she complains, Denny looks at the camera and says, "cue the music," at which point the opening credits begin. As the opening logo to the show slides on from off camera, Craig Bierko's character Jeffrey is seen to be looking back and forth as if 'seeing' the credits transition on screen.
From the episode "Fine Young Cannibal": after winning a case involving a homeless man who ate his best friend while cremating him, Alan Shore asks Shirley Schmidt, as if asking the audience, "Do you think we win so much that we lose all suspense?"
At the end of the episode "Fine Young Cannibal," the closing shot focuses on the smoke rising from Alan’s and Denny’s cigars. At a certain point, the vocalist singing the end theme begins coughing as if enveloped in this cloud of smoke.
After a tirade on the modern implementation of the constitutional right granting freedom of religion: "Yes I know, I'll get letters." -Alan Shore
Denny's advice to Bethany in "Lincoln" is read off large cue cards held by Alan, which Bethany apparently does not notice. Alan does this again in "Dumping Bella," when Denny expresses his true feelings to Bethany; she again does not notice.
Also in "Lincoln," when Lincoln kidnaps Shirley, he comments that if this were a movie, we'd hear a real ominous chord right about now. Immediately thereafter, the audience does hear such an ominous musical chord.
When Denny and Alan are smoking cigars together at the end of the episode "Lincoln," Denny asks when Alan's trial is. Alan says it is Tuesday at 10. Although "Lincoln" was aired on a Sunday, Boston Legal's regular timeslot on ABC is Tuesday nights at 10:00 p.m. Eastern time, and it was then that the episode featuring Alan's trial was aired.
In "The Nutcrackers," when Shirley assigns Alan a new case, he asks her what his ‘motivation’ is so that he can get into ‘character’ for the case; this is a question typically asked by method actors (re their motivation in a given scene or role). Also, the case file that Shirley puts on Alan’s desk looks less like a folder or envelope and more like a script.
In "Angel of Death," Denny plays the first few notes of the show's theme song on his "trombone-kazoo," coinciding with the real song playing over the opening credits.
In "Nuts," Claire asks Clarence -- dressed as Oprah -- to bumper out to a commercial break, as is done on on the Oprah Winfrey Show, immediately before an actual commercial break on Boston Legal.
In "Dumping Bella," Shirley mentions during a trial that she had not received her "March of the Penguins" movie screener from the Academy yet. As a lawyer, she would not be eligible to receive such a screener. As the real-life Candice Bergen however, who is a member of the Academy, she is eligible.
At the end of "Dumping Bella," Denny (dressed as Dick Cheney) is dancing with Alan (dressed as Shirley Schmidt). Denny comments that the neighbors would be puzzled if they saw Dick Cheney dancing with Shirley Schmidt on their balcony. Alan replies, "Well, if they're regular viewers, they know by now [that] anything goes."
In "Fat Burner," after opposing counsel gives its closing statement, Denny responds by asking, "how come the other side always ha short closings?"
In "The Good Lawyer," Denny recoils at the idea that he “seem like a Jew”: Shatner has made a living playing characters (such as Crane) who are ‘true-blue’ American (although Shatner, in real life, is Canadian), Christian (although he’s Jewish), and conservative (it's not known if Shatner is actually liberal).
In "Witches of Mass Destruction," Denny shows up to the office costume party wearing the same pink flamingo costume that Alan is; Alan then tells him, "Denny, you look pretty in pink." This is probably an homage to his role as Stef in Pretty in Pink, and a nod to the scene where Molly Ringwald is joined at the prom by her friend Ducky at the last minute.
In "Tea and Sympathy," Alan Shore asks a judge who else she has slept with (other than Shore) and asks, "Didn't Mitt [Romney] ever ask you to become one of his wives?" (speaking of the Mormon Republican 2008 Presidential candidate) She responds, "Okay...that, you'll get letters for."
In "Guantanamo by the Bay", Jerry Espenson tells Shirley Schmidt he hears a 'happy song' in his head. When she asks him to sing it, he begins to sing the Boston Legal theme song as the credits begin. He can be heard (and seen) throughout the credits singing along.
I really do love this show, I to am watching the early season on Monday nights FTN. Last nights episode was great with Tom Selleck. His character and Denny Crane, was great as they paid hommage to the fact they were both leading men who went home with a different lady every week. Clearly a reference to TS's Magnum PI, and WS's Kirk.
I have to say also, that if I watch an episode from Star Trek, I can't help but see DC in Kirk. Wnoderful stuff.
Just a reminder to you all that Boston Legal will begin broadcasting on Wednesday on Living from
Wednesday 23rd May
(to allow Greys Anatomy to take its Thursday slot
Wow thanks for that, I'm not sure if my Sky+ will pick it up. I'll keep an eye on it just in case it does n't.
Tbh Wed's is better for us, as we have so much to watch on Thurs. Spaces it all out a bit.
I really do love this show, I to am watching the early season on Monday nights FTN. Last nights episode was great with Tom Selleck. His character and Denny Crane, was great as they paid hommage to the fact they were both leading men who went home with a different lady every week. Clearly a reference to TS's Magnum PI, and WS's Kirk.
Don't forget The Shat was also TJ Hooker back when Selleck was Magnum!!
Yes, they're the ones that I remember, the first one was the first one, if you see what I mean. I think.
Been watching since episode 1 (TV & Satellite Week ran an article on it waaaay back before the first series and as soon as I read the words David E. Kelley, I knew I was gonna watch) and absolutely love it, it's filled the hole Ally McBeal left when that was cancelled. {QUOTE]
Of course, in some ways Boston Legal is a sequel to Ally McBeal. The latter had crossover episodes with The Practice and Alan Shore and Denny Crane started life in that series. Boston Legal (which wsas created as a way to extend The Practice into new territory and reinvented the show) is thus a linear descendant of AllyMcBeal, making it perfectly possible that characters from the original show could crop up. Quite surprised it has not happened yet as David Kelley has always loved this (there were Chicago Hope/Picket Fences crossovers in both series).
It will be fascinating to see the take he has on Life on Mars and if we get a 1973 episode of Boston Legal!!
Comments
Thanks for the links RR, loved the Mad TV parody - very funny.
The show just gets better and better!
I was reading about William Shatner on the net yesterday, LOL he is a Vegetarian very much a democrat everything Denny Crane would be against. Shatners acting is just brilliant he is very good at being the comedian.
Yes, they're the ones that I remember, the first one was the first one, if you see what I mean. I think.
Been watching since episode 1 (TV & Satellite Week ran an article on it waaaay back before the first series and as soon as I read the words David E. Kelley, I knew I was gonna watch) and absolutely love it, it's filled the hole Ally McBeal left when that was cancelled. (TV & satellite Week is a must buy if you love shows like this, they'll always remind you when it's back on or have news on new and future series - they championed Heroes and The Shield too, amognst others, which are also top notch)
I did love the scenes with Alan and Denise the other week when he could smell Coho and Action Man on her. Quality.
We hope so....
Yay...(plays Boston Legal ringtone in celebration)
William Shatner is doing bloody well for a man in his 70's
In "Gone," Denny, after shooting a homeless man in the face with a paintball gun, tells Alan, "They can't get rid of me, I'm the star of the show!"
In episode 209 "Gone" Denny tells Alan while on the balcony "I get action, I won an Emmy." William Shatner who plays Denny Crane has won two Emmys for the role. Alan Shore responded, "Just the same," as James Spader has also won two.
Denny complained that he was "tired of [his] Alzheimer's being a story point."
Alan says to Denny, "Ah, there you are. I've hardly seen you this episode."
Denny also says, in a late episode in Season Two, that everything he wants to express in life is bottled up inside of him like a "kidney stone", which is a possible reference to the kidney stone that William Shatner passed and later auctioned.
In "Race Ipsa" (an episode originally written and shot during the first season, and then--after the first season was abruptly curtailed to make way for Grey's Anatomy--moved to late in the second season with new footage added), Alan sees his colleague Chelina--not seen since she was introduced in the first season. Chelina says "God, the last time I saw you..." to which Alan continues, "I believe it was a Sunday, then I was taken off the air, you went off to do movies, I got switched to Tuesdays and..." and Chelina adds "Here we are...with old footage."
Later in "Race Ipsa", Alan's secretary Melissa cautions Alan not to get involved with Chelina, noting "She's only a guest star."
In the episode "Squid Pro Quo," Denny references a new character on the show, expressing that he can't wait to "see her next week."
During "BL: Los Angeles" (the finale of the second season), Denny attempts to persuade Shirley to kiss him by stating: "Shirley, this is the sweeps episode." At the end of the episode, on the balcony, Alan makes toast to "To next season, my Friend." Denny asks "Same night?" and Alan replies, "God, I hope"
In an early Season Two episode, shortly after the series moved from its original Sunday night schedule to its new Tuesday home, Denny and Alan are fishing in a rain sewer grate, during which Denny muses on various changes in his life he has had to endure. Among them, he states, "I miss my old time slot."
In the second episode of the second season, Denny asks Alan, "Show over already? You look beaten."
In the season premiere of the third season, Alan is speaking of how his recent casual sexual relationship with Marlene Stanger (Parker Posey) allowed him to act more like his true self and says, "These past few years I've felt this inexplicable compulsion to be somewhat redeeming as if I were some series regular on a television show."
In the second episode of the third season, "New Kids on the Block," a new male law partner and a law associate arrive at the firm and tell Denny they're the new guys, to which Denny responds "If there were new guys they would have shown up in the season premiere." Then, Denny grabs the new girl's buttocks and says "Welcome to Boston Legal." After she complains, Denny looks at the camera and says, "cue the music," at which point the opening credits begin. As the opening logo to the show slides on from off camera, Craig Bierko's character Jeffrey is seen to be looking back and forth as if 'seeing' the credits transition on screen.
From the episode "Fine Young Cannibal": after winning a case involving a homeless man who ate his best friend while cremating him, Alan Shore asks Shirley Schmidt, as if asking the audience, "Do you think we win so much that we lose all suspense?"
At the end of the episode "Fine Young Cannibal," the closing shot focuses on the smoke rising from Alan’s and Denny’s cigars. At a certain point, the vocalist singing the end theme begins coughing as if enveloped in this cloud of smoke.
After a tirade on the modern implementation of the constitutional right granting freedom of religion: "Yes I know, I'll get letters." -Alan Shore
Denny's advice to Bethany in "Lincoln" is read off large cue cards held by Alan, which Bethany apparently does not notice. Alan does this again in "Dumping Bella," when Denny expresses his true feelings to Bethany; she again does not notice.
Also in "Lincoln," when Lincoln kidnaps Shirley, he comments that if this were a movie, we'd hear a real ominous chord right about now. Immediately thereafter, the audience does hear such an ominous musical chord.
When Denny and Alan are smoking cigars together at the end of the episode "Lincoln," Denny asks when Alan's trial is. Alan says it is Tuesday at 10. Although "Lincoln" was aired on a Sunday, Boston Legal's regular timeslot on ABC is Tuesday nights at 10:00 p.m. Eastern time, and it was then that the episode featuring Alan's trial was aired.
In "The Nutcrackers," when Shirley assigns Alan a new case, he asks her what his ‘motivation’ is so that he can get into ‘character’ for the case; this is a question typically asked by method actors (re their motivation in a given scene or role). Also, the case file that Shirley puts on Alan’s desk looks less like a folder or envelope and more like a script.
In "Angel of Death," Denny plays the first few notes of the show's theme song on his "trombone-kazoo," coinciding with the real song playing over the opening credits.
In "Nuts," Claire asks Clarence -- dressed as Oprah -- to bumper out to a commercial break, as is done on on the Oprah Winfrey Show, immediately before an actual commercial break on Boston Legal.
In "Dumping Bella," Shirley mentions during a trial that she had not received her "March of the Penguins" movie screener from the Academy yet. As a lawyer, she would not be eligible to receive such a screener. As the real-life Candice Bergen however, who is a member of the Academy, she is eligible.
At the end of "Dumping Bella," Denny (dressed as Dick Cheney) is dancing with Alan (dressed as Shirley Schmidt). Denny comments that the neighbors would be puzzled if they saw Dick Cheney dancing with Shirley Schmidt on their balcony. Alan replies, "Well, if they're regular viewers, they know by now [that] anything goes."
In "Fat Burner," after opposing counsel gives its closing statement, Denny responds by asking, "how come the other side always ha short closings?"
In "The Good Lawyer," Denny recoils at the idea that he “seem like a Jew”: Shatner has made a living playing characters (such as Crane) who are ‘true-blue’ American (although Shatner, in real life, is Canadian), Christian (although he’s Jewish), and conservative (it's not known if Shatner is actually liberal).
In "Witches of Mass Destruction," Denny shows up to the office costume party wearing the same pink flamingo costume that Alan is; Alan then tells him, "Denny, you look pretty in pink." This is probably an homage to his role as Stef in Pretty in Pink, and a nod to the scene where Molly Ringwald is joined at the prom by her friend Ducky at the last minute.
In "Tea and Sympathy," Alan Shore asks a judge who else she has slept with (other than Shore) and asks, "Didn't Mitt [Romney] ever ask you to become one of his wives?" (speaking of the Mormon Republican 2008 Presidential candidate) She responds, "Okay...that, you'll get letters for."
In "Guantanamo by the Bay", Jerry Espenson tells Shirley Schmidt he hears a 'happy song' in his head. When she asks him to sing it, he begins to sing the Boston Legal theme song as the credits begin. He can be heard (and seen) throughout the credits singing along.
Yay! *Does a little happy dance!*
Denny Crane Rocks !!!
*Rises to give winsletsky a standing ovation!*
Bravo!
It is, and he does pierre_gustave!
Wednesday 23rd May
(to allow Greys Anatomy to take its Thursday slot
I have to say also, that if I watch an episode from Star Trek, I can't help but see DC in Kirk. Wnoderful stuff.
Adam
Wow thanks for that, I'm not sure if my Sky+ will pick it up. I'll keep an eye on it just in case it does n't.
Tbh Wed's is better for us, as we have so much to watch on Thurs. Spaces it all out a bit.
I'd take all the credit, but I must forward it onto the best website in the world - wikipedia.com!
Don't forget The Shat was also TJ Hooker back when Selleck was Magnum!!
Thanks RR
This one below is the best website in the world...for BL anyway
I got lost in the mazes of information from Star Trek to the music
http://www.boston-legal.org/
(Don't look to hard at the homepage though, remember its running at US pace)
Denny to Alan - "Why are the other sides closings always so short? (or words to that effect)" just before Alan's usual 5 minute tirade.
Mine has so you should be Ok.