I've actually joined this forum to THANK ionTV for rescuing myself and the rest of the intelligent viewing public from that 17th level of television Hell otherwise known as the dreaded "Dinner Hour ". Like a majestic Tall Ship, Boston Legal has sailed into the polluted wasteland of sitcom re-runs, talentless talk shows, surreality setups and that most agonizing of cerebral torture tools, Jon & Kate plus 8! Grateful beyond belief, we, the digitally downtrodden, turn our shining faces toward her entertaining light and chant as one our mantra: "Denny Crane!"
Of course I began watching Boston Legal because it stars William Shatner. I confess I have been under the spell of The Shat since a long past flickering black and white Zenith brought an impossibly handsome space hero into my parlour, and my heart. All these years later, I still have a crush on the man. What a plus that he is an exceptionally talented actor and about as close to a Renaissance man as we can hope for in these cyber days.
However, although initially drawn in by The Shat, I was delighted by the presence of the other top notch cast members as well. All dreadnaught actors at the top of their game, many are also beloved long time favourites, having gifted me and countless others with many fine films and memorable television series of their own. Candice Bergen, Rene Auberjonois, John Larroquette, Larry Miller, Henry Gibson, Monica Potter. The timeless, ever adorable Betty White. The list is long, and impressive. And, as so often happens, the younger actors raise their own performances by the presence of these honor roll players.
Perhaps the actor I am most impressed with, however, is James Spader. His performance consistently resonates on so many levels. Originally introduced to Alan Shore on The Practice, I was a bit ambivalent about his character. However, David E. Kelley's talented writing team developed Alan Shore into a complex and interesting character, no doubt with the input of Spader himself, who has always brought his own powerful and unique style to many challenging roles.
What delights me most; however, are Spader's scenes with Bill Shatner. Two strong presences, these two could have spent their camera time attempting to upstage one another. Instead, they compliment and ricochet off one another beautifully, each bringing out the very best in the other. United, yet maintaining their distinctly separate identities within this convoluted wordplay that makes us laugh, often chokes us up, and always makes us think.
So, in conclusion, I submit that ionTV is gloriously guilty of saving the Dinner Hour from the aforementioned morass of mediocrity, and I, for one, humbly thank them for it. Cheers!
Just a Thanks... And a Thumbs Up!
Linear Mode
