Fall TV Preview

SYNOPSIS

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THE DEFENDERS, from the executive producer of CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, is an irreverent new legal drama about two fiery and charismatic Las Vegas defense attorneys. Tenacious, defiant and completely engaging, they argue the law, and they follow the law, but they always keep a few tricks up their sleeves. No matter what the odds, these lawyers keep fighting for the little guy.

Starring:
JIM BELUSHI | NICK MORELLI
JERRY O’CONNELL | PETE KACZMAREK
JURNEE SMOLLETT | LISA TYLER
TANYA FISCHER | SOPHIE

Filmography links courtesy of IMDb link-it programme.

REVIEWS

Please note that these reviews may contain spoilers.

Gordon McDougall's Take
This is my first review this year and I mistakenly thought it was the show with Michael Chiklis (No Ordinary Family). I don't know why I thought that but whatever happened, the DVD was in so why not start with this one! I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed this show. Jim Belushi is simply fantastic in the character he portrays. Jim looks so damn good in sunglasses and he wears plenty of them as the show is set in Las Vegas. I also thought that there's a great chemistry with Jerry O'Connell who had his share of failed shows over the years (Carpoolers, Do Not Disturb) but I really think he hit the jackpot in this one (no pun intended!). He is enthusiastic and energic but without being annoying which is too often the case which, frankly, is what I think caused the downfall of his last two attemps. There’s a recently hired rookie lawyer in the law firm and although I didn’t know the actress, she blended all right into the episode but it will take a few episodes for tell me if it’s a good match up for the firm (and the show). She did get a break in the big case the firm is working on. Story-wise, the first case is the one of a kid shooting a bully trying to defend his brother being beat up badly by four much bogger and taller bully after having an argument over a damage tire. After initially accepting a plea with the D.A., he changes his mind and now wants to go on trial and gamble with the decision of a jury. (Again, no pun intended!) All I’m willing to tell you is that the odds are against them but they have a few tricks in their sleeves. I know, it’s like that most of the times but all I can say is that this is where Belushi shines. In the U.S., The Defenders will air against other new legal dramas The Whole Truth and Law & Order: LA so the competition will be fierce. Long established franchise of Law & Order will make us want to check out LA and the whole truth looks so different from anything made before that it will also be something people will be interested in enough to watch the premiere. However, The Defender has a much lighter tone than the other two so that might grab enough viewers to call it a success. CTV has actually scheduled it in pre-release at 8pm, in competition with Undercovers (Citytv), Dragon's Den (CBC), America's Next Top Model (/A\) and Survivor (Global). CTV has actually programmed a whole night of legal dramas with Criminal Minds following at 9pm and Law & Order: LA at 10pm. UPDATE : Am I the only one who thinks Bill Murray and James Belushi look alike? It`s a good think I like both actors but I incorrectly referenced Jim in the movie “Lost in translation”. Thanks to our faithful readers who cought the error.
Rating: One of my personal favorites!
About Gordon McDougall TVGord is a radio host at 580 CFRA in Ottawa. He does a weekly segment about TV every friday which you can hear in MP3 in the '580 CFRA Interviews' section of their website, www.cfra.com

Gordon McDougall's Take
Right off the bat, let me say Jim Belushi and Jerry O’Connell are likeable guys. If that’s enough for viewers, this show should do well. The problem I have with The Defenders is that the pilot gave me the feeling that the writers will never give these lawyers a real challenge. It feels as though everything is laid out so they will always win in the same way Jessica Fletcher and Mark Sloan always solved their cases on Murder She Wrote and Diagnosis Murder, respectively. That’s not a bad thing, if that’s okay with you as a viewer. Belushi’s Nick Morelli pulls a stunt in the pilot that reminded me of something I heard way back during the OJ Simpson trial. When you’re a lawyer, you don’t want to try something in court unless you’re absolutely sure of the way things are going to turn out. The prosecution should not have tried to get OJ to try on those gloves. Of course he was going to arch his fingers in the most unnatural way possible so that it appears the gloves would not fit (and—as Johnnie Cochran said—if the gloves didn’t fit, you must acquit). In this episode, Morelli relies heavily on throwing a glass of water at a witness on the stand, and counting on the witness to turn a certain way. The whole time they were leading up to that moment, all I could think is…what if the witness just sat there and didn’t turn the way he wanted him to. It was a big risk. Never at any point did I get the feeling the writers were going to pull a twist and have Morelli’s stunt fall through, which makes it a little too predictable a show for my liking. I will repeat, though, the actors are likeable guys. That may be enough to give this show a respectable following. It worked for Monk, for instance. I always enjoyed Monk, even though I knew exactly how it was always going to go. It’s perfectly fine, unchallenging entertainment. If viewers want legal drama with a little more challenge, though, they will have two solid choices on the other two networks (ABC’s The Whole Truth and NBC’s Law & Order Los Angeles). Since all three are new shows, it’s a “crap shoot” to say which one will prevail. Of course, with The Defenders set in Las Vegas, perhaps a “crap shoot” will work in their favour.
Rating: Limited success (Might survive a full season)
About Gordon McDougall TVGord is a radio host at 580 CFRA in Ottawa. He does a weekly segment about TV every friday which you can hear in MP3 in the '580 CFRA Interviews' section of their website, www.cfra.com