“L.A. Law” Retrospective (Part 8 of 8)

During its eight-year run on NBC from 1986 to 1994, L.A. Law showcased legal issues without tidying everything in a package for the audience.  It was a more realistic way of looking at law practice, which can be messy, full of ambiguities, conflicts, and unresolved...

“L.A. Law” Retrospective (Part 7 of 8)

Of  all guest stars or recurring characters on L.A. Law, perhaps none stand out more than direct mail king David Meyer (played by Dann Florek).  Once married to Roxanne Melman (played by Susan Ruttan), secretary to Arnie Becker, Meyer is the firm’s...

“L.A. Law” Retrospective (Part 6 of 8)

In Teleliteracy is Here…So Telefriend, Chapter 14 of his 1992 book Teleliteracy, television critic David Bianculli raises the issue of television programming rivaling literature for intelligence. “Authors of written literature reveal their own enthusiasms...

“L.A. Law” Retrospective (Part 5 of 8)

In the second season L.A. Law episode The Wizard of Odds, black overachiever Jonathan Rollins (played by Blair Underwood) interviews with McKenzie Brackman.  Actually, Jonathan controls the interview from the outset, referencing powerful family friends, Ivy League...

“L.A. Law” Retrospective (Part 4 of 8)

The gorilla suit that Michael Kuzak wore to woo Grace Van Owen proved valuable in court.  In the third season episode His Suit is Hirsute, Kuzak represents the plaintiff in the Hilbar vs. Bradley case.  The plaintiff seeks damages caused by faulty installation of a...