There are only a few shows on TV that I consider ’’must sees’’. I think these are some of the best American TV has to offer.
Law And Order Each episode takes a case from discovery of the crime through the trial. Storylines are often purposefully similar to recent events (’’ripped from the headlines’’ according to the PR). There is just enough difference from the actual event and the outcomes are not always the same. Law And Order has a strong ensemble cast that has sustained the comings and goings of several actors over it’s run. This tends to make the show more credible as events cause various characters to make life changes. The current cast includes Sam Waterston as D.A. Jack Mc Coy and Jerry Orbach and Jesse L. Martin as the detectives. There will be a new assistant DA this season.
The Practice. Set in Boston (I live close by) this legal drama is focused on a small struggling law firm. Here again there is a strong ensemble cast with the quirky genius of David E. Kelley at the helm. Some of the cases give the attorneys cause to question their roles in a system where the guilty can go free if they do their jobs well. As in any of David Kelley’s dramas there are many unexpected and unusual plot turns and events.
The West Wing. I didn’t watch this when first on but have become addicted watching the re-runs this summer. Martin Sheen is the very human President Bartlett dealing with crises large and small with his staff constantly weighing the political implications of every decision and comment. At the end of last season, President Bartlett and his staff were struggling with a takeover of the US embassy in Haiti, a hurricane and the implications of Bartlett’s keeping secret the fact that he has Multiple Sclerosis. Discussions of how to handle these events seem very credibly portrayed.
Whose Line is It Anyway? This is a very lightweight half hour of improvisational comedy hosted by Drew Carey. It is a copy of the British show of the same name. It’s silly and funny and a great way to let go of the stresses of the day.
JAG This drama featuring David James Elliot as Harmon Rabb and Catherine Bell as Sara MacKenzie as lawyers for the military. Although the cases they try and the side stories featuring the secondary characters are all very interesting, the most fascinating thing to watch here is the relationship between Harm and Mac.
If asked for more than five-I’d add Judging Amy and C.S.I.
The new season is coming, My guess from what I’ve seen in the ads, is that I’ll be sticking with my favorites.