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Boston Legal (ABC, Syndicated)

common sense media says

Crass legal dramedy not appropriate for kids.

parents & educators say
See all 4 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this quirky legal drama is laden with sexual innuendoes and references to drugs and alcohol. The inappropriate suggestions and dialogue also contributes to presenting an unrealistic depiction of the workplace.

Positive messages: Borderline sexual harassment imbues much of every day at the show's law office setting.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Chock-full of sexual innuendoes.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: The lawyers often have a cocktail at the end of the day.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Boston Legal

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about proper workplace behavior and the importance of maintaining boundaries in personal and professional relationships. When do you know if you are making someone uncomfortable? If you are on the receiving end of harassing behavior, how can you put a stop to it?

What's the story?

What's the story?
The brainchild of producer David E. Kelley (Ally McBeal), BOSTON LEGAL is a wry, sharply written comedy/drama about the personal and professional lives of a group of talented, emotionally flawed lawyers. The hour-long show, which debuted in 2004 after being spun off from another Kelley creation, The Practice, is led by an Emmy award-winning cast featuring James Spader as morally challenged lawyer Alan Shore. At the wealthy, powerful firm Crane, Poole & Schmidt, Shore takes on complex moral and social issues in the civil cases he tries, and disregards honesty and integrity in his drive to win. Past cases have included a suit in which an African-American mother accuses the producers of Annie of not choosing her daughter for the lead because she is black, and a case in which Shore defends a man who was fired from playing Santa because he is a transvestite. Working alongside Shore is his friend and mentor, Denny Crane (William Shatner), a partner in the firm who is just as ethically corrupt as his protégée. Also employed by Crane, Poole & Schmidt are ex-Marine Brad Chase (Mark Valley), a straight-shooter who helps keep an eye on the unconventional Crane; Shirley Schmidt (Candice Bergen), a founding partner who has returned to the firm to help keep the unruly office in order; Paul Lewiston (Rene Auberjonois), a partner who must deal with the consequences of Crane's mischievous behavior; and Denise Bauer (Julie Bowen) a diligent associate on track to making partner.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Thanks to engaging storylines and witty writing, adults will find Boston Legal entertaining. Each episode takes viewers through several unexpected twists and turns and is skillfully acted by a top-notch cast that is often joined by popular guest stars (in the past the list has included Dana Delany, Heather Locklear, and Michael J. Fox). That said, this show is definitely not for kids. Almost all of the jokes will go over their heads, and the parts that they can absorb will surely be wholly inappropriate.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: ABC
Cast: Candice Bergen, James Spader, William Shatner
Genre: Drama
Where to watch: ABC
This review was written by Lucy Maher
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

moviegeek222
teen, 17 years old
 
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helped me decide (8) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (7)
iluvKH
teen, 18 years old
 
One Of My Favourite shows!
This show is really good! It's really funny and interesting. The two main guys make the show what it is. It has a lot of sexual innuendos but is nothing overly graphic, most violence, if there is any, is not too bad but is quite brutal (but still funny) and is usually not shown. A man get his fingers accidently cut off (not entirely shown and a cat grabs them, one man gets shot in the knee at point-blank, but no blood etc.
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (6)
ljsmom
adult
 
Good TV
I love this show and have watched it since the initial episode. I love Denny Crane and Alan Shore!! They make the show the hit that it is. If you love Court dramas you will definitely love this show!!!
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (5)
cross_breed
teen, 17 years old
13
 
Great Show for Mature Teens and Up
This show is absolutely hilarious. It's very mature though. Younger kids won't even get it, so there's no point in letting little kids watch it anyway. There's tons of overt sexual content throughout. Alan Shore and Denny Crane, two of the show's main characters, sexually harass almost every woman in the office. Crane, especially, is a sexual pervert and in one episode, he wakes up with about seven different women in his bedroom. All that said, people who like dry humor with just the right amount of drama mixed in will love it.
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (5)

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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