Boston Legal

June 4, 2007 3:11 PM

Is it necessary to have watched "The Practice" to fully understand "Boston Legal"?

I am interested in watching a new show, and have decided to purchase The "Boston Legal" complete first season DVD set. I understand that BL is a spin-off of "The Practice" TV Show, so I was wondering if it is it necessary or important to have watched "The Practice" to fully understand BL?

posted by yugolplex to media & arts (16 comments total)

I have never seen even a smidge of a single episode of TP, as far as I know. I can't recall even seeing a commercial.

But I get BL. Good fun.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 3:13 PM on June 4, 2007

Understand enough to enjoy? No. "Fully" understand? Who can fully understand any TV show without being part of making it?
posted by klangklangston at 3:18 PM on June 4, 2007

I've forgotten to watch BL this season (bad time spot), but I watched the season before. I never saw a full episode of the Practice, prior to this, and thoroughly enjoyed BL the entire time. Didn't even know the two were associated. Go figure.
posted by Atreides at 3:34 PM on June 4, 2007

Thank you all....
posted by yugolplex at 3:40 PM on June 4, 2007

In my opinion, you'll do fine. I didn't even know there was a connection till I'd seen the show a few times.

Denny Crane!
posted by konolia at 3:52 PM on June 4, 2007

n'thing having never seen The Practice but loving Boston Legal.

You should, however, watch them in order. But you're starting with the box set, so it doesn't sound like an issue, though.
posted by fogster at 3:55 PM on June 4, 2007

Huh, I watched plenty of The Practice, but I never knew there was a connection. I guess it makes sense, but certainly not required to enjoy the ADD-infused legal dramedy that is BL.
posted by rhizome at 4:08 PM on June 4, 2007

Here's the thing. A lot of fans felt that The Practice jumped the shark when they fired 2/3 of the cast and Spader et al. came in. It effectively rebooted the series, anyway, and you might consider that the final year of The Practice is relevant because of the characters who overlap, including Crane. Think of it as a prequel.
posted by dhartung at 4:11 PM on June 4, 2007

Used to watch Practice, got tired of the over-drama, and was relieved when they pulled the plug. Was overjoyed to see Spader and Shatner spun-off into Boston Legal -- which is a hybrid of sorts that integrates the humor of Allly McBeal with the drama of The Practice -- but with stellar characters. Awesome show. Bottom line: you do NOT need to know anything about The Practice to enjoy Boston Legal.

Spader + Shatner = Pure Gold!
posted by davidmsc at 4:37 PM on June 4, 2007

No. All you need to know is that the big guy's name is Denny Crane.
posted by jeffamaphone at 5:07 PM on June 4, 2007

No, but if you find that you like Boston Legal enough, you might also enjoy the last season of The Practice. Not the rest.
posted by EllenC at 5:14 PM on June 4, 2007

I've seen maybe one episode of The Practice (before James Spader), but Boston Legal is one of my favourite shows. So no, you'll love it (and if you aren't hooked after the first half of the first episode (which is a truly great episode), I'll be surprised - I bought the first season when it first came out, and everyone I've showed the first episode to wants to watch more...and more...). It's (still) a great show.
posted by biscotti at 5:18 PM on June 4, 2007

I've never seen the Practice but I absolutely LOVE Boston Legal.

However, there are a couple videos on youtube (including this one that compiles just the bits of the Practice with Shatner and Spader.

I've never seen the Practice, so I'm not sure if that is all of it.
posted by Becko at 5:20 PM on June 4, 2007

If you do become an Alan Shore fan, definitely watch the last season or two of TP - Shore was MUCH more sinister when he was with Young, Frut and Belutti. Soooo evil :) He toned it down for CPS.

Having said that, you dont need to see TP before watching BL.


Indigent are poor. Hate the poor. Can't pay
--Denny Crane

posted by neilkod at 6:37 PM on June 4, 2007

You'll be fine. I was a big fan of Boston Legal (until recently, when I tired of it and began to think they were just sensationalizing for sensationalizing's sake), and I never saw an episode of The Practice. Enjoy—the first two seasons of BL are golden.
posted by limeonaire at 7:22 PM on June 4, 2007

No, you don't.

However, I can't watch that show. The camera work bugs the HELL out of me.
posted by The Esteemed Doctor Bunsen Honeydew at 1:01 AM on June 5, 2007