Gavin Howe
L.A. Law is an American legal drama television series created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher that ran from 1986 to 1994. The show is set in the fictional Los Angeles–based law firm McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak and features attorneys at the firm and various members of the support staff. The series reflects the social and cultural conflicts of the time, with many of the cases dealing with hot-button issues such as capital punishment, abortion, racism, homophobia, sexual harassment, HIV/AIDS, and domestic violence. L.A. Law received acclaim for its writing, acting, and directing, and won 15 Emmy Awards throughout its run.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Legal drama, black comedy |
| Format | Television series |
| Creators | Steven Bochco, Terry Louise Fisher |
| Directors | Steven Bochco, David E. Kelley |
| Writers | Steven Bochco, Terry Louise Fisher, David E. Kelley |
| Number of Seasons | 8 |
| Number of Episodes | 172 |
| Date Released | September 15, 1986 |
| Date Ended | May 19, 1994 |
| Awards | 15 Emmy Awards |
| Actors | Richard Dysart, Alan Rachins, Corbin Bernsen, Jill Eikenberry, Michael Tucker, Susan Ruttan, Harry Hamlin, Susan Dey, Jimmy Smits, Michele Greene |
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What You'll Learn
LA Law's impact on TV
LA Law, the American legal drama television series, had a profound impact on TV during its original run from 1986 to 1994. Created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher, the show centred on the partners, associates, and staff of a Los Angeles law firm. It reflected the social and cultural conflicts of its time, presenting compelling and unusual legal cases that explored hot-button issues.
One of the most notable aspects of LA Law's impact on TV was its willingness to tackle controversial and timely topics. The show addressed issues such as capital punishment, abortion, racism, homophobia, sexual harassment, HIV/AIDS, and domestic violence. By doing so, it paved the way for future TV shows to engage with complex and challenging subject matter. LA Law also brought black comedy back to television, incorporating sexuality and sensuality into its storylines in a way that advanced character development.
The writing on LA Law was known for its high quality, enabling the talented cast to deliver performances at the peak of their abilities. The show featured an ensemble cast with a large number of parallel storylines, a trademark of Bochco's work. It also reflected social tensions between wealthy senior lawyer protagonists and their less well-paid junior staff.
In addition to its impact on storytelling and character development, LA Law also left a mark on TV production. The show was known for its use of different musical openings to set the tone for each episode, with a saxophone riff for lighter episodes and an ominous synthesizer chord for more serious storylines. The opening credits sequence, featuring a car trunk slamming shut to reveal a personalised "LA LAW" license plate, became iconic.
LA Law's influence extended beyond its original run, as it continues to be remembered as one of the most influential legal dramas in television history. The show won numerous awards, including 15 Emmy Awards and GLAAD's first Media Award for Outstanding Drama Series in 1990. It also launched the careers of several actors, including Don Cheadle, Jeffrey Tambor, and David Schwimmer. In 2016, the show was released on DVD for the first time, and a sequel was reportedly in development at ABC.
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The show's reflection of social and cultural conflicts
LA Law, the Emmy Award-winning American television legal drama series, reflects the social and cultural conflicts of its time, the 1980s and early 1990s. Created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher, the show is set in the fictitious Los Angeles law firm McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney, and Kuzak and features attorneys and support staff.
The show presents a unique blend of humour and drama, often addressing serious and timely topics such as abortion, racism, gay rights, homophobia, sexual harassment, AIDS, and domestic violence. By tackling these issues, LA Law provides a window into the social and cultural tensions of its era. For instance, the show reflects the tensions between wealthy senior lawyer protagonists and their less well-paid junior staff, mirroring the growing awareness of economic inequality and power dynamics in the workplace.
One of the distinctive aspects of LA Law is its ability to combine off-the-wall humour with weighty social issues. The show's quirky humour is evident from the very first episode, where a partner at the firm suddenly dies of a heart attack while seated at his desk. This blend of humour and drama helped to engage audiences and make the show accessible while also addressing important topics.
The show also reflects the cultural and social ideologies of the time by featuring strong, ambitious female characters. For example, in the pilot episode, Alfre Woodard plays an unforgettable rape victim. The show's portrayal of women navigating the legal profession and fighting for their rights reflects the growing awareness of women's empowerment and the ongoing struggle for gender equality in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Overall, LA Law provides a fascinating time capsule of the social and cultural conflicts of its era. By addressing hot-button issues and presenting them through a blend of humour and drama, the show offers a unique perspective on the tensions and ideologies of the time, making it not just entertaining but also a valuable reflection of societal evolution.
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The show's portrayal of lawyers
L.A. Law is an American television legal drama series that aired on NBC from 1986 to 1994. The series was created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher, a former Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County, and revolves around the lives and work of the staff of a major Los Angeles law firm.
The show is known for its portrayal of lawyers and legal cases, with many viewers and critics commenting on its influence on public perceptions of lawyers and the legal system. A New York attorney even went so far as to say that "any lawyer who doesn't watch L.A. Law the night before he's going to trial is a fool." The show's impact extended beyond just entertainment, as attorneys reported that it influenced how they dressed and spoke to juries, and clients began to expect quicker resolutions to their cases. The number of applicants to law schools also rose due to the show's glamourisation of the profession.
L.A. Law featured compelling and unusual legal cases, often dealing with hot-button issues of the time such as abortion, racism, gay rights, homophobia, sexual harassment, HIV/AIDS, and domestic violence. The show reflected the social and cultural conflicts of the 1980s and 1990s, including social tensions between wealthy senior lawyers and their less well-paid junior staff. The cases presented on the show were so unique that showrunner David E. Kelley revisited some of them in his other legal dramas, including "Picket Fences", "The Practice", and "Ally McBeal".
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The show's writing and acting
"L.A. Law" is a popular television drama series that aired from 1986 to 1994. The show revolves around the fictional Los Angeles-based law firm McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak and explores the personal lives and professional activities of the attorneys and support staff. The series was co-created by Terry Louise Fisher, a former deputy district attorney and entertainment lawyer, and Stephen Bochco, who also wrote the show.
The writing in "L.A. Law" is considered exceptional, with critics praising the sharp script and the way the show balanced serious topics with impeccable comedy. The series tackled a range of difficult and controversial issues, including capital punishment, abortion, racism, homophobia, sexual harassment, HIV/AIDS, and domestic violence. The writing pushed the envelope and presented cutting-edge storylines that kept viewers engaged. The show also featured an ensemble cast, multiple parallel storylines, and off-the-wall humour, reflecting the social and cultural conflicts of the time.
The acting in "L.A. Law" is also highly acclaimed, with viewers and critics alike praising the brilliant performances of the ensemble cast. The show starred Corbin Bernsen, Jill Eikenberry, Michael Tucker, and Richard Dysart, among others. The actors' portrayals of their complex characters were so compelling that viewers felt they "grew to know and love" them. The show also featured then-relatively unknown actors and actresses in guest-starring roles, who later went on to great success, including Don Cheadle, Kathy Bates, and David Schwimmer.
The combination of exceptional writing and acting made "L.A. Law" a critical and commercial success, with the show winning numerous awards, including 15 Emmy Awards, four of which were for Outstanding Drama Series. The show's impact can still be seen today, with its DNA influencing many current streaming shows.
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The show's production
The production of L.A. Law, an American legal drama television series, was handled by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher, who created the show for NBC. The series ran for eight seasons and 172 episodes from 15 September 1986 to 19 May 1994.
The show was set in and around the fictional Los Angeles–based law firm McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak (later McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney, Kuzak, and Becker). The exteriors for the law firm were shot at the FourFourFour South Flower building in downtown Los Angeles, which was known as the 444 Flower Building at the time. The opening credits sequence of every episode began with a close-up of a car trunk being slammed shut, revealing a personalised license plate reading "LA LAW". The model car used for the first seven seasons was a Jaguar XJ Series III, and for the final season, it was replaced with a 1993 Bentley Continental R.
The series centred on the partners, associates, and staff of the law firm, reflecting the social and cultural conflicts of the time. The show featured an ensemble cast, a large number of parallel storylines, social drama, and off-the-wall humour. It dealt with hot-button issues such as capital punishment, abortion, racism, homophobia, sexual harassment, HIV/AIDS, and domestic violence. The series also reflected social tensions between the wealthy senior lawyer protagonists and their less well-paid junior staff.
The show was well-received by both critics and audiences, winning 15 Emmy Awards throughout its run, including four for Outstanding Drama Series. It was praised for its writing, acting, and its ability to balance serious topics with humour. L.A. Law brought black comedy back to television and presented sexuality and sensuality that advanced its storylines.
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Frequently asked questions
LA Law is an American legal drama television series created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher. It aired on NBC from 1986 to 1994 and revolves around the lives of the partners, associates, and staff of a Los Angeles law firm.
You can watch LA Law on Amazon Prime. It is also available for streaming on JustWatch and TV Guide.
LA Law is known for its ensemble cast, multiple parallel storylines, social drama, and off-the-wall humour. It reflects the social and cultural conflicts of its time, addressing issues such as capital punishment, abortion, racism, homophobia, sexual harassment, HIV/AIDS, and domestic violence. The show also highlights the social tensions between wealthy senior lawyers and their less well-paid junior staff.
