'Boston Legal' lawyers up for Fall

Shake-up at Crane, Poole & Schmidt! You can’t accuse “Boston Legal” creator David E. Kelley of complacency. When production on the ABC’s drama’s fourth season begins on June 27, some of the show’s familiar faces will be gone. No worries: James Spader, William Shatner and Candace Bergen will be back. But their co-horts, Julie Bowen, Mark Valley, Rene Auberjonois and Constance Zimmer will not be, a spokesperson for David E. Kelley Productions said Wednesday. The actors’ contract options were not picked up to keep the show fresh, the spokesperson added. Instead, joining the cast will be John Larroquette (“Night Court”) as Carl Sack, a senior partner who transfers from the firm’s New York office to Boston. Larroquette will not play the same character he won an Emmy for on “The Practice,” the Kelley-created drama from which “Boston Legal” was born.  Additionally, Christian Clemenson, who won an Emmy for his portrayal of Jerry Espenson last year, will become a series regular and Tara Summers (“Dirt”) joins the firm as a young associate.

--Maria Elena Fernandez

(Photo courtesy ABC)

Comments

[yours truly, johnny dollar]

Boston Legal? Not since the Sox traded the Babe to the Yankees...
I thought Crane Poole was a first base man for the Mets.
You'll hear from my attorney!

[Sharon Jacobucci]

I am extremely unhappy they are letting go of a majority of my favorite charactors. I was looking forward to their retuned positions this year. David Kelly could've provided proper closer for the fans by giving them a proper send-off. We can only imagine his reaction had he lost his job in the same fashion. Trust me. He would be livid. My thoughts and prayers goes out to those whose contracts weren't renewed. If I'd had some power, you'd be back on the show. Now, it feels like you're fired and that sucks!!!!!!!!

[KristenBellFanClub.com]

fyi: it's Candice with an "i" not Candace with an "a"

www.imdb.com/name/nm0000298/

[filmex]

We were thrilled when Constance Zimmer joined the cast, having been so wonderful in the late, great ABC legal series "In Justice", not to mention her stint on "Entourage".

Then Kelley goofs around and abuses her solely as a love interest for Clarice/Clarence. Given what Zimmer had to do on BL, one imagines she was happy to escape.

"Ally McBeal" seems like a long time ago. Between the crash and burn of "Girls Club" and "Wedding Bells", it would appear that David E. Kelley has totally lost his mojo when it comes to writing interesting parts for women.

Maybe that's what being married to Michelle Pfeiffer does to you.

[char steffensen]

Constance Zimmer was a breath of fresh air for BL. Gutsy, funny, showing lots of promise. Not just some blonde trying to make it will Allen Shore. I love this show but I'm seriously unhappy about this shake up. Mark and Julie's behavior were so childish that I won't miss them all that much. But Constance was never really given a chance to strut her stuff. Come on you guys. All you want in your women are skinny blondes/blacks with big boobs.
Why can't a great actress whose proven herself over and over get written a few parts to show her talent. Did you just bring her in to remake Clarence. I see he's still there. Bring her back! Bring her back! Lots of us really identified with her. A smart, sassy, humorous wonderful actress.