"Matlock" (1986) TV series 1986-1995

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Creator:

Dean Hargrove

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | unknown

Release Date:

20 September 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Plot:

Ben Matlock is a VERY expensive criminal defense attorney who charges a $100,000 to take a case. Fortunately...

Plot Keywords:

Attorney | Defense Attorney | One Word Title | Lawyer | Father Daughter Relationship

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 5 wins & 4 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Tue. July 14	10:00 AM	WGNAMER	The Accused	#9.1
Wed. July 15	10:00 AM	WGNAMER	The Dare	#9.3

Cast

Andy Griffith	...	Benjamin Matlock / ... (181 episodes, 1986-1995)
Nancy Stafford	...	Attorney Michelle Thomas / ... (95 episodes, 1986-1992)
Julie Sommars	...	A.D.A. Julie March / ... (85 episodes, 1987-1994)
Clarence Gilyard Jr.	...	Conrad McMasters (78 episodes, 1989-1993)

Runtime:

60 min (195 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Manteo, North Carolina, USA

Company:

Dean Hargrove Productions

Trivia:

Clarence Gilyard Jr. appeared in almost every episode of the NBC edition of the show, after he joined the cast, before production moved to North Carolina for the series seventh year. He was about to co-star in "Walker, Texas Ranger" (1993), which made Gilyard's scheduling more difficult.

Quotes:

[repeated line]
Ben Matlock: Jackass!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Knight Chills (2001) (V)

simple pleasures

Forgive me for my unoriginal summary title, but that's the strong feeling I enjoy whenever I have the chance to see Matlock, which usually runs weekly on a local channel in the Philadelphia suburban market. Andy Griffith portrays Ben Matlock with a down home country feel, similar to his Andy Taylor, but more ornery and short-tempered. I first watched Matlock in the early to mid 90's and it slowly grew on me, although not as much as Columbo, but I digress. I do especially enjoy Matlock's dry wit and arrogant nature, and how he plays hard to get when some clients attempt to hire him, as he is an expensive defense attorney who doesn't act or live like a wealthy person, but he is picky about which case he'll assume; that being said, he does have a soft spot for those who are badly wronged or falsely accused. I bet this show set a record for number of b-level actors you'll never see again.

A few aspects of the show sometimes bother me, such as Ben and Julie's relationship, even though they are frequently fighting one another in court as defense attorney and prosecutor, respectively. There would seem to be a conflict of interests to me. Lastly, it is sometimes difficult to keep track of the several daughters/sidekicks/assistants he has help him in certain cases.

Anyway, save for a few puzzling characteristics of the show, I recommend Matlock if you're in a slower paced type of mood without much fanfare or fireworks by show's conclusion; besides, there's a good chance Don Knotts may stop by to say hello, sometimes to Matlock's chagrin.