Matlock (1986–1995)

Ben Matlock is a very expensive criminal defense attorney who charges a $100,000 to take a case. Fortunately, he's worth every penny as he and his associates defend his clients by finding the real killer.

Creator:

Dean Hargrove

Stars:

Andy Griffith, Nancy Stafford, Kene Holliday

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 5 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Andy Griffith	...	Benjamin Matlock (182 episodes, 1986-1995)
Nancy Stafford	...	Michelle Thomas (109 episodes, 1986-1992)
Julie Sommars	...	A.D.A. Julie March (94 episodes, 1987-1994)
Clarence Gilyard Jr.	...	Conrad McMasters (83 episodes, 1989-1993)

Storyline

"Matlock" features criminal defense attorney Ben Matlock seeking to prove the innocence of his client as he takes on his/her case, of which most involve murders. He does this with the help of a team of people, which changed from season to season but included over the years Conrad McMasters, daughter Charlene Matlock, and Cliff Lewis.

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Plot Keywords:

attorney | defense attorney | georgia | southern u.s. | private investigator | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 September 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

El abogado Matlock

Filming Locations:

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dean Hargrove Productions, Fred Silverman Company, The Matlock Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (195 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ben Matlock is based on a High Point North Carolina attorney.

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Quotes

[repeated line]
Ben Matlock: Jackass!

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Connections

Referenced in Supernatural: The Usual Suspects (2006)

User Reviews

Watched WAY more shows than I care to admit

For the first six seasons,I watched this show on Tuesday nights. I went through all of high school and even into freshman year in college watching these shows. I mention this because while it's tempting for me to tee of on this show for a litany of "crimes"(i.e.junk,t.v.lawyering,plot coincidences,formulaic writing,etc.),I have to say that this show was at least entertaining enough to keep it week-to-week watchable.

Andy Griffith exudes WAY too much charm and slyness as the eponymous Ben MAtlock,a crafty souther lawyer in Atlanta who always is able to get his clients to beat murder raps because they are(surprise!)innocent,and the real killer has invariably framed him/her. This,along with "Jake and the FAtman" were sort of the twin terrors of Fred Silverman and Dean HArgrove produced, safe,legalese t.v. shows of the late eighties that appealed to a mostly older demographic. While I wouldn't recommend this show overall,I will say that it's a decent time-waster if you're around the house,want the TV on and have no taste for soap operas,talk-shows,game shows(like there are many of THOSE around 'nymore)or any of the various forms of current mid-day filler,then find TBS,TNT or Hallmark and look this show up.