The Practice

vania · #1 01-09-2002, 01:52 PM

Is it just me or has The Practice lost some of its zing this season? This used to be my favorite show-- would keep me on the edge of my seat.

What happened? It's like this season I could hardly care less about any of the characters? Actually, HAS there been any character development at all this season? Has David Kelley lost his touch?

I don't know if anyone else here follows this show, but I really have to say that this past Sunday's episode was the first one all season that I thought represented what this show USED to be...

v.

**mrisch**[$] · #2 01-09-2002, 01:55 PM

Like NYPD Blue, how many stories like this can you tell without losing Zing?

David Kelley has not lost his touch, he has just taken it to Boston Public, one of the better shows on TV right now. A coworker and I just had this discussion - David Kelley shows go downhill after 2-3 years because he moves on.

The Practice is running on fumes, and it can because it is a formulaic show. Quirky shows like Ally McBeal really suffer the most.

kurt_messick · #3 01-09-2002, 02:16 PM

I agree with that assessment. I liked many David Kelley shows in the first season or two -- not only does he move on, though, but also actors and other characters move on. Such is the way of the world...

Grouch · #4 01-09-2002, 03:23 PM

I have to say I generally enjoy The Practice, but I wasn't what you call a faithful viewer until Alias thebestshowcurrentlyonTV started airing just before it each Sunday night. Now, Mrs. Grouch and I snuggle on the sofa for two hours (sometimes three if The X-Files after The Practice is any good) for some really well-written television.

Having watched The Practice pretty regularly in its first season, I do have to say that some of the "zing," as you put it, is gone from the plots, but the acting remains solid, as does the dialogue.

As for last Sunday's episode, I saw the twist coming two commercial breaks before it happened. Not that big of a shock.

vania · #5 01-09-2002, 04:21 PM

Yeah, it's gotten so you're pretty much waiting on the twist by mid-episode.... cause you just know it's coming!

Maybe it isn't that the Practice has gotten so bad.... maybe it's just that it's being far overshadowed by Alias!!!

v.

**mrisch**[$] · #6 01-09-2002, 05:59 PM

Alias rocks. Period. But the best show on TV is still The West Wing.

kurt_messick · #7 01-09-2002, 06:44 PM

I don't know Alia.
I don't know West Wing.
I miss cable tv.

**pluckyduck** · #8 01-09-2002, 07:40 PM

Well, I missed out on Alias and have no hope of following it (I tried) without having seen more of it from the beginning.

Fr Kurt - Alias is on ABC and The West Wing is on NBC, so you can get them with bunny ears if need be.

As to The Practice, !sigh , yes, it has lost some of its zing. Ironically, I started watching it when Allie McBeal did a crossover episode (lame, but it got me watching). Gave up on Allie many years ago, but still loved The Practice. It used to be a no-miss event, but now, if I can catch it, I catch it, but I don't make a big deal about it.

Andrea