'Boston Legal' will return
ABC renews the David E. Kelley series for a fifth season
By Nellie Andreeva

May 11, 2008, 04:15 PM


"Boston Legal" will return for a fifth season in the fall.

After intense negotiations with show creator David E. Kelley, ABC on Sunday reached an agreement with the writer-producer to bring the critically praised legal dramedy back in the fall.

The network had originally intended to hold "Legal" for midseason.

The deal on "Boston" opens the door for a series pickup of Kelley's drama "Life on Mars."

The network has been zeroing in on a series pickup of the drama starring Jason O'Mara, with "October Road" creators Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg coming in as exec producers.

But such a deal had to be blessed by Kelley, who owns the rights to the property, an American version of the British series of the same name.

Now such a pact appears very likely.



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Good news! Now, ABC, can we treat the show the right way, and give it one good time slot, and leave it there, instead of moving it all over?!

Mushu_jj must be having a hay day.

'Boston Legal' OK; Kelley's 'Life On Mars' Probable At ABC

I hear that, after intense negotiations with David Kelley about cutting the show's licensing fee, ABC has renewed Boston Legal for a 5th season. A source tells me: "Watch for the cast to be scaled down to Spader, Shatner, Candace, and fewer people around them."

Sources are telling me that Kelley's other show for ABC, Life On Mars, "probably will be ordered" and is "looking like it should be officially picked up any minute." But insiders say it will have new showrunners: October Road alum Josh Applebaum and André Nemec.

quote:

Originally posted by Justin:
Mushu_jj must be having a hay day.

quote:

Originally posted by Zedman2:
A source tells me: "Watch for the cast to be scaled down to Spader, Shatner, Candace, and fewer people around them."

This is okay. Drop Gary Anthony Williams, Taraji Henson, and Saffron Burrows. Clemenson and Summers can stick around and perhaps they could spare one of those mentioned to be cut or pick up another cheap filler.

FRIDAYS! FRIDAYS! FRIDAYS!

Huh? Is it moving there for sure?

quote:

Originally posted by mushu_jj:
Huh? Is it moving there for sure?

just joking

LOL. I honestly wouldn't care if it moved to Fridays as long as I get another season. I do think, however, it will return to Tuesdays at 10.

This most likely means goodbye to WMC and ES.

quote:

Originally posted by yankeesrj12:
This most likely means goodbye to WMC and ES.

What the hell is wrong with ABC? WMC performed perfectly on Fridays, it's the highest numbers they've had in that slot in a LONG time. I just don't understand!

quote:

Originally posted by Justin:

quote:

Originally posted by yankeesrj12:
This most likely means goodbye to WMC and ES.

What the hell is wrong with ABC? WMC performed perfectly on Fridays, it's the highest numbers they've had in that slot in a LONG time. I just don't understand!

I do. Its called in-house favoritism. ABC is despicable when it comes to it. Boston Legal has been treated like crap during its entire run. NBC's Medium does better than every drama on their network besides SVU and its being held on the bench to die on Sundays at midseason. CBS has yet to renew HIMYM, most likely because they're arguing with WBTV over how much of an increase the show will be getting this fall.

quote:

Originally posted by yankeesrj12:
This most likely means goodbye to WMC and ES.

Eli Stone was reportedly picked up and I believe it. The show's produced by ABC studios and has developed a loyal but small following, just like October Road and What about Brian both did in their first years.