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David E. Kelley takes case to nets


Sets up legal drama project with Warner Bros. TV

By Nellie Andreeva


David E. Kelley is staying on the legal beat with a new series project.

The Emmy-winning creator of ABC's "The Practice" and Fox's "Ally McBeal" has penned a spec script for Warner Bros. TV, where he set up shop in May after more than two decades at 20th TV.

The project, an hourlong legal drama, is being taken to the broadcast networks this week with CBS and NBC as primary targets. Both nets are said to be very high on the show, which is expected to fetch a significant commitment.

Kelley is said to have a great relationship with CBS, where he most recently created the critically praised but short-lived drama "The Brotherhood of Poland, N.H." His previous CBS series include medical drama "Chicago Hope" and the Emmy-winning "Picket Fences."

At NBC, he worked on the Emmy-winning "L.A. Law."

Kelley is wrapping production on the final 13 episodes of the ABC legal dramedy "Boston Legal," his spinoff from "The Practice."

With the departure of "Boston Legal," fledging ABC supernatural drama "Eli Stone" will be the only representative of the classic legal genre on broadcast TV.

The genre's presence is much stronger on basic cable with FX's acclaimed thriller "Damages" and TNT's courtroom drama "Raising the Bar," which hails from Steven Bochco, who collaborated with Kelley on a couple of series, including "L.A. Law."


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i05c8198f5eab4cdacfa08d5dc48bda67

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Its not the actors its the writing for the show imo, thats why the show will most likely be cancelled. I think James Spader and William Shatner getting all those emmy noms and winning several times is what kept this show alive.imo I still feel like they haven't reallly utilized candance bergen, a woman who has like 5 or 6 emmys for best actress in a comedy series.

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I don't get it how guys like him are so celebrated and revered. Nearly all of his shows are about the same damn thing!

Aaron Spelling is an executive producer. He produced all kinds of shows, shows that are as far away from each other on the spectrum as any two could get (example: "7th Heaven" and "The Mod Squad"....."Summerland" and "Dynasty"...."Melrose Place" and "Family"). Kelley's shows are so freaking similar...am I the only one who doesn't see the so-called genius?

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Huge DEK fan here and have been for about 12 years now. Loved Ally McBeal, The Practice, Boston Public and of course Boston Legal.

I think DEK writes awesome closings (yes, I'm Liberal :P) and I have the same type humour as he does. I love his zany characters (Ally McBeal, Richard Fish, John Cage, Alan Shore, Denny Crane, Jerry Espenson) and all their quirks.

I never got a chance to watch Doogie Howser or LA Law though.

DEK is one of my tv writing idols. :)

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Kelley returns to NBC with new show


Peacock gives series commitment to legal drama

By Nellie Andreeva


NBC has won the David E. Kelley sweepstakes.

The network has given a series commitment to the new legal drama from the Emmy-winning creator of ABC's "The Practice" and Fox's "Ally McBeal," which he penned on spec under his deal with Warner Bros. TV.

The project was pitched to CBS and NBC early this month. Both were very high on the show, with NBC said to have been particularly aggressive.

The deal marks Kelley's return to NBC, where he worked on the Emmy-winning "L.A. Law."

Kelley is wrapping production on the final 13 episodes of the ABC legal dramedy "Boston Legal," his spinoff of "The Practice."

NBC, which is facing the departure of veteran "ER," has had a so-so response to its new dramas, "Knight Rider" and "My Own Worst Enemy."


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3ifa25645bfd6bcf91e68cafafea562b71

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Indeed, much much better although in season 2 & 3 BL was pretty good. Still love the show but the shameful use of Candice Bergen is just criminal.

BTW; DEK not always pens legal dramas: He also created the delightful Picket Fences, the humerized ER-version Chicago Hope and the gripping highschool drama Boston Public. All these shows dealt with legal cases and often went to court but their premise was very much different.

I'm a huge fan of his series since I love his humor and writing style.

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