The Practice

The Practice is an American legal drama television series created by David E. Kelley centering on partners and associates at a Boston law firm. The show ran for eight seasons on ABC, from March 4, 1997, to May 16, 2004. It won an Emmy in 1998 and 1999 for Outstanding Drama Series, and spawned the spin-off series Boston Legal, which ran for five more seasons (from 2004 to 2008).

The Practice
Genre
Created byDavid E. Kelley
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons8
No. of episodes168 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Running time44 minutes
Production companies
Release
Original networkABC
Original releaseMarch 4, 1997 (1997-03-04) 
May 16, 2004 (2004-05-16)
Related

Conflict between legal ethics and personal morality was a recurring theme with light comedy being occasionally present. Kelley claimed that the show was intended to be something of a rebuttal to L.A. Law and its romanticized treatment of the American legal system and legal proceedings.[1]

Overview

In season 1, Robert Donnell and Associates features Bobby Donnell as the sole senior partner in a firm that he started a decade prior with his receptionist Rebecca Washington. Ellenor Frutt, Eugene Young and Lindsay Dole are his associates. Jimmy Berluti is hired as an associate after losing his job in finance in an attempt to help Donnell and Associates with a loan.

In season 2, Eugene, Lindsay and Ellenor become partners after Lindsay insists on equity. Robert Donnell and Associates becomes Donnell, Young, Dole and Frutt. Helen Gamble, an assistant district attorney, becomes regularly entangled in the cases and personal lives of the employees of the firm. She is a personal friend of Lindsay and viewers learn several episodes into the season that Bobby and Lindsay have had an on-again/off-again secret affair. Her romantic relationship with Bobby ends after a high-profile murder case pits them against one another.

In season 3, Rebecca Washington, who had been attending law school in secret, becomes an associate after passing the bar exam. Lucy Hatcher is then hired as the new receptionist.

In season 4, Assistant District Attorney Richard Bay, like Helen, becomes a frequent ally and opponent of Donnell, Young, Dole and Frutt.

In season 5, Lucy becomes a rape crisis counselor in addition to her job as the firm's receptionist. Richard Bay is later assassinated after refusing to throw a murder trial.

In season 6, Assistant District Attorney Alan Lowe becomes an antagonist of the firm for a short period of time.

In season 7, Lindsay leaves Donnell, Young, Dole and Frutt to start a new law firm with Claire Wyatt. To fill the void left by Lindsay, Jamie Stringer is hired as an associate. Bobby later leaves the firm.

In season 8, Donnell, Young, Dole and Frutt has been renamed to Young, Frutt and Berluti. Eugene has taken Bobby's place as a senior partner. Lucy has left the firm to become a full-time rape crisis counselor. Rebecca has also left the firm for unknown reasons. Helen is no longer present at the firm's cases. Tara Wilson is hired as a paralegal, and Alan Shore becomes an associate. After firing Alan and Tara – as well as being sued by the former – Young, Frutt and Berluti dissolve. Eugene then becomes a judge. Ellenor focuses her attention on motherhood. Jimmy and Jamie begin a new firm. Alan and Tara are hired by another firm, Crane, Poole and Schmidt and their story is continued in Boston Legal.

Main cast

Cast and characters of The Practice
Name Portrayed by Occupation Season
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Bobby Donnell Dylan McDermott Lawyer Main Guest
Rebecca Washington LisaGay Hamilton Lawyer/Receptionist Main
Eugene Young Steve Harris Lawyer Main
Ellenor Frutt Camryn Manheim Lawyer Main
Lindsay Dole Kelli Williams Lawyer Main
Jimmy Berluti Michael Badalucco Lawyer Main
Helen Gamble Lara Flynn Boyle Assistant District Attorney Main
Lucy Hatcher Marla Sokoloff Receptionist Main Recurring
Richard Bay Jason Kravits Assistant District Attorney Recurring Main
Alan Lowe Ron Livingston Assistant District Attorney Main
Jamie Stringer Jessica Capshaw Lawyer Main
Claire Wyatt Chyler Leigh Lawyer Main
Tara Wilson Rhona Mitra Lawyer Main
Alan Shore James Spader Lawyer Main
  • Dylan McDermott as Bobby Donnell (seasons 1–7; guest season 8), the senior partner of the firm who struggles with his conscience and the idea of being a lawyer.
  • LisaGay Hamilton as Rebecca Washington (seasons 1–7), the firm's first receptionist and paralegal. She later passed the bar exam and became an associate.
  • Steve Harris as Eugene Young, the second highest-ranking partner at the firm and later senior partner who is more strongly devoted to the letter of the law and legal ethics than his colleagues.
  • Camryn Manheim as Ellenor Frutt, an associate and later senior partner at the firm who brought in various nefarious clients. A recurring gag on the show was that the men she dated often turned out to be murderers.
  • Kelli Williams as Lindsay Dole (seasons 1–7), an associate at the firm and, later, wife of Bobby Donnell.
  • Michael Badalucco as Jimmy Berluti, an associate and later partner at the firm from a working-class background. Jimmy often struggles with his conscience, loneliness, feelings of inadequacy, and a gambling addiction.
  • Lara Flynn Boyle as Helen Gamble (seasons 2–7), an Assistant District Attorney and friend of the firm partners who was relentless in her attempts to prosecute those who do wrong.
  • Marla Sokoloff as Lucy Hatcher (seasons 3–7; recurring season 8), the firm's wise-cracking, nosy receptionist who was hired after Rebecca became an attorney. She later became a part-time counselor for rape victims in addition to her job as a receptionist.
  • Jason Kravits as Richard Bay (season 5; recurring season 4), a diminutive, hard-nosed Assistant District Attorney who believed in the guilt of all those he prosecuted.
  • Ron Livingston as Alan Lowe (season 6), an Assistant District Attorney who replaced Richard Bay.
  • Jessica Capshaw as Jamie Stringer (seasons 7–8), a high-strung, promiscuous Harvard Law School graduate and associate at the firm.
  • Chyler Leigh as Claire Wyatt (season 7), Lindsay's associate at her new practice.
  • Rhona Mitra as Tara Wilson (season 8), a paralegal and law student. She would later appear in Boston Legal as an attorney.
  • James Spader as Alan Shore (season 8), an amoral associate and an old friend of Ellenor. He would later appear in Boston Legal.

Recurring cast

Notable guest stars

The series holds the Emmy Awards record for most wins in the Guest Actor and Actress categories for a single series, as well as most nominations in those categories. Emmys went to John Larroquette, Edward Herrmann, James Whitmore, Beah Richards, Michael Emerson, Charles S. Dutton, Alfre Woodard, Sharon Stone and William Shatner. In addition, Tony Danza, Paul Dooley, Henry Winkler, Marlee Matlin, René Auberjonois and Betty White were nominated but did not win. Larroquette, who won for his guest appearance during the second season, was nominated again for an episode from the sixth season, but did not win. The series won the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for five consecutive years (from 1998 to 2002).

Budget reduction and major revamp

By the end of the seventh season, faced with sagging ratings, ABC conditioned the show's renewal on a drastic budget reduction. As a result, Dylan McDermott, Kelli Williams, Lara Flynn Boyle, Chyler Leigh, Marla Sokoloff, and LisaGay Hamilton were fired as regulars. McDermott and Sokoloff reappeared as special guest stars and a recurring character respectively in the eighth season. The addition of James Spader and Rhona Mitra to the cast somewhat revived the ratings as Spader went on to win an Emmy for his appearance. However, ABC announced that The Practice would not return for a ninth season on March 11, 2004. Instead, Kelley would create a new spin-off series called Boston Legal which starred Spader, Mitra, Lake Bell and William Shatner.[2]

Episodes

The Practice had 8 seasons and a total of 168 episodes.

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
16March 4, 1997 (1997-03-04)April 8, 1997 (1997-04-08)
228September 20, 1997 (1997-09-20)May 11, 1998 (1998-05-11)
323September 27, 1998 (1998-09-27)May 9, 1999 (1999-05-09)
422September 26, 1999 (1999-09-26)May 21, 2000 (2000-05-21)
522October 8, 2000 (2000-10-08)May 13, 2001 (2001-05-13)
623September 23, 2001 (2001-09-23)May 19, 2002 (2002-05-19)
722September 29, 2002 (2002-09-29)May 5, 2003 (2003-05-05)
822September 28, 2003 (2003-09-28)May 16, 2004 (2004-05-16)

    Crossovers

    • "Axe Murderer" (S02E26) – The lawyers of Robert Donnell and Associates work with the lawyers of Cage & Fish on a case in which a woman is accused of killing a wealthy client who may have been Lizzie Borden in a past life. The case had begun on Ally McBeal: "The Inmates" (S01E20).
    • "The Day After" (S05E14) – Ellenor Frutt and Jimmy Berlutti are hired to represent Coach Riley, who's been fired from Winslow High for withholding information about Milton Buttle's affair. The hearing happens on Boston Public: "Chapter Thirteen" (S01E13).
    • "Gideon's Crossover" (S05E16) – When Ellenor Frutt has trouble with her pregnancy, Dr. Ben Gideon helps out in Gideon's Crossing: "Flashpoint" (S01E17).

    Additionally, Bobby Donnell (Dylan McDermott) appears in the Ally McBeal season 1 finale "These Are the Days", while Lara Flynn Boyle and Michael Badalucco each make cameos in "Making Spirits Bright" and "I Know Him by Heart".

    Lara Flynn Boyle had an uncredited guest appearance as a rebuttal witness, opposite of guest star Heather Locklear's character in the season 5 episode "Tom Dooley".

    Home media

    The Practice, Volume 1, was released as a four-disc DVD set in North America on June 12, 2007. The set includes all six episodes of season 1 and the first seven episodes of season 2. It also includes a featurette, "Setting Up The Practice".[3] The set was also released in Region 4 on June 6, 2007[4] and in Region 2 on June 29, 2008.[5]

    On January 3, 2014, it was announced that Shout! Factory had acquired the rights to the series in Region 1 and would release the final season on DVD on April 15, 2014.[6]

    In 2012, Medium Rare Entertainment acquired the rights to the series in Region 2 and released the first and second seasons on DVD in the United Kingdom on February 27, 2012.[7]

    In 2014, StudioCanal released the first and second seasons over three volumes in Germany with German and English audio. The third, fourth, and eighth seasons have also been released in 2016 with plans to release the fifth and sixth at a later date.

    Volume 1 was released in Italy and Greece on July 1, 2007.

    In March 2019, all seasons and episodes of The Practice were released on the streaming service Amazon Prime Video. By 2021, seasons 1–8 became available on the streaming service Hulu.

    DVD Name Ep# Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
    The Practice: Volume 1 13 June 12, 2007 June 29, 2008 June 6, 2007
    The Practice: The Complete First and Second Seasons 34 February 27, 2012[7]
    The Practice: The Complete Third Season 23 January 21, 2016 (Germany)
    The Practice: The Complete Fourth Season 22 January 21, 2016 (Germany)
    The Practice: The Final Season 22 April 15, 2014 April 7, 2016 (Germany)

    U.S. television viewership

    Viewer numbers per season of The Practice on ABC.

    Note: Each US network television season starts in late September and ends in late May, which coincides with the completion of May sweeps. The first two seasons include the household rating. Seasons 4 and 5 reached the top 10 rankings.

    Season Timeslot
    (Eastern & Pacific Time)
    Season Premiere Season Finale TV Season Viewers
    (in millions)
    Viewer
    Rank
    1 Tuesday 10:00PM March 4, 1997 April 8, 1997 1996–1997 9.1[8] 45[8]
    2 Saturday 10:00PM
    (September 20, 1997, to
    January 3, 1998)


    Monday 10:00PM
    (from January 5, 1998)
    September 20, 1997 May 11, 1998 1997–1998 10.0[9] 82[9]
    3 Sunday 10:00PM September 27, 1998 May 9, 1999 1998–1999 12.7[10] 34[10]
    4 September 26, 1999 May 21, 2000 1999–2000 19.3[11] 9[11]
    5 October 8, 2000 May 13, 2001 2000–2001 18.3[12] 9[12]
    6 September 23, 2001 May 19, 2002 2001–2002 12.9[13] 26[13]
    7 Sunday 10:00PM
    (September 29, 2002, to
    December 15, 2002)


    Monday 9:00PM
    (from January 27, 2003)
    September 29, 2002 May 5, 2003 2002–2003 9.8[14] 55[14]
    8 Sunday 10:00PM September 28, 2003 May 16, 2004 2003–2004 9.1[15] 63[15]

    The exposure from its January 30, 2000, post-Super Bowl episode (attracting 23.8 million viewers) plus their weekly lead-in from early 2000 to mid-2001, the then mega-hit Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, helped the series reach its ratings peak.

    • Series High: 15.4 rating/23.8 million viewers
    • Series Low: 4.9 rating/7.3 million
    • Series Debut: 11.3 rating/16.1 million viewers
    • Series Finale: 7.5 rating/10.9 million viewers

    Awards and nominations

    Year Award Category Recipient Result
    2001American Society of Cinematographers AwardOutstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Regular SeriesDennis Smith (For episode "The Deal")Nominated
    ASCAP Film and Television Music AwardsTop TV SeriesMarco Beltrami and Jon HassellWon
    2002Won
    2003Won
    2000BMI Film & TV AwardsBMI TV Music AwardPeter ScaturroWon
    2001Tom Hiel and Peter ScaturroWon
    2002Won
    2001Casting Society of America's Artios AwardBest Casting for TV, Dramatic EpisodicJanet Gilmore and Megan McConnellNominated
    1998Edgar Allan Poe AwardBest Episode in a TV SeriesMichael R. Perry, Stephen Gaghan and David E. Kelley (For episode "First Degree")Nominated
    2002Jonathan Shapiro, Lukas Reiter, Peter Blake and David E. Kelley (For episode "Killing Time")Nominated
    2004Peter Blake and David E. Kelley (For episode "Goodbye")Won
    1999Genesis AwardTelevision - Dramatic Series"The Food Chain"Won
    2003"Small Sacrifices"Won
    1998GLAAD Media AwardOutstanding TV - Individual Episode"Civil Rights"Nominated
    1999Golden Globe AwardBest Television Series – DramaWon
    Best Actor – Television Series DramaDylan McDermottWon
    Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television FilmCamryn ManheimWon
    2000Best Television Series – DramaNominated
    Best Actor – Television Series DramaDylan McDermottNominated
    2001Best Television Series – DramaNominated
    Best Actor – Television Series DramaDylan McDermottNominated
    2002Humanitas Prize60 Minute CategoryLukas Reiter and David E. Kelley (For episode "Honor Code")Won
    2003David E. Kelley (For episode "Final Judgment")Won
    1998Motion Picture Sound Editors' Golden Reel AwardBest Sound Editing - Television Episodic - Dialogue & ADRNominated
    2000T.W. Davis, Donna Beltz, Ken Gladden, H. Jay Levine and Debby Ruby-WinsbergNominated
    1999NAACP Image AwardOutstanding Actor in a Drama SeriesSteve HarrisNominated
    2000Outstanding Drama SeriesNominated
    Outstanding Actor in a Drama SeriesSteve HarrisNominated
    Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesLisaGay HamiltonNominated
    2001Outstanding Drama SeriesNominated
    Outstanding Actor in a Drama SeriesSteve HarrisNominated
    Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesBeah RichardsNominated
    2002Outstanding Drama SeriesNominated
    Outstanding Actor in a Drama SeriesSteve HarrisNominated
    2004Won
    2005Nominated
    1999Peabody AwardABC and David E. Kelley ProductionsWon[16]
    PGA AwardOutstanding Producer of Episodic TelevisionDavid E. Kelley, Robert Breech, Jeffrey Kramer, Christina Musrey, Gary M. Strangis and Pamela J. WisneWon
    2001Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, DramaNominated
    1998Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Drama SeriesDavid E. Kelley, Jeffrey Kramer, Robert Breech, Ed Redlich, Gary M. Strangis, Alice West, Jonathan Pontell, Christina Musrey and Pamela J. WisneWon
    Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesCamryn ManheimWon
    Outstanding Writing for a Drama SeriesDavid E. Kelley (For episode "Betrayal")Nominated
    Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama SeriesJohn LarroquetteWon
    1999Outstanding Drama SeriesDavid E. Kelley, Jeffrey Kramer, Robert Breech, Gary M. Strangis, Christina Musrey and Pamela J. WisneWon
    Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama SeriesDylan McDermottNominated
    Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesMichael BadaluccoWon
    Steve HarrisNominated
    Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesLara Flynn BoyleNominated
    Camryn ManheimNominated
    Holland TaylorWon
    Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama SeriesTony DanzaNominated
    Edward HerrmannWon
    Outstanding Casting for a SeriesJanet Gilmore and Megan McConnellNominated
    Outstanding Cinematography for a SeriesDennis Smith (For episode "Happily Ever After")Nominated
    Outstanding Costuming for a SeriesShelly Levine and Loree Parral (For episode "Of Human Bondage")Nominated
    Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Drama SeriesClark King, Harry Andronis, David John West and Kurt Kassulke (For episode "Happily Ever After")Nominated
    2000Outstanding Drama SeriesDavid E. Kelley, Jeffrey Kramer, Robert Breech, Gary M. Strangis, Christina Musrey and Pamela J. WisneNominated
    Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesMichael BadaluccoNominated
    Steve HarrisNominated
    Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesHolland TaylorNominated
    Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama SeriesPaul DooleyNominated
    James WhitmoreWon
    Henry WinklerNominated
    Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama SeriesMarlee MatlinNominated
    Beah RichardsWon
    Outstanding Casting for a Drama SeriesJanet Gilmore and Megan McConnellNominated
    2001Outstanding Drama SeriesDavid E. Kelley, Robert Breech, Christina Musrey, Gary M. Strangis, Pamela J. Wisne, Joseph Berger-Davis and Todd Ellis KesslerNominated
    Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama SeriesRené AuberjonoisNominated
    Michael EmersonWon
    Outstanding Casting for a Drama SeriesJanet Gilmore and Megan McConnellNominated
    Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera SeriesDennis Smith (For episode "The Deal")Nominated
    Outstanding Single Camera Picture Editing for a SeriesSusanne Malles (For episode "The Day After")Nominated
    Outstanding Single Camera Sound Mixing for a SeriesClark King, David John West, Eric Clopein and David Dondorf (For episode "The Day After")Nominated
    2002Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama SeriesCharles S. DuttonWon
    John LarroquetteNominated
    2003Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama SeriesAlfre WoodardWon
    2004Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama SeriesJames SpaderWon
    Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama SeriesWilliam ShatnerWon
    Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama SeriesSharon StoneWon
    Betty WhiteNominated
    2004Prism AwardPerformance in a Drama Series EpisodeSteve HarrisNominated
    1999Satellite AwardBest Actor – Television Series DramaDylan McDermottNominated
    2000Best Television Series – DramaNominated
    Best Actor – Television Series DramaDylan McDermottNominated
    Best Actress – Television Series DramaCamryn ManheimWon
    Kelli WilliamsNominated
    2001Best Television Series – DramaNominated
    1999Screen Actors Guild AwardOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama SeriesNominated
    2000Nominated
    2001Nominated
    1998Television Critics Association AwardOutstanding Achievement in DramaNominated
    1999Program of the YearNominated
    Outstanding Achievement in DramaNominated
    Individual Achievement in DramaDavid E. KelleyWon
    Camryn ManheimNominated
    Dylan McDermottNominated
    2000Outstanding Achievement in DramaNominated
    TV Guide AwardFavorite Drama SeriesNominated
    1998Viewers for Quality Television AwardBest Quality Drama SeriesWon
    Best Actor in a Quality Drama SeriesDylan McDermottNominated
    Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Drama SeriesMichael BadaluccoNominated
    Steve HarrisWon
    Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama SeriesCamryn ManheimNominated
    Kelli WilliamsNominated
    Best Recurring PlayerLinda HuntNominated
    John LarroquetteWon
    1999Best Quality Drama SeriesWon
    Best Actor in a Quality Drama SeriesDylan McDermottNominated
    Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Drama SeriesMichael BadaluccoNominated
    Steve HarrisWon
    Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama SeriesCamryn ManheimWon
    Kelli WilliamsNominated
    2000Best Quality Drama SeriesNominated
    Best Actor in a Quality Drama SeriesDylan McDermottNominated
    Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Drama SeriesMichael BadaluccoNominated
    Steve HarrisNominated
    Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama SeriesCamryn ManheimNominated
    1999Writers Guild of America AwardEpisodic DramaDavid E. Kelley (For episode "Betrayal")Nominated
    Young Artist AwardBest Performance in a TV Drama Series - Guest Starring Young ActorBillie ThomasNominated
    2002Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Guest Starring Young ActorMarc John JefferiesNominated
    Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Guest Starring Young ActressJamie LaurenNominated
    2003Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Guest Starring Young ActressNominated

    References

    1. Villarreal, Yvonne (October 13, 2016). "After swearing them off, David E. Kelley returns to law shows with 'Goliath' — but not for a network". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
    2. "How James Spader saved 'The Practice'". Associated Press/CNN. February 23, 2004. Archived from the original on May 19, 2005. Retrieved August 24, 2008.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
    3. "The Practice – Date, Details & Artwork For The Practice – Volume 1 Hits Retailers". TVShowsonDVD.com. March 14, 2007. Archived from the original on March 24, 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
    4. "Practice, The – Vol. 1 (4 Disc Set)". ezydvd.com.au. EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on August 11, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
    5. "The Practice - Season 1". Amazon.co.uk.
    6. "The Practice DVD news: Release Date for The Practice - The Final Season". TVShowsonDVD.com. Archived from the original on June 14, 2014.
    7. "The Practice (Season 1 and 2) [DVD]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
    8. The Lazy Journalist (August 15, 1991). "1996-97 Ratings History". thetvratingsguide.com. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
    9. "The Final Countdown". Entertainment Weekly. No. 434. May 29, 1998. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
    10. "TV Winners & Losers: Numbers Racket, A Final Tally Of The Season's Show". Nielsen Media Research. June 4, 1999. Archived from the original on October 29, 2009. Retrieved December 2, 2010 via GeoCities.
    11. "TV Ratings 1999–2000". fbibler.chez.com. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
    12. "The Bitter End". Entertainment Weekly. No. 598. June 1, 2001. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
    13. "How did your favorite show rate?". USA Today. May 28, 2002. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
    14. "Rank And File". Entertainment Weekly. No. 713. June 6, 2003. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
    15. "I. T. R. S. Ranking Report: 01 Thru 210". abcmedianet.com (Press release). ABC. June 2, 2004. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
    16. 58th Annual Peabody Awards, May 1999.
    Preceded by
    The Simpsons
    and
    Family Guy
    1999
    The Practice
    Super Bowl lead-out program
    2000
    Succeeded by
    Survivor: The Australian Outback
    2001
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