I would watch Kathy Bates in anything. She’s undoubtedly one of my favorite actresses. Have you ever had a moment when you’re surfing through the channels, and there’s a movie on you’ve seen a thousand times before? You say to yourself, “Oh I love this part. I’ll just watch for five minutes.” And an hour later you’re still there for the ending? For me, that’s most likely a Kathy Bates film. From Misery to Fried Green Tomatoes to my all time favorite Delores Claiborne. I just adore her. The way she becomes a character so quickly and believably continues to astound me. And as I said in my excerpt, my sister attended Southern Methodist University acting school with her back in the ’70s. She spent time with her in productions and at cast parties, and has several great stories of witnessing her in action. Nope. Not the prettiest girl on the block even then. But definitely the most talented. Who when she heard the praise of her fellow students and teachers about their certainty of her stardom, would never take that for granted, shrug and say a simple “Thank you.”
So I was excited to see the pairing of her and legendary producer and writer David E. Kelley on NBC’s new offering Harry’s Law. What a great pair up, I thought. And after watching the pilot, I’m really pleased.
This first episode establishes Bates’ character, Harriet Korn, in transition. At the start of the show, she cares so little about what happens to her anymore at her job, she let’s her boss fire her as she’s smoking pot. Kathy is always great as a character right in the middle of a moral crisis or major life change. And this show is no different. We see her evolve from being so bored as a patent attorney that she could scream, to a well thought out, witty force to be reckoned with in a criminal courtroom by the end of the hour.
Bates’ supporting cast is pretty stellar too, but she’s definitely the motivating force behind the whole show. And if you miss Boston Legal, you’ll find some solace here. Korn is very reminiscent of Alan Shore (especially in liberal arguments and manner of delivering facts to a jury) and her new law partner Adam (played by Nathan Corddry) is as off the cuff as Denny Crane. Then there’s her secretary Jenna (Brittany Snow) who’s quirky, but has Harry’s number all the way.
So, suffice it to say, what’s not to like? And by the way, this is my 100th post for CliqueClack, and I want to thank Debbie, Keith and Michael. As well as all of you for your support! I’m so glad to be here. Cheers!
Clacked by Tara Shrodes
on Jan 18, 2011 @ 09:00 EST5EDT
Congrats on 100 Tara. I too liked the show. I just hope it can survive against Castle and Five-O.
Me too and thanks!
I usually record stuff to watch the next afternoon. BUT somehow, the recorded didn’t pick up…could have been that conflict! So hafta fix that. But this does look interesting.
*POST AUTHOR*
Mikki, see Oreo’s link to Hulu. It worth catching.
The show is fine / good but it’s no Boston Legal.
What made Boston Legal great was the loving characters by amazing actors. The only amazing actor here is Kathy Bates, she can’t hold the whole show. Her partner and assistant are horrible, they need to add a new face if this gets a second season. Kind of like how Candice Bergen was added to the already pretty great cast of Boston Legal.
So this show will probably go no where face, it’s on NBC and has no supporting characters. Plus I think people are starting to get sick of the same old stuff from DEK.
However it did get 11 million viewers, but NBC shows are like that, and have huge drop offs.
*POST AUTHOR*
I agree it’s not Boston Legal, Oreo. But it shares some of the same attributes. The supporting cast is def. not as strong, although I always liked Brittnay Snow on American Dreams.
Thanks for the link, BTW!
Just to point out I had fun with the show, and I enjoyed it. I just miss Boston Legal. So the more people to watch it the better.
All I can say is I Loved IT
It was at once funny, witty, thoughtful, inspiring, and had great shoes! LMAO
Watch it and you’ll understand!
Throw in a guest appearance by Gordon Ramsey and it’s da bomb!
The shoe thing is the worst part of the show.
There is this neighborhood full of violence, sex, drugs and this fancy shoe place in the middle? Sure it went out of business, but I’m sure the whores would have stolen the shoes. :)
*POST AUTHOR*
Bronsont, I get to listen in on a conference call with Gordon tomorrow!
Congratulations on your 100th post. I hope there are many more! I unfortunately forgot this was on. I do love Men of A Certain Age and Pawn Stars..thank goodness for the DVR!
I missed it to will have to pay attention and not miss it again. Congrats on your 100th!!!
*POST AUTHOR*
Thanks both of you!
Uuurrrgh! The sound Charlie Brown makes after the football is once again snatched away viciously by Lucy….I missed the first episode :( I’m bummed! I’ve been going to bed at 9:30, yes 9:30 for the past few nights. Must be my age beginning to show through just like my -quickly gaining on me- gray hair! I too love, respect and would totally hang out with Kathy Bates. Along with the movies you mentioned I loved her in “Primary Colors” (best character in the movie) and in “The Blindside”- always feisty, smart as a whip, and sensitive from head to toe…It’s refreshing to know she has her own gig. I will have to set my beloved DVR up to record every episode! HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY 100! Lots of luv!
https://www.hulu.com/watch/207640/harrys-law-pilot
Thank you for the heads up on this. I watched it and enjoyed.
Good bits: Kathy Bates’ performance and character. Winston and Malcolm, whom I hope both recur. The courtroom scene itself reminded me of David Kelley’s best. The writing was solid as usual from Kelley. I’m interested to see where the story goes.
Not-so-good bits: The other two characters working at the new firm don’t make sense to me at all; their behavior/dialogue seems erratic and implausible (even if it did lead to the excellent line “Harry’s Law and Fine Shoes”), and not in that good Denny Crane way. Hopefully they will develop a bit with time. Similarly, the opposing lawyer seemed a bit unrealistic. Maybe that’s what they were going for? I don’t know, but I always liked on The Practice and Boston Legal when opposing counsel tended to put forth good arguments without being caricatures.
All in all, the show has a lot of potential and I’ll definitely keep watching. It’s nice to see David E. Kelley doing what he does best.
Agreed. I really enjoyed this pilot and I think the secondary characters will develop. The pilot was really a showcase for Kathy Bates, though I do think her partner was on his way to being fleshed out. Malcolm was hired as a paralegal for the firm, so he’ll be back! :-)
great show,,
and so good to see Americans portrayed as humans and not super god or godesses.
kathy bates a great actress,,who gets better with time and age..
its all in the eyes,,,,her expressions are so interesting lol
whats that old saying every picture tells a story..so watch her eyes…….they are expressive