| # | Author | Message |
1
| wahooskipper
Wed 4/23/2008 5:52a | I'm not a regular viewer of Boston Legal but I'm wondering if anyone else saw last night's episode. The episode had Spader's character at the Supreme Court arguing a death penaty case involving a man accused of rape of a child (the man himself having an IQ of 70).
Spader's character railed against the Supreme Court in what can be fairly described as a liberal, left wing approach. But, whether you agree with his (more like writer David E Kellys) political views...the solliquoy Spader performed had him talking...ranting...raving for nearly 10 solid minutes. And, I'm talking nearly non-stop dialogue.
It was one of the finest television acting moments I have seen in a long time. Watch for his name when Emmy time rolls around. |
2
| wahooskipper
Wed 4/23/2008 6:26a | Sorry, this should be in General Entertainment. My bad. |
3
| SFH
Wed 4/23/2008 7:06a | I've noticed that certain television dramas will avoid such long monologues by having different characters sitting in the room taking turns saying lines that essentially amount to a monologue of the writer's political/social views. You look back on the five minutes and you realize that there is no reason, other than trying to avoid a long monologue, that a single character couldn't have said all of those lines.
SFH |
4
| velo
Wed 4/23/2008 10:33a | I love the writing on Boston Legal. Missed last night though, unfortunately. Spader gets some great monologues, but I love what William Shatner's character gets into as well. |
5
| poohbear14
Wed 4/23/2008 9:55p | Yup! Shatner is outrageous and Spader gives great monologues.
Love them in their pink bunny suits. :-D |
6
| DouglasDubh
Wed 4/23/2008 10:11p | I'm a big fan of BL. I've got the first three season DVD sets. I've also enjoyed much of James Spader's work. I remember watching "Tuff Enough" with Kim Richards multiple times on Showtime back when I was in college. He's played some real dorks (Mannequin) as well as suave guys. |
7
| beamerdog
Fri 4/25/2008 12:24p | Saying this without seeing the episode: I'm pretty sure that you're timed when in front of this Court. You usually have to talk really fast. And the time limit includes the judges stopping you and asking questions (which they always seem to do) that also cuts into your allotted time.
btw, I like James Spader. |
8
| DAR
Fri 4/25/2008 12:34p | In the 80's there was nobody better at playing smug rich jerks. |
9
| SFH
Fri 4/25/2008 3:47p | When you speak before the SCOTUS, unless things have changed, they have signal lights... and the moment the light changes, you STOP. You can be in mid-sentence. Even the members leaning towards your side might ask you some very tough questions in a difficult manner.
SFH
Who has a retired government lawyer in the family |
10
| JeffG
Sat 4/26/2008 1:44p | The episode did actually show the signal lights and seemed to handle that aspect of it correctly.
I have serious doubts that the real Supreme Court justices would permit a lawyer to continue with that sort of speech (I'm not sure he wouldn't have been ejected from the courtroom...), but it did make for great television. It was both very well-written and extremely well played by Spader.
-Jeff
|
