L.A. Law: Season 1

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Universal acclaim based on 7 Critic Reviews

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Season Details & Credits

NBC | Season Premiere Date: September 15, 1986

Starring: Alan Rachins, Jimmy Smits, Susan Dey

Summary: On this critically acclaimed drama about a top Los Angeles law firm, some of the best battles take place outside of the courtroom. In the bedroom, in the courtroom, or at McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney & Kuzak's staff meetings, the firm's ambitious, competitive attorneys confront conflict between their own desires, their obligations asOn this critically acclaimed drama about a top Los Angeles law firm, some of the best battles take place outside of the courtroom. In the bedroom, in the courtroom, or at McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney & Kuzak's staff meetings, the firm's ambitious, competitive attorneys confront conflict between their own desires, their obligations as attorneys, and their principles as human beings.

EMMY AWARDS

"L.A. Law" won the following 15 Emmy Awards during its run:

1987

Outstanding Drama Series
Outstanding Art Direction for a Series - "Pilot" - Jeffrey L. Goldstein, Production Designer; Richard D. Kent, Set Decorator
Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series - "Pilot" - Gregory Hoblit
Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series - "Pilot" - Alfre Woodard
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series - "The Venus Butterfly" - Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher

1988

Outstanding Editing for a Series (single camera production) -
"Full Marital Jacket" - Elodie Keene
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Larry Drake
1989

Outstanding Drama Series
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Larry Drake
1990

Outstanding Drama Series
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Jimmy Smits
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series - "Blood, Sweat and Fears" - David E. Kelley
1991

Outstanding Drama Series
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series - "On The Toad Again" - David E. Kelley
1992

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Richard Dysart
NIELSEN RATINGS

The show was a ratings leader throughout its run:

#21 in the 1986- 1987 Season
#13 in the 1987- 1988 Season
#13 in the 1988- 1989 Season
#16 in the 1989- 1990 Season
#23 in the 1990- 1991 Season
#28 in the 1991- 1992 Season

"L.A. Law" ON CABLE

"L.A. Law" reruns air on A&E occasionally. … Expand

Creator: Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher

Genre(s): Drama

Season 1 Episodes

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S1:E22. Pigmalion
Air Date: April 9, 1987
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S1:E21. Oy Vey! Wilderness!
Air Date: April 2, 1987
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S1:E20. Sparky Brackman RIP ?-1987
Air Date: March 26, 1987

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Steve Sonsky

Apr 29, 2013

This is L.A. Law, which not only is the best offering of the new television season, but the best pilot for a new show since Hill Street Blues' debut six TV seasons ago. It will, as they say, make you laugh; it will make you cry. It brandishes a superior cast and a wit and style that elevate it immediately into the rarefied Hill Street/St. Elsewhere atmospheres -- shows whose structure of interwoven story lines that dangle from episode to episode it shares. [14 Sept 1986, p.K1]

100

Howard Rosenberg

Apr 29, 2013

It's high-pitched, unforgettable, knockout, electrifying TV...There should be a law requiring more series like NBC's new L.A. Law. [15 Sept 1986, p.C1]

100

Robert P. Laurence

Apr 29, 2013

Looks like the best new TV series of the fall season, filled with fascinating people, ingenious turns of plot, strong, offbeat drama, an unmistakable air of realism and some delicious bits of black comedy. [15 Sept 1986, p.C-1]

100

Tom Shales

Apr 29, 2013

So rousingly well done that it seems to come from a different solar system than most contemporary episodic television shows, and yet too many rapturous panegyrics could spoil some of the fun. The two-hour pilot for the series...is so terribly and industriously entertaining that you hate to see the program lumped in with things that are supposedly "good for you." This isn't a John Chancellor commentary. This is living, breathing matter -- clever, thoughtful, ribald and hard-boiled. [15 Sept 1986, p.B1]

Clifford Terry

Apr 29, 2013

A sharp, intelligent, splendidly entertaining venture that deftly draws upon a world of callousness and commitment, long hours and short fuses. [15 Sept 1986, p.5]

Richard Zoglin

Jul 2, 2013

The cast is appealing -- particularly Hamlin, Eikenberry and Richard Dysart as the firm's fatherly senior partner -- and Bochco has become TV's most expert juggler of plots and characters. Yet the first episode of L.A. Law is considerably less daring than advertised. Read full review

John J. O'Connor

Apr 29, 2013

After watching the rest of what is a very promising pilot, we are left with the unpleasant aftertaste of saccharin. A passing miscalulation, or a harbinger of episodes to come? Bring on the series. [15 Sept 1986, p.C14]

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Seasons & Episodes

83

Series Overview
Season 8

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- Season 8 Overview
  Air Date: October 7, 1993
Season 7

tbd
- Season 7 Overview
  Air Date: October 22, 1992
Season 6

tbd
- Season 6 Overview
  Air Date: October 10, 1991
Season 5

tbd
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: October 18, 1990
Season 4

tbd
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: November 2, 1989
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: November 3, 1988
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: October 15, 1987
Season 1

83
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: September 15, 1986
- tbd
  S1:E22. Pigmalion
  Air Date: April 9, 1987
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  S1:E21. Oy Vey! Wilderness!
  Air Date: April 2, 1987
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  S1:E20. Sparky Brackman RIP ?-1987
  Air Date: March 26, 1987
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  S1:E19. The Grace of Wrath
  Air Date: February 26, 1987
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  S1:E18. Fifty Ways to Floss Your Lover
  Air Date: February 19, 1987
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  S1:E17. Becker on the Rox
  Air Date: February 12, 1987
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  S1:E16. Beef Jerky
  Air Date: February 5, 1987
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  S1:E15. December Bribe
  Air Date: January 22, 1987
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  S1:E14. The Douglas Fur Ball
  Air Date: January 15, 1987
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  S1:E13. Prince Kuzak in a Can
  Air Date: January 8, 1987
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  S1:E12. Sidney, the Dead-Nosed Reindeer
  Air Date: December 18, 1986
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  S1:E11. El Sid
  Air Date: December 11, 1986
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  S1:E10. Fry Me to the Moon
  Air Date: December 4, 1986
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  S1:E9. The Venus Butterfly
  Air Date: November 21, 1986
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  S1:E8. Gibbon Take
  Air Date: November 14, 1986
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  S1:E7. Raiders of the Lost Bark
  Air Date: November 7, 1986
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  S1:E6. Slum Enchanted Evening
  Air Date: October 31, 1986
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  S1:E5. Simian Chanted Evening
  Air Date: October 24, 1986
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  S1:E4. The Princess and the Wiener King
  Air Date: October 17, 1986
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  S1:E3. The House of the Rising Flan
  Air Date: October 10, 1986
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  S1:E2. Those Lips, That Eye
  Air Date: October 3, 1986
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  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: September 15, 1986