Premieres: Sunday, Oct. 3
Airs: Sundays at 10 p.m. ET
The Pitch: A spinoff of "The Practice," but without all that ponderous morality.
The final episodes of "The Practice" set up this new series about a decidedly different law firm than the one Bobby Donnell headed for so long. Crane, Poole and Schmidt deals in the often high-priced world of civil litigation, where smarmy Alan Shore (James Spader) feels at home. Loose-cannon partner Denny Crane (William Shatner) has run of the place, while a new lawyer (Mark Valley), just in from the Washington office, is assigned to keep his eye on Denny.
What They Got Right: "Practice" creator David E. Kelley seemed invigorated by the new direction he was taking with Spader's character, and the show has a deep cast that also includes fellow "Practice" alum Rhona Mitra and Lake Bell ("Miss Match").
What's Oh, So Wrong: Set carpenters may be working overtime with all the scenery Spader and Shatner are capable of chewing.
Recommended If ...: Mention of the name "Arnie Becker" (of "L.A. Law." fame) makes you all nostalgic.
