Fairly Legal Explained

Genre:Legal drama
Comedy drama
Creator:Michael Sardo
Starring:Sarah Shahi
Michael Trucco
Virginia Williams
Baron Vaughn
Ryan Johnson
Opentheme:"The Yellow Brick Road Song" by Iyeoka (season 1)
Endtheme:"The Yellow Brick Road Song" (season 1)
Composer:Mateo Messina
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:2
Num Episodes:23
Company:Universal Cable Productions
Garfield St. Productions (season 1)
Steve Stark Productions (season 1)
Ocko & Company (season 2)
Executive Producer:Peter Ocko
Michael Sardo
Steve Stark
Russ Buchholz
Anton Cropper
Location:Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
San Francisco
Runtime:44 minutes
Network:USA Network
Producer:Drew Matich
Clara George

Fairly Legal is an American legal comedy-drama television series which aired on USA Network from January 20, 2011, to June 15, 2012.[1] The series starred Sarah Shahi, Michael Trucco, Virginia Williams, Baron Vaughn, and Ryan Johnson.[2] USA Network canceled the show on November 1, 2012, after two seasons, due to low ratings.[3] [4]

Overview

Fairly Legal stars Sarah Shahi as Kate Reed, a young woman who changes her profession from lawyer to mediator and works at the San Francisco law firm her father started. As the series opens, Kate's father has just died, leaving his young widow Lauren in charge as Kate and the firm adjust to the loss.

Kate and Lauren, who are approximately the same age, generally engage in comical banter while attempting to work together, and the development of their relationship is a central focus of the series.[5] According to Shahi, the characters "take a couple steps forward and then take gigantic leaps back". She has also stated that their history divides them at certain times, and bonds them at others. "At the end of the day, they would give the shirt off of their backs to help the other person, because they are family".[6]

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Development and production

Fairly Legal first appeared on the development slate for USA Network in August 2009, under the working title Facing Kate.[9] The series was created and written by Michael Sardo, who also serves as an executive producer.[1] Casting announcements began in late October, when Sarah Shahi was cast in the main role of Kate Reed.[10] Michael Trucco and Virginia Williams joined the cast in early November.[11] [12]

The 75-minute pilot episode was directed by Bronwen Hughes.[13] The series was given the green-light for a first season on March 15, 2010, with an additional 11 episode order.[14] Production began in June in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. In September, the total number of episodes was cut from twelve to ten due to scheduling issues.[15]

On May 2, 2011, USA Network announced that Fairly Legal had been renewed for a second season of 13 episodes, which went into production later in 2011.[16] On January 4, 2012, it was announced the second season of Fairly Legal would premiere on March 16, 2012. The series moved to Friday at 9:00 pm, paired with In Plain Sight.[17]

Music

The theme song, "The Yellow Brick Road Song", is performed by spoken word poet and musician Iyeoka Okoawo. Co-written by producer David Franz, it is the lead single from her album Say Yes.[18]

Episodes

Season 2 (2012)

On May 2, 2011, USA announced that Fairly Legal was renewed for a 13-episode second and final season, which premiered on March 16 and ended June 15, 2012.[16] [19] Production for the season began on October 28, 2011.[20] The season has seen the introduction of a new series regular, Ryan Johnson as Ben Grogan. Mark Moses appeared in one episode as a powerful attorney.[21] Barry Shabaka Henley appeared in the second episode as an agent "who isn't afraid to play rough."[22] Meat Loaf appeared in the ninth episode as Charlie DeKay, a union boss who threatens to institute a strike in San Francisco.[23]

Broadcast

In Australia, the series premiered on Seven Network on July 10, 2012,[24] and returned for season two on May 26, 2013.[25]

Home media

Universal Studios Home Entertainment released Fairly Legal Season 1 on Region 2 DVD on .

DVD NameEp#Release dates
Region 1Region 2Region 4
Season One10[26]
Season Two13[27]

The wide release for the Season 1 DVD occurred on .[28] An early promotional release at Target stores occurred on .

Reception

Critical response

Writing for Entertainment Weekly, Darren Franich noted the similarity in formula of Fairly Legal to other successful USA Network series and described the show as "a perfectly prefabricated USA treat". He lauded Shahi's performance as Kate, saying she "makes you believe that the woman is simultaneously an anxious wreck and a brilliant mediator", and applauded some of the "interesting chances" the creators took. However, he took the show to task for not utilizing its San Francisco setting as well as other USA series use their locales and chided Fairly Legal for not knowing "whether it wants to be a somber drama or a zippy legal quirkfest".[29] Robert Bianco for USA Today concurred in the assessment of Shahi's performance, calling it "instantly likable", and described the series as "a well-constructed piece of popular entertainment from a dependable provider of the same, with an easy-to-like star and an easy-to-grasp premise".[30] In a review of Season 2, Bruce Fretts of TV Guide commended Williams and applauded the relationship between Lauren and Kate, noting its effect on character development.[5]

Ratings

Fairly Legal attracted 3.9 million viewers upon first airing, with approximately one-third of viewers being in the key 18–49 ratings demographic. The episode lost about 500,000 viewers from its lead-in, the mid-season debut of the medical drama Royal Pains.[31]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'Fairly Legal' (fka 'Facing Kate') Premieres January 20; 'Royal Pains,' 'White Collar' Return. October 8, 2010. Seidman. Robert. TV by the Numbers. October 21, 2010. October 17, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121017231619/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/10/08/fairly-legal-fka-facing-kate-premieres-january-20-royal-pains-white-collar-return/67211/. dead.
  2. Web site: Scoop: Meet Fairly Legals New Legal Eagle. Mitovich. Matt. TV Line. October 28, 2011. October 28, 2011.
  3. Web site: Fairly Legal: Cancelled, No Season Three. TV Series Finale. November 1, 2012. November 1, 2012.
  4. Web site: USA's 'Fairly Legal' Cancelled, 'Burn Notice' Nears 13-Episode Seventh-Season Renewal. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline Hollywood. November 1, 2012. November 2, 2012.
  5. Web site: Cheers & Jeers: 'Fairly Legal' — Yes, Virginia! . March 30, 2012. Fretts. Bruce. TV Guide. May 30, 2012.
  6. Web site: Sarah Shahi Previews a 'Fairly Legal' Second Season Chock Full of Surprises . March 16, 2012. Vogt. Tiffany. TheTVAddict.com. May 30, 2012.
  7. Web site: Richard Dean Anderson joins 'Facing Kate'. June 21, 2010. Wightman. Catriona. Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi. November 25, 2010.
  8. http://www.afterelton.com/tv/2010/08/usa-network-facing-kate-gay-character USA's "Facing Kate" Includes Gay Male Character
  9. Web site: USA Network Announces New Cast of Characters on Its Development Slate. August 5, 2009. The Futon Critic. November 25, 2010.
  10. Web site: Casting call: Sebastian Roche stays on the 'Fringe,' Sarah Shahi is USA's 'Kate'. October 22, 2009. Porter. Rick. Zap2it. Tribune Media Services. November 25, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100114232751/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2009/10/casting-call-sebastian-roche-stays-on-the-fringe-sarah-shahi-is-usas-kate.html. January 14, 2010. mdy-all.
  11. Web site: 'Battlestar's' Michael Trucco faces 'Kate,' 'Wizards' actress is 'Harriet the Spy'. Nguyen. Hahn. November 9, 2009. Zap2it. Tribune Media Services. November 25, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100114224541/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2009/11/battlestars-michael-trucco-faces-kate-wizards-actress-is-harriet-the-spy.html. January 14, 2010. mdy-all.
  12. Web site: Development Update: Monday, November 9. November 9, 2010. The Futon Critic. November 25, 2010.
  13. Web site: USA Network Greenlights New Original Series "Facing Kate". March 15, 2010. Seidman. Robert. TV by the Numbers. October 21, 2010. October 24, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121024052844/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/03/15/usa-network-greenlights-new-original-series-facing-kate/44951/. dead.
  14. Web site: USA gives series order to 'Facing Kate'. March 14, 2010. Andreeva. Nellie. The Hollywood Reporter. November 25, 2010.
  15. Web site: CABLE NOTES: 'Memphis Beat' Looks Good For Renewal, 'Army Wives' Spinoff A No-Go, 'Facing Kate' Order Trimmed. September 1, 2010. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline Hollywood. November 25, 2010.
  16. Web site: Gorman. Bill. Freshman Series 'Fairly Legal' Renewed By USA. https://web.archive.org/web/20110504122856/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/05/02/freshman-series-fairly-legal-renewed-by-usa/91200. dead. May 4, 2011. TV By the Numbers. May 2, 2011.
  17. Web site: USA's Fairly Legal and In Plain Sight move to Fridays, Premiere March 16. https://web.archive.org/web/20120112045442/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/01/04/usas-fairly-legal-in-plain-sight-move-to-fridays-premiere-march-16/115278/. dead. January 12, 2012. Gorman. Bill. TV By the Numbers. January 4, 2012. January 4, 2012.
  18. Web site: The Yellow Brick Road Song is USA Network show Fairly Legal's theme song!. January 20, 2011. Iyeoka.com. January 27, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110713071733/http://www.iyeoka.com/2011/01/the-yellow-brick-road-song-is-usa-network-show-fairly-legals-theme-song/. July 13, 2011. mdy-all.
  19. Web site: USA's Fairly Legal and In Plain Sight move to Fridays, Premiere March 16. https://web.archive.org/web/20120112045442/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/01/04/usas-fairly-legal-in-plain-sight-move-to-fridays-premiere-march-16/115278/. dead. January 12, 2012. January 4, 2012. Gorman. Bill. Tv by the Numbers. January 4, 2012.
  20. Web site: Scoop: Meet Fairly Legals New Legal Eagle . Matt Webb . Mitovich . TV Line . October 28, 2011 . October 28, 2011 . February 18, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120218171019/http://www.tvline.com/2011/10/usa-network-fairly-legal-season-2-ryan-johnson/ . dead .
  21. Web site: 'Desperate Housewives' star coming to 'Fairly Legal' – EXCLUSIVE . Inside TV . James . Hibberd . November 1, 2011 . November 2, 2011.
  22. Web site: TVLine Items: Busey Goes Crazy for Men, Horror Story Sneak Peek, Treme End Date Talk and More . November 4, 2011 . February 22, 2012 . Megan . Masters . TV Line.
  23. Web site: Exclusive: USA's Fairly Legal Serves Up a Savory Helping of Meat Loaf . TV Line . Matt Webb . Mitovich . February 22, 2012 . February 22, 2012 . February 28, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120228052826/http://www.tvline.com/2012/02/meat-loaf-cast-fairly-legal-season-2/ . dead .
  24. Web site: Airdate: Fairly Legal TV Tonight. TV Tonight. David. Knox. July 3, 2012. July 24, 2013.
  25. Web site: Returning: Fairly Legal TV Tonight. TV Tonight. David. Knox. May 15, 2013. July 24, 2013.
  26. Web site: Facing Kate – Season 1 . fr . Amazon FR. October 2, 2012.
  27. Web site: Fairly Legal – Season 2 DVDs Starring Sarah Shahi to Get a General 'Wide' Release Soon. Lambert. David. TV Shows on DVD. April 29, 2013. May 2, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130502003626/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Fairly-Legal-Season-2/18376. May 2, 2013. mdy-all.
  28. Web site: Fairly Legal – The Recent USA Network Series is Ordered for Release on DVD. TVShowsOnDVD.com. David. Lambert. April 2, 2012. April 14, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120406212610/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Fairly-Legal-Season-1/16752. April 6, 2012. mdy-all.
  29. Web site: 'Fairly Legal' season premiere: Lawyers and cross-dressers and 'Wizard of Oz' references, oh my!. EW.com.
  30. Web site: 'Fairly Legal' follows the USA formula, but the formula works - USATODAY.com. usatoday30.usatoday.com.
  31. News: "Fairly Legal" has fairly decent debut. Philiana. Ng. Reuters . January 21, 2011. www.reuters.com.
  32. Web site: Gorman. Bill. Thursday Cable Ratings: 'Jersey Shore' Keeps Rising; 'Royal Pains,' 'Fairly Legal' Premieres; 'Real Housewives' Finale & More. https://web.archive.org/web/20110122070941/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/01/21/thursday-cable-ratings-jersey-shore-keeps-rising-royal-pains-fairly-legal-premieres-real-housewives-finale-more/79679. dead. January 22, 2011. TV by the Numbers. January 21, 2011. January 22, 2011.
  33. Web site: Thursday Cable Ratings: "Jersey Shore" Finale Crushes the Field; "Fairly Legal" Steady in Finale; "Archer Up" + NCAA Hoops. https://web.archive.org/web/20110430222227/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/03/25/thursday-cable-ratings-jersey-shore-finale-crushes-the-field-fairly-legal-steady-in-finale-archer-up-ncaa-hoops/87058. dead. April 30, 2011. Seidman. Robert. TV by the Numbers. March 25, 2011. March 25, 2011.
  34. Web site:
    • Updated* USA Dominates Landscape with Unprecedented Six Straight Years as #1
    . https://web.archive.org/web/20120108012157/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/12/12/usa-dominates-landscape-with-unprecedented-six-straight-years-as-1/113512/. dead. January 8, 2012. Seidman. Robert. TV by the Numbers. December 12, 2011. January 6, 2012.
  35. Web site: Friday Cable Ratings: NCAA Basketball on TNT Wins the Night, 'Bering Sea Gold', 'In Plain Sight' And More. https://web.archive.org/web/20120321232333/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/03/19/friday-cable-ratings-ncaa-basketball-on-tnt-wins-the-night-bering-sea-gold-in-plain-sight-and-more/125004/. dead. March 21, 2012. TV by the Numbers. Bibel. Sara. March 19, 2012. March 20, 2012.
  36. Web site: Friday Cable Ratings: 'Let it Shine' Premiere + US Open, 'WWE Friday Night Smackdown', 'Common Law', 'Fairly Legal', & More – Ratings. https://web.archive.org/web/20120620093744/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/06/18/friday-cable-ratings-let-it-shine-premiere-us-open-wwe-friday-night-smackdown-common-law-fairly-legal-more/138479/. dead. June 20, 2012. Amanda. Kondolojy. June 18, 2012. June 19, 2012. TV by the Numbers.
  37. Web site: Fairly Legal: Cancelled, No Season Three. Seidman. Robert. TV Series Finale. December 12, 2011. November 1, 2012.

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