Not exactly Ally news, but - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

DarleneIllyria · 05-21-2003, 01:51 AM

I know quite a few Ally fans like the Practice. Sounds like this might make it jump the shark. Instead of doing this, they just need to cancel it. I've never watched the Practice, but all those losses...it's just gotta equal into something bad.

Entertainment - Reuters TV

ABC's 'The Practice' Returning Without Top Stars
Tue May 20, 4:28 PM ET Add Entertainment - Reuters TV to My Yahoo!

By Steve Gorman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - ABC's veteran legal drama "The Practice" will be back in court this TV season, but with a major cast shake-up the jury is far from agreed on whether the Emmy-winning show from producer David E. Kelley will survive.

Stars Dylan McDermott (news), Lara Flynn Boyle (news) and four other series regulars are leaving the cast as the show, which has been struggling in the ratings, returns this fall for an eighth season, the network and producers said on Tuesday.

Among the ensemble players who will remain on the show are Camryn Manheim (news), Michael Badalucco (news) and Steve Harris (news), while McDermott will reportedly return for some guest appearances.

The cast changes coincide with the 11th-hour deal ABC recently struck with producers of the series -- David E. Kelley Productions and 20th Century Fox Television -- to keep the show on the air for a substantially lower fee.

Under the new pact, ABC agreed to restore "The Practice" to its longtime 10 p.m. Sunday time slot, but the licensing fee received by producers for the show was cut to less than half of the $6 million per episode the network had been paying, according to one source familiar with the deal.

In a statement, Kelley attributed casting changes to "economic and creative realities."

"This is perhaps the finest group of actors and people one could ever hope to work with," he said. "I hope for all of them to recur if possible, and if I'm lucky, I'll get to work with them on future projects as well."

ABC added in its statement: "While we're sorry to see these talented cast members leave the show, we're excited to discover what David has in store for 'The Practice' this fall."

The series, which follows the exploits of the defense attorneys in a Boston law firm, stumbled in the ratings this season after it was moved from Sunday to Monday nights to make room for an ABC remake of "Dragnet."

Exiting with McDermott and Boyle, two of the most recognizable stars from the series, will be original cast members Kelli Williams and Lisa Gay Hamilton, along with Marla Sokoloff (news), who joined the cast in its second season, and Chyler Leigh (news), who signed on this past season.

Their departures were especially jarring given that McDermott and four of the others appeared in New York last week at an ABC presentation of its new schedule for advertisers.

"The Practice" is hardly the first ensemble series to face major casting make-overs. Veteran dramas like NBC's "ER" and "Law & Order" and the ABC cop show "NYPD Blue (news - Y! TV)" have gradually replaced many of their stars over the years and still managed to thrive. But it is rare for so many principal players to leave their show all at once.

One source told Reuters the cast shake-up was driven less by financial considerations than by Kelley's desire to bring fresh blood to the show, which won an Emmy for outstanding drama series in 1999. The source added that the producers plan to add several well-known actors to the cast.

TJL · 05-21-2003, 05:19 AM

I read this bit of news last night. I doubt "Practice" will be able to recover from such a loss. They should have packed things in this season.

And Jenny, you're right, This has nothing to do with Ally McBeal.

You're fired.

Central Perk · 05-21-2003, 03:13 PM

It's kind of sad to see that these castmembers are leaving. Hopefully, David E. Kelley will come up with a good way to explain the departure of these characters and he'll be able to replace them with good characters.

IheartMoonlighting · 05-23-2003, 04:35 PM

I haven't watched, The Practice in a long time. I think they should have ended the show last season, rather than trying to go another full season.

It would be easy for Kelley to explain the disappearance of the cast members. All they would have to do would be to say that once Bobby left, other people sold their partnership to Elenaor, Steve and wanted out.

DarleneIllyria · 05-27-2003, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TJL

And Jenny, you're right, This has nothing to do with Ally McBeal.

You're fired.

lol

Okay, well here's another news bit about another axe fall for another David E. Kelley show. This time it's Boston Public.

David E. Kelley: The veteran tube producer has his ax out again and this time it's aimed in the direction of Winslow High, the educational center on the Fox hit Boston Public. Kelley, who fired six actors from the The Practice recently, announced this week that four cast members from "Public" have been given their walking papers. Joey McIntyre (Colin Flynn on the show), Jon Abrahams (Zack Fisher on the show), Cara DeLizia (Marcy Kendall on the show) and China Shavers (Brooke Harper on the show) will not see another graduating class roam the halls next season. If you are thinking about applying for a job with Kelley, good luck!

http://www.tv-now.com/daily/news.htm

TJL · 05-28-2003, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jenny

David E. Kelley: The veteran tube producer has his ax out again and this time it's aimed in the direction of Winslow High, the educational center on the Fox hit Boston Public. Kelley, who fired six actors from the The Practice recently, announced this week that four cast members from "Public" have been given their walking papers. Joey McIntyre (Colin Flynn on the show), Jon Abrahams (Zack Fisher on the show), Cara DeLizia (Marcy Kendall on the show) and China Shavers (Brooke Harper on the show) will not see another graduating class roam the halls next season. If you are thinking about applying for a job with Kelley, good luck!

That's why I lost interest in "Boston Public." Too many cast changes at the star of each season.

Central Perk · 05-28-2003, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jenny

lol

Okay, well here's another news bit about another axe fall for another David E. Kelley show. This time it's Boston Public.

David E. Kelley: The veteran tube producer has his ax out again and this time it's aimed in the direction of Winslow High, the educational center on the Fox hit Boston Public. Kelley, who fired six actors from the The Practice recently, announced this week that four cast members from "Public" have been given their walking papers. Joey McIntyre (Colin Flynn on the show), Jon Abrahams (Zack Fisher on the show), Cara DeLizia (Marcy Kendall on the show) and China Shavers (Brooke Harper on the show) will not see another graduating class roam the halls next season. If you are thinking about applying for a job with Kelley, good luck!

http://www.tv-now.com/daily/news.htm

I'm glad they're getting rid of Jon Abrahams and Joey McIntyre personally I didn't think their characters were that great.

TJL · 05-28-2003, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Larry Paul

I'm glad they're getting rid of Jon Abrahams and Joey McIntyre personally I didn't think their characters were that great.

I agree with that. They were too similar. I remember posting last Fall that I couldn't tell them apart.

I guess the cuts in the cast weren't as drastic as "Practice," after all, two of the characters were students (and I like that they've had a revolving ensemble of students throughout the series) but this rotating cast of teachers is really getting tiresome. Plus, they've gotten rid of some of the best characters.

And for the love of God, can we please cut down on the sining?

DarleneIllyria · 05-28-2003, 08:30 PM

I'm kind of glad Ally is gone now. Sheesh, they prob. would've axed the rest of the characters that were any good. Yeah, they def. would've kept Calista. However, I bet they would've kept the newbie lawyers and gotten rid of Nell, Elaine, etc.

Central Perk · 05-31-2003, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jenny
I'm kind of glad Ally is gone now. Sheesh, they prob. would've axed the rest of the characters that were any good. Yeah, they def. would've kept Calista. However, I bet they would've kept the newbie lawyers and gotten rid of Nell, Elaine, etc.

Yeah, you're probably right. I think the fifth season would have been more successful if Ally and John were romantically involved and Elaine and Nelle got more air-time. I don't think the new characters would have been such a problem but from what I've heard the show focused way too much on them.

Janice · 06-03-2003, 01:09 PM

I can't believe the shakeup at The Practice. I've been a devoted fan of the show since the second season. This show is limping into the finish line.
The Practice without Bobby O'Donnell is like All In The Family without Archie Bunker. He's the show's heart and anchor.
This is a stupid movie on Kelley's part. The Practice has always been a class act. They've always keep their cast compact with the storylines intertwining in ways only those who watch the show can appreciate.
The move to Monday nights was disastrous and a red flag that Kelley was on a suicide mission with the show.
Instead of hacking the show to pieces, Kelley should just end it and allow the show and the cast to retain its dignity.

Sitcomwriter · 06-19-2003, 03:13 PM

Sharon Stone has joined the cast of "The Practice".

TJL · 06-19-2003, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sitcomwriter
Sharon Stone has joined the cast of "The Practice".

Why?

Janice · 06-19-2003, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TJL
Why?

David E. Kelley has lost it, IMO.

From TVGuide Online

LEGAL BRIEF
Apparently, David E. Kelley's basic instincts were telling him to introduce some major starpower onto The Practice next season. Sharon Stone is reportedly in talks to join ABC's retooled legal drama in the fall for three or four episodes, with the possibility for more. Stone's casting — as well as James Spader's earlier this month — represent the first steps at restaffing the long-running series. Last month, seven regulars, including Dylan McDermott, were axed for creative and economic reasons. So, either Stone is working for scale, or Kelley greatly exaggerated The Practice's budget woes. Either way, Lara Flynn Boyle is probably livid.

iank · 12-11-2008, 10:17 PM

Ironically enough, the last season of The Practice ended up being it's best for about three years.

05-21-2003, 01:51 AM	#1
DarleneIllyria Gone Forum Star Join Date: Oct 15, 2000 Posts: 19,086	Not exactly Ally news, but I know quite a few Ally fans like the Practice. Sounds like this might make it jump the shark. Instead of doing this, they just need to cancel it. I've never watched the Practice, but all those losses...it's just gotta equal into something bad. Entertainment - Reuters TV ABC's 'The Practice' Returning Without Top Stars Tue May 20, 4:28 PM ET Add Entertainment - Reuters TV to My Yahoo! By Steve Gorman LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - ABC's veteran legal drama "The Practice" will be back in court this TV season, but with a major cast shake-up the jury is far from agreed on whether the Emmy-winning show from producer David E. Kelley will survive. Stars Dylan McDermott (news), Lara Flynn Boyle (news) and four other series regulars are leaving the cast as the show, which has been struggling in the ratings, returns this fall for an eighth season, the network and producers said on Tuesday. Among the ensemble players who will remain on the show are Camryn Manheim (news), Michael Badalucco (news) and Steve Harris (news), while McDermott will reportedly return for some guest appearances. The cast changes coincide with the 11th-hour deal ABC recently struck with producers of the series -- David E. Kelley Productions and 20th Century Fox Television -- to keep the show on the air for a substantially lower fee. Under the new pact, ABC agreed to restore "The Practice" to its longtime 10 p.m. Sunday time slot, but the licensing fee received by producers for the show was cut to less than half of the $6 million per episode the network had been paying, according to one source familiar with the deal. In a statement, Kelley attributed casting changes to "economic and creative realities." "This is perhaps the finest group of actors and people one could ever hope to work with," he said. "I hope for all of them to recur if possible, and if I'm lucky, I'll get to work with them on future projects as well." ABC added in its statement: "While we're sorry to see these talented cast members leave the show, we're excited to discover what David has in store for 'The Practice' this fall." The series, which follows the exploits of the defense attorneys in a Boston law firm, stumbled in the ratings this season after it was moved from Sunday to Monday nights to make room for an ABC remake of "Dragnet." Exiting with McDermott and Boyle, two of the most recognizable stars from the series, will be original cast members Kelli Williams and Lisa Gay Hamilton, along with Marla Sokoloff (news), who joined the cast in its second season, and Chyler Leigh (news), who signed on this past season. Their departures were especially jarring given that McDermott and four of the others appeared in New York last week at an ABC presentation of its new schedule for advertisers. "The Practice" is hardly the first ensemble series to face major casting make-overs. Veteran dramas like NBC's "ER" and "Law & Order" and the ABC cop show "NYPD Blue (news - Y! TV)" have gradually replaced many of their stars over the years and still managed to thrive. But it is rare for so many principal players to leave their show all at once. One source told Reuters the cast shake-up was driven less by financial considerations than by Kelley's desire to bring fresh blood to the show, which won an Emmy for outstanding drama series in 1999. The source added that the producers plan to add several well-known actors to the cast.

05-21-2003, 05:19 AM	#2
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	I read this bit of news last night. I doubt "Practice" will be able to recover from such a loss. They should have packed things in this season. And Jenny, you're right, This has nothing to do with Ally McBeal. You're fired.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

05-23-2003, 04:35 PM	#4
IheartMoonlighting David & Maddie Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 01, 2002 Location: Blue Moon Detective Agency Posts: 318	I haven't watched, The Practice in a long time. I think they should have ended the show last season, rather than trying to go another full season. It would be easy for Kelley to explain the disappearance of the cast members. All they would have to do would be to say that once Bobby left, other people sold their partnership to Elenaor, Steve and wanted out.
	__________________ http://www.moonlightingdvd.com

06-03-2003, 01:09 PM	#11
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Stupid, stupid, stupid I can't believe the shakeup at The Practice. I've been a devoted fan of the show since the second season. This show is limping into the finish line. The Practice without Bobby O'Donnell is like All In The Family without Archie Bunker. He's the show's heart and anchor. This is a stupid movie on Kelley's part. The Practice has always been a class act. They've always keep their cast compact with the storylines intertwining in ways only those who watch the show can appreciate. The move to Monday nights was disastrous and a red flag that Kelley was on a suicide mission with the show. Instead of hacking the show to pieces, Kelley should just end it and allow the show and the cast to retain its dignity.

05-21-2003, 03:13 PM	#3
Central Perk ~~~~~ Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 10, 2002 Posts: 4,553	It's kind of sad to see that these castmembers are leaving. Hopefully, David E. Kelley will come up with a good way to explain the departure of these characters and he'll be able to replace them with good characters.

05-28-2003, 08:30 PM	#9
DarleneIllyria Gone Forum Star Join Date: Oct 15, 2000 Posts: 19,086	I'm kind of glad Ally is gone now. Sheesh, they prob. would've axed the rest of the characters that were any good. Yeah, they def. would've kept Calista. However, I bet they would've kept the newbie lawyers and gotten rid of Nell, Elaine, etc.

06-19-2003, 03:13 PM	#12
Sitcomwriter Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 27, 2001 Posts: 7,356	Sharon Stone has joined the cast of "The Practice".

12-11-2008, 10:17 PM	#15
iank Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 11, 2008 Posts: 39	Ironically enough, the last season of The Practice ended up being it's best for about three years.