Cheap Murder One - The Complete Second Season (DVD) (Jim Charleston, Randall Zisk, Nancy Savoca, Joe Ann Fogle, Steven Robman, Donna Deitch) Price
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Superior production values, direction, and especially writing (much of it by series cocreators Steven Bochco and Charles Eglee) were seamlessly carried over from season 1, in addition to most of Murder One's excellent supporting cast. Along with temporarily replaced law-firm receptionist Louis Hines (John Fleck), Barbara Bosson returns as prosecutor Miriam Grasso, whose courtroom sparring with LaPaglia is consistently lively, smart, and strategically intriguing. Romance blossoms slowly but sensibly between Wyler and associate Justine Appleton (Mary McCormack), and the addition of new associate Aaron Mosely (D.B. Woodside, who later played the President's brother on 24) inspires a competitive edge between himself and fellow associates Chris Docknovich (Michael Hayden) and the smarmy, underachieving Arnold Spivak (played to perfection by J.C. MacKenzie). Clayton Rohner and Jack Kehler round out the cast as (respectively) L.A. Detective Vince Baggio and private investigator Frank Szymanski, who dig for facts that may, or may not, strengthen Wyler's defense. Throughout the season, guest stars like Ralph Waite (as a wealthy, threatening power broker), Ron Canada (a no-nonsense judge), Gregory Itzin (as L.A.'s scheming new mayor) and John Pleshette (as the comically sleazy Hollywood producer Gary Blondo) make vital contributions to the unfolding plots, with mysteries that are cleverly maintained for maximum viewer involvement.
Unfortunately, excellence did not translate into ratings. The morally complex Murder One was dealt a fatal blow when an extended hiatus was imposed after Chapter 12 was broadcast on January 23, 1997. Only the most loyal viewers saw the final six episodes of this truncated season, broadcast back-to-back over three nights the following May. By that time, the series' fate was sealed. Appropriately, the "Final Verdict: Season Two" featurette (the only bonus on these DVDs) functions as a bittersweet eulogy, with director Randy Zisk, producer/director Marc Buckland, and primary cast members (not including LaPaglia) praising all aspects of the show, and expressing fond memories for a series that brought out the best from everyone involved. --Jeff Shannon
| CATEGORY: | DVD |
| DIRECTOR: | Jim Charleston, Randall Zisk, Nancy Savoca, Joe Ann Fogle, Steven Robman, Donna Deitch |
| THEATRICAL RELEASE DATE: | 19 September, 1995 |
| MANUFACTURER: | 20th Century Fox |
| MPAA RATING: | NR (Not Rated) |
| FEATURES: | Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, Dubbed, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC |
| TYPE: | Drama, Movie, TV Shows, Television |
| MEDIA: | DVD |
| # OF MEDIA: | 5 |
| UPC: | 024543190813 |
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Customer Reviews of Murder One - The Complete Second Season
A Correction As an ex-writer and co-producer on "Murder One" I appreciate the words of praise from the previous reviewer. However, when he states that Steven Bochco just "plastered his name" on the series, he couldn't be more wrong. Steven was the creative force behind both seasons of "Murder One". He wrote many of the stories. He read and edited every page of every script. I know. I was involved in hour after hour of story meetings in Steven's office. I sat across from him taking his notes, watching him turn a good scene into a great one. Wherever you got this notion that he was only marginally involved, you couldn't be more wrong. <
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>As for "24", it's a great series. But I don't know any major writer or producer on "24" who also worked on "Murder One". It was Steven's series, start to finish. <
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>Otherwise, thanks for the generous review. <
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`24' Fans Take Note! Arguably The Best TV Drama Ever!
Thank you for setting me straight `Murder One' writer & producer Douglas Palau. I have since edited my review.
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>When I say that the second season of `Murder One' is arguably the best season of drama in the history of television I say it as a qualified expert. A long time veteran of pretty much EVERY courtroom drama in the last 25 years, `LA Law', `Law & Order', `The Practice', exedra, I can say that `Murder One' stands alone in a whole different universe of suspense.
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>`Murder One' is so original that I can only compare it as a prelude to `24'. It is the only show I've ever seen that even comes close to `Murder One'.
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>Like `24' the production quality is like that of a major motion picture, not a weekly prime time drama. The acting also really stands out. To have a great leading actor like Anthony LaPaglia is good. To have an ENTIRE supporting cast as talented as LaPaglia is truly phenomenal!
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>The other production talents also deserve credit. From the photography, editing, costumes, and set direction everything is perfect.
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>Again like `24' there are truly stunning narrative hooks.
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>LaPaglia stars as Jimmy Wilder, a sleazy LA Deputy District Attorney. Sleazy lawyers are the main stay of TV dramas, we've seen them 1000 times before. NOT LIKE JIMMY WILDER YOU HAVEN'T!
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>Jimmy is denied a promotion to prosecute headlining crimes by the DA running for governor of California. The disgruntled Jimmy boasts, "If you're elected governor I'll kiss your ass in a Macy's window." Imagine Jimmy's shock when he hears on the news the next morning that the current governor has been assassinated. When he arrives for work he discovers that the assassin was caught fleeing the crime scene leaving her roommate's smoking gun behind. An angry lone nut whom had a brief affair with the late governor. No doubt she's guilty, she openly admits it.
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>Jimmy is determined to be a part of this case that he was denied as prosecutor. So he agrees to represent the defendant for free, In spite of the overwhelming evidence! Jimmy uses every slime ball tactic he can't to free the assassin. But as the trial progresses he discovers a darker Oliver Stone size conspiracy behind the assassination. When witnesses approach him to sell testimony about the "real killers" he blows them off. That is until they start dropping dead, some right in the courtroom.
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>`Murder One' originally began as a counter attack by ABC to the phenomenal success of NBC's `ER'. But unfortunately it fizzled and star Daniel Benzali left the show. It was resurrected for a second season where it also fizzled and was canceled. This is why few people heard of--and fewer saw `Murder One' when if first aired. A&E did rerun both seasons one summer after it lost the rights to `Law & Order.' Hopefully now on DVD `Murder One' will get the respect it deserves like `24'.
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>Another `24' similarity is that first season was "worth watching". But second season was truly the best television I've ever seen. The major flaw first season was that one murder trial was dragged out for the entire season. LaPaglia battles several murder cases and each trial is the perfect length. Nothing dragged out and nothing rushed.
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>As pointed out by `Murder One' writer & producer Douglas Palau, here on Amazon, there is the erroneous rumor spreading that `Murder One' and `24' were made my the same people. After thoroughly researching the entire crews of both shows I failed to find any matching names. And yes Steven Bochco is credited with writing most episodes.
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>Amazon error. FYI, Daniel Benzali does NOT appear second season. In fact his character is dismissed with only two sentences, "When are we going to face it? Ted's not coming back." and, "The only reason Neil Avedon got off was because Ted Hoffman pulled out a video tape at the last minute." (or words to that effect)
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