Fairly Legal#Cast
{{short description|2011-2012 American legal comedy-drama television series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox television
| image =
| caption =
| genre = Legal drama
Comedy drama
| creator = Michael Sardo
| developer =
| presenter =
| starring = Sarah Shahi
Michael Trucco
Virginia Williams
Baron Vaughn
Ryan Johnson
| voices =
| narrated =
| theme_music_composer =
| opentheme = "The Yellow Brick Road Song" by Iyeoka (season 1)
| endtheme = "The Yellow Brick Road Song" (season 1)
| composer = Mateo Messina
| editor =
| 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
| camera =
| runtime = 44 minutes
| network = USA Network
| producer = Drew Matich
Clara George
| first_aired = {{Start date|2011|1|20}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2012|6|15}}
| related =
}}
Fairly Legal is an American legal comedy-drama television series which aired on USA Network from January 20, 2011, to June 15, 2012.{{Cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/08/fairly-legal-fka-facing-kate-premieres-january-20-royal-pains-white-collar-return/67211|title='Fairly Legal' (fka 'Facing Kate') Premieres January 20; 'Royal Pains,' 'White Collar' Return|date=October 8, 2010|last=Seidman|first=Robert|work=TV by the Numbers|access-date=October 21, 2010|archive-date=October 17, 2012|archive-url=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/|url-status=dead}} The series starred Sarah Shahi, Michael Trucco, Virginia Williams, Baron Vaughn, and Ryan Johnson.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvline.com/2011/10/usa-network-fairly-legal-season-2-ryan-johnson|title=Scoop: Meet Fairly Legal{{'}}s New Legal Eagle|last=Mitovich|first=Matt|work=TV Line|date=October 28, 2011|access-date=October 28, 2011}} USA Network canceled the show on November 1, 2012, after two seasons, due to low ratings.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/fairly-legal-cancelled-no-season-three-25377|title=Fairly Legal: Cancelled, No Season Three|work=TV Series Finale|date=November 1, 2012|access-date=November 1, 2012}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2012/11/fairly-legal-cancelled-usa-network-burn-notice-pickup-near-363789/|title=USA's 'Fairly Legal' Cancelled, 'Burn Notice' Nears 13-Episode Seventh-Season Renewal|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=November 1, 2012|access-date=November 2, 2012}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Fairly-Legal-Virginia-Williams-1045450.aspx|title=Cheers & Jeers: 'Fairly Legal' — Yes, Virginia! |date=March 30, 2012|last=Fretts|first=Bruce|work=TV Guide|access-date=May 30, 2012}} 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".{{Cite web|url=http://www.thetvaddict.com/2012/03/16/sarah-shahi-previews-fairly-legal%E2%80%99s-surprising-second-season/|title=Sarah Shahi Previews a 'Fairly Legal' Second Season Chock Full of Surprises |date=March 16, 2012|last=Vogt|first=Tiffany|work=TheTVAddict.com|access-date=May 30, 2012}}
Cast and characters
=Main=
- Sarah Shahi as Kate Reed: A top lawyer at her father's firm who, after realizing her own ethical conflict with her profession, becomes an Evaluative Mediator.
- Michael Trucco as Justin Patrick: Kate's estranged, and later former, husband, Assistant District Attorney of San Francisco. They continue an on-off relationship, that continues throughout the run of the show.
- Virginia Williams as Lauren Reed: Kate's new boss and stepmother. Kate assumes that Lauren's coldness following her husband's death is proof of heartlessness, but Lauren explains that she is simply doing what is necessary to keep the firm from disintegrating in his absence. When Kate mocks her ability to be the boss, Lauren reveals she was actually running the firm in the last few years of her husband's life. Kate doesn't believe it at first, but Lauren does her best to keep the firm afloat after several of their clients go bankrupt.
- Ryan Johnson as Ben Grogan (season 2): Kate's partner and nemesis at Reed & Reed; he is a former ambulance chaser who loves money and winning. Later, he begins to partner more with Kate and becomes a potential love interest.
- Baron Vaughn as Leonardo "Leo" Prince: Kate's assistant. Enthusiastic, resourceful, and a passionate fantasy gamer. He has a knack for keeping the at-times flighty Kate out of trouble with clients and Lauren.
=Recurring=
- Richard Dean Anderson as David Smith: A man with many secrets who enters Kate's life after the death of her father.{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/ustv/news/a230981/richard-dean-anderson-joins-facing-kate.html|title=Richard Dean Anderson joins 'Facing Kate'|date=June 21, 2010|last=Wightman|first=Catriona|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hachette Filipacchi|access-date=November 25, 2010}}
- Ethan Embry as Spencer:[http://www.afterelton.com/tv/2010/08/usa-network-facing-kate-gay-character USA's "Facing Kate" Includes Gay Male Character] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831201018/http://www.afterelton.com/tv/2010/08/usa-network-facing-kate-gay-character |date=August 31, 2011 }} Kate's brother, who was formerly a lawyer at the family firm. Spencer is now a stay-at-home father while his wife Terry works.
- Gerald McRaney as Judge David Nicastro: a judge who dislikes Kate for her turning to mediation, but uses her to mediate some of his cases.
- Devon Weigel as Kim (Season 1): A sandwich girl who works at Reed & Reed. She and Leonardo eventually begin dating.
Development and production
Fairly Legal first appeared on the development slate for USA Network in August 2009, under the working title Facing Kate.{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/ustv/news/a230981/richard-dean-anderson-joins-facing-kate.html|title=USA Network Announces New Cast of Characters on Its Development Slate|date=August 5, 2009|work=The Futon Critic|access-date=November 25, 2010}} The series was created and written by Michael Sardo, who also serves as an executive producer. Casting announcements began in late October, when Sarah Shahi was cast in the main role of Kate Reed.{{Cite web|url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2009/10/casting-call-sebastian-roche-stays-on-the-fringe-sarah-shahi-is-usas-kate.html|title=Casting call: Sebastian Roche stays on the 'Fringe,' Sarah Shahi is USA's 'Kate'|date=October 22, 2009|last=Porter|first=Rick|work=Zap2it|publisher=Tribune Media Services|access-date=November 25, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=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|archive-date=January 14, 2010|df=mdy-all}} Michael Trucco and Virginia Williams joined the cast in early November.{{Cite web|url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2009/11/battlestars-michael-trucco-faces-kate-wizards-actress-is-harriet-the-spy.html|title='Battlestar's' Michael Trucco faces 'Kate,' 'Wizards' actress is 'Harriet the Spy'|last=Nguyen|first=Hahn|date=November 9, 2009|work=Zap2it|publisher=Tribune Media Services|access-date=November 25, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=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|archive-date=January 14, 2010|df=mdy-all}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2009/11/09/development-update-monday-november-9-33405/8378/|title=Development Update: Monday, November 9|date=November 9, 2010|work=The Futon Critic|access-date=November 25, 2010}}
The 75-minute pilot episode was directed by Bronwen Hughes.{{Cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/03/15/usa-network-greenlights-new-original-series-facing-kate/44951|title=USA Network Greenlights New Original Series "Facing Kate"|date=March 15, 2010|last=Seidman|first=Robert|work=TV by the Numbers|access-date=October 21, 2010|archive-date=October 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024052844/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/03/15/usa-network-greenlights-new-original-series-facing-kate/44951/|url-status=dead}} The series was given the green-light for a first season on March 15, 2010, with an additional 11 episode order.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/usa-gives-series-order-facing-21617|title=USA gives series order to 'Facing Kate'|date=March 14, 2010|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=November 25, 2010}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.deadline.com/tag/usa-facing-kate|title=CABLE NOTES: 'Memphis Beat' Looks Good For Renewal, 'Army Wives' Spinoff A No-Go, 'Facing Kate' Order Trimmed|date=September 1, 2010|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=November 25, 2010}}{{dead link|date=November 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
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.{{cite web|last=Gorman|first=Bill|title=Freshman Series 'Fairly Legal' Renewed By USA|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/05/02/freshman-series-fairly-legal-renewed-by-usa/91200|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504122856/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/05/02/freshman-series-fairly-legal-renewed-by-usa/91200|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 4, 2011|work=TV By the Numbers|access-date=May 2, 2011}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/01/04/usas-fairly-legal-in-plain-sight-move-to-fridays-premiere-march-16/115278|archive-url=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/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 12, 2012|title=USA's Fairly Legal and In Plain Sight move to Fridays, Premiere March 16|last=Gorman|first=Bill|work=TV By the Numbers|date=January 4, 2012|access-date=January 4, 2012}}
=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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.iyeoka.com/2011/01/the-yellow-brick-road-song-is-usa-network-show-fairly-legals-theme-song/|title=The Yellow Brick Road Song is USA Network show Fairly Legal's theme song!|date=January 20, 2011|work=Iyeoka.com|access-date=January 27, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=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/|archive-date=July 13, 2011|df=mdy-all}}
Episodes
=Season 1 (2011)=
{{Episode table |background=#F87217 |overall=5 |season=5 |title=17 |director=14 |writer=27 |airdate=13 |prodcode=8 |viewers=11 |country=U.S. |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = Pilot
|DirectedBy = Bronwen Hughes
|WrittenBy = Michael Sardo
|ProdCode = FL101-75
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|1|20}}
|ShortSummary = After her father passes away, Kate Reed decides to make a change and switches her career from lawyer to mediator. Her first case is to mediate between a college-bound student and a business man, while also juggling a case involving an engagement plan gone awry and dealing with her step-mother Lauren, who is constantly getting on her nerves.
|LineColor = F87217
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = Priceless
|DirectedBy = Andy Wolk
|WrittenBy = Michael Sardo
|ProdCode = FL102
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|1|27}}
|ShortSummary = Kate has a new case that involves a man who was wrongfully convicted and spent twenty-two years in prison. Meanwhile, Kate and her family open her father's will, which reveals a secret about her father's life.
|LineColor = F87217
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = Benched
|DirectedBy = John Showalter
|WrittenBy = Aaron Tracy
|ProdCode = FL103
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|2|3}}
|ShortSummary = Judge Nicastro assigns Kate to mediate a case that involves angry parents and a high school football coach's actions. However, she isn't too sure about the videotaped evidence and decides to find the real reason for the school coach's highly disputed training methods. Meanwhile, Justin goes to Leonardo for advice on a good birthday present for Kate.
|LineColor = F87217
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = Bo Me Once
|DirectedBy = Anton Cropper
|WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s= Linda Burstyn|t= Jan Nash & Michael Sardo}}
|ProdCode = FL104
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|2|10}}
|ShortSummary = When the father (Chris Ellis) of a cooking show producer attempts to extort money from her, Kate must step in to solve the woman's problems. Meanwhile, Justin tries to decide how to handle a trespassing case, and Lauren tries to keep a client from firing the firm.
|LineColor = F87217
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = The Two Richards
|DirectedBy = Paul Holahan
|WrittenBy = Jan Nash
|ProdCode = FL105
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|2|17}}
|ShortSummary = Kate mediates between a man hit by a truck and an insurance agency, but quickly realizes that the real problem lies elsewhere. Meanwhile, a mysterious man from Teddy Reed's life named David Smith (Richard Dean Anderson) appears.
|LineColor = F87217
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = Believers
|DirectedBy = Tricia Brock
|WrittenBy = Jim Adler
|ProdCode = FL106
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|2|24}}
|ShortSummary = An inventor (Devon Gummersall) nearly commits suicide after being fired and his boss wanting the components to his secret invention. Meanwhile, Lauren must convince a lumberjack (Dan Payne), to sign divorce papers with his ex-wife (Teryl Rothery) now in a new marriage wanting to adopt a child. Leo is chosen to draw for a graphic novel contest with Kim (Devon Weigel) the company sandwich girl agreeing to be his model.
|LineColor = F87217
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 7
|EpisodeNumber2 = 7
|Title = Coming Home
|DirectedBy = Steven DePaul
|WrittenBy = Jim Adler
|ProdCode = FL107
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|3|3}}
|ShortSummary = A Honduras-born U.S. soldier (Christina Vidal) is brought in for identity theft after unknowingly stealing the social security number of another woman (who she thought was dead) to enlist in the army. With these charges the soldier nearly faces deportation with Kate fighting for a compromise. Meanwhile, Kate is reluctant to sign the papers finalizing her divorce with Justin.
|LineColor = F87217
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 8
|EpisodeNumber2 = 8
|Title = UltraVinyl
|DirectedBy = Bob Berlinger
|WrittenBy = Blair Singer
|ProdCode = FL108
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|3|10}}
|ShortSummary = Kate mediates the case of a 1990s one-hit wonder band with one member wanting to use the band's hit song for a television commercial, despite the disagreement of the other two members.
|LineColor = F87217
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 9
|EpisodeNumber2 = 9
|Title = My Best Friend's Prenup
|DirectedBy = Vincent Misiano
|WrittenBy = Ben Lee
|ProdCode = FL109
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|3|17}}
|ShortSummary = An owner (Clyde Kusatsu) of martial arts dojo demands that his daughter (Brittany Ishibashi), who is one of Kate's best friends, have her fiance sign a pre-nup. Meanwhile, some of Leo's collectible desk figurines end up missing.
|LineColor = F87217
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 10
|EpisodeNumber2 = 10
|Title = Bridges
|DirectedBy = Peter Markle
|WrittenBy = Jan Nash & Michael Sardo
|ProdCode = FL110
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|3|24}}
|ShortSummary = Kate is caught up in an argument about a Croatian-born little girl with her male guardian and her biological grandmother both wanting full custody. Meanwhile, Kate must also deal with two feuding brothers who own a business together. Lauren finds out that Kate has been lying about meeting David Smith and decides to fire her.
|LineColor = F87217
}}
}}
=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.{{Cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/01/04/usas-fairly-legal-in-plain-sight-move-to-fridays-premiere-march-16/115278|archive-url=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/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 12, 2012|title= USA's Fairly Legal and In Plain Sight move to Fridays, Premiere March 16|date=January 4, 2012|last= Gorman|first=Bill|work=Tv by the Numbers|access-date=January 4, 2012}} Production for the season began on October 28, 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.tvline.com/2011/10/usa-network-fairly-legal-season-2-ryan-johnson/ |title=Scoop: Meet Fairly Legal{{'}}s New Legal Eagle |first=Matt Webb |last=Mitovich |publisher=TV Line |date=October 28, 2011 |access-date=October 28, 2011 |archive-date=February 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218171019/http://www.tvline.com/2011/10/usa-network-fairly-legal-season-2-ryan-johnson/ |url-status=dead }} 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.{{cite web |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/11/01/mark-moses-fairly-legal/ |title='Desperate Housewives' star coming to 'Fairly Legal' – EXCLUSIVE |publisher=Inside TV |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=November 1, 2011 |access-date=November 2, 2011}} Barry Shabaka Henley appeared in the second episode as an agent "who isn't afraid to play rough."{{cite web |url=http://www.tvline.com/2011/11/tvline-items-gary-busey-two-half-men-horror-story-stonestreet/ |title=TVLine Items: Busey Goes Crazy for Men, Horror Story Sneak Peek, Treme End Date Talk and More |date=November 4, 2011 |access-date=February 22, 2012 |first=Megan |last=Masters |publisher=TV Line}} Meat Loaf appeared in the ninth episode as Charlie DeKay, a union boss who threatens to institute a strike in San Francisco.{{cite web |url=http://www.tvline.com/2012/02/meat-loaf-cast-fairly-legal-season-2/ |title=Exclusive: USA's Fairly Legal Serves Up a Savory Helping of Meat Loaf |publisher=TV Line |first=Matt Webb |last=Mitovich |date=February 22, 2012 |access-date=February 22, 2012 |archive-date=February 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228052826/http://www.tvline.com/2012/02/meat-loaf-cast-fairly-legal-season-2/ |url-status=dead }}
{{Episode table |background=#575757 |overall=5 |season=5 |title=17 |director=14 |writer=27 |airdate=13 |prodcode=7 |viewers=12 |country=U.S. |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 11
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = Satisfaction
|DirectedBy = Anton Cropper
|WrittenBy = Peter Ocko
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|3|16}}
|ProdCode = FL201
|ShortSummary = Kate returns to the firm to mediate a case in which a woman claims that her grandfather was harmed by his negligent employers.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 12
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = Start Me Up
|DirectedBy = Andy Wolk
|WrittenBy = Rob Fresco
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|3|23}}
|ProdCode = FL202
|ShortSummary = Kate mediates a case between a hospital and the FBI.Based on the case of Tadamasa Goto. Compare with: {{cite news |title=This Mob Is Big in Japan |first=Jake |last=Adelstein |author-link=Jake Adelstein |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/09/AR2008050902544.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=11 May 2008 |access-date=25 March 2012}} Lauren must pick a client to drop from the firm.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 13
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = Bait & Switch
|DirectedBy = Ken Girotti
|WrittenBy = Joanna Johnson
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|3|30}}
|ProdCode = FL203
|ShortSummary = Judge Nicastro forces Kate to take a case over an insurance dispute between a fishing captain and one of the workers that loses his hand. He also suggests that Lauren begin dating.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 14
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = Shine a Light
|DirectedBy = Allan Kroeker
|WrittenBy = Jamie Pachino
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|4|6}}
|ProdCode = FL204
|ShortSummary = Kate mediates a dispute over a severance package for an employee fired from an aeronautics company. Lauren and Ben argue over how to handle a settlement offer.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 15
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = Gimme Shelter
|DirectedBy = Peter Lauer
|WrittenBy = Tawnya Bhattacharya & Ali Laventhol
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|4|13}}
|ProdCode = FL205
|ShortSummary = A landlord is unable to pay his mortgage because one of his tenants is a drug dealer, so Kate steps in to mediate the case.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 16
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = What They Seem
|DirectedBy = Anton Cropper
|WrittenBy = Tom Donaghy
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|4|20}}
|ProdCode = FL206
|ShortSummary = After Justin and the San Francisco Police Department are accused of police brutality, Kate and Ben are forced to represent the victim.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 17
|EpisodeNumber2 = 7
|Title = Teenage Wasteland
|DirectedBy = Tawnia McKiernan
|WrittenBy = Ish Goldstein
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|4|27}}
|ProdCode = FL207
|ShortSummary = Justin and Ben argue over a plea bargain while Kate visits her old school.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 18
|EpisodeNumber2 = 8
|Title = Ripple of Hope
|DirectedBy = Peter Markle
|WrittenBy = Robert Nathan
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|5|4}}
|ProdCode = FL208
|ShortSummary = Ben helps Kate on a case at a nearby prison, and Lauren takes a case suggested by Leo.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 19
|EpisodeNumber2 = 9
|Title = Kiss Me, Kate
|DirectedBy = Michael Watkins
|WrittenBy = Roger Wolfson
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|5|11}}
|ProdCode = FL209
|ShortSummary = Judge Nicastro enlists Kate and Ben to mediate a contract dispute. Lauren looks for a painting to hang in the lobby of the firm.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 20
|EpisodeNumber2 = 10
|Title = Shattered
|DirectedBy = Andy Wolk
|WrittenBy = Jamie Pachino
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|5|18}}
|ProdCode = FL210
|ShortSummary = Justin and D.A. Davidson oppose Kate and Ben in a case involving a nurse whose job is on the line. Meanwhile, Lauren negotiates the purchase of an airline for a client.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 21
|EpisodeNumber2 = 11
|Title = Borderline
|DirectedBy = Matthew Penn
|WrittenBy = Joanna Johnson
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|6|1}}
|ProdCode = FL211
|ShortSummary = Kate and Ben travel to Lake Tahoe for a mediation. Lauren and Justin work together to solve a seemingly impossible case.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 22
|EpisodeNumber2 = 12
|Title = Force Majeure
|DirectedBy = Peter Markle
|WrittenBy = Peter Ocko
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|6|8}}
|ProdCode = FL212
|ShortSummary = Kate meets a Brazilian activist and singer (Josefina Scaglione), while a wealthy businessman (Lloyd Owen) catches Lauren's eye.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 23
|EpisodeNumber2 = 13
|Title = Finale
|DirectedBy = Anton Cropper
|WrittenBy = Peter Ocko
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2012|6|15}}
|ProdCode = FL213
|ShortSummary = Kate discovers that Davidson may be involved in a scandal. Kate must also finally decide between Justin and Ben.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
}}
Broadcast
In Australia, the series premiered on Seven Network on July 10, 2012,{{Cite web|title=Airdate: Fairly Legal TV Tonight|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2012/07/airdate-fairly-legal.html|publisher=TV Tonight|first=David|last=Knox|date=July 3, 2012|access-date=July 24, 2013}} and returned for season two on May 26, 2013.{{Cite web|title=Returning: Fairly Legal TV Tonight|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2013/05/returning-fairly-legal.html|publisher=TV Tonight|first=David|last=Knox|date=May 15, 2013|access-date=July 24, 2013}}
Home media
Universal Studios Home Entertainment released Fairly Legal Season 1 on Region 2 DVD on {{Start date|2013|1|31}}.
| class="wikitable" |
| rowspan="2"|DVD Name
! rowspan="2"|Ep# ! colspan="3"|Release dates |
|---|
| Region 1
! Region 2 ! Region 4 |
| Season One
| style = "text-align:center;"|10 | {{Start date|2012|6|5}}{{ref|1|1}} | {{Start date|2012|7|24}}{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.fr/Facing-Kate-Saison-Sarah-Shahi/dp/B007RQ3W2S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349175210&sr=8-1 |title=Facing Kate – Season 1 | language = fr |publisher=Amazon FR|access-date=October 2, 2012}} |{{N/A}} |
| Season Two
| style = "text-align:center;"|13 |{{N/A}} |{{N/A}} |
{{note|1|1}} The wide release for the Season 1 DVD occurred on {{Start date|2012|6|5}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Fairly-Legal-Season-1/16752|title=Fairly Legal – The Recent USA Network Series is Ordered for Release on DVD|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com|first=David|last=Lambert|date=April 2, 2012|access-date=April 14, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406212610/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Fairly-Legal-Season-1/16752|archive-date=April 6, 2012|df=mdy-all}} An early promotional release at Target stores occurred on {{Start date|2012|3|13}}.
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".{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/article/2011/01/21/fairly-legal-season-premiere/|title='Fairly Legal' season premiere: Lawyers and cross-dressers and 'Wizard of Oz' references, oh my!|website=EW.com}} 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".{{Cite web|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2011-01-20-legal20_ST_N.htm|title='Fairly Legal' follows the USA formula, but the formula works - USATODAY.com|website=usatoday30.usatoday.com}} 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.
=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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-fairlylegal-idUSTRE70K7T220110121|title="Fairly Legal" has fairly decent debut|first=Philiana|last=Ng|newspaper=Reuters |date=January 21, 2011|via=www.reuters.com}}
| class="wikitable" |
| style="width:6%;" rowspan="2"| Season
! style="width:33%;" rowspan="2"| Timeslot (ET) ! style="width:6%;" rowspan="2"| # Ep. ! colspan=2| Premiered ! colspan=2| Ended ! style="width:7%;" rowspan="2"| TV Season ! style="width:10%; background:#ffdead;" rowspan="2"| Viewers |
|---|
| Date
! span style="width:7%; font-size:smaller; line-height:100%;"| Premiere ! Date ! span style="width:10%; font-size:smaller; line-height:100%;"| Finale |
| 1
| {{center|Thursday 10:00 pm}} ! 10 | style="font-size:11px;line-height:110%"|{{center|{{Start date|2011|1|20}}}} | style="font-size:11px;line-height:110%"|{{center|{{End date|2011|3|24}}}} ! style="font-size:smaller"| 2011 |
| 2
| {{center|Friday 9:00 pm}} ! 13 | style="font-size:11px;line-height:110%"|{{center|{{Start date|2012|3|16}}}} | style="font-size:11px;line-height:110%"|{{center|{{End date|2012|6|15}}}} ! style="font-size:smaller"| 2012 ! style="background:#fc9;"|2.74{{cite web|url=http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/fairly-legal-cancelled-no-season-three-25377/|title=Fairly Legal: Cancelled, No Season Three|last=Seidman|first=Robert|publisher=TV Series Finale|date=December 12, 2011|access-date=November 1, 2012}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.usanetwork.com/series/fairlylegal}}
- [http://www.abnormaluse.com/2011/01/abnormal-interviews-michael-sardo.html Interview with Writer/Producer Michael Sardo] at Abnormal Use
- {{IMDb title|1586676|Fairly Legal}}
{{USANetwork Shows}}
Category:2010s American comedy-drama television series
Category:2011 American television series debuts
Category:2012 American television series endings
Category:American English-language television shows
Category:2010s American legal drama television series
Category:Television series by Universal Television
Category:Television shows set in San Francisco
Category:USA Network television dramas