Matlock
AMERICA'S GREATEST LAWYER. CASE CLOSED.
Matlock (1986-1995)
Seasons: 9,
episodes: 194
Episode runtime: 45 min
Average rating:
7.1/10
11 876
Status
Completed
Creators
Dean Hargrove
Scenario
Joel Steiger
Author
Producer
Joel Steiger
Actors
Andy Griffith
Ben Matlock
Clarence Gilyard Jr.
Conrad McMasters
Kene Holliday
Tyler Hudson
Carol Huston
Jerri Stone
Julie Sommars
Julie March
Nancy Stafford
Caryn Nelson / Caroline Nathan
Kari Lizer
Angel / Margaret Danello
Brynn Thayer
Roxanne Windemere
Short description
Thrifty, folksy and cantankerous, Matlock charges a premium for his services but is worth every penny: This renowned attorney, always clothed in his trademark light-gray suit and driving his signature Ford Crown Victoria, has an uncanny knack for finding overlooked clues and exposing murderers in dramatic courtroom scenes.
Seasons
| Season | Episodes | Release date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 1986-03-03 | 3.3 | |
| 24 | 1987-09-22 | 8.5 | |
| 20 | 1988-11-29 | 4.5 | |
| 24 | 1989-09-19 | 1 | |
| 22 | 1990-09-18 | — | |
| 22 | 1991-10-18 | 9 | |
| 18 | 1992-11-05 | 10 | |
| 22 | 1993-09-23 | 9.1 | |
| 18 | 1994-10-13 | 10 |
What's left behind the scenes
- Over 100 candidates auditioned for the role of Conrad McMasters, but Andy Griffith insisted that the part go to Clarence Gilyard Jr. After joining the cast, he appeared in nearly every episode of the version edited for the commercial network NBC, but only until the production moved to North Carolina for the filming of the seventh season. While working in North Carolina, Gilyard Jr. had less time because he began filming the project 'Walker, Texas Ranger' (1993-2001).
- In many episodes, lawyer Ben Matlock, played by Andy Griffith, exposed the criminal during cross-examination. The actor suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome, which led to paralysis of his lower limbs; since his role required him to deliver long monologues while standing, he wore special knee braces during filming, kept cue cards close at hand, and rehearsed literally day after day (both on weekdays and weekends). At the end of each workday, the show's creative team and film crew invariably applauded the actor. According to Nancy Stafford, Griffith's accusatory speech in each episode was almost always nailed in the very first take.
- Ben Matlock loves hot dogs. Off-set, the actor who played him, Andy Griffith, prefers apples and peanut butter. According to one of the actors in the series, both were always kept on set specifically for him.
- Towards the end of the first season, actress Linda Perl left the project due to creative differences with the directors and writers.
- While working on the third season, Keene Holliday missed filming seven times—once he was arrested for drunk driving, and he also spent time in a specialized treatment facility. Ultimately, he was removed from the series' cast.
- After the sixth season, Nancy Stafford left the cast. She had just gotten married, and the production crew intended to move to North Carolina to continue working on the series, which the actress was strictly against.
- Nancy Stafford, Kari Lizer, Daniel Roback, and Brynn Tayer appeared on screen as guest stars before being cast in the roles of Michelle, Cassie, Cliff, and Lann, respectively.
Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
