Matlock: Season 1

Finally, the first Season of 'Matlock' is arriving on DVD! Here is a list of the episodes that will be included on the set:

1. (Pilot Movie) Diary of a Perfect Murder (Originally aired - March 3, 1986)

NOTE: In this episode, Charlene Matlock is played by Lori Lethin. Between this movie, and the next episode, the role of Charlene was re-cast.

2. The Judge (Originally aired - September 23, 1986)

Special Guest Stars: Dick Van Dyke as Judge Carter Addison and Piper Laurie as Claire Leigh

NOTE: This is the first episode to feature actress, Linda Purl, as the role of Charlene Matlock. She continued to play the role for the rest of Charlene's appearances.

3. The Stripper (Originally aired - September 30, 1986)

NOTE: Richard Newton usually played the role of Judge Richard Cooksey in his many appearances on `Matlock', but, in this episode, he plays the role of another Judge named Alvin Roundtree.

4. The Affair (Originally aired - October 7, 1986)

Special Guest Star: Kevin Conroy as Clark Harrison

5. The Seduction (Originally aired - October 14, 1986)

NOTE: Nancy Stafford, who would become a series regular next season as the role of Michelle Thomas, makes her first appearance on `Matlock' in this episode as the role of Caryn Nelson.

6. The Don (1) (Originally aired - October 28, 1986)

Special Guest Star: Jose Ferrer as Nicholas Baron

7. The Don (2) (Originally aired - November 4, 1986)

8. The Sisters (Originally aired - November 11, 1986)

9. The Cop (Originally aired - November 18, 1986)

Special Guest Star: Hector Elizondo as Detective Joe Peters

10. The Angel (Originally aired - November 25, 1986)

NOTE: Kari Lizer, who would later become known for her recurring role, Cassie Phillips, makes her first official appearance on `Matlock' in this episode as the role of Ben's client, Margaret `Angel' Danello.

11. The Professor (Originally aired - December 2, 1986)

Special Guest Star: Christopher McDonald as Eric Lane

12. Santa Claus (Originally aired - December 9, 1986)

Special Guest Star: Barry Jenner as Mark Harris

13. The Chef (Originally aired - January 6, 1987)

Special Guest Star: Roddy McDowall as Christopher Hoyt

14. The Author (Originally aired - January 13, 1987)

Special Guest Stars: Stanley Kamel as Mark Douglas and Audra Lindley as Mary Ann Newton

15. The Rat Pack (Originally aired - January 20, 1987)

Special Guest Star: Desi Arnaz Jr. as Michael Porter

16. The Nurse (Originally aired - February 3, 1987)

Special Guest Star: Billy Zane as Eric Dawson

NOTE: This episode marks Julie Sommars' first appearance of Julie Sommars as Julie March.

17. The Convict (Originally aired - February 10, 1987)

18. The Court-Martial (1) (Originally aired - February 17, 1987)

19. The Court-Martial (2) (Originally aired - February 24, 1987)

20. The Therapist (Originally aired - March 3, 1987)

NOTE: This episode marks Kari Lizer's first appearance as Cassie Phillips.

21. The People vs. Matlock (Originally aired - March 24, 1987)

22. The Photographer (Originally aired - March 31, 1987)

Special Guest Star: Billy Bob Thornton as The Pawn Shop Owner

23. The Reporter (Originally aired - May 5, 1987)

24. The Doctors (Originally aired - May 12, 1987)

Special Guest Star: Norman Fell as Dr. Radburn

NOTE: Daniel Roebuck made several other appearances on `Matlock' before landing the recurring role of Cliff Lewis in Season 7. This episode was the first of those appearances as the role of Dr. Bobby Shaw.

This was a terrific season that started off a terrific show. It's been officially confirmed by tvshowsondvd.com that the pilot movie will be included, by the way. I hope it will also include other features like interviews or something, but, somehow, I doubt it. Ah well, maybe next time. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to seeing these great episodes again. Thank you, Paramount, for finally releasing this classic gem on DVD. Keep the sets coming!

Here it is, almost 1200 minutes of the mystery series "Matlock", 24 episodes (including the pilot) that were broadcast during NBC's 1986-1987 season. So let's forget all we know about the long run of this series and just talk about its premiere season.

Years after his run as Sheriff Andy Taylor, Andy Griffith finally got another regular job. This time he is playing Ben Matlock, an Atlanta lawyer who talks like Sheriff Andy. It's a comfortable role in a tried and true format; a mix of "Perry Mason" and "Columbo". "Columbo" veteran Dean Hargrove dreamed up the series and shared executive producer duties with Fred Silverman.

The focus is on the title character and Griffith is great fun to watch. He charms and sweet talks his way through each case, getting everyone to let down their guard because they underestimate this good old boy as much as they did the seemingly scatterbrained "Columbo". Both series revolved around the main character's ability discern something incriminating in seemingly innocent little things and to pick up on a guilty party's casual slip of the tongue.

In the "Perry Mason" tradition Matlock is not bound by the conventional rules of evidence or procedural requirements once he gets into a courtroom. He can say anything and introduce any sort of evidence simply by reassuring the judge that his line or questioning will eventually become relevant. Be prepared for the obligatory breakdowns and confessions on the witness stand. The prosecutors can only shake their heads and bluster helplessly in the face of Matlock's cunning strategy.

Matlock is assisted by the show's version of Perry Mason's Paul and Della. In season one these are his daughter and partner Charlene Matlock (Lori Lethin in the pilot-Linda Purl in the regular episodes) and his investigator Tyler Hudson (Kene Holliday). His junior partner Michele Thomas (Nancy Stafford) would not join the team as a regular until the next season and it wasn't until 1988 that Don Knotts reprised his Barney role as Ben's neighbor Les "Ace" Calhoun.

Season One's episodes #6 and #7 (a two part story titled "The Don") featured William Conrad as District Attorney James "Fatman" McShane. The next year the producers took this character, changed his name slightly to Jason Lochinvar 'Fatman' McCabe, and with Conrad created the long-running series "Jake and the Fatman".

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

Finally, after so many years of waiting and wondering whether Matlock would ever come to DVD, here it is. In my opinion, this is the second best criminal defense show (Perry Mason is #1) that I have ever seen. Matlock could not have survived without the help of his private investigator Tyler Hudson and associate daughter Charlene Matlock. Matlock hardly ever lost a case - although in later seasons that would change. What was great about this show was that there was enough suspense in each episode to keep you watching until the very end. Thanks for making this series available.

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