Matlock is a likeable enough show with a good lead. Unfortunately there are two big problems with it
1/ as a mystery lover it bugs me that you can never figure out who did it because there is always just one piece of evidence pointing to the killer and it's never mentioned until the very end
2/ the evidence against the killer is always so flimsy that if the killer had a lawyer (and not even necessarily a good one) at least 9 out 10 times they could easily get off with it if they didn't always shout out in open court "YES,I DID IT"
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gfmcniven2 May 2021
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Its formula remains fairy consistent: 1. A heated argument before witnesses leads to an arranged meeting to sort things through.
2. One of those witnessing the argument the meeting as the perfect opportunity to do in the would-be victim and beats the would-be suspect to the rendezvous point to perform the murder, usually leaving behind the weapon already containing the would-be suspects fingerprints.
3. If the would-be suspect hasn't already handled the weapon, s/he for some reason handles it upon discovering the body.
4. Within a matter of seconds, security guards arrive at the murder scene to apprehend the speechless suspect. If a pistol were used and the perpetrator takes it along, this doesn't matter to the guards that the suspect hasn't one on hand.
5. The authorities (law enforcement, prosecutors and judges) are unable to grasp the notion that this suspect has been framed. No, they have an airtight case, by overlooking evidence and clues, such as time of death and those sorts of articles which the perpetrator has left behind.
6. Neither the authorities nor the jury nor anyone in Matlock's office fathom that this type of frame-up has ever happened before. No, they have an airtight case, and only high-priced defender Ben Matlock with his team of investigators would be able to locate the missing clue.
7. Once Matlock calls his last witness to the stand, the case is pretty well wrapped up, causing the prosecutor to request a dismissal of charges, which the judge and jury invariably welcome -- unless it was one of the judges who did it, which sometimes happens.
Variations of this formula and diversions from it often provide welcome fodder for the story of Ben Matlock and company. Along the way, the sometimes Assistant District Attorney Julie Marsh realizes that Ben may be right about a thing or two, this leading to a romantic rivalry between them.
A time or two, Julie rises to the occasion of defending the innocent, a hallmark of the Matlock team, which includes at different times his younger daughter, Charlene Matlock; his assistant attorney, Michele Thomas; his elder daughter, Leane McIntyre; his investigators, Tyler Hudson, Conrad McMasters and Cliff Lewis, as well as his friends and neighbors Les Calhoun and Billy Lewis.
If Matlock and his defense team would ever lose a case, the episode is only beginning, as a closer investigation would reveal enough evidence to call for a retrial or something along these lines.
"Matlock" is at its best with sensitive acting, caring for just treatment for the innocent, especially by Andy Griffith, Linda Purl, Kene Holliday, Nancy Stafford and Clarence Gilyard Jr. Later seasons tend to overlook some of its earlier sensitivity in favor of the strong-willed emotions of its ultimate cast, thereby losing some of its vision.
Overall, "Matlock" provides for an interesting episode from its catchy opening theme to its closing credits. Viewers may well be led to appreciate this fine cast, which affords the next judge and jury to find their work cut out for them. -
SnoopyStyle20 April 2021Ben Matlock (Andy Griffith) is a respected, renowned, hotdog-loving, defense lawyer in Atlanta. He uses his southern charms and sense of justice to set his innocent clients free. Initially, he is assisted by his daughter Charlene Matlock and his investigator Tyler Hudson. Before the end of the first season, Charlene disappears from the show. Over the years, Matlock has various assistants, usually blonde pretty lawyers and black investigators. He has a connection with prosecutor Julie March during a few seasons. He is also joined by TV friend Don Knotts in some episodes as his character's friend.
The show reopens the daughter-as-assistant door with Leanne McIntyre and adds a childhood rival in Billy Lewis. Those are probably the best seasons. Matlock becomes more childish while Leanne turns into the parental figure. He and Billy have a combative relationship. It's a more fun show as Matlock gets frustrated with Billy. I never really liked the courtroom which feels very static. The investigations are more fun. In the last season, the show drops Leanne and adds a different girl. It loses something without the father daughter chemistry. Nine season is more than enough of a run anyways. The charms of Andy Griffith is the fuel for the show's success and nostalgia for his earlier show is the reason. He is the embodiment of southern charm. -
Sargebri7 April 2003Much like Perry Mason, Ben Matlock was a lawyer that never lost and that's where the similarities end. The thing I love about the character of Ben Matlock is that unlike the cool and suave Perry Mason, Ben was hot-headed and cursed like a sailor, but beneath that gruff exterior was a heart of gold. Ben pretty much was just like an average guy, while Perry Mason was the cool, suave and sophisticated barrister. Also, this show pretty much had a sense of humor about it that "Perry Mason" didn't have and this gives "Matlock" an edge.
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OllieSuave-00725 February 2017This is one of the all-time popular mystery dramas, starring Andy Griffith as defense attorney Ben Matlock, whom, and his associates, defend his clients by finding the real perpetrator of the crime.
As Ben Matlock, Griffith displays much wit and intellect while defending his clients, while at the same time trying to track down the real criminal. This plot device gave the series a unique twist and kept the show surprising from start to finish. The show also got intense at times with all the back and forth proceedings and finger-pointing during the courtroom scenes.
The episodes were written with much intrigue and suspense, with a well-acted cast of characters and guest stars to boot. The opening theme music is very catchy and well-suited for the show's atmosphere, and I especially enjoyed seeing the many co-stars that have starred along side Griffith during the show's run, including Linda Purl, Brynn Thayer, Clarence Gilyard Jr. and Daniel Roebuck.
Definitely one of the best shows of the 80s and 90s!
Grade A -
stewievictoryismine20 September 2021Good idea and for awhile good execution. But the later seasons turned Andy Griffith into a mumbling, stuttering idiot. This is one series where less is more. Watch the 1st 4-5 seasons then walk away..
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Brownsbros326 December 2007It is not too often that an actor can find a second signature role in his or her career, but Andy Griffith certainly did with his portrayal of Atlanta based attorney Ben Matlock. I still watch the reruns on WGN every weekday morning, before going to work. It's neat to watch how he can piece a mystery together. Some people have complained, because Matlock always seems to win. I say what is wrong with that? I guess I'm old school in watching TV, but I don't want the good guys to lose. That is one of the reasons I stopped watching The Practice, which had gotten to the point where their guilty clients were going free, and their innocent clients were going to jail. For the record, I do recall Matlock losing a couple of cases. (However, he did set it up so that his guilty clients would confess in order to keep their loved ones from going to prison.) The show lasted nine years, which actually surpassed The Andy Griffith Show. Someone get that man a hot-dog!
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Tornado_Sam20 July 2020That's essentially the best way to compare the 80's and 90's lawyer show "Matlock" to its predecessor, the much more famous "Perry Mason" show of the 50's and 60's. Both shows are about a famous lawyer who defends clients on charges of murder and comes up with the real killer, and that's about all the two share in common. "Perry Mason" is all about good plot: within an hour, the viewer's intelligence is challenged time and time again as Mason must find the real killer and turn up the proof as to who really did it. The show ran nine years as did "Matlock", but the manner in which the episodes were written was different as there was never a dull moment. The viewer was kept guessing as to who really committed the crime, and there were so many plot threads and plot twists in each episode you could never really be sure who the culprit was until the end.
Compare the above description to this much more modern series, which centers around lawyer Ben Matlock, played by the known television actor Andy Griffith (in much later years). In "Matlock", there is next to no plot at all. No real story to tell, just the whole 'someone gets killed - Matlock investigates the crime - killer uncovered' routine. And both are an hour long, so why are the plots so skimpy here compared to the much-loved older series? Simple answer: this show is all about character rather than story. That's not to say "Perry Mason" had one-dimensional characters either - Mason was definitely a more serious lawyer, but when the show could spare time, there were plenty of good character moments sprinkled in that gave the leading cast plenty of good chemistry. "Matlock" simply doesn't do much. Seen two episodes so far (sometimes I'll catch this show in the morning and miss Perry for the heck of it) and the content is very basic, no suspense, no big plot twists, just humor and filler scenes. That's it.
On the other hand, just because it doesn't live up to the ingeniousness of "Perry Mason" doesn't mean it has no merits at all. Next to no story yes, but at least the character of Ben Matlock remains fairly lovable. Not the brilliant, headstrong Perry, but a genuinely more original character with a humorous side and that old-man air about him. This is probably the most I can say about characters in the show, as I haven't seen enough of Michelle Thomas and Conrad McMasters to really judge how three-dimensional they are (although what I've seen is certainly nothing special). The house-keeper is also quite comical and provides a few nice laughs.
So, to wrap it up, one really has to decide what they're looking for. Do you want an intelligent, masterfully written, and outstandingly acted whodunit (Mason) or a comical and purely entertaining show with only the faintest of plots to support character development (Matlock)? If I had to pick one, I'd probably say the former because that show has its share of share of both, even while the plot does outweigh the character. There is a time and a place for this one to be sure, and it does remain decent to watch overall, but because it is not nearly as well-written and shows a lack of respect for the audiences' intelligence, it is generally not as good as its predecessor. -
bayardhiler19 August 2013At first glance, "Matlock" might seem to be just another version of "Perry Mason"; after all, both are lawyers who defend innocent clients , both have that catchy theme song that all great shows seemed to have in that golden age of TV magic, and both always seem to catch the real killer (on the stand no less). But take a closer look and you'll see that "Matlock" has a look and flavor all its own. Part of the reason may be the time difference between the two shows-"Mason" being in the 60's, "Matlock", the 80's and 90's- but there are several others. In "Matlock", there's a little bit more of mystery solving in the spirit of "Murder, She Wrote" and "Diagnosis Murder" that gives the show a great deal of suspense. It also helps to throw in a little bit of humor here and there. But the real reason may come down to the late, great Andy Griffith. Mr. Griffith was able to take a character that could have been just another Perry Mason and make it all his own. Ben Matlock has a temper (which gets him the judges' wrath more than once), wears cheap suits despite his high fees, and loves hot dogs. But he also has charisma and an old southern style charm that he uses in and out of the courtroom. With this and with the help of various allies over the seasons, Matlock tackles anything from the mob to jealous lovers, from drug dealers to femme fatales. Combined with this and excellent courtroom drama-which let's be honest, what good lawyer show worth its salt be without it- "Matlock" is a show that could please just about anyone. Also starring Nancy Stafford, Clarence Gilyard Jr., Kene Holliday, Brynn Thayer, Julie Sommars, Daniel Roebuck, and Linda Purl at different stages throughout the show's existence. Watch and enjoy a time when TV was at its finest in a simpler time.
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canarycaia3 February 2023All the changes of cast they say it was because it was always Griffith and almost nothing the other actors. The best were the two P. I.s and Nancy Thomas. And Don Knotts. When they changed to put Billy and the new daughter...ufff. Billy was stupid. The daughter, insufferable. Besides, the same actress was a client who tried to make a pass on the old geezer only a few episodes back. And the plots suddenly were idiotic. Obviously they changed someone in the crew of writers or something else happened. It looked more like a farce. It was never about credibility, because it was just a tv show but this time I'd jumped parts because I was feeling my neurons were trying to commit suicide out of boredom and disgust over losing time.
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Cue-ball23 July 2003Spoilers below.
Matlock, the long-running criminal lawyer show featuring Andy Griffith in the title role, has enjoyed a popularity in first-run and re-runs that I cannot understand. It is frequently (and favorably) compared to "Perry Mason", the archetypal criminal drama that sets the gold standard for courtroom television to this day. It's remarkable that the two shows are mentioned in the same breath.
Griffith is Ben Matlock, a Harvard graduate who, we are told in the early years, never takes a case for less than $250,000. Earth to writers: criminal defendants do not have $250,000. Like Mason, Matlock's office sees a stream of innocent people charged with murder. Like Mason, Matlock winds up getting most of them acquitted.
And there, the similarities end. Mason, the creation of detective story writer Erle Stanley Gardner, had an abiding respect for the courts, the police, and the rule of law (more so in the series than the novels that preceded them). Everyone on the Perry Mason show was smart; Mason was just smarter. In contrast, Matlock is perhaps the least dumb character on his show. One mystery involved a murder with a candlestick that was found in Matlock's client's house, wrapped in a newspaper. While Matlock was cross-examining the real killer, he discovers that the date on the newspaper was one day after his client was in jail. This is astonishing: no one on the police force or the district attorney's office has noticed that their most damning evidence provides the defendant with an iron-clad alibi? And Matlock, unlike Mason, cares little for the rules of evidence. Almost every show, when the prosecutor makes an objection based on hearsay or speculation, Matlock screams to the judge that his question is "absolutely vital to his case" and the judge lets it in. When I was in law school, we referred to this as the "Matlock rule". He passes photographs to the jury while the judge is considering whether they are admissible, and gives long soliloquies about surprise witnesses who are "prepared to testify", all while the prosecutor sits mute.
You've guessed by now that I'm an attorney. I don't mind suspending disbelief to enjoy a television series (surely Perry Mason's nemesis Hamilton Burger would not have been a district attorney for a decade if he could never indict the real killer). But there's a difference between suspending disbelief and suspending intelligence. -
Matlock was a great show still is to me.Matlock reminds me of Columbo a little.Big difference being Colombo you know who the killer is & Matlock being a who done it? I like both.Matlock was cool to because he had P.I's Tyler Hudson & Conrad are great & the women lawyers Michealle,Leane there are a few others.All the seasons are great but seasons 1-6 are my favorites the ones with Conrad and Tyler mostly. The stories are very well written and will keep you guessing who the killer might be? His show can also be funny at times & I love how when he gets mad at someone he'll call them a jack ass.
The Blues singer is my favorite episode season 3. -
renegadeviking-271-52856817 January 2022Andy Griffith is originally from North Carolina. His very first professional job was as Sir Walter Raleigh in The Lost Colony which is the oldest outdoor drama in America. The Outer Banks of North Carolina are SO gorgeous. Since the show was doing so well in the ratings, Andy insisted on doing the Season Opener at gorgeous locations as a Thank You to the hard working Crew.
I was working as a dancer (Native American Indian) at The Lost Colony and we were all guaranteed to work 1 day on Matlock. I was able to finagle my way into 3 days.
Unfortunately, no Behind the Scenes photos from this. This was the days before cellphones.
Ben Matlock travels to Manteo, North Carolina, to defend Spencer Hamilton, the brother of Frank, who was killed in a duck-hunting accident. After Ryan Bartell was shot, immediately after Spencer's brother, Matlock also was approached by a handsome young sheriff, Conrad McMasters, to find evidence in killing Ryan.
Don't be fooled by his down-home demeanor and country-boy ways; criminal defense lawyer Ben is worth every penny of his fee. Count on Ben to visit the crime scene, scope out the clues everyone else missed, and dramatically reveal the real criminal (usually a killer) during a climactic trial sequence.
Matlock is an American television legal drama, starring Andy Griffith in the title role of criminal-defense attorney Ben Matlock. The show, produced by Intermedia Entertainment Company (first season only), The Fred Silverman Company, Dean Hargrove Productions, and Viacom Productions, originally aired from March 3, 1986 to May 8, 1992 on NBC; and from November 5, 1992 until May 7, 1995 on ABC.
The show's format is similar to that of CBS's Perry Mason (with both Matlock and the 1980s Perry Mason TV movies created by Dean Hargrove), with Matlock identifying the perpetrators and then confronting them in dramatic courtroom scenes. One difference, however, was that whereas Mason usually exculpated his clients at a pretrial hearing, Matlock usually secured an acquittal at trial, from the jury. Since 1990, reruns of the show have been shown in syndication and on TBS, INSP, Hallmark Channel, CBS Drama, WGN America, FETV and MeTV. -
olddad-842642 September 2020Take it from a seasoned, veteran Philadelphia trial lawyer and two time prosecutor, Matlock is the worst TV lawyer ever. While the show was entertaining, and right in tune with the late 80's and early 90's, the courtroom action is horrible and beyond unrealistic.
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thekats196724 April 2001I am a huge fan of Andy Griffith and Matlock! I even find myself watching it more now then I do The Andy Griffith Show. The stories are superbly written and its just really fun to watch Ben Matlock (Andy Griffith) outwit the "real" killers on the stand. My favorite episodes have to be the ones with Michelle, Conrad, and Charlene his daughter. I just wish you could buy Matlock episodes on tape and another movie would air.
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reb-warrior7 May 2023I'm rewatching this series after 37 years. Currently just about to start season 3. It follows the cozy mystery of the week formula. There are two-parters throughout. No arcs. Pretty good supporting cast throughout and guest stars.
The star of the series, Andy Griffith, is what ultimately makes this show very watchable. Matlock is charming and cranky. Kind of irresistible characteristics. I currently enjoy these same qualities in My Life is Murder with the Alexa Crowe character and in Murdoch Mysteries with Brackenreid. Matlock is very cute with his reactions and dialogue and at times hilarious given whatever the situation is, such as in the wrestling episode. He makes me laugh.
My second favorite character is Tyler, played by Kene Holiday. He's very funny in his banter with Matlock. I think the guy must get tossed in the air in just about every episode. Lol. He often talks his way into and out of situations in his investigations. He's always trying to make himself rich and acts like he can't stand his job. But really, he loves it. His suits and car look more expensive than Matlock's. It's really funny. I guess he was only there for 3 seasons. It's a shame he had to leave the show. I thought he was a great character.
Both Linda Purl and Nancy Stafford were fine in their roles.
Julie Sommars was great as Julie March. She had great chemistry with Matlock in their somewhat flirty friendship. Really good banter and is a good friend to Ben.
Kai Lizer as Cassie was not very appealing. Not very good at acting nor any charisma. The character was a waste of screen time. Sorry. Gotta be honest.
So I haven't caught up yet to when the other series regulars join. There's a bit of a revolving door. Regulars going out and new ones coming in. But I think I recall like everyone else just fine. I'll just write an episode review if anything comes up.
It's a lighthearted murder mystery type of show. There are plotholes. Lots. Matlock is often allowed to give lengthy conjectures without any objections from the prosecutor. I love when he gets mad, "oh, come on." Lol. Or when he sneaks a question in, which is objected to, and then quickly withdraws the question. He's great fun to watch.
In the first season, oftentimes they show the killer doing the deed, sort of Columbo style. But in season 2, it becomes more of a whodunnit. Dick Van Dyke was great in the pilot episode. I recently watched his Diagnosis Murder show, tho all the episodes weren't on the streaming service I'm watching, Pluto TV. Same with Matlock.
Anyway, a lighthearted murder mystery show, with a cute, charming but cranky curmudgeon, Matlock. He makes this show watchable. I like it as a before-bedtime watch. Dark gritty shows before bed, aren't agreeable to me. 7/10.
*Edit: After a couple more seasons and still continuing, I decided to up the rating to 8/10. Andy Griffith's Ben Matlock is hilarious. I'm enjoying this rewatch so much after 30-plus years. My enjoyment level meant the rating had to go up. 8/10.
*Edit: I continue to watch this series over and over again and really enjoy that I decided to up my rating to 10/10. I just love Andy Griffith's Ben character. -
ThunderKing625 June 2019They don't make classic shows like this anymore.
Its a great fun series. It doesn't take itself too seriously or too loosely.
Andy does great take. However all episodes are basically the same.
Example:- Problem happens
- Call Matlock
- investigate
- Matlock solves the case
Yes. Each episode is the same only difference is the actors. -
Putting into words how incredible Ben Matlock is will be very difficult but I will try!
For starters, his skills as a lawyer are the best, bar none, and no matter how bleak the situation looks for his client or how incriminating the evidence is on the person he's defending, Matlock always manages to win the day. Whenever he's cross examining witnesses, he manages to tie them in knots and it's always just a matter of time before they crack under Matlock's relentless questioning pressure. As far as lawyers go, Matlock is a goliath, a titan, a truly unstoppable force. *SPOILER* Even when he is drugged by a bunch of criminals and is left, barely lucid, to stumble through the middle of an extremely busy highway, hundreds of cars swerve out of the way in fear of being damaged beyond repair by Matlock's power.
However, Matlock's skills go far beyond his day job of a $100,000-per-case lawyer. His gun-toting prowess with a firearm is exceptional, as is his ability to wield a sword or kendo stick. If you squint, you could easily mistake Ben Matlock for Neo out of The Matrix films. Matlock is also a Michelin star chef and he makes no apologies for this fact by spending 40-50% of each episode stuffing his face with hotdogs, Monte Christo sandwiches and anything else into which he can stick a fork. In addition, Matlock is not only extremely handy around the house as he is able to carry out roof repairs, he is also an exceptional baseball pitcher in his spare time. To cut a long story short, if you are in need of the world's greatest lawyer but also require the services of a bodyguard, chef, sportsman and DIY person, Matlock is your man.
When defending his clients and searching for the truth, Matlock is helped along the way by a medley of wonderful assistants. Firstly, whenever Matlock needs to take a break from fist fighting, the duty of dishing out 'knuckle sandwiches' fall upon Conrad McMasters. Conrad's day job is as Matlock's private investigator and his ability to carry out this function has earned him the name, 'The Chameleon' for the way he can effortlessly blend into any role. *SPOILER* One week he'd be a bartender with mixology skills worthy of the International Bartenders Association, the next he'd be performing in adult themed movies, all in the line of duty. Conrad was also ice cool, circa minus 273 degrees Celsius cool, that he is only matched on the coolness scale by Kojak. For all you petrol heads out there, throughout the show Conrad also drives 11 different Ford Mustangs (models range from 1965 to 1994) so try to spot them all if you can. As you can imagine, Conrad's sublime choice of vehicles makes him a 'one' (so to speak) with the ladies, which itself is a recurring theme throughout the entire show, often resulting in a number of comical escapades.
Next up in Matlock's arsenal of crime fighting were his two gorgeous female assistants. First was Michelle Thomas, Matlock's partner for a few seasons, who was then followed by Leanne MacIntyre; a lawyer and Matlock's daughter. Just a flash of either's eyelashes or a smile from their pouty lips is usually enough to make any witness crack under the heat when they're being cross-examined. These small but significant facial actions by Matlock's sultry sirens are enough to get one's heart racing to such an extent that the show should really come with a health warning, aimed at the show's predominantly elderly and retired viewer demographic.
How do I sum up Matlock? Well, he has the demeanour and dress sense of James Bond, the physical dexterity and mental determination of Jason Bourne and quick wit and phenomenal intellect of Richard Feynman. Matlock blows all other courtroom dramas into the middle of next week with a realism that you could only seek to replicate in a genuine courtroom. For any budding lawyers out there, I advise you watch Matlock to see how to get the job done inside the courtroom, and out! For everyone else, Matlock makes compelling viewing as it has a bit of something for everyone: Action, drama, thrills, spills, sex appeal, comedy and mystery. Often more like a psychological thriller than a courtroom drama, I regularly felt that Matlock was more comparable to a Christopher Nolan film than the Perry Mason show, to which Matlock is usually compared. Either way, I loved Matlock; one of the best TV shows ever created! -
Ages back Andy Griffith was famous for doing his side-splitting monologues. and he made a few movies such as "The Second Time Around," " Onionhead," "A Face in the Crowd" and the unforgettable "No Time for Sergeants"; in the latter he was a Permanent Latrine Orderly, a classification which did not exist but was given him by his sergeant who couldn't stand him, but Will Stockdale (Griffith) thought it was a high-ranking classification in the Air Force. But here, in "Matlock" he was a serious lawyer in Atlanta who was among the top in the whole U.S.A., though he is as homespun as Sheriff Andy Taylor. Initially, a "city slicker" thought he was not too smart a lawyer, but that thought was amended. In the series he was from a small town in Georgia which no longer existed. Still, all types wanted to retain him, including Mafia dons. He always employed theatrics in the courtroom, and, again, homespunness, but he had a very high "batting average", losing very few cases. Adding to the "decorum" of the series were Brynn Thayer , another time Linda Purl, another time Nancy Stafford, and from time to time Julie Sommars who played a clever prosecuting attorney. Again, he was a "good ole boy" who never tried to be, nor claimed to be, any other type person. It did convey the fact, I feel, that no one should ever undermine or scorn small-town boys, since they can be excellent lawyers.
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Craven8016 September 1999Yeah, this is one of the best shows ever to be made.
It had good characters, great stories, twists, and some unexpected humor.
It's a really good show, and I'm not even over 60...or 30 for that matter.
-Guess who got me into the show though:...Grandparents. =) -
GreenGoblinsOckVenom8614 October 2010I used to watch this show with my Grandparents. I really enjoyed it. I liked Matlock and his assistants Charlene Matlock (who is his daughter) and Tyler Hudson(Kene Holliday). In later seasons Tyler Hudson gets replaced by Conrad McMasters (Clarence Gilyrd Jr. who also happens to be Theo in Die Hard) which I don't mind. The reason I give it an 8 is because around the middle of Season 8 they replace Conrad with an inexperienced lawyer named Cliff who is supposed to be funny but comes off as a complete moron. Plus another thing I don't like is how they replaced the actress for Charlene 3 times throughout the series. Other than that a great show. Stay away from the last few seasons though.
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wkozak22129 June 2015I watch matlock. I have watched it since the pilot. I enjoy watching Andy Griffith over Raymond burr. I find Andy Griffith a more three dimensional actor. If you watch the b and w masons and rear window the performances are the same. If you watch matlock, a face in the crowd, or savages each of the performances are different. There are some things that annoy me about the series. The characters of billy and Les are very annoying. They never knock or ring a bell. They show up at any time and stay forever. Billy never got over Ben not marrying his sister. Also Ben eating hot dogs. I wish he would eat some thing else for a change. Also he gets a retainer of around $100,000 and the rest of his fees. Then he turns around and complains about cost of things: $5 (?) for a lunch truck lunch. He tries to fix a pencil sharpener instead of buying a new one. It is a fun series to watch overall.
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GeorgeSickler22 February 2012This series is just as interesting today as it was decades ago. Andy Griffith is outstanding as Ben Matlock -- no other actor could do as well. The supporting cast were naturals and the scripts were generally well written.
The only drawback worth noting is that there is a sameness in a great number of the endings. This wasn't too bothersome when the series was on once a week. But it's in syndication here with two episodes back-to-back every weekday. Ben is frequently pulling a rabbit out of a hat to expose the killer. The killer always is seemingly denying everything on the witness stand, but then Ben surprises everybody -- including the TV audience -- by introducing evidence that never was developed during the show.
That's probably OK once a week, but it does get a tad tedious twice a day every week day. But nevertheless, a great series. -
Vinny3718 May 2022Starting into series 8, I have been more or less enjoying this production (though admittedly Ms ideology was, I think, creeping in). Sometimes plot holes appeared, and alternate explanations seemed unconsidered. Still, it had some good plot twists, and a sweet father-daughter connection is a wholesome base. So with some cringes aside, a passable hourly watch, until Leanne Matlock fornicates (S8.11)-the ideological base of the show is shown to be that the act is not wrong, only that one's choice of sexual partner might be somewhat misguided. There endeth my following of Matlock, a sad takeaway.
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coreycitn6313 February 2022Matlock was god during the first few seasons then Matlock moved to North Carolina mainly due to Andy Griffith's failing health. They introduced the most hated Matlock character his cousin Billy. He had the charm of a rattlesnake. As for Ben Matlock's court skills it was questionable cause no real court would put up with Matlock's antics.