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Matlock (1986 TV series)
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Matlock (1986 TV series)
Matlock is an American mystery legal drama television series created by Dean Hargrove and starring Andy Griffith in the title role of criminal defense attorney Ben Matlock. Debuting on March 3, 1986, the series aired on NBC until the sixth-season finale on May 8, 1992; it was moved to ABC on November 5, 1992, continuing there for the remainder of its run until the series finale aired on May 7, 1995. The series was produced by The Fred Silverman Company (formerly Intermedia Entertainment Company until 1986) and Dean Hargrove Productions (formerly Strathmore Productions until 1988) in association with Viacom Productions. This series marked Griffith's return to a series for the first time since The New Andy Griffith Show ended in 1971.
The show's format is similar to that of CBS' Perry Mason (both Matlock and the 1980s Perry Mason television films were 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.
A gender flipping reboot, starring Kathy Bates, premiered on CBS on September 22, 2024.
Matlock centers on Ben Matlock (Andy Griffith), a widowed and highly respected defense attorney known for his folksy demeanor, sharp intellect, and cantankerous personality. Despite his gruff exterior, Matlock is deeply committed to justice. Most episodes culminate in a courtroom confrontation, where Matlock cross-examines a witness—often the actual perpetrator—and methodically exposes the truth. His goal is typically to establish reasonable doubt or to prove his client's innocence outright.
Matlock is portrayed as a graduate of Harvard Law School. After working as a public defender, he opened a private law practice in Atlanta, where he resides in a modest farmhouse in the suburbs. Known for his meticulous investigative approach, Matlock often visits crime scenes to uncover overlooked evidence and develop alternative theories about the case, which usually involves homicide.
A distinctive feature of Matlock's character is his finicky fashion sense; he consistently wears a light gray suit and, over the series' run, drives three successive generations of the all-gray Ford Crown Victoria—a nod to Griffith's longtime association with Ford vehicles, dating back to The Andy Griffith Show.
Matlock is also characterized by his frugality and love of hot dogs, which are depicted as his favorite food throughout the series. This detail is explored humorously in the season eight episode "The Diner". An alternate backstory for his hot dog obsession is presented in a crossover with Diagnosis: Murder (season four, episodes 15–16, "Murder Two"), where Matlock blames Dr. Mark Sloan (Dick Van Dyke) for advising a failed investment in 8-track tapes in 1969 that cost him his $5,000 savings (equivalent to $33,000 in 2024), forcing him into an austere lifestyle.
Despite his thrift, Matlock typically charges a $100,000 retainer fee (equivalent to $240,000 in 2024), usually payable upfront. However, he often adjusts or waives his fee if he believes strongly in a client's innocence or if the client cannot afford to pay. In some cases, he reluctantly accepts pro bono cases. His strict expectations of his staff and investigators, as well as his penny-pinching habits, often serve as sources of comic relief throughout the series.
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Matlock (1986 TV series)
Matlock is an American mystery legal drama television series created by Dean Hargrove and starring Andy Griffith in the title role of criminal defense attorney Ben Matlock. Debuting on March 3, 1986, the series aired on NBC until the sixth-season finale on May 8, 1992; it was moved to ABC on November 5, 1992, continuing there for the remainder of its run until the series finale aired on May 7, 1995. The series was produced by The Fred Silverman Company (formerly Intermedia Entertainment Company until 1986) and Dean Hargrove Productions (formerly Strathmore Productions until 1988) in association with Viacom Productions. This series marked Griffith's return to a series for the first time since The New Andy Griffith Show ended in 1971.
The show's format is similar to that of CBS' Perry Mason (both Matlock and the 1980s Perry Mason television films were 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.
A gender flipping reboot, starring Kathy Bates, premiered on CBS on September 22, 2024.
Matlock centers on Ben Matlock (Andy Griffith), a widowed and highly respected defense attorney known for his folksy demeanor, sharp intellect, and cantankerous personality. Despite his gruff exterior, Matlock is deeply committed to justice. Most episodes culminate in a courtroom confrontation, where Matlock cross-examines a witness—often the actual perpetrator—and methodically exposes the truth. His goal is typically to establish reasonable doubt or to prove his client's innocence outright.
Matlock is portrayed as a graduate of Harvard Law School. After working as a public defender, he opened a private law practice in Atlanta, where he resides in a modest farmhouse in the suburbs. Known for his meticulous investigative approach, Matlock often visits crime scenes to uncover overlooked evidence and develop alternative theories about the case, which usually involves homicide.
A distinctive feature of Matlock's character is his finicky fashion sense; he consistently wears a light gray suit and, over the series' run, drives three successive generations of the all-gray Ford Crown Victoria—a nod to Griffith's longtime association with Ford vehicles, dating back to The Andy Griffith Show.
Matlock is also characterized by his frugality and love of hot dogs, which are depicted as his favorite food throughout the series. This detail is explored humorously in the season eight episode "The Diner". An alternate backstory for his hot dog obsession is presented in a crossover with Diagnosis: Murder (season four, episodes 15–16, "Murder Two"), where Matlock blames Dr. Mark Sloan (Dick Van Dyke) for advising a failed investment in 8-track tapes in 1969 that cost him his $5,000 savings (equivalent to $33,000 in 2024), forcing him into an austere lifestyle.
Despite his thrift, Matlock typically charges a $100,000 retainer fee (equivalent to $240,000 in 2024), usually payable upfront. However, he often adjusts or waives his fee if he believes strongly in a client's innocence or if the client cannot afford to pay. In some cases, he reluctantly accepts pro bono cases. His strict expectations of his staff and investigators, as well as his penny-pinching habits, often serve as sources of comic relief throughout the series.