Matlock

1986

Seasons & Episodes

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7.1| TV-PG| en| More Info
Released: 03 March 1986 Ended
Producted By: Viacom Productions
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

Matlock is an American television legal drama, starring Andy Griffith in the title role of criminal defense attorney Ben Matlock. The show, produced by The Fred Silverman Company, Dean Hargrove Productions, Viacom Productions and Paramount Television originally aired from September 23, 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 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.

Genre

Drama, Crime

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Matlock (1986) is now streaming with subscription on Prime Video

Director

Production Companies

Viacom Productions

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Matlock Audience Reviews

Maidgethma Wonderfully offbeat film!
Exoticalot People are voting emotionally.
Aedonerre I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.
Livestonth I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible
OllieSuave-007 This 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
GeorgeSickler This 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.
S.R. Dipaling For the first six seasons,I watched this show on Tuesday nights. I went through all of high school and even into freshman year in college watching these shows. I mention this because while it's tempting for me to tee of on this show for a litany of "crimes"(i.e.junk,t.v.lawyering,plot coincidences,formulaic writing,etc.),I have to say that this show was at least entertaining enough to keep it week-to-week watchable.Andy Griffith exudes WAY too much charm and slyness as the eponymous Ben MAtlock,a crafty souther lawyer in Atlanta who always is able to get his clients to beat murder raps because they are(surprise!)innocent,and the real killer has invariably framed him/her. This,along with "Jake and the FAtman" were sort of the twin terrors of Fred Silverman and Dean HArgrove produced, safe,legalese t.v. shows of the late eighties that appealed to a mostly older demographic. While I wouldn't recommend this show overall,I will say that it's a decent time-waster if you're around the house,want the TV on and have no taste for soap operas,talk-shows,game shows(like there are many of THOSE around 'nymore)or any of the various forms of current mid-day filler,then find TBS,TNT or Hallmark and look this show up.
sparkymcgrew There really isn't anything obviously good about "Matlock." It's kind of corny. It's awfully predictable (Matlock ALWAYS represents innocent clients and ALWAYS unmasks the real culprits in getting said innocents off). Some of the characters are pretty lame (Billy and Cliff Lewis are not personal favorites). And yet, somehow, I really enjoy this program. It really says something for Andy Griffith that I, a Yankee boy born probably 15 years after he left Mayberry, find him so charming as an ol' coot of a southern lawyer in a funny-looking suit. Can't really say why or how it comes through, but he must be one hell of an actor. (It also doesn't hurt to have Don Knotts, if only for Mr. Ferley-related nostalgia value).Incidentally, if for no other reason than the episode in which Tyler infiltrates a circus, Keene Holiday has it all over Clarence Gilyard (who I hold in large part responsible for the reprehensible "Walker Texas Ranger"). And I won't even begin to discuss that female investigator they brought in towards the end. Blech.Overall, then, despite the not inconsiderable problems with "Matlock," I love it. Andy Griffith playing a ukelele will always be a fond memory for me (It also helps to counteract the memory of those vaguely creepy commercials for Andy's gospel album that they run on TBS at off hours).