Think House in stiletto heels with a law degree, and you'll start to get the picture of Fox's relentlessly edgy Canterbury's Law, a lightning-paced legal drama that roars with a feisty thunder.
ER's dynamic Julianna Margulies is in perpetual motion as Elizabeth Canterbury, a barracuda who's always spoiling for a fight in and out of court. This no-nonsense warrior barks orders, taunts adversaries (including the terrific Terry Kinney as the DA) and aggravates authorities while tackling sensational cases with cunning, often desperate tactics — some of which have backfire potential. She would have been right at home on the early (best) days of The Practice.
"Must you antagonize? Must you?" moans her partner (Ben Shenkman), a former prosecutor. Yes, she must. What fun would this show be if she didn't? Any time Canterbury says, "The defense rests," watch out. "Rest" does not come naturally to this woman.
From Rescue Me's Jim Serpico
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Just when we thought we had the spring and summer mapped out, Fox has retooled its midseason schedule, announcing plans to launch fresh eps of House, Bones, Back to You and 'Til Death starting in April, among other tweaks. House will be back with new shows on Mondays at 9 pm/ET as of April 28. Freshman series Canterbury's Law, meanwhile, has been moved up from its original April 14 start date to March 10 at 8 pm/ET, while Bones now kicks off on April 14 at 8 pm/ET. Comedies Back to You and 'Til Death have gone into production already, but each also has a few episodes left from pre-strike days. Fox had originally planned to air the remaining two Back to You shows Feb. 26 and 27 and the Death ep March 25. Instead, Death will kick off on April 16 at 8 pm/ET, with Back to You will follow at 8:30 pm/ET. Other Fox faves starting production include 24 (to return in January 2009), The Simpsons, Family Guy and American Dad, among others. Still need more show updates? Check out Ausiello's cha...
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New Amsterdam by Julie Dennis-Brothers/Fox
A revamped revamp of its midseason schedule finds Fox saving its fresh fare for later in the year and in cushier spots. New Amsterdam and Canterbury's Law will both now premiere in the spring, airing on Monday (versus Friday) night. Other highlights:• After Prison Break airs its final fresh episode on Feb. 18, and the two-hour Sarah Connor Chronicles finale airs on March 3, House repeats will air Mondays at 8, followed by New Amsterdam (which sneak-peeks March 4 and 6). Canterbury's Law debuts April 14, at 9 pm.• New episodes of Back to You will lead out of 90-minute American Idols on Feb. 26, 27, and March 25. 'Til Death returns with new episodes on Friday, March 14, at 8 pm, followed by The Return of Jezebel James (which previews two nights earlier).• Three Thursday airings of Idol have been added, on Feb. 21, 28 and March 6.
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Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz by Kwaku Alston/FOX
As if the implications of the writers’ strike weren’t already giving us migraines, along comes Fox to make our heads explode with its latest incomprehensible schedule announcement, covering the strike-impacted midseason from January to April (consider most everything you read from here on subject to change). The first piece of bad news was expected: The seventh season of 24 is being postponed indefinitely, until Fox can ensure the entire season can run intact and uninterrupted. Who knows when that will be? Another blow: Fox is finally living up to its threat to move Bones to Fridays, effective Jan. 4, where it will be paired with repeats of House (the Fox equivalent of Law & Order, considering how often the hit medical drama will be peppered throughout the network’s new and unimproved lineup).To try to help make sense of it all, let’s look at the schedule night by night:Monday: With 24 out of the picture, the new big-ticket midseason item is now the action-pa...
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Aidan Quinn by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com; Julianna Margulies by KC Bailey/Fox
No, not in real life — on TV! Aidan Quinn has been tapped to play Julianna Margulies' husband on her forthcoming Fox courtroom drama Canterbury's Law. He replaces Linus Roache, who asked out of his contract to become Law & Order's new assistant DA. Quinn's recurring character is a former assistant U.S. attorney who began teaching law after his son with Margulies went missing. The gig marks a reunion for the actors, who costarred in the 2002 Bruce Beresford-helmed drama Evelyn. As I previously reported, Margulies' real-life pregnancy — which for some odd reason still hasn't been officially confirmed by her reps — will not be written into the show. According to sources, the plan is to get as many episodes in the can as possible before Margulies has to get lowered onto the set by a crane.
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Question: Has any decision been made about whether Julianna Margulies' pregnancy will be written into Canterbury's Law?
Answer: I'm hearing Margulies got her wish — her belly bump will be hidden.
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Julianna Margulies by KC Bailey/FOX
Take note, history books: I'm about to do something I've never done before — answer one of my blind items!As I teased earlier today, onetime ER nurse Julianna Margulies is pregnant with her first child, sources confirm to me exclusively. The 41-year-old Emmy winner — who reportedly became engaged to boyfriend Keith Lieberthal in June — is due this winter. It goes without saying that the baby news puts producers of Margulies' upcoming Fox courtroom drama Canterbury's Law in a bit of a pinch. A Fox spokesperson declined to comment (as did Margulies' rep), but a network insider says no decision has been made on whether art will imitate life for Margulies' fiery legal eagle. My Canterbury's mole, meanwhile, tells me it's Margulies' preference that the pregnancy not be incorporated into the show, which leaves Fox with three options: Shoot as many episodes as possible before their leading lady starts showing; let it be known early on that Margulies' character has a big purs...
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Keith Robinson (aka songwriter C.C. White in Dreamgirls) has joined the cast of Fox's Canterbury's Law, replacing Jocko Sims in the role of Julianna Margulies' coworker, Chester.... Also per the Reporter, James Badge Dale (24), Joseph Mazzello (Radio Flyer) and Val Lauren (The Salton Sea) will lead the ensemble cast of The Pacific, HBO's 10-hour WWII mini from Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.
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Anthony Anderson in K-ville by Rebecca Brenneman/Fox
3:50: Fox upfront. The words still send shivers down my spine. As you recall, the network's presentation last year was widely considered to be the single most grueling upfront in the history of upfrontmanship. The post-traumatic stress still hasn't worn off.3:51: Good news. Fox has clearly learned from their mistakes. In stark contrast to last year, the check-in process was easy-breezy. Even better, the air conditioning is working! Now if we can wrap this thing up in under two hours, almost all will be forgiven.4:01: I'm in complete denial about the VM thing, BTW. Just thought I'd share. Ooooh, the show is starting... with a 24 parody!4:05: Jack Bauer urges Fox president Peter Liguori to keep this year's presentation under an hour! LOL!4:06: They're bringing all their stars out onstage. Fox always has a good talent turnout at these things. 4:08: Well, most years they have a good turnout. The only Prison Breaker in attendance is Sucre (Amaury Nolasco)!4:09: No Kiefer Sutherland, but ...
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