It's been said here before, but it bears repeating - "The Practice" is TV's best legal drama since "L.A. Law."
Which is really no surprise, because "Practice" writer/executive producer David E. Kelley was also the writer/executive producer of "L.A. Law" when that show was at the top of its form."The Practice" opens its second season tonight at 7 on ABC/Ch. 4, and lead defense lawyer Bobby Donnell (Dylan McDermott) has a little problem - he's fallen in love with the woman he's defending in a murder case. His associates aren't happy about it, and the woman may not be what she seems.
Kelley's script does get a bit predictable in a couple of spots, but this is still very entertaining stuff - and it's handsomely produced, nicely directed and well-acted.
The only cast change is an addition - Lara Flynn Boyle ("Twin Peaks") comes aboard as an assistant district attorney. Her character will eventually become a love interest for Bobby, but that's only hinted at in the first couple of episodes. (Another very good episode of "The Practice" airs Tuesday at 9 p.m. on Ch. 4.)
The show's regular Saturday-night time slot is the pits, but set those VCRs and tape "The Practice" - it's much better than most of the shows you will be watching on other nights of the week.
D'OH! Can "The Simpsons" really be entering its ninth season?
Yes. And the real surprise is that it still maintains its high quality.
Sunday's episode (7 p.m., Fox/Ch. 13) finds the Simpsons traveling to New York City to retrieve their car. (A drunken Barney left it between the World Trade Towers.) While Homer has a miserable day waiting for the cops, Marge and the kids take in the sights - and see a Broadway musical about the Betty Ford Clinic.
As always, "The Simpsons" is more for adults than for children. And it's about the only good satire on television.
Except for . . .
SATIRE, TOO: Except for the show that follows it, "King of the Hill" (Sunday, 7:30 p.m., Ch. 13).
In the second season premiere, young Bobby shows an amazing ability with a rifle. And he enters a father-and-son shooting contest with Hank - but Hank quickly discovers he can't hit the broadside of a barn.
Like "The Simpsons," "King of the Hill" is probably going to offend people who don't get the joke. This is not about how every kid should have a gun.
On the other hand, the people who agree with Hank and don't think there is a joke are the ones we probably should worry about.
CAN'T HAPPEN: Here's this season's easiest prediction - "The World's Funniest!" (Sunday, 6 p.m., Fox/Ch. 13) can't possibly live up to its name.
Sportscaster James Brown hosts this new weekly series. Well, sort of new - it's just the continuation of a series of low-budget specials that have aired on Fox for years.
It's full of bloopers and outtakes and home videos - essentially an hourlong version of "America's Funniest Home Videos."
One thing is certain - viewers won't be growing any new brain cells while watching "The World's Funniest!"
WEIRD. REALLY WEIRD: It's not uncommon for TV shows to make some accommodation for actresses who have babies. But the accommodation the folks made at the WB's "Unhappily Ever After" (Sunday, 7:30 p.m.) is unique.
The character played by Stephanie Hodge, Jennie, will be killed in a tanning salon accident. Hodge isn't completely leaving the series, however - she'll be back as a semi-regular playing a ghost. (And she can spend more time at home with her baby.)
Not that any of this makes "Unhappily" any less terrible . . .