"Snoops" may be a big disappointment, but David E. Kelley's other Sunday-night series, "The Practice," doesn't disappoint.
"The Practice," which opens its fourth season at 9 p.m. on Ch. 4, proves that it deserves the two consecutive Emmys it has won as television's top drama series. And, if the first couple of episodes are any indication, it may well deserve to make it an Emmy three-peat.The big case that opens the season involves a dentist (Henry Winkler) accused of murdering one of his patients. The case takes some surprising turns -- even after we find out whether he's actually guilty or not.
(You may recall that Tony Danza, long mocked for his lack of acting talent, was nominated for an Emmy for his guest-starring role on "The Practice" last season -- and he really was good. Winkler is similarly surprising in his episodes.)
Yes, there will be more of George Vogelman (Michael Monks), the mild-mannered guy who apparently really did commit the heinous crime of which he was acquitted last season. (You remember George, the guy with the severed head in his bag and the nun's habit in his closet.) Just don't expect a quick resolution to his storyline.
And don't expect a quick resolution to the storyline that had Bobby (Dylan McDermott) proposing to Lindsay (Kelli Williams) at the end of last season.
It's also interesting to note that both Michael Badalucco (Jimmy) and Holland Taylor (Judge ) shine in these first two episodes of the season (the second airs Oct. 3), given that they were produced before each won well-deserved supporting acting Emmys a couple of weeks ago.
Television critics are often asked what their favorite show is -- a question I've always found difficult to answer. (I like a lot of different shows.) But these days, if I were allowed to watch only one hour of television a week, it would be "The Practice."