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Matters of Substance

Murder One, starring Daniel Benzali, Barbara Bosson, and Stanley Tucci (ABC, Thursdays, 10:00 p.m.)

Producer Steven Bochco just picked up yet another Emmy for Best Drama, this time for N.Y.P.D. Blue. Guess what? He'll be back next year for his newest drama, Murder One, which is easily the best new show this fall. Simply put, it is a series about lawyers, but with an unprecedented twist. The whole season will focus on just one case: a high-profile, Trump-like business baron (Stanley Tucci) accused of killing a fifteen-year-old, whose naked body was found in one of his apartment buildings. He needs a defense attorney, so he hires the best: Teddy Hoffman, a high-priced, bald pit bull of a lawyer who claims to be unbeatable. Nevertheless, judging by the premiere, Teddy is a moral man who takes the high road, even when representing low-life clients.

As Teddy, Daniel Benzali (who caught Bochco's eye in an extended guest turn as a mob lawyer on N.Y.P.D. Blue) brings intelligence and class to prime time. Come next September, he'll walk away with the Best Actor Emmy. To back him up, Bochco has once again assembled a killer ensemble, headed by Dylan Baker as the prosecutor. But make no mistake about it: Benzali is the show. He steals every scene he graces, usually with just a few soft-spoken words. Back at the law office, he is surrounded by an appealing group of young attorneys. You get the idea that we'll soon be as enamored with them--and as involved in their lives away from the courthouse--as we were with Bochco's L.A. Law cast.

With no gunshots or car chases, the action in Murder One comes from Bochco's trademarks: compelling, complex story lines and characters chipped from real life. Thanks to quality writing and magnificent direction, the opening hour literally screams by. Murder One is intelligent TV--a true standout from most of the silly shows that generally grace (or disgrace) our airwaves. Because the series is running concurrently with the O.J. Simpson murder trial, it sheds light on matters of substance: who we are and how we think, feel, and act. And more importantly, why. After one episode, we already have to know: did he kill her or didn't he? That verdict won't come in until May. --Mark Christopher


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