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{{About|the television series that aired in the late 1990s and early 2000s}}
{{Short description|American legal drama television series (1997–2004)}}
{{About|the television series that aired in the late 1990s and early 2000s|the 1976 American sitcom|The Practice (1976 TV series){{!}}''The Practice'' (1976 TV series)|the 1985 British medical drama|The Practice (1985 TV series){{!}}''The Practice'' (1985 TV series)|other uses}}
{{More citations needed|date=February 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| show_name = The Practice
| image = The Practice (David E. Kelley Productions TV series) logo.svg
| genre = {{Plain list|
| image = The Practice Title.jpg
| genre = [[Legal drama]]<br />[[Comedy-drama]]
*[[Legal drama]]
*[[Comedy drama]]
}}
| executive_producer = [[David E. Kelley]]<br />[[Bill D'Elia]]
| creator = [[David E. Kelley]]
| runtime = 44 minutes
| starring = {{Plain list|
| creator = [[David E. Kelley]]
* [[Dylan McDermott]]
| starring = [[Dylan McDermott]]<br />[[Michael Badalucco]]<br />[[Lisa Gay Hamilton]]<br />[[Steve Harris (actor)|Steve Harris]]<br />[[Camryn Manheim]]<br />[[Kelli Williams]]<br />[[Lara Flynn Boyle]]<br />[[Marla Sokoloff]] <br> [[Jason Kravits]] <br> [[Ron Livingston]] <br> [[Jessica Capshaw]] <br> [[Chyler Leigh]] <br> [[Rhona Mitra]] <br> [[James Spader]] <br> [[Ray Abruzzo]]
* [[LisaGay Hamilton]]
| followed_by = ''[[Boston Legal]]''
* [[Steve Harris (actor)|Steve Harris]]
| company = [[20th Century Fox Television]]<br />David E. Kelley Productions
* [[Camryn Manheim]]
| country = United States
* [[Kelli Williams]]
| distributor = [[20th Television]]
* [[Michael Badalucco]]
| network = [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
* [[Lara Flynn Boyle]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|1997|3|4}}
* [[Marla Sokoloff]]
| last_aired = {{End date|2004|5|16}}
* [[Jason Kravits]]
| language = English
* [[Ron Livingston]]
| num_seasons = 8
* [[Jessica Capshaw]]
| num_episodes = 168
* [[Chyler Leigh]]
| list_episodes = List of The Practice episodes
* [[Rhona Mitra]]
| related = ''[[Ally McBeal]]''<br />''[[Boston Public]]''<br />''[[Gideon's Crossing]]''<br />[[NYPD Blue]]
* [[James Spader]]
}}
| composer =
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 8
| num_episodes = 168
| list_episodes = List of The Practice episodes
| executive_producer = {{Plain list|
*[[David E. Kelley]]
*[[Bill D'Elia]]
}}
| producer =
| camera =
| runtime = 44 minutes
| company = {{Plain list|
*[[20th Television|20th Century Fox Television]]
*[[David E. Kelley|David E. Kelley Productions]]
}}
| network = [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|1997|3|4}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2004|5|16}}
| related = {{Plain list|
*''[[Ally McBeal]]''
*''[[Boston Legal]]''
*''[[Boston Public]]''
*''[[Gideon's Crossing]]''
}}
}}
}}


'''''The Practice''''' is an American [[legal drama|legal]] [[comedy-drama]] created by [[David E. Kelley]] centering on the partners and associates at a [[Boston]] [[law firm]]. Running for eight seasons on ABC from 1997 to 2004, the show won the [[Emmy Award|Emmy]] in 1998 and 1999 for Best Drama Series, and spawned the successful and lighter [[Spinoff (television)|spin-off]] series ''[[Boston Legal]]'', which ran for five more seasons, from 2004 to 2008.
'''''The Practice''''' is an American [[legal drama]] television series created by [[David E. Kelley]] centering on partners and associates at a [[Boston]] law firm. The show ran for eight seasons on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], from March 4, 1997, to May 16, 2004. It won an [[Emmy Awards|Emmy]] in 1998 and 1999 for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]], and spawned the [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] series ''[[Boston Legal]]'', which ran for five more seasons (from 2004 to 2008).


''The Practice'' focused on the law firm of Robert Donnell and Associates (later becoming Donnell, Young, Dole, & Frutt, and ultimately Young, Frutt, & Berluti). Plots typically featured the firm's involvement in various high-profile criminal and civil cases that often mirror current events. Conflict between [[legal ethics]] and personal morality was a recurring theme. Some episodes contained light comedy. Kelley claimed that he conceived the show as something of a rebuttal to ''[[L.A. Law]]'' (for which he wrote) and its romanticized treatment of the American legal system and legal proceedings.{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}}
Conflict between [[legal ethics]] and personal morality was a recurring theme with light comedy being occasionally present. Kelley claimed that the show was intended to be something of a rebuttal to ''[[L.A. Law]]'' and its romanticized treatment of the American legal system and legal proceedings.<ref>{{cite news| url= https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-david-e-kelley-20161012-snap-htmlstory.html| work= [[Los Angeles Times]]| title= After swearing them off, David E. Kelley returns to law shows with 'Goliath' — but not for a network| first= Yvonne| last= Villarreal| date= October 13, 2016 | publisher= | access-date= October 13, 2021}}</ref>


==Overview==
== Overview ==
At the start of the series, attorney [[Bobby Donnell]] employs [[associate attorney]]s [[Ellenor Frutt]], [[Eugene Young (character)|Eugene Young]] (who joined Bobby's practice seven years earlier), [[Lindsay Dole]], and receptionist/[[paralegal]] Rebecca Washington (with whom Bobby started his practice). By the fourth episode, Bobby's friend Jimmy Berluti is hired as an associate. Before that, Jimmy is an attorney working as a loan officer. When he falsifies loan documents to help Bobby's struggling practice, he loses his job, and Bobby hires him.
In season 1, Robert Donnell and Associates features Bobby Donnell as the sole senior partner in a firm that he started a decade prior with his receptionist Rebecca Washington. Ellenor Frutt, Eugene Young and Lindsay Dole are his associates. Jimmy Berluti is hired as an associate after losing his job in finance in an attempt to help Donnell and Associates with a loan.


In season 2, Eugene, Lindsay and Ellenor become partners after Lindsay insists on equity. Robert Donnell and Associates becomes Donnell, Young, Dole and Frutt. Helen Gamble, an assistant district attorney, becomes regularly entangled in the cases and personal lives of the employees of the firm. She is a personal friend of Lindsay and viewers learn several episodes into the season that Bobby and Lindsay have had an on-again/off-again secret affair. Her romantic relationship with Bobby ends after a high-profile murder case pits them against one another.
Bobby originally opens his practice with idealistic dreams of protecting the innocent; but, during the firm's early days of financial struggle, Bobby quickly learns that drug dealers and other undeniably guilty clients tend to be the ones who provide the business that keep the firm running.


In season 3, Rebecca Washington, who had been attending [[law school]] in secret, becomes an associate after passing the bar exam. Lucy Hatcher is then hired as the new receptionist.
Bobby maintains sole control over the firm until an ultimatum by Lindsay motivates him to name Ellenor, Eugene, Lindsay, and Rebecca as junior [[partner (business rank)|partners]]. To maintain control over the firm, Bobby writes into the charter that each partner received one vote in partnership meetings, while Bobby would get two. While this decision prevents Lindsay's power play from becoming ugly, it temporarily causes some tension when Bobby and Lindsay later become romantically involved, potentially creating a [[voting bloc]]. The [[partnership agreement]] also initially alienates Jimmy who feels insulted that he was the only one on staff not named a partner. This is exacerbated by the fact that Rebecca is made partner despite her being the receptionist and not an attorney. Rebecca earns her law degree in Season 3, and Jimmy is eventually made partner at the end of Season 7.


In season 4, Assistant District Attorney Richard Bay, like Helen, becomes a frequent ally and opponent of Donnell, Young, Dole and Frutt.
Bobby and his associates all share a friendship with [[District attorney|A.D.A.]] Helen Gamble, who even shares a brief romance with Bobby{{spaced ndash}}all highly unusual, considering how often Helen's job places her in opposition to the firm.


In season 5, Lucy becomes a [[rape crisis center|rape crisis counselor]] in addition to her job as the firm's receptionist. Richard Bay is later assassinated after refusing to throw a murder trial.
A recurring strategy used by the practice – especially Eugene – is informally known as the "United States of America defense", an [[appeal to emotion|appeal to patriotism]] that emphasizes the rights of their client as Constitutional priorities that must be upheld by the jury. However, the firm is far more notorious for employing a strategy they refer to as "Plan B", which involves creating doubt with the jury as to their client's guilt by accusing a third, usually innocent party of the crime in order to plant the seed of [[reasonable doubt]]. While the strategy is often effective, it would occasionally backfire once the D.A.'s office grew familiar with the strategy, and it once resulted in a defamation lawsuit against them. This tactic invariably causes great emotional distress for the attorney employing the plan when they know that the target is most likely innocent. Thus, in such cases, Plan B is used only as a last resort. Despite the firm's friendship with Helen Gamble, the practice's use of Plan B, combined with the firm's high win/loss ratio, attracts ire and scrutiny from the D.A.'s office, particularly in the case of senior A.D.A. Kenneth Walsh.


In season 6, Assistant District Attorney Alan Lowe becomes an antagonist of the firm for a short period of time.
In 2003, Bobby Donnell leaves the firm, fearing he had become the "[[Blue chip (stock market)|blue-chip]]" lawyer he had long resented. He names Eugene as senior partner. Along with Ellenor, Eugene decides to make Jimmy a full partner and extends an offer to Lindsay (who had left to start her own practice), and her associate Claire Wyatt to return to the firm.


In season 7, Lindsay leaves Donnell, Young, Dole and Frutt to start a new law firm with Claire Wyatt. To fill the void left by Lindsay, Jamie Stringer is hired as an associate. Bobby later leaves the firm.
This occurred at the end of season seven, at the end of which most of the cast was fired for budgetary reasons as [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] agreed to renew the show only if the budget per episode was drastically cut. Season eight began with nearly half the original cast missing. It was never explained what became of Lindsay, Claire, Lucy, Rebecca, or Helen. Many of the recurring characters, such as judges Zoey Hiller, were also completely written off, though several, such as Roberta Kittleson did return for several episodes during the eighth season.


In season 8, Donnell, Young, Dole and Frutt has been renamed to Young, Frutt and Berluti. Eugene has taken Bobby's place as a senior partner. Lucy has left the firm to become a full-time rape crisis counselor. Rebecca has also left the firm for unknown reasons. Helen is no longer present at the firm's cases. Tara Wilson is hired as a paralegal, and [[Alan Shore]] becomes an associate. After firing Alan and Tara – as well as being sued by the former – Young, Frutt and Berluti dissolve. Eugene then becomes a judge. Ellenor focuses her attention on motherhood. Jimmy and Jamie begin a new firm. Alan and Tara are hired by another firm, Crane, Poole and Schmidt and their story is continued in ''[[Boston Legal]]''.
During the final year of the firm's existence, the remaining attorneys are senior partners Ellenor, Eugene, Jimmy, and associate Jamie Stringer. Lucy Hatcher, the firm's longtime receptionist/paralegal, has been replaced by Tara Wilson, a third year law student and paralegal. Ellenor hires an old friend, [[Alan Shore]], the top [[United States antitrust law|anti-trust]] attorney in Massachusetts after he is fired from his firm Carruthers-Abbot for embezzling. Alan's joining the firm is a mixed blessing; he attracts lots of business and generates enough revenue to make up for the three departed lawyers, but his unorthodox out-of and in-court antics, perceived ethical short-comings and near illegal methods often clash with Eugene, Jimmy and, occasionally, Ellenor.


== Main cast ==
Near the series end, Eugene and Jimmy fire Alan without consulting Ellenor, creating a phenomenon known as a law firm divorce. It begins when, despite Alan's bringing in over $9,000,000 in revenue, he is offered just $15,000 severance. For warning Shore of his impending dismissal, paralegal Tara is also fired by Eugene for betraying their trust, and Lucy is brought back as a temporary receptionist. Alan sues for wrongful termination and hires Matthew Billings and [[Denny Crane]] of the blue-chip firm [[Crane, Poole & Schmidt]] to represent him. The jury decides that Young, Frutt & Berluti are to pay Shore $2.3 million.
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+Cast and characters of ''The Practice''
Alan and Tara are hired by Crane, Poole & Schmidt as an associate and paralegal respectively. After this case the tensions caused between the partners' loyalties during the Shore months leads to the [[dissolution (law)|dissolution]] of the firm. Shore offers to forfeit his winnings, but the offer is declined. A soul searching discussion between Jimmy and Jamie about being true to his original reasons for wishing to become a lawyer leads Jimmy to decide to start practicing in his own neighborhood. Eugene is appointed a [[superior court]] judge, and Ellenor takes time out from law to spend time with her daughter. Jamie later joins Jimmy and his childhood friend to start a new law firm.
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Name

! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Portrayed by
==Main cast==
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Occupation
<!-- DO REMOVE another season/character to this table without a CREDIBLE source, you have been warned!-->
! scope="col" colspan="8" | Season
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2" |Name !! rowspan="2" |Portrayed by !! rowspan="2" |Occupation !! colspan="8" |Season !! rowspan="2" | Episodes
|-
|-
! width="5%" | [[List of The Practice episodes#Season 1: 1997|1]] !! width="5%" | [[List of The Practice episodes#Season 2: 1997-1998|2]] !! width="5%" | [[List of The Practice episodes#Season 3: 1998-1999|3]] !! width="5%" | [[List of The Practice episodes#Season 4: 1999-2000|4]] !! width="5%" | [[List of The Practice episodes#Season 5: 2000-2001|5]] !! width="5%" | [[List of The Practice episodes#Season 6: 2001-2002|6]] !! width="5%" | [[List of The Practice episodes#Season 7: 2002-2003|7]] !! width="5%"| [[List of The Practice episodes#Season 8: 2003-2004|8]]
! scope="col" style="width:5%;" | [[List of The Practice episodes#Season 1: 1997|1]]
! scope="col" style="width:5%;" | [[List of The Practice episodes#Season 2: 1997-1998|2]]
! scope="col" style="width:5%;" | [[List of The Practice episodes#Season 3: 1998-1999|3]]
! scope="col" style="width:5%;" | [[List of The Practice episodes#Season 4: 1999-2000|4]]
! scope="col" style="width:5%;" | [[List of The Practice episodes#Season 5: 2000-2001|5]]
! scope="col" style="width:5%;" | [[List of The Practice episodes#Season 6: 2001-2002|6]]
! scope="col" style="width:5%;" | [[List of The Practice episodes#Season 7: 2002-2003|7]]
! scope="col" style="width:5%;" | [[List of The Practice episodes#Season 8: 2003-2004|8]]
|-
|-
| scope="row" | Bobby Donnell
| [[Bobby Donnell]] || [[Dylan McDermott]] || Lawyer || style="background: #ddffdd" colspan="7" align="center"| '''Main''' || style="background: #ffdddd" colspan="1" align="center"|Guest || colspan="1" style="background: #ececec; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; "| '''147'''
| [[Dylan McDermott]]
| Lawyer
| colspan="7" {{cMain}}
| {{cGuest}}
|-
|-
| scope="row" | Rebecca Washington
| Rebecca Washington || [[Lisa Gay Hamilton]] || Lawyer <br /> ''formerly Receptionist'' || style="background: #ddffdd" colspan="7" align="center"| '''Main''' || colspan="1" style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | || colspan="1" style="background: #ececec; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; "| '''145'''
| [[LisaGay Hamilton]]
| Lawyer/Receptionist
| colspan="7" {{cMain}}
| {{N/a| }}
|-
|-
| scope="row" | [[Eugene Young (character)|Eugene Young]]
| Jimmy Berluti || [[Michael Badalucco]] || Lawyer || style="background: #ddffdd" colspan="8" align="center"| '''Main''' || colspan="1" style="background: #ececec; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; "| '''166'''
| [[Steve Harris (actor)|Steve Harris]]
| Lawyer/Judge
| colspan="8" {{cMain}}
|-
|-
| scope="row" | Ellenor Frutt
| [[Eugene Young (character)|Eugene Young]] || [[Steve Harris (actor)|Steve Harris]] || Lawyer || style="background: #ddffdd" colspan="8" align="center"| '''Main''' || colspan="1" style="background: #ececec; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; "| '''167'''
| [[Camryn Manheim]]
| rowspan=3| Lawyer
| colspan="8" {{cMain}}
|-
|-
| scope="row" | Lindsay Dole
| Helen Gamble || [[Lara Flynn Boyle]] || Assistant District Attorney || colspan="1" style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | || style="background: #ddffdd" colspan="6" align="center"| '''Main''' || colspan="1" style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | || colspan="1" style="background: #ececec; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; "| '''132'''
| [[Kelli Williams]]
| colspan="7" {{cMain}}
| {{N/a| }}
|-
|-
| scope="row" | Jimmy Berluti
| [[Lindsay Dole]] || [[Kelli Williams]] || Lawyer || style="background: #ddffdd" colspan="7" align="center"| '''Main''' || colspan="1" style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | || colspan="1" style="background: #ececec; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; "| '''145'''
| [[Michael Badalucco]]
| colspan="8" {{cMain}}
|-
|-
| scope="row" | Helen Gamble
| Lucy Hatcher || [[Marla Sokoloff]] || Receptionist || colspan="2" style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | || style="background: #ddffdd" colspan="5" align="center"| '''Main''' || style="background: #ffdddd" colspan="1" align="center"|Guest || colspan="1" style="background: #ececec; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; "| '''114'''
| [[Lara Flynn Boyle]]
| Assistant District Attorney
| {{N/a| }}
| colspan="6" {{cMain}}
| {{N/a| }}
|-
|-
| scope="row" | Lucy Hatcher
| [[Ellenor Frutt]] || [[Camryn Manheim]] || Lawyer || style="background: #ddffdd" colspan="8" align="center"| '''Main''' || colspan="1" style="background: #ececec; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; "| '''167'''
| [[Marla Sokoloff]]
| Receptionist
| colspan="2" {{N/a| }}
| colspan="5" {{cMain}}
| {{cRecurring}}
|-
|-
| scope="row" | Richard Bay
| Richard Bay || [[Jason Kravits]] || Assistant District Attorney || colspan="3" style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | || style="background: #ffdddd" colspan="1" align="center"|Recurring || style="background: #ddffdd" colspan="1" align="center"| '''Main''' || colspan="3" style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | || colspan="1" style="background: #ececec; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; "| '''31'''
| [[Jason Kravits]]
| Assistant District Attorney
| colspan="3" {{N/a| }}
| {{cRecurring}}
| {{cMain}}
| colspan="3" {{N/a| }}
|-
|-
| scope="row" | Alan Lowe
| Alan Lowe || [[Ron Livingston]] || Assistant District Attorney || colspan="5" style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | || style="background: #ddffdd" colspan="1" align="center"| '''Main''' || colspan="2" style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | || colspan="1" style="background: #ececec; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; "| '''12'''
| [[Ron Livingston]]
| Assistant District Attorney
| colspan="5" {{N/a| }}
| {{cMain}}
| colspan="2" {{N/a| }}
|-
|-
| scope="row" | Jamie Stringer
| Claire Wyatt || [[Chyler Leigh]] || Lawyer || colspan="6" style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | || style="background: #ddffdd" colspan="1" align="center"| '''Main''' || colspan="1" style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | || colspan="1" style="background: #ececec; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; "| '''10'''
| [[Jessica Capshaw]]
| rowspan=4| Lawyer
| colspan="6" {{N/a| }}
| colspan="2" {{cMain}}
|-
|-
| scope="row" | Claire Wyatt
| Jamie Stringer || [[Jessica Capshaw]] || Lawyer || colspan="6" style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | || style="background: #ddffdd" colspan="2" align="center"| '''Main''' || colspan="1" style="background: #ececec; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; "| '''42'''
| [[Chyler Leigh]]
| colspan="6" {{N/a| }}
| {{cMain}}
| {{N/a| }}
|-
|-
| scope="row" | Tara Wilson
| [[Tara Wilson (Boston Legal)|Tara Wilson]] || [[Rhona Mitra]] || Lawyer || colspan="7" style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | || style="background: #ddffdd" colspan="1" align="center"| '''Main''' || colspan="1" style="background: #ececec; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; "| '''22'''
| [[Rhona Mitra]]
|-
| colspan="7" {{N/a| }}
| [[Alan Shore]] || [[James Spader]] || Lawyer || colspan="7" style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | || style="background: #ddffdd" colspan="1" align="center"| '''Main''' || colspan="1" style="background: #ececec; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; "| '''22'''
| {{cMain}}
|-
| Michael McGuire || [[Ray Abruzzo]] || Detective || colspan="1" style="background: #ececec; color: grey; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | || style="background: #ffdddd" colspan="6" align="center"|Recurring || style="background: #ffdddd" colspan="1" align="center"|Guest || colspan="1" style="background: #ececec; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; "| '''45'''
|-
|-
| scope="row" | Alan Shore
| [[James Spader]]
| colspan="7" {{N/a| }}
| {{cMain}}
|}
|}
* [[Dylan McDermott]] as Bobby Donnell (seasons 1–7; guest season 8), the senior partner of the firm who struggles with his conscience and the idea of being a lawyer.
<!-- DO REMOVE another season/character to this table without a CREDIBLE source, you have been warned! -->
* [[LisaGay Hamilton]] as Rebecca Washington (seasons 1–7), the firm's first receptionist and paralegal. She later passed the bar exam and became an associate.
* [[Steve Harris (actor)|Steve Harris]] as [[Eugene Young (character)|Eugene Young]], the second highest-ranking partner at the firm and later senior partner who is more strongly devoted to the letter of the law and legal ethics than his colleagues. Later he even becomes a judge.
* [[Camryn Manheim]] as Ellenor Frutt, an associate and later senior partner at the firm who brought in various nefarious clients. A recurring gag on the show was that the men she dated often turned out to be murderers.
* [[Kelli Williams]] as Lindsay Dole (seasons 1–7), an associate at the firm and, later, wife of Bobby Donnell.
* [[Michael Badalucco]] as Jimmy Berluti, an associate and later partner at the firm from a working-class background. Jimmy often struggles with his conscience, loneliness, feelings of inadequacy, and a gambling addiction.
* [[Lara Flynn Boyle]] as Helen Gamble (seasons 2–7), an Assistant District Attorney and friend of the firm partners who was relentless in her attempts to prosecute those who do wrong.
* [[Marla Sokoloff]] as Lucy Hatcher (seasons 3–7; recurring season 8), the firm's wise-cracking, nosy receptionist who was hired after Rebecca became an attorney. She later became a part-time counselor for rape victims in addition to her job as a receptionist.
* [[Jason Kravits]] as Richard Bay (season 5; recurring season 4), a diminutive, hard-nosed Assistant District Attorney who believed in the guilt of all those he prosecuted.
* [[Ron Livingston]] as Alan Lowe (season 6), an Assistant District Attorney who replaced Richard Bay.
* [[Jessica Capshaw]] as Jamie Stringer (seasons 7–8), a high-strung, promiscuous Harvard Law School graduate and associate at the firm.
* [[Chyler Leigh]] as Claire Wyatt (season 7), Lindsay's associate at her new practice.
* [[Rhona Mitra]] as Tara Wilson (season 8), a paralegal and law student. She would later appear in ''Boston Legal'' as an attorney.
* [[James Spader]] as Alan Shore (season 8), an amoral associate and an old friend of Ellenor. He would later appear in ''Boston Legal''.


== Recurring cast ==
* [[Dylan McDermott]] as [[Bobby Donnell]] (1997–2004), senior partner of the firm. A deeply sensitive and compassionate man, Bobby often struggled with his conscience and the idea of being a lawyer. McDermott was fired after the show's seventh season as part of the budget cuts demanded by the network, but his character returned for the final episodes of the show.
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Michael Badalucco]] as Jimmy Berluti (1997–2004), an associate, and later, partner at the firm. An Italian-American from a working-class background, Jimmy often struggled with his conscience, loneliness and feelings of inadequacy, as well as a brief story arc involving his problems with gambling addiction. Jimmy, like Bobby, was raised as a Catholic, and his strict upbringing often played a part in his various ethical dilemmas.
* [[Ray Abruzzo]] as Detective Mike McGuire (45 episodes)
* [[Lisa Gay Hamilton]] as Rebecca Washington (1997–2003). At the beginning of the series, Rebecca was the firm's receptionist and paralegal. She passed the bar exam after attending law school at night for several years without the knowledge of anyone at the firm. She has worked for Bobby since he opened his first practice as a solo practitioner, and the two were very close. Rebecca left the firm for unknown reasons between the seventh and eighth seasons of the show. In reality, like a number of other cast members, Hamilton had been fired because of budget cuts.
* [[Holland Taylor]] as Judge Roberta Kittleson (29 episodes)
* [[Steve Harris (actor)|Steve Harris]] as [[Eugene Young (character)|Eugene Young]] (1997–2004), was the second highest-ranking partner at the firm, and senior partner for the show's final season. Eugene also struggled with his conscience, but was more strongly devoted to the letter of the law and legal ethics than either Bobby or Jimmy. This was largely due to the influence of his older brother, who died in prison after a coerced confession led to his conviction for a crime he did not commit. The first season made several references to the fact that Eugene was formerly a private investigator before becoming an attorney.
* [[Linda Hunt]] as Judge Zoey Hiller (23 episodes)
* [[Camryn Manheim]] as [[Ellenor Frutt]] (1997–2004), another partner at the firm. Ellenor, a single mother, had a child via artificial insemination, and often struggled with issues related to her weight and appearance. A running joke on the show was that nearly all of Ellenor's friends were murderers. This was because many episodes would open with Ellenor visiting or being visited by her previously unseen ''friends'' who would almost always reveal that they were being charged with murder, or that there was a body in their presence that they knew nothing about. Another recurring joke was Ellenor's tendency to knock across the room those who annoyed her past a certain point.
* [[Bill Smitrovich]] as A.D.A. Kenneth Walsh (22 episodes)
* [[Kelli Williams]] as [[Lindsay Dole]] (1997–2003), a partner at the firm who went to Harvard Law School. She was Bobby's girlfriend and later, his wife. Lindsay was stalked and terrorized by four mentally unbalanced clients over the series, one of whom she was convicted of murdering (the verdict was later reversed due to [[prosecutorial misconduct]] by A.D.A. Walsh). She and Bobby have a child together, but separated when Lindsey left to start her own firm, and eventually decided to divorce after she caught Bobby beginning an affair with a former girlfriend. At the end of the seventh season, Lindsay was invited by Eugene to rejoin the practice, but vanished without explanation before the eighth season. Williams, like other cast members, was fired due to budget cuts.
* [[Richard McGonagle]] as Judge Patrick Wilcox (16 episodes)
* [[Lara Flynn Boyle]] as Helen Gamble (1997–2003), an Assistant District Attorney who often prosecuted cases in which the firm was involved. Helen, a personal friend of many of the firm's partners, is nevertheless relentless in her attempts to prosecute those who do wrong, sometimes crossing the line of legal ethics; after her friend Richard Bay was murdered on the orders of a drug lord he had helped to prosecute, Helen orchestrated the gunman's death by giving false information to the police about his willingness to surrender. During the series, Helen was a roommate to both Lindsay and Ellenor. She went to Harvard Law School with Lindsay. Helen also vanishes without explanation after the seventh season, as Boyle was fired from the show due to budget cuts.
* [[James Pickens, Jr.]] as Detective Mike McKrew (15 episodes)
* [[Marla Sokoloff]] as Lucy Hatcher (1998–2003, 2004), the firm's wise-cracking, nosy receptionist. Lucy was hired after Rebecca became an attorney. Lucy later became a part-time counselor for rape victims. Lucy initially vanished without explanation after the seventh season (like the other cast members, Sokoloff was fired due to budget cuts), but she returned as a guest star for the final episodes of the show.
* Frank Birney as Judge Warren West (14 episodes)
* [[Jason Kravits]] as Richard Bay (1999–2001), a diminutive, hard-nosed Assistant District Attorney and frequent nemesis of the firm. In contrast to Bobby's numerous moral dilemmas, Richard always saw himself as being a "white knight of justice" and truly believed in the guilt of all those he prosecuted. He was close friends with Helen Gamble, and on several occasions tried to initiate a romantic relationship with her. He was machine-gunned to death in the courthouse parking garage after successfully prosecuting a drug lord; Helen later orchestrated the killer's murder by obtaining his identity and falsely telling the police that the man was prepared for an armed standoff should they attempt to apprehend him. Although Bay's killer attempted to surrender peacefully, his manner of holding his cell-phone, combined with Helen's statement, led the police to believe he was holding a gun, and he was shot to death.
* [[Herb Mitchell (actor)|Herb Mitchell]] as Judge Rodney White (12 episodes)
* [[Ron Livingston]] as Alan Lowe (2001–2002), who replaced Richard Bay as the firm's recurring adversary for a while. His character vanished without explanation after 13 episodes.
* Michael Monks as George Vogelman (11 episodes)
* [[Jessica Capshaw]] as Jamie Stringer (2002–2004), a high-strung, promiscuous Harvard Law School graduate and associate at the firm. Jamie joined the practice after Lindsay was convicted of murder, and eventually became involved in a brief romantic relationship with Eugene. When the firm dissolved, she joined Jimmy in his own practice.
* [[Edward Herrmann]] as Anderson Pearson (10 episodes)
* [[Chyler Leigh]] as Claire Wyatt (2003), Lindsay's associate at her new practice. In the seventh season finale, she was invited to join the firm, but vanished without explanation before the eighth season due to Leigh being one of those fired due to budget cuts.
* [[Anna Gunn]] as A.D.A. Jean Ward (10 episodes)
* [[James Spader]] as [[Alan Shore]] (2003–2004), a highly unethical friend of Ellenor's who was hired by the firm at the beginning of the show's final season. In the last few episodes of the show's run, he was fired from the firm and went to work at Crane, Poole & Schmidt. This transitioned his character into the spin-off series ''[[Boston Legal]]''.
* [[Kate Burton (actress)|Kate Burton]] as A.D.A. Susan Alexander (9 episodes)
* [[Rhona Mitra]] as [[Tara Wilson (Boston Legal)|Tara Wilson]] (2003–2004), paralegal and third-year law student. Tara was fired after informing Alan Shore of his impending dismissal from the firm, and helping him steal client files. Along with James Spader, Mitra also joined the cast of ''Boston Legal'' after ''The Practice'' ended, and her character became an attorney.
* [[Bruce Davison]] as Scott Wallace (9 episodes)
* [[Paul Dooley]] as Judge Philip Swackheim (8 episodes)
* [[Lynn Hamilton (actress)|Lynn Hamilton]] as Judge Fulton (7 episodes)
* Billee Thomas as Kendall Young (7 episodes)
* [[Susan Blommaert]] as Judge Rudy Fox (7 episodes)
* [[Steven Gilborn]] as A.D.A. Gavin Bullock (6 episodes)
* [[Vince Colosimo]] as Matthew Billings (6 episodes)
* [[Norman Lloyd]] as D.A. Asher Silverman (4 episodes)
{{div col end}}


== Notable guest stars ==
==Recurring cast==
* [[Bill Smitrovich]] as A.D.A. Kenneth Walsh, was Helen Gamble's [[mentor]] and a chief prosecutor for the DA's office. Walsh despises criminal defense attorneys, especially those at Bobby Donnell's firm. Walsh once coerced a man charged with murder in order to obtain a confession. [[Bobby Donnell]], who was a young and inexperienced lawyer at the time, believed his client was guilty and did not appeal the sentence. Walsh is also the D.A. who prosecuted and convicted Lindsay Dole for murder. It was later discovered that he had withheld a forensics report which might have supported a [[self-defense]] plea. This contributed to grounds which allowed Lindsay's conviction to be overturned. He once told Helen Gamble there was a time when he befriended [[criminal defense]] attorneys, but that time had long since passed.
* [[Holland Taylor]] as Judge Roberta Kittleson. Kittleson is an older woman with a notorious sex life, but is considered an excellent judge. She has a relationship with Jimmy during a few seasons of the show. Later, when Lindsay is being threatened by a stalker, Jimmy wrongly believes that Judge Kittleson may be the culprit, which leads to tensions between them. They eventually break up.
* [[Linda Hunt]] as Judge Zoey Hiller, a senior Judge that many of the firm's lawyers frequently appear before in trial. Hiller is known for being an excellent judge that always goes by the letter of the law. She has a close friendship with Bobby. Though they frequently quarrel on application of the law, they both maintain a strong respect for each other.
* [[Herb Mitchell (actor)|Herb Mitchell]] as Judge Rodney White.
* [[Kate Burton (actress)|Kate Burton]] as A.D.A. Susan Alexander. She appears regularly in episodes from the pilot through the series finale.
* [[Anna Gunn]] as A.D.A. Jean Ward. She is a friend to many of the firm's lawyers.
* [[Ray Abruzzo]] as Detective Mike McGuire. Mike is regularly the detective who interacts with the firm's attorneys and their clients.
* [[James Pickens, Jr.]] as Detective Mike McKrew. Mike is a detective who regularly interacts with the firm's attorneys and their clients.
* [[Lynn Hamilton (actress)|Lynn Hamilton]] as Judge P. Fulton

==Notable guest stars==
{{Further|List of The Practice awards and nominations}}
{{Further|List of The Practice awards and nominations}}
The series holds the [[Emmy Award]] record for most wins in the Guest Actor and Actress categories for a single series, as well as most nominations in those categories. Emmys went to [[John Larroquette]], [[Edward Herrmann]], [[James Whitmore]], [[Beah Richards]], [[Michael Emerson]], [[Charles S. Dutton]], [[Alfre Woodard]], [[Sharon Stone]], and [[William Shatner]]. In addition, [[Tony Danza]], [[Paul Dooley]], [[Henry Winkler]], [[Marlee Matlin]], [[Rene Auberjonois]], and [[Betty White]] were nominated but did not win. Larroquette, who won for his guest appearance during the second season, was nominated again for an episode from the sixth season, but did not win.
The series holds the [[Emmy Awards]] record for most wins in the Guest Actor and Actress categories for a single series, as well as most nominations in those categories. Emmys went to [[John Larroquette]], [[Edward Herrmann]], [[James Whitmore]], [[Beah Richards]], [[Michael Emerson]], [[Charles S. Dutton]], [[Alfre Woodard]], [[Sharon Stone]] and [[William Shatner]]. In addition, [[Tony Danza]], [[Paul Dooley]], [[Henry Winkler]], [[Marlee Matlin]], [[René Auberjonois]] and [[Betty White]] were nominated but did not win. Larroquette, who won for his guest appearance during the second season, was nominated again for an episode from the sixth season, but did not win. The series won the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for five consecutive years (from 1998 to 2002).

The series won the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for five consecutive years (from 1998–2002).
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Lake Bell]] as Sally Heep (precursor to ''[[Boston Legal]]'')
* [[Tony Amendola]] as Dr. Bernard Gorman
* [[William Shatner]] as Denny Crane (precursor to ''[[Boston Legal]]'')
* [[Gabrielle Anwar]] as Katie Defoe
* [[Andre Braugher]] as Ben Gideon ("Gideon's Crossover", Season 5 – crossover with ''[[Gideon's Crossing]]'')
* [[Rosanna Arquette]] as Brenda Miller
* [[Chi McBride]] as Steven Harper ("The Day After", Season 5 – crossover with ''[[Boston Public]]'')
* [[Ed Asner]] as Judge Matlin Pratt / Judge Marcus Winnaker
* [[Calista Flockhart]] as Ally McBeal ("Axe Murderer", Season 2 – crossover with ''[[Ally McBeal]]'')
* [[Paul McCrane]] as Martin Parks
* [[René Auberjonois]] as Judge Mantz
* [[John C. McGinley]] as Leonard Good
* [[Dylan Baker]] as Keith Ellison
* [[Kathy Baker]] as Evelyn Mayfield
* [[Lake Bell]] as Sally Heep
* [[Gil Bellows]] as Billy Thomas
* [[Tempestt Bledsoe]] as Roberta Baylor
* [[Andre Braugher]] as Ben Gideon
* [[Christian Clemenson]] as Barry Wall
* [[Jon Cryer]] as Terry Pender
* [[Tony Danza]] as Tommy Silva
* [[Tony Danza]] as Tommy Silva
* [[Viola Davis]] as Aisha Crenshaw
* [[Bruce Davison]] as Scott Wallace
* [[Bruce Davison]] as Scott Wallace
* [[John De Lancie]] as Walter Bannish
* [[Rebecca De Mornay]] as Hannah Rose
* [[Patrick Dempsey]] as Paul Stewart
* [[Patrick Dempsey]] as Paul Stewart
* [[Kevin Dunn]] as Bill Munce (Superman)
* [[Charles Durning]] as Stephen Donnell
* [[Charles Durning]] as Stephen Donnell
* [[Charles S. Dutton]] as Leonard Marshall
* [[Charles S. Dutton]] as Leonard Marshall
* [[Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor|Aunjanue Ellis]] as Sharon Young
* [[Alfre Woodard]] as Denise Freeman
* [[Anthony Heald]] as Wallace Cooper
* [[Michael Emerson]] as William Hinks
* [[John Larroquette]] as [[Joey Heric]]
* [[Giancarlo Esposito]] as Ray McMurphy
* [[Calista Flockhart]] as [[Ally McBeal (character)|Ally McBeal]]
* [[Billy Gardell]] as Manny Quinn
* [[Gina Gershon]] as Glenn Hall
* [[Anthony Heald]] as Wallace Cooper/Scott Guber
* [[Doug Hutchison]] as Jackie Cahill
* [[John Larroquette]] as Joey Heric
* [[Andie MacDowell]] as Grace Chapman
* [[Virginia Madsen]] as Marsha Ellison
* [[Marlee Matlin]] as Sally Berg
* [[Marlee Matlin]] as Sally Berg
* [[Chi McBride]] as Steven Harper
* [[Tom McCarthy (director)|Thomas McCarthy]] as Kevin Riley
* [[Paul McCrane]] as Martin Parks
* [[Gates McFadden]] as Judge Emily Harrison
* [[John C. McGinley]] as Leonard Good
* [[Leslie Moonves]] as Himself
* [[Chris O'Donnell]] as Brad Stanfield
* [[Chris O'Donnell]] as Brad Stanfield
* [[Vincent Pastore]] as Lenny Pescatore
* [[Vincent Pastore]] as Lenny Pescatore
* [[C.C.H. Pounder]] as Helene Washington
* [[Robert Picardo]] as Dr. Edmunds
* [[Doug Hutchison]] as Jackie Cahill
* [[Teri Polo]] as Sarah Barker
* [[CCH Pounder]] as Helene Washington
* [[Victoria Principal]] as Courtney Hansen (The Black Widow)
* [[Kim Raver]] as Victoria Keenan
* [[Kim Raver]] as Victoria Keenan
* [[Gabrielle Anwar]] as Katie Defoe
* [[Christopher Reeve]] as Kevin Beally
* [[Beah Richards]] as Gertrude Turner
* [[Ernie Sabella]] as Harland Bassett
* [[Ernie Sabella]] as Harland Bassett
* [[Christopher Shyer]] as Lawrence O'Malley
* [[William Shatner]] as [[Denny Crane]]
* [[Sharon Stone]] as Sheila Carlisle
* [[Sharon Stone]] as Sheila Carlisle
* [[Rider Strong]] as Gary Armbrust
* [[Ralph Waite]] as Walter Josephson
* [[Donnie Wahlberg]] as Patrick Rooney
* [[Betty White]] as Catherine Piper
* [[Betty White]] as Catherine Piper
* [[James Whitmore]] as Raymond Oz
* [[James Whitmore]] as Raymond Oz
* [[D.B. Woodside]] as Aaron Wilton
* [[Henry Winkler]] as Henry Olson
* [[Aunjanue Ellis]] as Sharon Young
* [[Alfre Woodard]] as Denise Freeman
* [[Michael Emerson]] as William Hinks
* [[D. B. Woodside]] as Aaron Wilton
{{div col end}}
* [[Gina Gershon]] as Glenn Hall
* [[Christopher Reeve]] as Kevin Bealy
* [[Jon Cryer]] as Terry Pender
* [[Teri Polo]] as Sarah Barker
* [[Dylan Baker]] as Sen. Keith Ellison
* [[Leslie Moonves]] as Himself
* [[Viola Davis]] as Aisha Crenshaw
* [[Christian Clemenson]] as Barry Wall. "Duty Bound" Episode aired 4 May 1998. Clemenson was also a series regular in David E. Kelley shows [[Boston Legal]] (as Jerry Espenson) and [[Harry's Law]] (as Sam Berman).


==Budget reduction and major revamp==
== Budget reduction and major revamp ==
By the end of the seventh season, faced with sagging ratings, ABC conditioned the show's renewal on a drastic budget reduction. As a result, six cast members were fired: [[Dylan McDermott]], [[Kelli Williams]], [[Lara Flynn Boyle]], [[Chyler Leigh]], [[Marla Sokoloff]], and [[Lisa Gay Hamilton]]. The addition of [[James Spader]] and [[Rhona Mitra]] to the cast for the eighth season somewhat revived the ratings; Spader went on to win an [[Emmy]] for his appearance. However, on March 11, 2004, ABC announced that ''The Practice'' would not return for a ninth season; rather, Kelley would create a new spin-off series ''[[Boston Legal]],'' starring Spader, Mitra, [[Lake Bell]] and [[William Shatner]].<ref name = "SpaderSaved">{{cite news | title = How James Spader saved 'The Practice' | url = http://asianfanatics.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=6450 | publisher = Associated Press/CNN | date = February 23, 2004 | accessdate = 2008-08-24}}</ref>
By the end of the seventh season, faced with sagging ratings, ABC conditioned the show's renewal on a drastic budget reduction. As a result, [[Dylan McDermott]], [[Kelli Williams]], [[Lara Flynn Boyle]], [[Chyler Leigh]], [[Marla Sokoloff]], and [[LisaGay Hamilton]] were fired as regulars. McDermott and Sokoloff reappeared as special guest stars and a recurring character respectively in the eighth season. The addition of [[James Spader]] and [[Rhona Mitra]] to the cast somewhat revived the ratings as Spader went on to win an [[Emmy Awards|Emmy]] for his appearance. However, ABC announced that ''The Practice'' would not return for a ninth season on March 11, 2004. Instead, Kelley would create a new spin-off series called ''[[Boston Legal]]'' which starred Spader, Mitra, [[Lake Bell]], [[William Shatner]]<ref name = "SpaderSaved">{{cite news | title = How James Spader saved 'The Practice' | url = http://asianfanatics.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=6450 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050519152731/http://asianfanatics.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=6450 | url-status = usurped | archive-date = May 19, 2005 | publisher = Associated Press/CNN | date = February 23, 2004 | access-date = 2008-08-24}}</ref> and [[Candice Bergen]].


==Episodes==
== Episodes ==
{{Main|List of The Practice episodes}}
{{Main|List of The Practice episodes}}
''The Practice'' had 8 seasons and a total of 168 episodes.
''The Practice'' had 8 seasons and a total of 168 episodes.
{{:List of The Practice episodes}}


===Crossovers===
=== Crossovers ===
{{See also|Ally McBeal#Crossovers with The Practice|Boston Public#Crossover with The Practice|Gideon's Crossing#Crossover with The Practice}}
{{See also|Ally McBeal#Crossovers with The Practice|Boston Public#Crossover with The Practice|Gideon's Crossing#Crossover with The Practice}}
* "Axe Murderer" (S02E26) — The lawyers of Robert Donnell and Associates work with the lawyers of Cage & Fish on a case in which a woman accused of killing a wealthy client may have been Lizzie Borden in a past life - a case that begins on ''[[Ally McBeal]]'': "The Inmates" (S01E20).
* "Axe Murderer" (S02E26)&nbsp;– The lawyers of Robert Donnell and Associates work with the lawyers of Cage & Fish on a case in which a woman is accused of killing a wealthy client who may have been [[Lizzie Borden]] in a past life. The case had begun on ''[[Ally McBeal]]'': "The Inmates" (S01E20).
* "The Day After" (S05E14) — Ellenor Frutt and Jimmy Berlutti are hired to represent Coach Riley, who's been fired from Winslow High for withholding information about Milton Buttle's affair. The hearing happens on ''Boston Public'': "Chapter Thirteen" (S01E13).
* "The Day After" (S05E14)&nbsp;– Ellenor Frutt and Jimmy Berlutti are hired to represent Coach Riley, who's been fired from Winslow High for withholding information about Milton Buttle's affair. The hearing happens on ''[[Boston Public]]'': "Chapter Thirteen" (S01E13).
* "Gideon's Crossover" (S05E16) — When Ellenor Frutt has trouble with her pregnancy, Dr. Ben Gideon helps out in ''Gideon's Crossing'': "Flashpoint" (S01E17).
* "Gideon's Crossover" (S05E16)&nbsp;– When Ellenor Frutt has trouble with her pregnancy, Dr. Ben Gideon helps out in ''[[Gideon's Crossing]]'': "Flashpoint" (S01E17).

Additionally, Bobby Donnell ([[Dylan McDermott]]) appears in the ''Ally McBeal'' season 1 finale "These Are the Days", while [[Lara Flynn Boyle]] and [[Michael Badalucco]] each make cameos in "Making Spirits Bright" and "I Know Him by Heart".

[[Lara Flynn Boyle]] had an uncredited guest appearance as a rebuttal witness, opposite of guest star [[Heather Locklear]]'s character in the season 5 episode "Tom Dooley".


== Home media ==
Additionally, Bobby Donnell ([[Dylan McDermott]]) appears in the ''Ally McBeal'' season 1 finale "These Are the Days", while [[Lara Flynn Boyle]] and [[Michael Badalucco]] each make cameos in "Making Spirits Bright" and "I Know him by Heart".
''The Practice'', Volume 1, was released as a four-disc DVD set in North America on June 12, 2007. The set includes all six episodes of season 1 and the first seven episodes of season 2. It also includes a featurette, "Setting Up The Practice".<ref name="TVShowsonDVD">{{cite web | website= TVShowsonDVD.com | title = The Practice – Date, Details & Artwork For The Practice – Volume 1 Hits Retailers | url = http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=7026 | date = March 14, 2007 | access-date = 2008-08-24 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070324063054/http://tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=7026 | archive-date = March 24, 2007 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> The set was also released in Region 4 on June 6, 2007<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/793143 | title = Practice, The – Vol. 1 (4 Disc Set) |website= ezydvd.com.au| publisher = EzyDVD Pty Ltd | access-date = 2008-08-24 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080811154647/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/793143 | archive-date = August 11, 2008 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> and in Region 2 on June 29, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000RGUN8Q|title=The Practice - Season 1| website= Amazon.co.uk}}</ref>


On January 3, 2014, it was announced that [[Shout! Factory]] had acquired the rights to the series in Region 1 and would release the final season on DVD on April 15, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Practice-The-Final-Season/19319|title=The Practice DVD news: Release Date for The Practice - The Final Season |website= TVShowsonDVD.com |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140614021957/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Practice-The-Final-Season/19319|archive-date=June 14, 2014 |df= mdy-all}}</ref>
==DVD releases==
''The Practice'', Volume 1, was released as a Four-Disc DVD Set in North America on June 12, 2007. The set includes all six episodes of season 1 and the first seven episodes of season 2. It also includes a featurette, "Setting Up The Practice".<ref name = "TVShowsonDVD">{{cite web | publisher = TVShowsonDVD.com | title = The Practice – Date, Details & Artwork For The Practice – Volume 1 Hits Retailers | url = http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=7026 | date=March 14, 2007 | accessdate = 2008-08-24}}</ref>
The set was also released in Region 4 on June 6, 2007<ref>{{cite web | publisher = EzyDVD Pty Ltd | url = http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/793143 | title = Practice, The – Vol. 1 (4 Disc Set) | accessdate = 2008-08-24}}</ref> and in Region 2 on June 29, 2008.<ref>http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000RGUN8Q</ref>


On January 3, 2014, it was announced that [[Shout! Factory]] had acquired the rights to the series in Region 1 and would release the final season on DVD on April 15, 2014.<ref>[http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Practice-The-Final-Season/19319 When Does Last Become First? When Shout! Releases 'The Final Season'!]</ref>
In 2012, Medium Rare Entertainment acquired the rights to the series in Region 2 and released the first and second seasons on DVD in the United Kingdom on February 27, 2012.<ref name="UKDVD">{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Practice-Season-DVD/dp/B0064OOFTI/|title=The Practice (Season 1 and 2) [DVD]|work=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=December 28, 2011}}</ref>


In 2014, [[StudioCanal]] released the first and second seasons over three volumes in Germany with German and English audio. The third, fourth, and eighth seasons have also been released in 2016 with plans to release the fifth and sixth at a later date.
In 2012, [[Medium Rare Entertainment]] acquired the rights to the series in Region 2 and released "The Practice: The Complete First and Second Seasons" on DVD in the United Kingdom on February 27, 2012.<ref name="UKDVD">{{Cite web|url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Practice-Season-DVD/dp/B0064OOFTI/|title=The Practice (Season 1 and 2) [DVD]|work=Amazon.co.uk|accessdate=December 28, 2011}}</ref>


Volume 1 was released in Italy and Greece on July 1, 2007.
In 2014, StudioCanal released the first and second seasons over three volumes in Germany with German and English audio. The third, fourth and eighth seasons have also been released in 2016 with plans to release the fifth and sixth at a later date.


In March 2019, all seasons and episodes of ''The Practice'' were released on the [[streaming service]] [[Amazon Prime Video]]. By 2021, seasons 1–8 became available on the streaming service [[Hulu]].
On July 1, 2007, Volume 1 was released in Italy and Greece.


{| class="wikitable"
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! Region 4
! Region 4
|-
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| The Practice: Volume 1
| ''The Practice'': Volume 1
| align="center"|13
| align="center"|13
| June 12, 2007
| June 12, 2007
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| June 6, 2007
| June 6, 2007
|-
|-
| The Practice: The Complete First and Second Seasons
| ''The Practice'': The Complete First and Second Seasons
| align="center"|34
| align="center"|34
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
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| The Practice: The Complete Third Season
| ''The Practice'': The Complete Third Season
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| align="center"|23
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
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| {{N/a}}
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| The Practice: The Complete Fourth Season
| ''The Practice'': The Complete Fourth Season
| align="center"|22
| align="center"|22
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
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| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
|-
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| The Practice: The Final Season
| ''The Practice'': The Final Season
| align="center"|22
| align="center"|22
| April 15, 2014
| April 15, 2014
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|}
|}


==U.S. television viewership==
== U.S. television viewership ==
Viewer numbers per season of ''The Practice'' on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]].
Viewer numbers per season of ''The Practice'' on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]].


''Note: Each U.S. network television season starts in late September and ends in late May, which coincides with the completion of May [[sweeps]].'' The first two seasons include the household rating. Seasons 4 and 5 reached the top 10 rankings.
''Note: Each US network television season starts in late September and ends in late May, which coincides with the completion of May [[sweeps]].'' The first two seasons include the household rating. Seasons 4 and 5 reached the top 10 rankings.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background-color:#E0E0E0"
! | Season
! | Season
! | Timeslot<br />(Eastern & Pacific Time)
! | Timeslot<br />(Eastern & Pacific Time)
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! | Viewers<br />(in millions)
! | Viewers<br />(in millions)
! | Viewer<br />Rank
! | Viewer<br />Rank
|-
|- style="background-color:#E0E0E0"
|- style="background-color:#F9F9F9"
|- style="background-color:#F9F9F9"
! style="background:#F9F9F9;text-align:center;font-weight:normal" | '''1st'''
! style="background:#F9F9F9;text-align:center;font-weight:normal" | 1
! style="background:#F9F9F9;text-align:center;font-weight:normal" | Tuesday 10:00PM
! style="background:#F9F9F9;text-align:center;font-weight:normal" | Tuesday 10:00PM
| March 4, 1997
| March 4, 1997
| April 8, 1997
| April 8, 1997
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | [[1996–97 United States network television schedule|1996–1997]]
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | [[1996–97 United States network television schedule|1996–1997]]
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | '''9.2'''<ref name="9697season">{{cite web|url= http://fbibler.chez.com/tvstats/recent_data/1996-97.html |title= Complete TV Ratings 1996-1997 |accessdate=December 2, 2010}}</ref>
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | 9.1<ref name="thetvratingsguide.com">{{cite web| url= http://www.thetvratingsguide.com/1991/08/1996-97-ratings-history.html| title= 1996-97 Ratings History| website= thetvratingsguide.com| author= The Lazy Journalist |date= August 15, 1991| publisher= | access-date= October 13, 2021}}</ref>
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | '''#43'''<ref name="9697season"/>
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | 45<ref name="thetvratingsguide.com"/>
|-
|- style="background-color:#E0E0E0"
|- style="background-color:#F9F9F9"
|- style="background-color:#F9F9F9"
! style="background:#F9F9F9;text-align:center;font-weight:normal" | '''2nd'''
! style="background:#F9F9F9;text-align:center;font-weight:normal" | 2
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-size:11px;font-weight:normal;text-align:center;line-height:110%" | Saturday 10:00PM<br />''(September 20, 1997 to<br />January 3, 1998)''<br /><br />Monday 10:00PM''<br />(from January 5, 1998)''
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-weight:normal;text-align:center;line-height:110%" | Saturday 10:00PM<br />''(September 20, 1997, to<br />January 3, 1998)''<br /><br />Monday 10:00PM''<br />(from January 5, 1998)''
| September 20, 1997
| September 20, 1997
| May 11, 1998
| May 11, 1998
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | [[1997–98 United States network television schedule|1997–1998]]
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | [[1997–98 United States network television schedule|1997–1998]]
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | '''10.0'''<ref name="9798season"/>
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | 10.0<ref name="9798season 2"/>
! style="text-align:center" | '''#82'''<ref name="9798season">{{cite news|url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,283382,00.html |title= The Final Countdown |publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]] Published in issue #434 May 29, 1998|accessdate=December 2, 2010|date=May 29, 1998}}</ref>
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | 82<ref name="9798season 2">{{cite magazine |url= https://ew.com/article/1998/05/29/what-ranked-and-what-tanked/ |title= The Final Countdown |publisher= | magazine= [[Entertainment Weekly]] |number= 434 |access-date=December 2, 2010|date=May 29, 1998}}</ref>
|- style="background-color:#F9F9F9"
|- style="background-color:#F9F9F9"
! style="background:#F9F9F9;text-align:center;font-weight:normal" | '''3rd'''
! style="background:#F9F9F9;text-align:center;font-weight:normal" | 3
! rowspan="4" style="background:#F9F9F9;text-align:center;font-weight:normal" | Sunday 10:00PM
! rowspan="4" style="background:#F9F9F9;text-align:center;font-weight:normal" | Sunday 10:00PM
| September 27, 1998
| September 27, 1998
| May 9, 1999
| May 9, 1999
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | [[1998–99 United States network television schedule|1998–1999]]
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | [[1998–99 United States network television schedule|1998–1999]]
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | '''12.7'''<ref name="9899season"/>
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | 12.7<ref name="9899season 2"/>
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | '''#34'''<ref name="9899season">{{cite news|url=http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/4616/ew0604.html|publisher=[[GeoCities]]|title=TV Winners & Losers: Numbers Racket A Final Tally Of The Season's Show (from Nielsen Media Research)| date=June 4, 1999 | accessdate=December 2, 2010|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20091029011819/http://geocities.com/Hollywood/4616/ew0604.html|archivedate=October 29, 2009}}</ref>
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | 34<ref name="9899season 2">{{cite news|url=http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/4616/ew0604.html| via= [[GeoCities]]|title=TV Winners & Losers: Numbers Racket, A Final Tally Of The Season's Show |publisher= [[Nielsen Media Research]]| date=June 4, 1999 | access-date=December 2, 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091029011819/http://geocities.com/Hollywood/4616/ew0604.html|archive-date=October 29, 2009}}</ref>
|- style="background-color:#F9F9F9"
|- style="background-color:#F9F9F9"
! style="background:#F9F9F9;text-align:center;font-weight:normal" | '''4th'''
! style="background:#F9F9F9;text-align:center;font-weight:normal" | 4
| September 26, 1999
| September 26, 1999
| May 21, 2000
| May 21, 2000
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | [[1999–2000 United States network television schedule|1999–2000]]
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | [[1999–2000 United States network television schedule|1999–2000]]
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | '''17.9'''<ref name="9900season"/>
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | 19.3<ref name= fbibler9900>{{cite web| url= http://fbibler.chez.com/tvstats/recent_data/1999-00.html| title= TV Ratings 1999–2000| website= fbibler.chez.com| publisher= | date= | access-date= October 13, 2021}}</ref>
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | 9<ref name= fbibler9900 />
! style="text-align:center" | '''#8'''<ref name="9900season">{{cite news|url=http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=chart_pass&charttype=chart_topshows99&dept=TV|title= Top TV Shows For 1999-2000 Season
|accessdate=December 2, 2010 | work=Variety}}</ref>
|- style="background-color:#F9F9F9"
|- style="background-color:#F9F9F9"
! style="background:#F9F9F9;text-align:center;font-weight:normal" | '''5th'''
! style="background:#F9F9F9;text-align:center;font-weight:normal" | 5
| October 8, 2000
| October 8, 2000
| May 13, 2001
| May 13, 2001
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | [[2000–01 United States network television schedule|2000–2001]]
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | [[2000–01 United States network television schedule|2000–2001]]
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | '''18.3'''<ref name="0001season">{{cite news|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,256435,00.html |title=The Bitter End |publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]] Published in issue #598 Jun 1, 2001|accessdate=December 2, 2010|date=June 1, 2001}}</ref>
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | 18.3<ref name="0001season 2">{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2001/06/01/bitter-end/ |title=The Bitter End |publisher=| magazine = Entertainment Weekly| number= 598 |date= June 1, 2001| access-date= December 2, 2010}}</ref>
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | '''#9'''<ref name="0001season"/>
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | 9<ref name="0001season 2"/>
|- style="background-color:#F9F9F9"
|- style="background-color:#F9F9F9"
! style="background:#F9F9F9;text-align:center;font-weight:normal" | '''6th'''
! style="background:#F9F9F9;text-align:center;font-weight:normal" | 6
| September 23, 2001
| September 23, 2001
| May 19, 2002
| May 19, 2002
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | [[2001–02 United States network television schedule|2001–2002]]
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | [[2001–02 United States network television schedule|2001–2002]]
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | '''12.9'''<ref name="0102season">{{cite news |url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/2002/2002-05-28-year-end-chart.htm |title=How did your favorite show rate? |accessdate=December 2, 2010 |date=May 28, 2002 |publisher=[[USA Today]]}}</ref>
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | 12.9<ref name="0102season 2">{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/2002/2002-05-28-year-end-chart.htm |title=How did your favorite show rate? |access-date=December 2, 2010 |date=May 28, 2002 |publisher= | work= [[USA Today]]}}</ref>
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | '''#26'''<ref name="0102season"/>
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | 26<ref name="0102season 2"/>
|- style="background-color:#F9F9F9"
|- style="background-color:#F9F9F9"
! style="background:#F9F9F9;text-align:center;font-weight:normal" | '''7th'''
! style="background:#F9F9F9;text-align:center;font-weight:normal" | 7
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-size:11px;font-weight:normal;text-align:center;line-height:110%"| Sunday 10:00PM<br />''(September 29, 2002 to<br />December 15, 2002)''<br /><br />Monday 9:00PM''<br />(from January 27, 2003)''
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-weight:normal;text-align:center;line-height:110%"| Sunday 10:00PM<br />''(September 29, 2002, to<br />December 15, 2002)''<br /><br />Monday 9:00PM''<br />(from January 27, 2003)''
| September 29, 2002
| September 29, 2002
| May 5, 2003
| May 5, 2003
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | [[2002–03 United States network television schedule|2002–2003]]
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | [[2002–03 United States network television schedule|2002–2003]]
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | '''9.8'''<ref name="0203season">{{cite news|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,455439,00.html|archivedate=|title=
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | 9.8<ref name="0203season 2">{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2003/06/06/rank-and-file/|title=Rank And File |publisher= |magazine= Entertainment Weekly| number= 713 |date= June 6, 2003|access-date=December 2, 2010}}</ref>
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | 55<ref name="0203season 2"/>
Rank And File |publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]] Published in issue #713 Jun 6, 2003|accessdate=December 2, 2010|date=June 6, 2003}}</ref>
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | '''#55'''<ref name="0203season"/>
|- style="background-color:#F9F9F9"
|- style="background-color:#F9F9F9"
! style="background:#F9F9F9;text-align:center;font-weight:normal" | '''8th'''
! style="background:#F9F9F9;text-align:center;font-weight:normal" | 8
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-weight:normal;text-align:center"| Sunday 10:00PM
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-weight:normal;text-align:center"| Sunday 10:00PM
| September 28, 2003
| September 28, 2003
| May 16, 2004
| May 16, 2004
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | [[2003–04 United States network television schedule|2003–2004]]
! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | [[2003–04 United States network television schedule|2003–2004]]
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | '''9.1'''<ref name="0304season">{{cite web|url=http://www.abcmedianet.com/Web/progcal/dispDNR.aspx?id=060204_11|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070930171419/http://www.abcmedianet.com/Web/progcal/dispDNR.aspx?id=060204_11|archivedate=September 30, 2007|title=I. T. R. S. Ranking Report: 01 Thru 210|publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet|accessdate=December 2, 2010}}</ref>
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | 9.1<ref name="0304season 2">{{cite press release| date= June 2, 2004 |url=http://www.abcmedianet.com/Web/progcal/dispDNR.aspx?id=060204_11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930171419/http://www.abcmedianet.com/Web/progcal/dispDNR.aspx?id=060204_11|archive-date=September 30, 2007|title=I. T. R. S. Ranking Report: 01 Thru 210| publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] |website= abcmedianet.com |access-date=December 2, 2010}}</ref>
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | '''#63'''<ref name="0304season"/>
! style="font-weight:normal;text-align:center" | 63<ref name="0304season 2"/>
|}
|}


The exposure from its January 30, 2000, post-[[Super Bowl]] episode (attracting 23.8 million viewers) plus their weekly lead-in from early 2000 to mid-2001, the then mega-hit ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (US game show)|Who Wants to Be a Millionaire]]'', helped the series reach its ratings peak.
The exposure from its January 30, 2000, post-[[Super Bowl]] episode (attracting 23.8 million viewers) plus their weekly lead-in from early 2000 to mid-2001, the then mega-hit ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (American game show)|Who Wants to Be a Millionaire]]'', helped the series reach its ratings peak.


*Series High: 15.4 rating/23.8 million viewers
*Series High: 15.4 rating/23.8 million viewers
**lead in: [[Super Bowl]]: Post Game - 25.6 rating
**lead in: [[Super Bowl]]: Post Game — 25.6 rating
*Series Low: 4.9 rating/7.3 million
*Series Low: 4.9 rating/7.3 million
*Series Debut: 11.3 rating/16.1 million viewers
*Series Debut: 11.3 rating/16.1 million viewers
*Series Finale: 7.5 rating/10.9 million viewers
*Series Finale: 7.5 rating/10.9 million viewers


==Awards and nominations==
== Awards and nominations ==
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
|- style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;"
! Award
! style="background-color: #BCBCBC"|Year
! Category
! style="background-color: #BCBCBC"|Award
! Recipient
! style="background-color: #BCBCBC"|Category
! Result
! style="background-color: #BCBCBC"|Recipient
! style="background-color: #BCBCBC"|Result
|-
|-
| rowspan=2|2001 || [[American Society of Cinematographers|American Society of Cinematographers Award]] || Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Regular Series || [[Dennis Smith (director)|Dennis Smith]] <small>(For episode "The Deal")</small> || {{nom}}
| rowspan=2|2001 || [[American Society of Cinematographers|American Society of Cinematographers Award]] || Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Regular Series || [[Dennis Smith (director)|Dennis Smith]] <small>(For episode "The Deal")</small> || {{nom}}
Line 454: Line 577:
| rowspan=7|2001 || Outstanding Drama Series || [[David E. Kelley]], Robert Breech, Christina Musrey, Gary M. Strangis, Pamela J. Wisne, Joseph Berger-Davis and [[Todd Ellis Kessler]] || {{nom}}
| rowspan=7|2001 || Outstanding Drama Series || [[David E. Kelley]], Robert Breech, Christina Musrey, Gary M. Strangis, Pamela J. Wisne, Joseph Berger-Davis and [[Todd Ellis Kessler]] || {{nom}}
|-
|-
| rowspan=2|Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series || [[Rene Auberjonois]] || {{nom}}
| rowspan=2|Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series || [[René Auberjonois]] || {{nom}}
|-
|-
| [[Michael Emerson]] || {{won}}
| [[Michael Emerson]] || {{won}}
Line 472: Line 595:
| 2003 || Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series || [[Alfre Woodard]] || {{won}}
| 2003 || Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series || [[Alfre Woodard]] || {{won}}
|-
|-
| rowspan=5|2004 || Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series || [[James Spader]] || {{won}}
| rowspan=4|2004 || Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series || [[James Spader]] || {{won}}
|-
|-
| Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series || [[William Shatner]] || {{won}}
| Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series || [[William Shatner]] || {{won}}
Line 480: Line 603:
| [[Betty White]] || {{nom}}
| [[Betty White]] || {{nom}}
|-
|-
| [[Prism Award]] || Performance in a Drama Series Episode || [[Steve Harris (actor)|Steve Harris]] || {{nom}}
| rowspan=1|2004 || [[Prism Award]] || Performance in a Drama Series Episode || [[Steve Harris (actor)|Steve Harris]] || {{nom}}
|-
|-
| 1999 || rowspan=6|[[Satellite Award]] || [[Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama|Best Actor – Television Series Drama]] || [[Dylan McDermott]] || {{nom}}
| 1999 || rowspan=6|[[Satellite Award]] || [[Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama|Best Actor – Television Series Drama]] || [[Dylan McDermott]] || {{nom}}
Line 558: Line 681:
| rowspan=4|[[Young Artist Award]] || [[20th Youth in Film Awards|Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Guest Starring Young Actor]] || Billie Thomas || {{nom}}
| rowspan=4|[[Young Artist Award]] || [[20th Youth in Film Awards|Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Guest Starring Young Actor]] || Billie Thomas || {{nom}}
|-
|-
| rowspan=2|2002 || [[23rd Young Artist Awards|Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Guest Starring Young Actor]] || [[Marc John Jefferies]] || {{nom}}
| rowspan=2|2002 || [[23rd Young Artist Awards|Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Guest Starring Young Actor]] || Marc John Jefferies || {{nom}}
|-
|-
| Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Guest Starring Young Actress || rowspan=2|Jamie Lauren || {{nom}}
| Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Guest Starring Young Actress || rowspan=2|Jamie Lauren || {{nom}}
Line 565: Line 688:
|}
|}


==References==
== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
== External links ==
{{wikiquote}}
{{wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title|118437|The Practice}}
* {{IMDb title|118437|The Practice}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|tv/the_practice_1997}}
* {{tv.com show|the-practice|The Practice}}
* {{epguides|Practice|The Practice}}
* [http://www.usatoday.com/life/gallery/practice/frame.htm USA Today Photo Gallery]
* [https://www.usatoday.com/life/gallery/practice/frame.htm ''USA Today'' Photo Gallery]

{{sequence
|prev=''[[The Simpsons]]''<br />and<br />''[[Family Guy]]''<br />[[1999 Super Bowl|1999]]
|list=''The Practice''<br />[[List of Super Bowl lead-out programs|Super Bowl lead-out program]]<br />[[2000 Super Bowl|2000]]
|next=''[[Survivor: The Australian Outback]]''<br />[[2001 Super Bowl|2001]]
}}


{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of The Practice awards and nominations|Awards for ''The Practice'']]
|list =
{{EmmyAward DramaSeries 1976-2000}}
{{EmmyAward DramaSeries 1976-2000}}
{{GoldenGlobeTVDrama 1990-2009}}
{{GoldenGlobeTVDrama 1990-2009}}
{{Producers Guild of America Award for Best Episodic Drama}}
{{Producers Guild of America Award for Best Episodic Drama}}
}}
{{David E. Kelley}}
{{David E. Kelley}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Practice, The}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Practice, The}}
[[Category:The Practice| ]]
[[Category:The Practice| ]]
[[Category:1990s American television series]]
[[Category:1997 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1997 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:2000s American television series]]
[[Category:2004 American television series endings]]
[[Category:2004 American television series endings]]
[[Category:American Broadcasting Company network shows]]
[[Category:1990s American legal drama television series]]
[[Category:American drama television series]]
[[Category:2000s American legal drama television series]]
[[Category:American legal television series]]
[[Category:Best Drama Series Golden Globe winners]]
[[Category:Best Drama Series Golden Globe winners]]
[[Category:Edgar Award-winning works]]
[[Category:Edgar Award–winning works]]
[[Category:English-language television programming]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Peabody Award-winning television programs]]
[[Category:Peabody Award–winning television programs]]
[[Category:Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series winners]]
[[Category:Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series winners]]
[[Category:Super Bowl lead-out programs]]
[[Category:Primetime Emmy Award–winning television series]]
[[Category:Television series by 20th Century Fox Television]]
[[Category:Television series by 20th Century Fox Television]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Boston, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Boston]]
[[Category:Television series created by David E. Kelley]]
[[Category:Television shows filmed in Boston]]
[[Category:Television series about prosecutors]]
[[Category:American Broadcasting Company comedy-dramas]]

Latest revision as of 01:02, 13 December 2024

This article is about the television series that aired in the late 1990s and early 2000s. For the 1976 American sitcom, see The Practice (1976 TV series). For the 1985 British medical drama, see The Practice (1985 TV series). For other uses, see The Practice (disambiguation).

The Practice
Genre
Created byDavid E. Kelley
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons8
No. of episodes168 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Running time44 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseMarch 4, 1997 (1997-03-04) –
May 16, 2004 (2004-05-16)
Related

The Practice is an American legal drama television series created by David E. Kelley centering on partners and associates at a Boston law firm. The show ran for eight seasons on ABC, from March 4, 1997, to May 16, 2004. It won an Emmy in 1998 and 1999 for Outstanding Drama Series, and spawned the spin-off series Boston Legal, which ran for five more seasons (from 2004 to 2008).

Conflict between legal ethics and personal morality was a recurring theme with light comedy being occasionally present. Kelley claimed that the show was intended to be something of a rebuttal to L.A. Law and its romanticized treatment of the American legal system and legal proceedings.[1]

Overview

[edit]

In season 1, Robert Donnell and Associates features Bobby Donnell as the sole senior partner in a firm that he started a decade prior with his receptionist Rebecca Washington. Ellenor Frutt, Eugene Young and Lindsay Dole are his associates. Jimmy Berluti is hired as an associate after losing his job in finance in an attempt to help Donnell and Associates with a loan.

In season 2, Eugene, Lindsay and Ellenor become partners after Lindsay insists on equity. Robert Donnell and Associates becomes Donnell, Young, Dole and Frutt. Helen Gamble, an assistant district attorney, becomes regularly entangled in the cases and personal lives of the employees of the firm. She is a personal friend of Lindsay and viewers learn several episodes into the season that Bobby and Lindsay have had an on-again/off-again secret affair. Her romantic relationship with Bobby ends after a high-profile murder case pits them against one another.

In season 3, Rebecca Washington, who had been attending law school in secret, becomes an associate after passing the bar exam. Lucy Hatcher is then hired as the new receptionist.

In season 4, Assistant District Attorney Richard Bay, like Helen, becomes a frequent ally and opponent of Donnell, Young, Dole and Frutt.

In season 5, Lucy becomes a rape crisis counselor in addition to her job as the firm's receptionist. Richard Bay is later assassinated after refusing to throw a murder trial.

In season 6, Assistant District Attorney Alan Lowe becomes an antagonist of the firm for a short period of time.

In season 7, Lindsay leaves Donnell, Young, Dole and Frutt to start a new law firm with Claire Wyatt. To fill the void left by Lindsay, Jamie Stringer is hired as an associate. Bobby later leaves the firm.

In season 8, Donnell, Young, Dole and Frutt has been renamed to Young, Frutt and Berluti. Eugene has taken Bobby's place as a senior partner. Lucy has left the firm to become a full-time rape crisis counselor. Rebecca has also left the firm for unknown reasons. Helen is no longer present at the firm's cases. Tara Wilson is hired as a paralegal, and Alan Shore becomes an associate. After firing Alan and Tara – as well as being sued by the former – Young, Frutt and Berluti dissolve. Eugene then becomes a judge. Ellenor focuses her attention on motherhood. Jimmy and Jamie begin a new firm. Alan and Tara are hired by another firm, Crane, Poole and Schmidt and their story is continued in Boston Legal.

Main cast

[edit]
Cast and characters of The Practice
Name Portrayed by Occupation Season
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Bobby Donnell Dylan McDermott Lawyer Main Guest
Rebecca Washington LisaGay Hamilton Lawyer/Receptionist Main
Eugene Young Steve Harris Lawyer/Judge Main
Ellenor Frutt Camryn Manheim Lawyer Main
Lindsay Dole Kelli Williams Main
Jimmy Berluti Michael Badalucco Main
Helen Gamble Lara Flynn Boyle Assistant District Attorney Main
Lucy Hatcher Marla Sokoloff Receptionist Main Recurring
Richard Bay Jason Kravits Assistant District Attorney Recurring Main
Alan Lowe Ron Livingston Assistant District Attorney Main
Jamie Stringer Jessica Capshaw Lawyer Main
Claire Wyatt Chyler Leigh Main
Tara Wilson Rhona Mitra Main
Alan Shore James Spader Main
  • Dylan McDermott as Bobby Donnell (seasons 1–7; guest season 8), the senior partner of the firm who struggles with his conscience and the idea of being a lawyer.
  • LisaGay Hamilton as Rebecca Washington (seasons 1–7), the firm's first receptionist and paralegal. She later passed the bar exam and became an associate.
  • Steve Harris as Eugene Young, the second highest-ranking partner at the firm and later senior partner who is more strongly devoted to the letter of the law and legal ethics than his colleagues. Later he even becomes a judge.
  • Camryn Manheim as Ellenor Frutt, an associate and later senior partner at the firm who brought in various nefarious clients. A recurring gag on the show was that the men she dated often turned out to be murderers.
  • Kelli Williams as Lindsay Dole (seasons 1–7), an associate at the firm and, later, wife of Bobby Donnell.
  • Michael Badalucco as Jimmy Berluti, an associate and later partner at the firm from a working-class background. Jimmy often struggles with his conscience, loneliness, feelings of inadequacy, and a gambling addiction.
  • Lara Flynn Boyle as Helen Gamble (seasons 2–7), an Assistant District Attorney and friend of the firm partners who was relentless in her attempts to prosecute those who do wrong.
  • Marla Sokoloff as Lucy Hatcher (seasons 3–7; recurring season 8), the firm's wise-cracking, nosy receptionist who was hired after Rebecca became an attorney. She later became a part-time counselor for rape victims in addition to her job as a receptionist.
  • Jason Kravits as Richard Bay (season 5; recurring season 4), a diminutive, hard-nosed Assistant District Attorney who believed in the guilt of all those he prosecuted.
  • Ron Livingston as Alan Lowe (season 6), an Assistant District Attorney who replaced Richard Bay.
  • Jessica Capshaw as Jamie Stringer (seasons 7–8), a high-strung, promiscuous Harvard Law School graduate and associate at the firm.
  • Chyler Leigh as Claire Wyatt (season 7), Lindsay's associate at her new practice.
  • Rhona Mitra as Tara Wilson (season 8), a paralegal and law student. She would later appear in Boston Legal as an attorney.
  • James Spader as Alan Shore (season 8), an amoral associate and an old friend of Ellenor. He would later appear in Boston Legal.

Recurring cast

[edit]

Notable guest stars

[edit]
Further information: List of The Practice awards and nominations

The series holds the Emmy Awards record for most wins in the Guest Actor and Actress categories for a single series, as well as most nominations in those categories. Emmys went to John Larroquette, Edward Herrmann, James Whitmore, Beah Richards, Michael Emerson, Charles S. Dutton, Alfre Woodard, Sharon Stone and William Shatner. In addition, Tony Danza, Paul Dooley, Henry Winkler, Marlee Matlin, René Auberjonois and Betty White were nominated but did not win. Larroquette, who won for his guest appearance during the second season, was nominated again for an episode from the sixth season, but did not win. The series won the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for five consecutive years (from 1998 to 2002).

Budget reduction and major revamp

[edit]

By the end of the seventh season, faced with sagging ratings, ABC conditioned the show's renewal on a drastic budget reduction. As a result, Dylan McDermott, Kelli Williams, Lara Flynn Boyle, Chyler Leigh, Marla Sokoloff, and LisaGay Hamilton were fired as regulars. McDermott and Sokoloff reappeared as special guest stars and a recurring character respectively in the eighth season. The addition of James Spader and Rhona Mitra to the cast somewhat revived the ratings as Spader went on to win an Emmy for his appearance. However, ABC announced that The Practice would not return for a ninth season on March 11, 2004. Instead, Kelley would create a new spin-off series called Boston Legal which starred Spader, Mitra, Lake Bell, William Shatner[2] and Candice Bergen.

Episodes

[edit]
Main article: List of The Practice episodes

The Practice had 8 seasons and a total of 168 episodes.

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
16March 4, 1997 (1997-03-04)April 8, 1997 (1997-04-08)
228September 20, 1997 (1997-09-20)May 11, 1998 (1998-05-11)
323September 27, 1998 (1998-09-27)May 9, 1999 (1999-05-09)
422September 26, 1999 (1999-09-26)May 21, 2000 (2000-05-21)
522October 8, 2000 (2000-10-08)May 13, 2001 (2001-05-13)
623September 23, 2001 (2001-09-23)May 19, 2002 (2002-05-19)
722September 29, 2002 (2002-09-29)May 5, 2003 (2003-05-05)
822September 28, 2003 (2003-09-28)May 16, 2004 (2004-05-16)

Crossovers

[edit]
See also: Ally McBeal § Crossovers with The Practice, Boston Public § Crossover with The Practice, and Gideon's Crossing § Crossover with The Practice
  • "Axe Murderer" (S02E26) – The lawyers of Robert Donnell and Associates work with the lawyers of Cage & Fish on a case in which a woman is accused of killing a wealthy client who may have been Lizzie Borden in a past life. The case had begun on Ally McBeal: "The Inmates" (S01E20).
  • "The Day After" (S05E14) – Ellenor Frutt and Jimmy Berlutti are hired to represent Coach Riley, who's been fired from Winslow High for withholding information about Milton Buttle's affair. The hearing happens on Boston Public: "Chapter Thirteen" (S01E13).
  • "Gideon's Crossover" (S05E16) – When Ellenor Frutt has trouble with her pregnancy, Dr. Ben Gideon helps out in Gideon's Crossing: "Flashpoint" (S01E17).

Additionally, Bobby Donnell (Dylan McDermott) appears in the Ally McBeal season 1 finale "These Are the Days", while Lara Flynn Boyle and Michael Badalucco each make cameos in "Making Spirits Bright" and "I Know Him by Heart".

Lara Flynn Boyle had an uncredited guest appearance as a rebuttal witness, opposite of guest star Heather Locklear's character in the season 5 episode "Tom Dooley".

Home media

[edit]

The Practice, Volume 1, was released as a four-disc DVD set in North America on June 12, 2007. The set includes all six episodes of season 1 and the first seven episodes of season 2. It also includes a featurette, "Setting Up The Practice".[3] The set was also released in Region 4 on June 6, 2007[4] and in Region 2 on June 29, 2008.[5]

On January 3, 2014, it was announced that Shout! Factory had acquired the rights to the series in Region 1 and would release the final season on DVD on April 15, 2014.[6]

In 2012, Medium Rare Entertainment acquired the rights to the series in Region 2 and released the first and second seasons on DVD in the United Kingdom on February 27, 2012.[7]

In 2014, StudioCanal released the first and second seasons over three volumes in Germany with German and English audio. The third, fourth, and eighth seasons have also been released in 2016 with plans to release the fifth and sixth at a later date.

Volume 1 was released in Italy and Greece on July 1, 2007.

In March 2019, all seasons and episodes of The Practice were released on the streaming service Amazon Prime Video. By 2021, seasons 1–8 became available on the streaming service Hulu.

DVD Name Ep# Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
The Practice: Volume 1 13 June 12, 2007 June 29, 2008 June 6, 2007
The Practice: The Complete First and Second Seasons 34 — February 27, 2012[7] —
The Practice: The Complete Third Season 23 — January 21, 2016 (Germany) —
The Practice: The Complete Fourth Season 22 — January 21, 2016 (Germany) —
The Practice: The Final Season 22 April 15, 2014 April 7, 2016 (Germany) —

U.S. television viewership

[edit]

Viewer numbers per season of The Practice on ABC.

Note: Each US network television season starts in late September and ends in late May, which coincides with the completion of May sweeps. The first two seasons include the household rating. Seasons 4 and 5 reached the top 10 rankings.

Season Timeslot
(Eastern & Pacific Time) 		Season Premiere Season Finale TV Season Viewers
(in millions) 		Viewer
Rank
1 Tuesday 10:00PM March 4, 1997 April 8, 1997 1996–1997 9.1[8] 45[8]
2 Saturday 10:00PM
(September 20, 1997, to
January 3, 1998)

Monday 10:00PM
(from January 5, 1998) 		September 20, 1997 May 11, 1998 1997–1998 10.0[9] 82[9]
3 Sunday 10:00PM September 27, 1998 May 9, 1999 1998–1999 12.7[10] 34[10]
4 September 26, 1999 May 21, 2000 1999–2000 19.3[11] 9[11]
5 October 8, 2000 May 13, 2001 2000–2001 18.3[12] 9[12]
6 September 23, 2001 May 19, 2002 2001–2002 12.9[13] 26[13]
7 Sunday 10:00PM
(September 29, 2002, to
December 15, 2002)

Monday 9:00PM
(from January 27, 2003) 		September 29, 2002 May 5, 2003 2002–2003 9.8[14] 55[14]
8 Sunday 10:00PM September 28, 2003 May 16, 2004 2003–2004 9.1[15] 63[15]

The exposure from its January 30, 2000, post-Super Bowl episode (attracting 23.8 million viewers) plus their weekly lead-in from early 2000 to mid-2001, the then mega-hit Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, helped the series reach its ratings peak.

  • Series High: 15.4 rating/23.8 million viewers
  • Series Low: 4.9 rating/7.3 million
  • Series Debut: 11.3 rating/16.1 million viewers
  • Series Finale: 7.5 rating/10.9 million viewers

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Recipient Result
2001 American Society of Cinematographers Award Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Regular Series Dennis Smith (For episode "The Deal") Nominated
ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards Top TV Series Marco Beltrami and Jon Hassell Won
2002 Won
2003 Won
2000 BMI Film & TV Awards BMI TV Music Award Peter Scaturro Won
2001 Tom Hiel and Peter Scaturro Won
2002 Won
2001 Casting Society of America's Artios Award Best Casting for TV, Dramatic Episodic Janet Gilmore and Megan McConnell Nominated
1998 Edgar Allan Poe Award Best Episode in a TV Series Michael R. Perry, Stephen Gaghan and David E. Kelley (For episode "First Degree") Nominated
2002 Jonathan Shapiro, Lukas Reiter, Peter Blake and David E. Kelley (For episode "Killing Time") Nominated
2004 Peter Blake and David E. Kelley (For episode "Goodbye") Won
1999 Genesis Award Television - Dramatic Series "The Food Chain" Won
2003 "Small Sacrifices" Won
1998 GLAAD Media Award Outstanding TV - Individual Episode "Civil Rights" Nominated
1999 Golden Globe Award Best Television Series – Drama Won
Best Actor – Television Series Drama Dylan McDermott Won
Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Camryn Manheim Won
2000 Best Television Series – Drama Nominated
Best Actor – Television Series Drama Dylan McDermott Nominated
2001 Best Television Series – Drama Nominated
Best Actor – Television Series Drama Dylan McDermott Nominated
2002 Humanitas Prize 60 Minute Category Lukas Reiter and David E. Kelley (For episode "Honor Code") Won
2003 David E. Kelley (For episode "Final Judgment") Won
1998 Motion Picture Sound Editors' Golden Reel Award Best Sound Editing - Television Episodic - Dialogue & ADR Nominated
2000 T.W. Davis, Donna Beltz, Ken Gladden, H. Jay Levine and Debby Ruby-Winsberg Nominated
1999 NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Steve Harris Nominated
2000 Outstanding Drama Series Nominated
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Steve Harris Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series LisaGay Hamilton Nominated
2001 Outstanding Drama Series Nominated
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Steve Harris Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Beah Richards Nominated
2002 Outstanding Drama Series Nominated
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Steve Harris Nominated
2004 Won
2005 Nominated
1999 Peabody Award ABC and David E. Kelley Productions Won[16]
PGA Award Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television David E. Kelley, Robert Breech, Jeffrey Kramer, Christina Musrey, Gary M. Strangis and Pamela J. Wisne Won
2001 Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama Nominated
1998 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Drama Series David E. Kelley, Jeffrey Kramer, Robert Breech, Ed Redlich, Gary M. Strangis, Alice West, Jonathan Pontell, Christina Musrey and Pamela J. Wisne Won
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Camryn Manheim Won
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series David E. Kelley (For episode "Betrayal") Nominated
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series John Larroquette Won
1999 Outstanding Drama Series David E. Kelley, Jeffrey Kramer, Robert Breech, Gary M. Strangis, Christina Musrey and Pamela J. Wisne Won
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Dylan McDermott Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Michael Badalucco Won
Steve Harris Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Lara Flynn Boyle Nominated
Camryn Manheim Nominated
Holland Taylor Won
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series Tony Danza Nominated
Edward Herrmann Won
Outstanding Casting for a Series Janet Gilmore and Megan McConnell Nominated
Outstanding Cinematography for a Series Dennis Smith (For episode "Happily Ever After") Nominated
Outstanding Costuming for a Series Shelly Levine and Loree Parral (For episode "Of Human Bondage") Nominated
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Drama Series Clark King, Harry Andronis, David John West and Kurt Kassulke (For episode "Happily Ever After") Nominated
2000 Outstanding Drama Series David E. Kelley, Jeffrey Kramer, Robert Breech, Gary M. Strangis, Christina Musrey and Pamela J. Wisne Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Michael Badalucco Nominated
Steve Harris Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Holland Taylor Nominated
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series Paul Dooley Nominated
James Whitmore Won
Henry Winkler Nominated
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series Marlee Matlin Nominated
Beah Richards Won
Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series Janet Gilmore and Megan McConnell Nominated
2001 Outstanding Drama Series David E. Kelley, Robert Breech, Christina Musrey, Gary M. Strangis, Pamela J. Wisne, Joseph Berger-Davis and Todd Ellis Kessler Nominated
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series René Auberjonois Nominated
Michael Emerson Won
Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series Janet Gilmore and Megan McConnell Nominated
Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series Dennis Smith (For episode "The Deal") Nominated
Outstanding Single Camera Picture Editing for a Series Susanne Malles (For episode "The Day After") Nominated
Outstanding Single Camera Sound Mixing for a Series Clark King, David John West, Eric Clopein and David Dondorf (For episode "The Day After") Nominated
2002 Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series Charles S. Dutton Won
John Larroquette Nominated
2003 Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series Alfre Woodard Won
2004 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series James Spader Won
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series William Shatner Won
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series Sharon Stone Won
Betty White Nominated
2004 Prism Award Performance in a Drama Series Episode Steve Harris Nominated
1999 Satellite Award Best Actor – Television Series Drama Dylan McDermott Nominated
2000 Best Television Series – Drama Nominated
Best Actor – Television Series Drama Dylan McDermott Nominated
Best Actress – Television Series Drama Camryn Manheim Won
Kelli Williams Nominated
2001 Best Television Series – Drama Nominated
1999 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Nominated
2000 Nominated
2001 Nominated
1998 Television Critics Association Award Outstanding Achievement in Drama Nominated
1999 Program of the Year Nominated
Outstanding Achievement in Drama Nominated
Individual Achievement in Drama David E. Kelley Won
Camryn Manheim Nominated
Dylan McDermott Nominated
2000 Outstanding Achievement in Drama Nominated
TV Guide Award Favorite Drama Series Nominated
1998 Viewers for Quality Television Award Best Quality Drama Series Won
Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series Dylan McDermott Nominated
Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Drama Series Michael Badalucco Nominated
Steve Harris Won
Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series Camryn Manheim Nominated
Kelli Williams Nominated
Best Recurring Player Linda Hunt Nominated
John Larroquette Won
1999 Best Quality Drama Series Won
Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series Dylan McDermott Nominated
Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Drama Series Michael Badalucco Nominated
Steve Harris Won
Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series Camryn Manheim Won
Kelli Williams Nominated
2000 Best Quality Drama Series Nominated
Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series Dylan McDermott Nominated
Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Drama Series Michael Badalucco Nominated
Steve Harris Nominated
Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series Camryn Manheim Nominated
1999 Writers Guild of America Award Episodic Drama David E. Kelley (For episode "Betrayal") Nominated
Young Artist Award Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Guest Starring Young Actor Billie Thomas Nominated
2002 Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Guest Starring Young Actor Marc John Jefferies Nominated
Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Guest Starring Young Actress Jamie Lauren Nominated
2003 Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Guest Starring Young Actress Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Villarreal, Yvonne (October 13, 2016). "After swearing them off, David E. Kelley returns to law shows with 'Goliath' — but not for a network". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  2. ^ "How James Spader saved 'The Practice'". Associated Press/CNN. February 23, 2004. Archived from the original on May 19, 2005. Retrieved August 24, 2008.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ "The Practice – Date, Details & Artwork For The Practice – Volume 1 Hits Retailers". TVShowsonDVD.com. March 14, 2007. Archived from the original on March 24, 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  4. ^ "Practice, The – Vol. 1 (4 Disc Set)". ezydvd.com.au. EzyDVD Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on August 11, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  5. ^ "The Practice - Season 1". Amazon.co.uk.
  6. ^ "The Practice DVD news: Release Date for The Practice - The Final Season". TVShowsonDVD.com. Archived from the original on June 14, 2014.
  7. ^ a b "The Practice (Season 1 and 2) [DVD]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
  8. ^ a b The Lazy Journalist (August 15, 1991). "1996-97 Ratings History". thetvratingsguide.com. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  9. ^ a b "The Final Countdown". Entertainment Weekly. No. 434. May 29, 1998. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  10. ^ a b "TV Winners & Losers: Numbers Racket, A Final Tally Of The Season's Show". Nielsen Media Research. June 4, 1999. Archived from the original on October 29, 2009. Retrieved December 2, 2010 – via GeoCities.
  11. ^ a b "TV Ratings 1999–2000". fbibler.chez.com. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  12. ^ a b "The Bitter End". Entertainment Weekly. No. 598. June 1, 2001. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  13. ^ a b "How did your favorite show rate?". USA Today. May 28, 2002. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  14. ^ a b "Rank And File". Entertainment Weekly. No. 713. June 6, 2003. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  15. ^ a b "I. T. R. S. Ranking Report: 01 Thru 210". abcmedianet.com (Press release). ABC. June 2, 2004. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  16. ^ 58th Annual Peabody Awards, May 1999.
[edit]
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