7.5
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
L.A. Law (1986)
L.A. Law (1986)
Overview
L.A. Law is an American television legal drama series that ran for eight seasons on NBC from September 15, 1986, to May 19, 1994. Created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher, it contained many of Bochco's trademark features including a large number of parallel storylines, social drama and off-the-wall humor. It reflected the social and cultural ideologies of the 1980s and early 1990s, and many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot-topic issues such as abortion, racism, gay rights, homophobia, sexual harassment, AIDS, and domestic violence. The series often also reflected social tensions between the wealthy senior lawyer protagonists and their less well-paid junior staff. The show was popular with audiences and critics, and won 15 Emmy Awards throughout its run, four of which were for Outstanding Drama Series.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
HuluRating & Dimensions
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Progressive
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Positive
Trans: Positive
Christianity: Positive
Judaism: Positive
Viewer Rating
7.5
Overview
L.A. Law is an American television legal drama series that ran for eight seasons on NBC from September 15, 1986, to May 19, 1994. Created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher, it contained many of Bochco's trademark features including a large number of parallel storylines, social drama and off-the-wall humor. It reflected the social and cultural ideologies of the 1980s and early 1990s, and many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot-topic issues such as abortion, racism, gay rights, homophobia, sexual harassment, AIDS, and domestic violence. The series often also reflected social tensions between the wealthy senior lawyer protagonists and their less well-paid junior staff. The show was popular with audiences and critics, and won 15 Emmy Awards throughout its run, four of which were for Outstanding Drama Series.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
HuluDetailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Progressive
Primary
L.A. Law consistently explored contemporary social issues and legal ethics, often highlighting systemic injustices and advocating for civil rights and corporate accountability through the lens of individual lawyers working within the legal system, aligning with progressive values.
The series 'L.A. Law' featured visible diversity in its ensemble cast, including a prominent Black character, without explicitly recasting traditionally white roles. Its narrative frequently engaged with and critiqued traditional power structures and individual biases, often making diversity, equity, and inclusion themes central to its storylines and legal cases.
Secondary
L.A. Law offered a groundbreaking and largely positive portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and themes for its time. It featured openly bisexual characters with dignity and explored various LGBTQ+ legal issues, consistently challenging prejudice and advocating for empathy and understanding.
L.A. Law featured a groundbreaking 1987 episode centered on Alex DePalma, a transsexual woman. The narrative respectfully portrays her legal battle for dignity after gender confirmation surgery, highlighting external societal prejudice and legal complexities. While depicting challenges, the show's overall stance is empathetic, affirming her identity and agency.
The show frequently explored Christian characters and institutions, often highlighting moral dilemmas and hypocrisy. However, the narrative generally offered nuance and depth, often defending religious freedom and portraying faith as a complex, multifaceted aspect of human experience rather than condemning Christianity itself.
Judaism was typically portrayed with respect for its traditions, cultural identity, and community. The show featured Jewish characters grappling with heritage and modern life, exploring themes of justice and family without depicting the faith as inherently problematic.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
L.A. Law is an original television series from 1986-1994. All characters were created for this show, meaning there was no prior canon or source material from which to swap a character's gender.
L.A. Law was an original television series that introduced new characters. There were no pre-existing characters from source material, prior installments, or history whose race could have been changed.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
7.1
7.0
Critic Ratings
N/A
8.3
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