The Paper Chase

This was such a great show it was continued as a SHOWTIME cable series. An improvement on the film of the same name, the continuity was seamless and was done expertly and lovingly. The adventures of Mr. Hart and his co-horts was a pleasure to watch. The small screen version so defined the Paper Chase and Harvard Law School that I find the big screen, Timothy Bottoms, version very unsatisfying and dated.

Timothy bottoms is not missed as Mr. Hart, due to the great performance of James Stephens. John Houseman reprising his role of the scholarly, curmudgeon, Professor Kingsfield, provides the link to the original movie that makes the series work. He was exceptional in the role. First feared and hated (by some), he gradually wins you over becoming admired and even loved by those that understand him best (like Hart), providing a near father figure.

An intelligent series for the masses, try to see it in chronological order. ENJOY.........

This show was a spin-off from the earlier movie starring Timothy Bottoms and John Houseman. This time, instead of Bottoms, the series stars James Stephens and Houseman returns in his role as the incredibly brilliant but scary Professor Kingsfield. The show concerns the growth and experiences of a Mr. Hart in law school and his fellow students.

Originally, the show aired on CBS but was very short-lived. Then, a few years later, Showtime began making more episodes. In both cases, the quality was very high and the show was never dull, but somehow the show has been forgotten and is not available on DVD or video. Should this ever occur, pop my an message so I can buy it ASAP. This show was a real gem and deserves to be remembered and enjoyed.

UPDATE--Season 1 and 2 have been released! Hallelujah!

Please put this out on DVD or some odd cable channel in repeats. This is one of the few shows that outdoes the movie version and where even a with second broadcast chance on Showtime, there was no loss in quality either. I'm tired of HBO always getting the raves as having the best original series. This qualifies, as it received new castings each year and yet maintained quality throughout. I loved it so much I tried following the cast members who moved on to other TV shows, movies, etc.. The show even intermixed some humor and parody into basically a serious drama, for example; the episode "My Dinner with Kingsfield" or the "Moot Court" episode to name a few. I've had to keep my beta VCR working since I kept them on tape all this time. Easily the best thing ever put out on Showtime and probably in the top 10 on broadcast TV too.

Recipe for success. Put a bunch of graduate students from all levels of experience and schooling together in one place under one tough teacher, mix well, and cook thoroughly for 4 years. This concept worked better as a TV series than it did as a movie. Though the movie focused more on Hart and Susan, Kingsfields daughter, I found myself wondering more about the other students. Thanks to this well written and acted program, I found out more about o'Connor, and Ford, Bell, and the rest.

This television show first aired opposite the "Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley" hour, a death knell for any television show of that era. It moved to Friday nights in the grave yard and there it sat until Showtime picked it up and ran with it. Easily my favorite television show of all time. The writing was consistently excellent as was the ensemble acting. My only complaint was that in some ways it was predictable. We all knew that Hart was going to be at the top of his class. The guest players (Connie Lehman, among others) moved in and out with credibility. The message to this show is that no one makes it through school alone. I am in Seminary now and have made use of the "study group" as used in this show.

The comic relief (from Stots, and Zeiss, and Willis Bell) offset the drama quite nicely. This show just goes to show what a bunch of relative unknowns can do with quality material. (remember cheers, and taxi?.and particularly M*A*S*H?..yes those are comedies, but the rule holds.... ). I hope this show comes out on DVD sometime soon. I recorded most of the first season and some of the outstanding subsequent episodes on Showtime.

I am Stephen Seretan, and I wrote all the music for the series from CBS to Showtime. John Houseman was a joy to work with and a good friend. I miss him.

He was an original. The series was great fun and a dream job for me.

Thanks for all the nice comments.

I would love to see it aired again.

The shows had very little music for each episode, so my job was easy. Does anyone remember the scores to any shows? I would like to know. Film music is supposed to be "not heard" by the audience, but in our show it was prominent. I had several themes going to bind the drama together.