The Trials of Rosie O'Neill

Sharon Gless does a great job in painting a complex and interesting character in this show. It's a truly adult part and one that doesn't pander to anyone. More importantly, it's a show that is carried squarely on her shoulders and she does it with passion and compassion. It was great seeing Tyne Daly guest star as a very different character from "Cagney & Lacey." And having Carole King sing the theme song (along with the other characters) was a real treat as well. The theme song for this great show was indeed written by Carole King, but recorded for the credits of the show by Melissa Manchester. Unfortunately, the song has yet to be released.

It's a shame this TV show was canceled when it was. It deserved many more seasons. Brilliant acting, well defined and written characters with immense diversity that I don't see a lot of in today's shows. The first episode alone shows a variety of different races and ethnicities, a man in a wheelchair, and different religions.

Especially appreciated the episode about anti-Semitism spotlighting the Jewish character, the boss.

Sharon Gless is a wonderful actress who is so natural in everything. Love the dynamic between the characters. This show was completely underappreciated for its time and deserves a reboot.

Sharon Gless (Cagney&Lacey) played Rosie. Also, called Fiona "Rosie" O'Neill, and Fiona by her mother. Rosie was an attorney practicing as a Public Defender. Her mother wanted her to be a Corporation Lawyer and that caused friction between them. Specially when the mother had to introduce her to some high society type, she was embarrassed to say she worked in the Public Defender's Office. That was too poor for her. I guess she did not know that a crime is a crime whether or not it is committed by an executive or a blue collar worker. Her sister was a housewife married to a workaholic doctor. Rosie and her sister had a wonderful relationship. Rosie's theme was written and sung by one of my favorites, Carly Simon, a lovely song, which I recorded from the television, so that I could have the words for it. Actually I really don't understand why some lawyer's shows are so popular, and others get canceled after the first year, when they are so good. My guess is "age discrimination." When a more mature actor could play a more mature lawyer, the executives decide to get a skinny lawyer, one third of her age, and with so much wisdom for her age. Actually I thought that people grow wiser with age. But I guess it was just a thought! I think that we watched most of the series. We truly enjoyed the series. I am surprised that this is the first comment on the series! My favorite episode: The Christmas episode, when Rosie goes to church. Very moving shows. My Favorite quotes: "In a perfect world everyone's dreams will come true, what will the future hold, I wish I knew."

Sharon Gless is just one of those personalities that you welcomed into your home weekly as you would an old friend. She made life not seem so brash or unbearable because she had her own problems she shared with you and, oh that sarcastic wit! Come on in and have a cup of coffee or a beer. What's going on? Her work in "Cagney & Lacey" was pivotal in bringing women to the forefront of what women are all about. Her role in "The Trials of Rosie O'Neill" was one of the best and Gless made it her own. She shared her inner most secrets with us in her opening shots at the analyst's office and wasn't afraid to show her emotions and courage throughout the shows too short a run! I miss that show today still. One of my favorite episodes was the "Christmas" themed one. I feel as though this show may have brought a few tears to the eyes of the crew, when it closed down the set. Bring out the DVD, I'm sure there are thousands of fans willing to buy the too few episodes. Count me in.

I had recently taken out season 1 of Cagney and Lacey at my local library and forgotten how much I enjoyed the acting of Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly (and how much I had missed such quality type shows). So in searching for more shows starring Gless and/or Daly, I came across "The Trials of Rosie O'Neill". I remember watching this show and enjoying it as much as Cagney and Lacey. Different type of show but with excellent supporting cast and great writing. (Gless is recently divorced and trying to rebuild her life as a public defender.) Tyne Daly guest starred in a "reunion" episode. Also, Carole King guest starred in the "reunion" episode. She sang the theme sing that she wrote for the show "I Wish I Knew". Each week the opening song written by King was sung beautifully by Melissa Manchester.

My favorite part of the show was the beginning where she was talking to her therapist. (In real life her husband and producer) Can not believe this show only lasted 2 seasons and is not on DVD.