The Trials of Rosie O'Neill

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.

43 year old Beverly Hills lawyer Rosie O'Neill (Sharon Gless) is starting over after her husband dumps her for someone younger (Helen Hunt). She begins work as a public defender for the poor and underserved in LA. Her new office mate Hank Mitchell (Dorian Harewood) is initially dismissive of her. Ben Meyer (Ron Rifkin) is her boss. Her mother Charlotte O'Neill (Georgann Johnson) hates her new job. Her former stepdaughter Kim Ginty (Lisa Rieffel) would rather spend time with her than either of her biological parents. Her younger sister Doreen Morrison (Lisa Banes) is her best friend. Former cop Walter Kovacs (Edward Asner) is the investigator, mostly in the second season.

I really like Sharon Gless and the stepdaughter. The sister is not necessary but has some uses. The mother is good material. Hank loses his value over time. The show may have had some romantic intentions with the character, but the early 90's would have been pushing it. Ed Asner injects some needed energy for the second season. The show usually opens with a cold opening of Rosie speaking to an unknown therapist. It's not my favorite part of the show. Neither is the opening theme song or opening credits in either season. Ultimately, this lasted only two seasons. I do really like this show. The second episode sold me on it. That episode shows that her clients wouldn't all be innocent and that's interesting.

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.

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.