Why You Need to Watch 'The Whole Truth'
by Chris Harnick, posted Oct 13th 2010 2:30PM
Why should you be watching 'The Whole Truth'? Two words: Maura Tierney.
Yes, the former 'NewsRadio' and 'ER' star Maura Tierney should be enough to get you, loyal reader, to give up an hour of your Wednesday evening to watch 'The Whole Truth' (Wed., 10PM ET on ABC). She's not enough? Fine. What about Tierney's chemistry with Rob Morrow?
Honestly, you could probably put a jar of pickles in front of her and Tierney could make it charming, but when you put her with somebody as charismatic as Morrow, it's TV heaven.
Sure, there are problems with the ABC legal drama. Example: the same defense attorney and prosecutor face off every week. But wait, you probably watch a show where kids break out into song every 10 minutes. This is television -- suspend your disbelief and enjoy the ride.
Right now, 'The Whole Truth' is teetering on the edge of cancellation. ABC is airing a special on the rescued Chilean miners in place of a new episode tonight. It's pulling in around 4.5 million viewers, losing nearly 3 million from its lead-in 'Cougar Town.' For ABC, those are bad numbers. But given time, the series could evolve -- maybe ditch the kitschy little flashbacks to scenes that happened 15 minutes before. However, before it can evolve, it needs viewers.
If you don't start watching 'The Whole Truth,' we might be lose potentially great characters Kathryn Peale and Jimmy Brogan. You know how 'Law & Order: SVU' has maintained its procedural element, yet we've seen layers develop in Detectives Benson and Stabler? 'The Whole Truth' could do that and more. The characters have a history, let the viewers learn about it. Plus, the supporting players are begging for some background. You know there's more to Sean Wing's incredibly earnest Chad.
The problem with new shows, as we've talked about here on TV Squad, is that sometimes it's cheaper to cancel them rather than let the show build an audience. 'Seinfeld' wasn't a hit from the start. It took seasons -- yes, more than one -- to get to its cult status.
The ratings for the Oct. 6 episode showed a tiny bit of life, they went up a bit, but not enough. Give the show time to evolve, there is a spark in these characters. Plus, given the format, there are tons of opportunities for guest stars. Great guest stars. Judd Hirsch's appearance was quality TV. Tierney's 'ER' pal Parminder Nagra is filming an episode now.
If you love smart character moments, great chemistry between actors and the law in general, then start watching 'The Whole Truth.' Start now.
For more passionate TV pleas, follow @ChrisHarnick on Twitter.
Comments
by JENNIFER, posted Oct 13th 2010
I already watch this show, THE WHOLE TRUTH, and it's fabulous. Love the interaction between all the cast and the storylines are very good. I hope it doesnt get cancelled. Give it a try. The endings are awesome!!!
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by dee, posted Oct 18th 2010
I also love this show, enough that I was upset to miss it when the Chilean miners' rescue pre-empted it. And you're right, the endings are gripping.
by Josephine, posted Oct 18th 2010
Love the show, pls. don't cancel.
by jaerisk, posted Oct 13th 2010
All right Harnick, I'll give it a shot. Besides I'm a Maura Tierney fan so I probably should have been watching it already anyways.
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by Mike, posted Oct 13th 2010
It deserves to go. There is nothing compelling about the writing. And it is unbelievebale that a prosecutor and defense attorney would pollute cases with their cross-rferencing friendship. One side or the other, guys. would I want a defense attorney who is chummy with a prosecutor. Nope. Would a victim's family be satsified with a prosecutor who meets after hours with a defense attorney. Nope. Second-worse premise this season (the first being a Supreme Court judge would quit the bench to defend poor folks) and the first is already gone.
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by Jack Cooke, posted Oct 14th 2010
The writer obviously has no knowledge of how the criminal justice system really works Most defense attys are former ADAs. And most judges have worked both sides. Just look at Supreme Court Justice Sonia Soto-Mayor'resume. I worked in the NYC court system for 10 years & attended numerous parties in the homes of DA's & prosecutors where there were even judges in attendance. The only rule applies to judges in the civil court who must disclose to the litigants that a personal relationship exists and offer to recuse themselves. The co-writer of the ep featuring Judd Hirsch was Kevin Hynes a former senior ADA & prominent defense atty-the writing on that episode was brillant & the "problems" Maura Tierney's character had with the court house staff, while humorous were just how it would go down.Given a chance this show will find it's audience and become one of classic legal dramas. The last minute of the show lives up to its title THE WHOLE TRUTH
by Marc, posted Oct 13th 2010
To be honest I was really put off by Maura Tierney's lip enhancement! She looks weird. But it is a good show and maybe the swelling will go down. Ladies...duck lips are NOT attractive.
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by Dave, posted Oct 13th 2010
I don't think she got a lip enhancement at all. She has always had full lips. She has just lost weight and is smaller than before and it shows in her face. I think they are great and she looks great. I can't stand thin lips on girls. Stop making assumptions cause you look like an ass. Oh, btw, good show.
by La-Di-Dah, posted Oct 13th 2010
Thanks for the chance to see this. I liked the 2 lawyers. The buildup & conclusion of the case itself was meh though.
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by nattyff, posted Oct 13th 2010
I like it very much, great show, that remind me the great "Justice", showing the truth al the end.
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by Melanie, posted Oct 14th 2010
I watched 1 1/2 episodes of this and I HATED IT.
HATED.
IT.
And that's coming from someone who watched Numbers and ER and likes those two actors quite a bit. The cases are AWFUL. The set up for the cases is awful. The way it is directed is awful. UGH.
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by Miss Lee, posted Oct 14th 2010
C'mon, are you serious?!? I watch a few shows (don't care for t.v much), and most of my viewing happens online, in favor of commercial reduction and time constraints. But this is the ONLY show that I cannot wait to see each week. Cancel? It's always "the good ones"! I guess viewer numbers in the millions range aren't good enough.
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by Jean, posted Oct 14th 2010
You're preaching to the converted here--I started watching because I'm a longtime fan of both Maura Tierney and Rob Morrow, and their match-up is a TV dream come true for me.
Numbers in "the millions range" often aren't good enough, not when so many shows have numbers is the higher millions, especially on network television where the advertising dollar is so important.
I love TV, and I think even the free channels have plenty of quality shows to offer. That includes The Whole Truth.
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by V, posted Oct 18th 2010
I love the ideal of having a show that shows the build up to the REAL truth . This shows appears to be all over the place. They really dont connect with the people around them . I dont know how to save the show but what ever the out come please , please do not put on another reality show!!!!!!!
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by ksrocker, posted Oct 18th 2010
The network needs to make past episodes available online, not just clips. Give people a chance to see it if they can't watch it live or haven't seen the early episodes.
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by Gailoo, posted Oct 18th 2010
What a great show! My sisters and I look forward to each espisode every week. This is quality TV. Running Wilde is not being pulled but "The Whole Truth" might be??? What a waste.
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by Jacqui, posted Oct 18th 2010
I agree Gailoo, cancel Running Wilde. Besides The Whole Truth another funny and good show is Raising Hope. Cloris Leachman is hiliarious and the baby is just too cute!!
by shar48, posted Oct 18th 2010
This is one of the most intelligent shows on television. It seems all quality gets cancelled and all of the reality crap stays.
Some of us have enough reality give us good drama to watch. Love Maura and Rob.
GREAT SHOW.
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by Pat Farrar, posted Oct 18th 2010
I've watched every episode so far, and I like it. Its not as if there's anything else worth watching on Wednesday nights!
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by Mike, posted Oct 18th 2010
Sounds alot like "Ironside." So what do we call this, between him and her-----"on the side?"
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