I used to watch this show with my Grandparents. I really enjoyed it. I liked Matlock and his assistants Charlene Matlock (who is his daughter) and Tyler Hudson(Kene Holliday). In later seasons Tyler Hudson gets replaced by Conrad McMasters (Clarence Gilyrd Jr. who also happens to be Theo in Die Hard) which I don't mind. The reason I give it an 8 is because around the middle of Season 8 they replace Conrad with an inexperienced lawyer named Cliff who is supposed to be funny but comes off as a complete moron. Plus another thing I don't like is how they replaced the actress for Charlene 3 times throughout the series. Other than that a great show. Stay away from the last few seasons though.

Matlock...the answer to everything that is wrong with old people's TV shows.Like MURDER SHE WROTE, this comes off as some insane idea that old people with white hair have the solution to all the murders that happen and can solve any crime with little or no evidence; but rather just by talking their way to a solution with nothing to substantiate the story.It's horrible.The script formula is always the same, the characters might as well be the same in each episode, because the story doesn't fluctuate.And the guy works for free, no matter who hires him, because he never gets paid or if people do offer to pay him, he doesn't accept the money for whatever reason and gives it back.The only good episodes where when Don Knotts came on - because he naturally is great.Don't be fooled by the friendly Andy Griffith, the show is really retarded when you look at it away from the TV screen.

Its formula remains fairy consistent: 1. A heated argument before witnesses leads to an arranged meeting to sort things through.2. One of those witnessing the argument the meeting as the perfect opportunity to do in the would-be victim and beats the would-be suspect to the rendezvous point to perform the murder, usually leaving behind the weapon already containing the would-be suspects fingerprints.3. If the would-be suspect hasn't already handled the weapon, s/he for some reason handles it upon discovering the body.4. Within a matter of seconds, security guards arrive at the murder scene to apprehend the speechless suspect. If a pistol were used and the perpetrator takes it along, this doesn't matter to the guards that the suspect hasn't one on hand.5. The authorities (law enforcement, prosecutors and judges) are unable to grasp the notion that this suspect has been framed. No, they have an airtight case, by overlooking evidence and clues, such as time of death and those sorts of articles which the perpetrator has left behind.6. Neither the authorities nor the jury nor anyone in Matlock's office fathom that this type of frame-up has ever happened before. No, they have an airtight case, and only high-priced defender Ben Matlock with his team of investigators would be able to locate the missing clue.7. Once Matlock calls his last witness to the stand, the case is pretty well wrapped up, causing the prosecutor to request a dismissal of charges, which the judge and jury invariably welcome -- unless it was one of the judges who did it, which sometimes happens.Variations of this formula and diversions from it often provide welcome fodder for the story of Ben Matlock and company. Along the way, the sometimes Assistant District Attorney Julie Marsh realizes that Ben may be right about a thing or two, this leading to a romantic rivalry between them.A time or two, Julie rises to the occasion of defending the innocent, a hallmark of the Matlock team, which includes at different times his younger daughter, Charlene Matlock; his assistant attorney, Michele Thomas; his elder daughter, Leane McIntyre; his investigators, Tyler Hudson, Conrad McMasters and Cliff Lewis, as well as his friends and neighbors Les Calhoun and Billy Lewis.If Matlock and his defense team would ever lose a case, the episode is only beginning, as a closer investigation would reveal enough evidence to call for a retrial or something along these lines."Matlock" is at its best with sensitive acting, caring for just treatment for the innocent, especially by Andy Griffith, Linda Purl, Kene Holliday, Nancy Stafford and Clarence Gilyard Jr. Later seasons tend to overlook some of its earlier sensitivity in favor of the strong-willed emotions of its ultimate cast, thereby losing some of its vision.Overall, "Matlock" provides for an interesting episode from its catchy opening theme to its closing credits. Viewers may well be led to appreciate this fine cast, which affords the next judge and jury to find their work cut out for them.

Don't get me wrong. I like Andy Griffith. Courtroom shows, while relatively unrealistic as they are, are among my favorites to watch. Matlock, though, just didn't really do it for me. I like to be surprised, shocked and angered when I watch courtroom shows. With Matlock (at least in the many episodes I've seen), the same formula is followed: Matlock and his team do their own investigating and then gets the real killer on the stand, where he cross-examines them into admitting they were guilty. This is boring and predictable. At least in Law and Order there are many times when the guilty go free or unpunished.