Putting into words how incredible Ben Matlock is will be very difficult but I will try!For starters, his skills as a lawyer are the best, bar none, and no matter how bleak the situation looks for his client or how incriminating the evidence is on the person he's defending, Matlock always manages to win the day. Whenever he's cross examining witnesses, he manages to tie them in knots and it's always just a matter of time before they crack under Matlock's relentless questioning pressure. As far as lawyers go, Matlock is a goliath, a titan, a truly unstoppable force. *SPOILER* Even when he is drugged by a bunch of criminals and is left, barely lucid, to stumble through the middle of an extremely busy highway, hundreds of cars swerve out of the way in fear of being damaged beyond repair by Matlock's power.However, Matlock's skills go far beyond his day job of a $100,000-per-case lawyer. His gun-toting prowess with a firearm is exceptional, as is his ability to wield a sword or kendo stick. If you squint, you could easily mistake Ben Matlock for Neo out of The Matrix films. Matlock is also a Michelin star chef and he makes no apologies for this fact by spending 40-50% of each episode stuffing his face with hotdogs, Monte Christo sandwiches and anything else into which he can stick a fork. In addition, Matlock is not only extremely handy around the house as he is able to carry out roof repairs, he is also an exceptional baseball pitcher in his spare time. To cut a long story short, if you are in need of the world's greatest lawyer but also require the services of a bodyguard, chef, sportsman and DIY person, Matlock is your man.When defending his clients and searching for the truth, Matlock is helped along the way by a medley of wonderful assistants. Firstly, whenever Matlock needs to take a break from fist fighting, the duty of dishing out 'knuckle sandwiches' fall upon Conrad McMasters. Conrad's day job is as Matlock's private investigator and his ability to carry out this function has earned him the name, 'The Chameleon' for the way he can effortlessly blend into any role. *SPOILER* One week he'd be a bartender with mixology skills worthy of the International Bartenders Association, the next he'd be performing in adult themed movies, all in the line of duty. Conrad was also ice cool, circa minus 273 degrees Celsius cool, that he is only matched on the coolness scale by Kojak. For all you petrol heads out there, throughout the show Conrad also drives 11 different Ford Mustangs (models range from 1965 to 1994) so try to spot them all if you can. As you can imagine, Conrad's sublime choice of vehicles makes him a 'one' (so to speak) with the ladies, which itself is a recurring theme throughout the entire show, often resulting in a number of comical escapades.Next up in Matlock's arsenal of crime fighting were his two gorgeous female assistants. First was Michelle Thomas, Matlock's partner for a few seasons, who was then followed by Leanne MacIntyre; a lawyer and Matlock's daughter. Just a flash of either's eyelashes or a smile from their pouty lips is usually enough to make any witness crack under the heat when they're being cross-examined. These small but significant facial actions by Matlock's sultry sirens are enough to get one's heart racing to such an extent that the show should really come with a health warning, aimed at the show's predominantly elderly and retired viewer demographic.How do I sum up Matlock? Well, he has the demeanour and dress sense of James Bond, the physical dexterity and mental determination of Jason Bourne and quick wit and phenomenal intellect of Richard Feynman. Matlock blows all other courtroom dramas into the middle of next week with a realism that you could only seek to replicate in a genuine courtroom. For any budding lawyers out there, I advise you watch Matlock to see how to get the job done inside the courtroom, and out! For everyone else, Matlock makes compelling viewing as it has a bit of something for everyone: Action, drama, thrills, spills, sex appeal, comedy and mystery. Often more like a psychological thriller than a courtroom drama, I regularly felt that Matlock was more comparable to a Christopher Nolan film than the Perry Mason show, to which Matlock is usually compared. Either way, I loved Matlock; one of the best TV shows ever created!

At first glance, "Matlock" might seem to be just another version of "Perry Mason"; after all, both are lawyers who defend innocent clients , both have that catchy theme song that all great shows seemed to have in that golden age of TV magic, and both always seem to catch the real killer (on the stand no less). But take a closer look and you'll see that "Matlock" has a look and flavor all its own. Part of the reason may be the time difference between the two shows-"Mason" being in the 60's, "Matlock", the 80's and 90's- but there are several others. In "Matlock", there's a little bit more of mystery solving in the spirit of "Murder, She Wrote" and "Diagnosis Murder" that gives the show a great deal of suspense. It also helps to throw in a little bit of humor here and there. But the real reason may come down to the late, great Andy Griffith. Mr. Griffith was able to take a character that could have been just another Perry Mason and make it all his own. Ben Matlock has a temper (which gets him the judges' wrath more than once), wears cheap suits despite his high fees, and loves hot dogs. But he also has charisma and an old southern style charm that he uses in and out of the courtroom. With this and with the help of various allies over the seasons, Matlock tackles anything from the mob to jealous lovers, from drug dealers to femme fatales. Combined with this and excellent courtroom drama-which let's be honest, what good lawyer show worth its salt be without it- "Matlock" is a show that could please just about anyone. Also starring Nancy Stafford, Clarence Gilyard Jr., Kene Holliday, Brynn Thayer, Julie Sommars, Daniel Roebuck, and Linda Purl at different stages throughout the show's existence. Watch and enjoy a time when TV was at its finest in a simpler time.

Here it is, almost 1200 minutes of the mystery series "Matlock", 24 episodes (including the pilot) that were broadcast during NBC's 1986-1987 season. So let's forget all we know about the long run of this series and just talk about its premiere season. Years after his run as Sheriff Andy Taylor, Andy Griffith finally got another regular job. This time he is playing Ben Matlock, an Atlanta lawyer who talks like Sheriff Andy. It's a comfortable role in a tried and true format; a mix of "Perry Mason" and "Columbo". "Columbo" veteran Dean Hargrove dreamed up the series and shared executive producer duties with Fred Silverman. The focus is on the title character and Griffith is great fun to watch. He charms and sweet talks his way through each case, getting everyone to let down their guard because they underestimate this good old boy as much as they did the seemingly scatterbrained "Columbo". Both series revolved around the main character's ability discern something incriminating in seemingly innocent little things and to pick up on a guilty party's casual slip of the tongue. In the "Perry Mason" tradition Matlock is not bound by the conventional rules of evidence or procedural requirements once he gets into a courtroom. He can say anything and introduce any sort of evidence simply by reassuring the judge that his line or questioning will eventually become relevant. Be prepared for the obligatory breakdowns and confessions on the witness stand. The prosecutors can only shake their heads and bluster helplessly in the face of Matlock's cunning strategy. Matlock is assisted by the show's version of Perry Mason's Paul and Della. In season one these are his daughter and partner Charlene Matlock (Lori Lethin in the pilot-Linda Purl in the regular episodes) and his investigator Tyler Hudson (Kene Holliday). His junior partner Michele Thomas (Nancy Stafford) would not join the team as a regular until the nest season and it wasn't until 1988 that Don Knotts reprises his Barney role as Ben's neighbor Les "Ace" Calhoun. Season One's episodes #6 and #7 (a two part story titled "The Don") featured William Conrad as District Attorney James "Fatman" McShane. The next year the producers took this character, changed his name slightly to Jason Lochinvar 'Fatman' McCabe, and with Conrad created the long-running series "Jake and the Fatman". Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

There really isn't anything obviously good about "Matlock." It's kind of corny. It's awfully predictable (Matlock ALWAYS represents innocent clients and ALWAYS unmasks the real culprits in getting said innocents off). Some of the characters are pretty lame (Billy and Cliff Lewis are not personal favorites). And yet, somehow, I really enjoy this program. It really says something for Andy Griffith that I, a Yankee boy born probably 15 years after he left Mayberry, find him so charming as an ol' coot of a southern lawyer in a funny-looking suit. Can't really say why or how it comes through, but he must be one hell of an actor. (It also doesn't hurt to have Don Knotts, if only for Mr. Ferley-related nostalgia value).Incidentally, if for no other reason than the episode in which Tyler infiltrates a circus, Keene Holiday has it all over Clarence Gilyard (who I hold in large part responsible for the reprehensible "Walker Texas Ranger"). And I won't even begin to discuss that female investigator they brought in towards the end. Blech.Overall, then, despite the not inconsiderable problems with "Matlock," I love it. Andy Griffith playing a ukelele will always be a fond memory for me (It also helps to counteract the memory of those vaguely creepy commercials for Andy's gospel album that they run on TBS at off hours).