I'm rewatching this series after 37 years. Currently just about to start season 3. It follows the cozy mystery of the week formula. There are two-parters throughout. No arcs. Pretty good supporting cast throughout and guest stars.
The star of the series, Andy Griffith, is what ultimately makes this show very watchable. Matlock is charming and cranky. Kind of irresistible characteristics. I currently enjoy these same qualities in My Life is Murder with the Alexa Crowe character and in Murdoch Mysteries with Brackenreid. Matlock is very cute with his reactions and dialogue and at times hilarious given whatever the situation is, such as in the wrestling episode. He makes me laugh.
My second favorite character is Tyler, played by Kene Holiday. He's very funny in his banter with Matlock. I think the guy must get tossed in the air in just about every episode. Lol. He often talks his way into and out of situations in his investigations. He's always trying to make himself rich and acts like he can't stand his job. But really, he loves it. His suits and car look more expensive than Matlock's. It's really funny. I guess he was only there for 3 seasons. It's a shame he had to leave the show. I thought he was a great character.
Both Linda Purl and Nancy Stafford were fine in their roles.
Julie Sommars was great as Julie March. She had great chemistry with Matlock in their somewhat flirty friendship. Really good banter and is a good friend to Ben.
Kai Lizer as Cassie was not very appealing. Not very good at acting nor any charisma. The character was a waste of screen time. Sorry. Gotta be honest.
So I haven't caught up yet to when the other series regulars join. There's a bit of a revolving door. Regulars going out and new ones coming in. But I think I recall like everyone else just fine. I'll just write an episode review if anything comes up.
It's a lighthearted murder mystery type of show. There are plotholes. Lots. Matlock is often allowed to give lengthy conjectures without any objections from the prosecutor. I love when he gets mad, "oh, come on." Lol. Or when he sneaks a question in, which is objected to, and then quickly withdraws the question. He's great fun to watch.
In the first season, oftentimes they show the killer doing the deed, sort of Columbo style. But in season 2, it becomes more of a whodunnit. Dick Van Dyke was great in the pilot episode. I recently watched his Diagnosis Murder show, tho all the episodes weren't on the streaming service I'm watching, Pluto TV. Same with Matlock.
Anyway, a lighthearted murder mystery show, with a cute, charming but cranky curmudgeon, Matlock. He makes this show watchable. I like it as a before-bedtime watch. Dark gritty shows before bed, aren't agreeable to me. 7/10.
*Edit: After a couple more seasons and still continuing, I decided to up the rating to 8/10. Andy Griffith's Ben Matlock is hilarious. I'm enjoying this rewatch so much after 30-plus years. My enjoyment level meant the rating had to go up. 8/10.
*Edit: I continue to watch this series over and over again and really enjoy that I decided to up my rating to 10/10. I just love Andy Griffith's Ben character.
The star of the series, Andy Griffith, is what ultimately makes this show very watchable. Matlock is charming and cranky. Kind of irresistible characteristics. I currently enjoy these same qualities in My Life is Murder with the Alexa Crowe character and in Murdoch Mysteries with Brackenreid. Matlock is very cute with his reactions and dialogue and at times hilarious given whatever the situation is, such as in the wrestling episode. He makes me laugh.
My second favorite character is Tyler, played by Kene Holiday. He's very funny in his banter with Matlock. I think the guy must get tossed in the air in just about every episode. Lol. He often talks his way into and out of situations in his investigations. He's always trying to make himself rich and acts like he can't stand his job. But really, he loves it. His suits and car look more expensive than Matlock's. It's really funny. I guess he was only there for 3 seasons. It's a shame he had to leave the show. I thought he was a great character.
Both Linda Purl and Nancy Stafford were fine in their roles.
Julie Sommars was great as Julie March. She had great chemistry with Matlock in their somewhat flirty friendship. Really good banter and is a good friend to Ben.
Kai Lizer as Cassie was not very appealing. Not very good at acting nor any charisma. The character was a waste of screen time. Sorry. Gotta be honest.
So I haven't caught up yet to when the other series regulars join. There's a bit of a revolving door. Regulars going out and new ones coming in. But I think I recall like everyone else just fine. I'll just write an episode review if anything comes up.
It's a lighthearted murder mystery type of show. There are plotholes. Lots. Matlock is often allowed to give lengthy conjectures without any objections from the prosecutor. I love when he gets mad, "oh, come on." Lol. Or when he sneaks a question in, which is objected to, and then quickly withdraws the question. He's great fun to watch.
In the first season, oftentimes they show the killer doing the deed, sort of Columbo style. But in season 2, it becomes more of a whodunnit. Dick Van Dyke was great in the pilot episode. I recently watched his Diagnosis Murder show, tho all the episodes weren't on the streaming service I'm watching, Pluto TV. Same with Matlock.
Anyway, a lighthearted murder mystery show, with a cute, charming but cranky curmudgeon, Matlock. He makes this show watchable. I like it as a before-bedtime watch. Dark gritty shows before bed, aren't agreeable to me. 7/10.
*Edit: After a couple more seasons and still continuing, I decided to up the rating to 8/10. Andy Griffith's Ben Matlock is hilarious. I'm enjoying this rewatch so much after 30-plus years. My enjoyment level meant the rating had to go up. 8/10.
*Edit: I continue to watch this series over and over again and really enjoy that I decided to up my rating to 10/10. I just love Andy Griffith's Ben character.