Defenders, The (CBS 2010, James Belushi, Jerry O’Connell)

Crime drama series The Defenders focuses on a pair of Las Vegas defense attorneys, Nick Morelli and Pete Kaczmarek. Both Nick and Pete are always willing to go that extra yard or three to help their clients. Nick is the older, wiser head of the two whilst Pete is somewhat impetuous and loves his fast cars and hot dates; Whilst Pete is busy cruising the streets of Vegas looking for “love” Nick is doing his very best to save his crumbling marriage and is desperate to remain a strong part of his young sons life.

Also part of the practice is new associate Lisa Tyler who is a former exotic dancer whilst Zoe Waters is office assistant.

It’s always great to see Jim Belushi and there is a welcome return for Jerry O’Connell. Watch out for old Belushi pal Dan Ackroyd popping up a couple of times in the first season as a judge and Belushi’s son Robert also has a recurring role as an assistant D.A.

production details
USA | CBS – Carol Mendelsohn Productions

RUNNING TIME: 60 minutes | AIRDATES: From September 22, 2010

CREATORS: Niels Mueller, Kevin Kennedy | EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Carol Mendelsohn, Kevin Kennedy, Niels Mueller, Joe Gantz, Harry Gantz, Greg Walker

cast
JAMES BELUSHI as Nick Morelli
JERRY O’CONNELL as Pete Kaczmarek
JURNEE SMOLLETT as Lisa Tyler
TANYA FISCHER as Zoey Waters
TEDDY SEARS as Thomas Cole
NEALLA GORDON as Judge White
MONNAE MICHAELL as Judge Bass
ROBERT BELUSHI as Nicholson
GILLIAN VIGMAN as Jessica Morelli
COLE JENSEN as Sammy

THE EPISODES
SEASON ONE  22 September 2010 – 11 March 2011
1. PILOT (22 Sep 2010)
2. LAS VEGAS V REID (29 Sep 2010)
3. NEVADA V CARTER (6 Oct 2010)
4. NEVADA V CERRATO (13 Oct 2010)
5. NEVADA V SEN. HARPER (20 Oct 2010)
6. NEVADA V RODGERS (27 Oct 2010)
7. LAS VEGAS V JOHNSON (3 Nov 2010)
8. NEVADA V KILLA DIZ (10 Nov 2010)
9. WHITTEN V FENLEE (17 Nov 2010)
10. NEVADA V DENNIS (8 Dec 2010)
11. NEVADA V RILEY (15 Dec 2010)
12. NEVADA V WAYNE (12 Jan 2011)
13. NEVADA V DONNIE THE NUMBERS GUY (4 Feb 2011)
14. NEVADA V DOUG THE MULE (11 Feb 2011)
15. NEVADA V HUNTER (18 Feb 2011)
16. NOLAND V GALLOWAY PHARMACEUTICALS (25 Feb 2011)
17. NEVADA V GREENE (4 Mar 2011)
18. MORELLI V KACZMAREK (11 Mar 2011)

Head of film reviews at The Viewers Guide with an erudite, insightful, slightly sardonic, deep appreciation for classic cinema. Has a habit of quoting obscure lines from old films in everyday conversation. He keeps a meticulously organized film logbook. He's a bit of a tea snob.