MY REVIEW: THE PRACTICE (1976)

 

     Danny Thomas was a very successful comedian and actor.  He was an even more successful businessman and producer.  Some of his successful productions included "The Andy Griffith Show", "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "The Mod Squad".  He would probably tell you that the most successful creation was The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital which continues to help children and families to the present day.
     However, by 1975 Thomas really didn't have anything more to prove as an entertainer.  His classic "Make Room For Daddy" ran for 11 years and he was always a big draw as a nightclub act but came across a show his son, producer Tony Thomas, was putting together as a pilot for NBC.  The younger Thomas and his producing partner Paul Junger Witt had other people in mind for the lead role of Dr. Jules Bedford, a older cantankerous but caring doctor who worked out of a run down office in an older area of New York City  and still made house calls but the elder Thomas won the role after auditioning for the network.  The program would be called "The Practice" and was created by an up and coming comedy writer named Steve Gordon.
     The 1st season which consisted of 13 episodes premiered in January 1976 to decent reviews but mediocre ratings.  Series regulars included David Spielberg as Jules' son Dr. David Bedford, who practiced medicine at a fancy Park Avenue location; Shelley Fabares as David's wife Jenny; Didi Conn as Jules' ditzy receptionist Helen and Dena Dietrich as Jules' nurse Molly.  John Byner would also make intermittent appearances as Dr. Roland Caine, an associate of David who was far more interested in making money than actually treating his patients.
    The 2nd season which consisted of 14 episodes premiered in the Fall of 1976 and some changes to the format were made.   John Byner's character was no longer seen and Mike Evans, who played George Jefferson's son in "All In The Family" and "The Jeffersons" was now seen here as Lenny, a medical intern.  Personally, I thought Evans was a great comedic actor who seemed underused on those Norman Lear shows.  Unfortunately, he wasn't given much to do here either and was back playing Lionel Jefferson on the show a few years later.  Also, guest stars were featured to lure people to the show such as Lucille Ball and Danny's daughter Marlo Thomas.  Oh, and David and Jenny were now living in a different apartment.  Jules' living quarters were never mentioned or seen in either season.  In fact, he ended up crashing at his son's place in several episodes.
     The ratings for the 2nd season did not improve and NBC cancelled the show after just 12 episodes aired.  All 27 episodes (including 2 unaired episodes) are now available as part of Warner Archive Manufactured On Demand collection of the complete series. Why wasn't it available prior to 2019?  I'm not sure.  I've never heard considered as a 'cult classic.'  But who knows?  Steve Gordon created a few more TV shows and movies and had a big hit on his hands as the screenwriter and director of the 1981 comedy film "Arthur" starring Dudley Moore when he passed away of a heart attack at the early age of 44 in 1982.
     My Grade: B