We're not sure exactly how many primetime shows went on to appear on all three of the "classic" broadcast networks (NBC, ABC and CBS), but
Matlock achieved that feat during its 9-season run from 1986 to 1995. Now Andy Griffith's program about the hard-to-beat lawyer comes to DVD, with CBS/Paramount announcing a release of
Matlock - The 1st Season.
March 1986 saw the feature-length pilot telefilm, "Diary of a Perfect Murder", and in September '86 NBC began airing the first of 23 hour-long episodes for the first season. There are a TON of guest stars in these installments, and among them you'll find Dick Van Dyke, William Conrad and Joe Penny (who co-starred in
Jake and the Fatman the following year), José Ferrer, Conchata Ferrell, Hector Elizondo, Jonathan Frakes, Christopher McDonald, Terri Treas, Roddy McDowall, Stanley Kamel, Guy Stockwell, Parker Stevenson, Desi Arnaz Jr., Timothy Busfield, Greg Evigan, Billy Zane, Nick Cassavetes, Lee Purcell, Larry Wilcox, Cliff De Young, Wendy Phillips, Tim Reid, Barry Corbin, Glynn Turman, Sarah Douglas, Billy Bob Thornton, Ben Piazza, Daniel Roebuck and Norman Fell.
The 1198-minute set will be in stores on
April 8th. Below is the short studio description of the show, followed by early box art. The picture is accompanied by a notice in large, quivering letters that the "Artwork Is Not Final", so what you see below may be subject to change. Stay tuned and we'll update you if that happens, and with any further details we get about this long-anticipated release!
Matlock is a legal drama series starring Andy Griffith as defense attorney Ben Matlock - a Harvard-educated, fiery southerner who charges $100,000 a case to brilliantly defend his clients by finding the real killer.
