The original post: /r/television by /u/FreshmenMan on 2025-03-09 17:50:08.
Question, What do you think went wrong with Murder One?
To explain, Murder One was a legal drama, created by Steven Bocho, that aired from 1995 to 1997. The first season starred Daniel Benzali as Ted Hoffman, a criminal litigator and the principal of his own firm, Hoffman and Associates. Backed by a cadre of young associates, Hoffman was a gruff, masterful criminal lawyer who zealously represented his clients in high-profile cases. The show also stars Mary McCormack, Michael Hayden, Stanley Tucci, Jason Gedrick, Dylan Baker, & Patricia Clarkson.
From what I watch everywhere I read, many people loved the first season, and especially Benzali’s performance as Ted Hoffman, & Stanley Tucci, and many people felt that the show had great potential at being one of the best. I took like the first season.
However, when Season 2 came around, it took a nosedive, in large part because of Bocho firing Benzali in one of the strangest reasons for a actor to be fired. Apparently, Benzali would arrived an hour late because he wouldn’t go anywhere until he did his morning bowel movement. Benzali would be replaced by La Paglia, who many considered a vast downgrade. Not only Benzali, but Stanley Tucci, Jason Gedrick, Patricia Clarkson also left. With all of this happening and declining ratings, Murder One was cancelled.
In my opinion, I think Bocho made a mistake of firing Benzali, and that Benzali was the show and that it would collapse without him (this is not like what David Caruso with he quit on NYPD Blue). And because of his firing, Bocho had to get rid of characters that also made the show.
What do you think went wrong with Murder One?