Canterbury's Law

Just like its Monday night partner in crime, New Amsterdam, this lawyer show surprised us. It mixes equal parts of The Practice with House, and stars Julianna Margulies as no-bullshit defense attorney Elizabeth Canterbury, who isn't afraid of pissing people off (or fudging the law) to win her case. But it's not pure arrogance driving her—she's also trying to keep her skeleton crew of a firm afloat while dealing with guilt caused by her own son's kidnapping. Much like Amsterdam, this show's future rests in the hands of the plot development outside of its procedural elements. Though Margulies' courtroom activity is more amusing at times (she discredits an obese detective's testimony by proving he can't see past his own flabby stomach), if you've seen one lawyer work a jury, you've seen them all. But so far the producers are doing it right, and the life outside the courtroom shows promise for the rest of the season. Though we'd rather watch a grittier version of the show on FX (Rescue Me's Denis Leary is a producer), this new series should keep you entertained, at least until your other favorite network shows return from their strike hiatus.