Hi Melmel, I realize it's been awhile since the last post on this topic, but I wanted to reach out as another Matlock fan. I love most of the characters and the writing. My dad really enjoyed the show, so I think there's a bit of nostalgia there for me as well.
In terms of Matlock's female associates, I like the characters Charlene, Michelle and Leanne, and probably in that order. I also like both Tyler and Conrad, but for different reasons. Tyler's character was funny, but Conrad was easier on the eye. :) I found it amusing that both Tyler and Conrad drove red sportscars as PI's. I'm sure the writers did that to add some pizazz to the show, but I would think in real life that a PI would drive a non-descript vehicle in a color that would blend in with the environment a bit more.
I don't care as much for the character of Cliff Lewis (seasons 7-9). He just seemed wimpy to me. The actor Daniel Roebuck had appeared in a few episodes in earlier seasons, and it was cool to see how much weight he had taken off by the time he was a regular in season 7.
Although it was neat to see Andy Griffith and Don Knotts reunited in a few episodes of the series, I wasn't crazy about the episodes with Knotts' character Les Calhoun, or about the ones with Billy Lewis or Matlock's housekeeper Mrs. McCardle. It seemed that the writers were perhaps looking for these characters to bring some comic relief, but I found myself hoping for their scenes to be over. :)
I loved Julie March's character and the chemistry between her and Matlock. It seemed very genuine.
I especially enjoy the 2-part episodes because of the deeper story lines they can pursue.
I'll give thought to favorite episodes... :)
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GordonGartrelle (1267)
5 years ago
Can you imagine being a Matlock fan in your 20's? Well that was me and still today.
I agree with you on Tyler and Conrad characters.
They were both great for different reasons.
The guy that played Conrad, Clarance Gilyard also played Tribbett on Walker, Texas Ranger.
He's pretty good in that role also.
I loved that Matlock (and his wife) raised a strong daughter in Luanne.
I was happy when they introduced the character.
And yes I am not a fan of Cliff. Every time he comes on the screen, my reaction is always, why are you hear? Who invited you?
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taz1988 (3)
a year ago
Hi Smidge,
I loved the charisma between Julie March & Ben as well. It was too bad Julie Sommars left the show when it moved from ABC to NBC, and they moved the filming from the west coast to the east coast. That is when they lost Nancy Stafford (Michelle Thomas) as well. Andy Griffith did an interview with the Television Academy Foundation in 95 and he mentioned how (after season 7) the show left ABC for NBC and decided to move filming from the west coast to the east coast. Griffith, at first decided to leave the show because many of the cast members lived in Los Angeles where the previous filming was. NBC then offered to rent him a home in Wilmington, NC, where filming was being relocated & Griffith decided to accept the offer, however, moving from the west coast to Wilmington was not something either Nancy Stafford or Julie Sommers wanted to do, so they left the show. That is why season 8 introduced Leanne McIntyre as Ben's 2nd daughter. I noticed you are a fan of Clarence Gilyard Jr.. I am too. Conrad McMasters was one of my fave characters. I imagine that is why he left the show for WTR as well. Since he'd already relocated, I imagine leaving NC for Dallas would not have been too much of a big deal, especially since Gilyard's role in WTR was more substantial.
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