Street Legal | |
---|---|
Starring |
Sonja Smits C. David Johnson Eric Peterson Cynthia Dale |
Country of origin | Canada |
No. of seasons | 8 |
No. of episodes | 124 |
Production | |
Running time | 60 minutes |
Release | |
Original network | CBC Television |
Original release | January 6, 1987 – November 6, 1994 |
Street Legal is a Canadian television series, which aired on CBC Television from 1987 to 1994.
Street Legal was the longest-running one-hour scripted drama in the history of Canadian television, holding the record for twenty years before being surpassed by Heartland's 125th episode on October 18, 2014.
Ordered to series from the 1985 television movie Shellgame, Street Legal focused on the professional and private lives of the partners in a small Toronto, Ontario law firm, Barr, Robinovitch and Tchobanian. The primary stars were Sonja Smits as Carrington "Carrie" Barr, Eric Peterson as Leon Robinovitch, and C. David Johnson as Charles "Chuck" Tchobanian. The cast also included Julie Khaner, Albert Schultz, Cynthia Dale, Maria del Mar, Ron Lea and Diane Polley (1987-1990).
Produced at the same time as L.A. Law, this series was distinctively Canadian, in the use of Canadian court customs and procedures. Much of the show's music was composed by Eric Robertson who was nominated for a Gemini Award in 1987 for his work on the show.
The series debuted on January 6, 1987, during the 1986-87 season with Maryke McEwen as executive producer. It experienced a rocky start, with low ratings. The theme music, beginning in season four, was a saxophone piece by Micky Erbe and Maribeth Solomon. Until that time, the show revolved around three lawyers: Carrie Barr (Sonja Smits), Leon Robinovitch (Eric Peterson), and Chuck Tchobanian (C. David Johnson). Carrie and Leon were the committed, left-wing social activists, and Chuck was the conservative yet aggressive 1980s criminal lawyer.