faceoff

Anyone watch that Judge John Deeds or Judge John Dread as I call him? I am trying to work out if it is a comedy or is a satire on the British legal system?

First Blood to Sylvester Stallone, who proved the Americans do get irony by joining the Toffeemen as a weekend Everton supporter. This fair weather allegiance was in order to help Stallone sell his own brand of toffee, the latest Rocky film, "Rocky Balboa on zimmer frame" or something similar.

Years ago "Sly" also played Judge Dredd, a comic book hero who in a futuristic world actually was "the law". A verdict in any appeal to Judge Dredd's court was invariably a second bullet to the head to finish you off.

The BBC show "Judge John Deeds" has been irritating me since the first series but like junk food is addictive as someone said in the papers yesterday. Judge Dredd laid down the law whereas Judge Deeds lays down the female lawyers, the defence and prosecution counsels, the witnesses, the wives of fellow judges and government ministers, ex-wives and last week, even potential terrorists.

The latter mentioned was an intelligent lady, being blackmailed. She was trying to save members of her family and under duress took a chocolate box bomb to kill the Martin Shaw character at the Hague. Even here, Deeds was fighting off several women already. Rather like a toothsome James Bond female villain, having discovered Deeds' weapon of mass distraction, the devout lady forgot her brothers, her religious beliefs and thought better of it. Just as Deeds was going to get a sugar rush he WOULD forget very quickly, the would be assassin took her (sex) appeal case to the same judge's court(ship). Later she died whilst trying to diffuse said lethal confectionery (as you do). No matter, Deeds crown jewels were undamaged. That is ok then.

Each Judge John Deeds episode starts out well meaning with a terrible case of injustice but then it is sacrificed on the premise on how many women can Deeds bed before the end titles roll. Last night's first part could have used the Benny Hill show's chase music as one character bedded Deeds to get him on the case and prostitute paid by the ungodly drug company tried to bed him to get him off the case. Deeds enemies are mostly cuckolds and fellow judges as well as the big bad representatives of the Establishment.

When Deeds personal policeman mention his superior is a woman, you automatically look for suspicious behaviour in Deeds trouser area. In the first part of last weeks show it set up a beautiful but terrified witness who is obviously destined to be dressed down by the judge but likely also undressed by Deeds. No matter one colleague of the frightened witness has already likely been bumped off by the ungodly. In the end she turned out to be another decoy but though not bedded (yet) came clean about the drug company in the end.

Jenny Seagrove must LOVE her character - whenever Deeds is not bedding other women - Jo is his standby. In an earlier series he even slept with the doctor counselling him about his sex addiction. How is THAT for irony? Physician - heal thyself!

Deeds sets a higher standard for everyone around him but is a slave to his own sexual appetite. But it is alright I am told. The Judge is played by Martin Shaw and he is buff. Physical attractiveness excuses everything I suppose.

Sir John Deeds "judge ye not, lest ye be judged". Or rather "Judge? You are not"

No it MUST be comedy

Hackett

I watched "JUDGE JOHN DEEDS" when it first started because I thought as G.F.Newmen was the writer it might be good. He wrote a great 4 part mini series in 1978 for the BBC called "LAW AND ORDER". Each of the 80min episodes centered on first the robber played by Peter Dean. Then the Cop played by Derek Martin. The Lawyer and prison official had the last two but I can't recall who played them. Everybody and I mean everybody was corrupt. The crook was guilty of being a villian but went to prison for a crime me did not commit. Sent there by a bent policeman. The whole thing kicked up a fuss at the time. Don't think it has been repeated maybe it will turn up on BBC3 or 4.

faceoff

Hackett,

Yes I remembered that Law and Order too. Newman specialised in uncovering the cozy image we got of TVs "PC Dixons"


"Law and Order" (1978) (mini)

Freddy

Nice read faceoff.
Like Hackett when I read it was by GF Newman I thought a good pedigree, going to be worthwhile watching, but what a letdown.
What I am beginning to notice now in a few serials is the script. It seemed to begin in some medical dramas, then it went on to Judge Deed but the best example is The Innocence Project. Very large parts of the writing is taken up simply by the exchange legal points and analysis. It's as if the writer has a legal casebook by his side and decides to throw it at the viewer. You're no longer viewing a drama but instead listening to a moot court.
I remember North Square, now that was good, but taken off far too soon.

Freddy

faceoff

Freddy,

Oh, good point - it hadn't occured to me that the writer was using the Innocence Project cast as his mouth pieces. I would say those young people seem to encompass the entire knowledge of the legal system. Find these razor minds all in one place in real life. We are late with this format though, Freddy.

Last week I saw a balding actor on one of those afternoon USA detective shows and realised it was James Stephens. Way back the TV series from the States called "The Paper Chase" followed a similar theme. Tuition of potential lawyers in college/law school. I never understood a word but it sounded intelligent and it had Orson Welles' pal, producer and sometime actor, John Houseman.

I am glad there are these programmes though - they test us and you have to engage the brain from the start. Now the West Wing is no more, as "House" is a one note wonder - addictive though - the current Daddy of mind candy is "Law and Order - Criminal Intent". I love it. I never know where it is going and only wished any country had detectives like that working for their public welfare.

Hackett

Just watch and remember "never trust a lawyer". Thanks to tony (or more to the point, tony's wife) they run this country.

youngian

The DVD has been released after not being seen for 30 years. The drama caused such a stink that a home office minister read the riot act to the BBC and warned not to ever show it again.