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Matlock
On NBC · ABC — From Viacom Productions · Dean Hargrove Productions
AMERICA'S GREATEST LAWYER. CASE CLOSED.
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Not available to stream in US
🔔 Notify me about new seasonsSynopsis
Thrifty, folksy and cantankerous, Matlock charges a premium for his services but is worth every penny: This renowned attorney, always clothed in his trademark light-gray suit and driving his signature Ford Crown Victoria, has an uncanny knack for finding overlooked clues and exposing murderers in dramatic courtroom scenes.
Themes
Episodes
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- E1 Diary of a Perfect MurderNext upMar 3, 1986 · 90 min
Synopsis
Atlanta lawyer Ben Matlock takes on the high profile case of a television reporter accused of murdering his former wife. The case is complicated when his daughter Charlene develops feelings for the accused killer.
Guest stars: Richard Lineback (Banning), Katherine Cannon (Linda Coolidge), Jack Bannon (Paul Lockwood), James McEachin (Frank Daniels), Dennis Lipscomb (Les McCall), Billy Green Bush (Billy Ray Webber), Peter White (Harvey Ravanelle), Erica Yohn (Mrs. Harris)
- E2 The JudgeSep 23, 1986 · 60 min
Synopsis
Ben Matlock accepts the pro bono case of Kevin Meredith, a young man accused of murdering his lover, whom Ben soon realises had a much more powerful lover.
Guest stars: Brian Lane Green (Kevin Meredith), Piper Laurie (Claire Leigh), Toni Sawyer (Mrs. Meredith), Kit McDonough (Assistant District Attorney), Bobbie Eakes (Joanne Leigh), Dick Van Dyke (Judge Carter Addison), Michael Durrell (Lloyd Burgess), Richard McKenzie (Rupert Davis)
- E3 The StripperSep 30, 1986 · 60 min
Synopsis
Years ago, Ben represented Jason Hardiman in his divorce proceedings, and upon his instructions, offered Carla a small fortune to relinquish custody of their son. She refused, and eventually won. Now Carla can only find work as a stripper. Jason goes to her work and again threatens to take their son Jimmy from her. When he is found at the edge of death, Carla is the immediate suspect. He is murdered while in the hospital, and Carla is the prime suspect. Ben's suspicions soon turn to a woman named Helen Shelly, but unfortunately, it's hard to find her. Doug Templitt seems to be the only one who knows where she is.
Guest stars: David Froman (Lt. Bob Brooks), Anne Haney (Nurse Jackson), Wayne Heffley (Wayne Cornell), Robin Thomas (Burton Hawkins), Judith Marie-Bergan (Allison Hardiman), Jennifer Rhodes (Gracie Fielder), Richard Newton (Judge), Michael Faustino (Jimmy Hardiman)
- E4 The AffairOct 7, 1986 · 60 min
Synopsis
Matlock represents the a maid accused of killing her employer, at the request of the man's widow. The request is a little odd, but it seems Christina Ward wants people to know exactly what kind of man her husband was. Matlock is more than a little uncomfortable when it seems Charlene is developing a tendre for the woman's son Clark, an old college chum of Charlene's.
Guest stars: Jenny Beck (Lila Harrison), Theresa Saldana (Sonia Cardenas), Carolyn Seymour (Christina Harrison Ward), Jeff Conaway (Daniel Ward), Marsha Hunt (Harriet), Philip Sterling (Prosecutor), Kevin Conroy (Clark Harrison), Theodore Lehmann (Jury Foreman)
- E5 The SeductionOct 14, 1986 · 60 min
Synopsis
Matlock is hired to defend Brad Bingham, an aging football star with a reputation as a womanizer who was about to be cut from the team. Charlene is resistant to Ben's choice, as she believes everything the tabloids have to say about Brad...not only that, but years earlier, he'd had a brief relationship with her friend Ellen Hawley, who had tried to kill herself after they broke up. As the case continues, Charlene realises that not everything that's printed in the papers is true and that maybe Ellen wasn't quite honest with her, even though a call girl (Caryn Nelson) hired to make Brad look guilty almost convinces her that he is.
Guest stars: Lenore Kasdorf (Cynthia Hyland), David Froman (Lt. Bob Brooks), Alex Hyde-White (Vincent Hyland), Betty Lynn (Sarah), Michael Milhoan (Bartender), Jimmy Keegan (Gerald), Nancy Stafford (Caryn Nelson / Caroline Nathan), John Beck (Brad Bingham)
- E6 The Don (1)Oct 28, 1986
Synopsis
When Nicholas Baron, a well known mobster, is accused of murdering one of his rivals, he asks Ben Matlock to represent him. Ben initially refuses, but agrees to represent Baron despite threats on his own life. He soon meets the entire family, and realises that despite what Baron has always done for a living, at heart he's a worried father who wants to clear his name.
Guest stars: Joe Penny (Paul Baron), William Conrad (James McShane), Sheree North (Alice Jenkins), Joseph Hacker (Phillip Kovack), Betty Lynn (Sarah), James McEachin (Frank Daniels), Lucille Meredith (Irene Sawyer), Doran Clark (Cathy Baron)
- E7 The Don (2)Nov 4, 1986
Synopsis
Even though they've lost a key witness, Matlock keeps defending Nicholas Baron. Daniel tries to convince Matlock that his father just can't handle any stress due to his heart condition, but Nicholas continues to beg Matlock to clear his name. While Matlock investigates a suspect closer to home than Baron would want, Charlene blows her chance at a relationship with Paul when she can't separate the man from the legend.
Guest stars: Joe Penny (Paul Baron), William Conrad (James McShane), Sheree North (Alice Jenkins), Joseph Hacker (Phillip Kovack), James McEachin (Frank Daniels), Lucille Meredith (Irene Sawyer), Doran Clark (Cathy Baron), Mark LaMura (Daniel Baron)
- E8 The SistersNov 11, 1986 · 60 min
Synopsis
Harold Scully is a boring man. But at least he knows that. When he begs old acquaintance Ben Matlock to defend him on charges of murdering his wealthy wife Esther, Matlock reluctantly agrees. The more investigating he does, the more he realises that there is something seriously wrong with Harold's two nieces, sisters Julia and Emily.
Guest stars: Conchata Ferrell (Mrs. Reese), Gail O'Grady (Julia McCullough), Michael Durrell (Lloyd Burgess), James McEachin (Frank Daniels), Diane Behrens (Emily McCullough), Gene Ross (Harold Scully), Lee Paul (James Henderson), Oceana Marr (Esther Scully)
- E9 The CopNov 18, 1986
Synopsis
Detective Joe Peters has been accused of taking bribes and murdering a fence, and also suspected in the death of a fellow cop. When it comes right down to it, one of the other cops on the force was more involved than they should have been.
Guest stars: Charles Cyphers (Tom Coyle), Héctor Elizondo (Joe Peters), John Lehne (Captain Braddock), James McEachin (Frank Daniels), Robert Donner (Roy), Lucille Meredith (Irene Sawyer), Andrew Bloch (Michael Danello), James Handy (Prosecutor)
- E10 The AngelNov 25, 1986 · 60 min
Synopsis
Matlock reluctantly agrees to hire free-spirited rock star Angel after Charlene reveals she's already taken the job for them. Angel has been accused of killing her manager, and due to an alcohol induced black-out, can't even offer herself an alibi for the night. Matlock gets more and more angry when Angel continues to ignore his suggestions at toning down her life-style, but luckily he's able to get through to her before her attitude gets her convicted of murder.
Guest stars: Jonathan Frakes (Prosecutor Mr. Park), Kari Lizer (Angel / Margaret Danello), Julie Cobb (Janice Pearson), Scott Valentine (Danny Blaster), Stewart Moss (Lou Pearson), Betty Lynn (Sarah), Richard McKenzie (Rupert Davis), Richard Newton (Judge Richard Cooksey)
- E11 The ProfessorDec 2, 1986 · 60 min
Synopsis
Professor Erskine Tate wakes from a drunken stupor behind the wheel of his car. He doesn't know how he got there or what happened. When he's accused of having hit a mailman during his drunken joyride, he goes to a former student, Ben Matlock, for help, and Ben investigates two students and a teaching assistant.
Guest stars: Christopher McDonald (Eric Lane), Daniel Davis (James Billings), Don Porter (Erskine Tate), Nicholas Cascone (Wesley Wallace), Henry G. Sanders (Willie Gaines), Michael Durrell (Lloyd Burgess), James McEachin (Frank Daniels), Jesse Jacobs (Jury Foreperson)
- E12 Santa ClausDec 9, 1986
Synopsis
When a down-on-his luck Santa Claus (Tom McCabe) is accused of killing the landlord who was about to evict not only him but everyone else in the apartment complex, the people in his building take up a collection and come to Matlock to ask him to defend him. They may not like Tom, but none of them believe him guilty of murder. Matlock ignores his own misgivings about a man he can't help but dislike and agrees to defend Tom.
Guest stars: Terri Treas (Annie Harris), Charlotte Stewart (Mrs. Spellman), Pat Hingle (Tom McCabe), David Froman (Lt. Bob Brooks), Barry Jenner (Mark Harris), Tamara Taylor (Reporter), Betty Lynn (Sarah), Grainger Hines (Carl Lang)
- E13 The ChefJan 6, 1987 · 60 min
Synopsis
Michael and Victoria Edwards may be divorced, but unfortunately, she couldn't keep him from being a guest on her show. When Michael dies after testing out the dish they were cooking, Victoria is immediately charged with his murder. Matlock agrees to defend her, and gets some good home cooking in the bargain.
Guest stars: Cathryn Damon (Victoria Edwards), Allan Arbus (Peter Leonie), Lee Garlington (Paula), Ray Reinhardt (Stefan Lichtman), Roddy McDowall (Christopher Hoyt), Michael Durrell (Lloyd Burgess), James McEachin (Frank Daniels), Richard Newton (Judge Richard Cooksey)
- E14 The AuthorJan 13, 1987
Synopsis
Mary Ann Newton has written a book (Secret Confessions) that purports to be fiction, but upon a deeper look, it seems to be an expose on the citizens of a small town. When an attempt made on her life gets a local reverend instead, Matlock is called in to defend the suspected killer. As the case goes on, Matlock realises that Ms. Newton may not be the right target for the would-be killer.
Guest stars: Guy Stockwell (Chief Johnson), Brion James (Mr. Grock), Eddie Quillan (David Sears), Parker Stevenson (Philip Eagen), Audra Lindley (Mary Ann Newton), Michael Durrell (Lloyd Burgess), Stanley Kamel (Mark Douglas), John Schuck (Reporter Carl Burke)
- E15 The Rat PackJan 20, 1987 · 60 min
Synopsis
When Beverly Hills cookie entrepreneur Adam Gardner's girlfriend is found dead in his hot tub, the case against him looks bleak, especially when an eye witness points the finger at him. After his corporate lawyers advise him to plead guilty, Gardner hires Ben Matlock to defend him. While Matlock believes in his client's innocence, the more he learns about the victim, the greater the motive his client has, especially once love letters turn up that were exchanged between the victim and Josh Sinclair, Adam's supposed best friend.
Guest stars: Shawn Weatherly (Debra O'Keefe), Jimmy Baio (Mark Williams), James A. Watson, Jr (Prosecutor), William Bogert (Mr. Wallingford), Gary Grubbs (SJ Sweet), Timothy Busfield (Adam Gardner), Herb Edelman (Arthur Rydell), Louise Shaffer (Eleanor)
- E16 The NurseFeb 3, 1987 · 60 min
Synopsis
Kathy Warren was a private nurse working for the St. Johns. One night while she was out, Peter St. John died, and when it was determined to be murder, she was the prime suspect. She hired Matlock to defend her, offering her engagement ring as a fee. After Lacey St. John told A.D.A. Julie March that the ring had been stolen from their home, Matlock realised that something wasn't right in the St. John house, and that someone was lying to him.
Guest stars: Julie Sommars (Julie March), Jo De Winter (Ruth Delaney), Billy Zane (Eric Dawson), Cristine Rose (Lacey St. John), Lise Cutter (Kathy Dawson), Jason Wingreen (Arthur Beaumont), Sean McGuirk (Detective), Laurie O'Brien (Barbara Warren)
- E17 The ConvictFeb 10, 1987 · 60 min
Synopsis
Seven years ago Ben defended Les Matthews, who was accused of killing his friend and business partner and Ben lost. Today Matthews has been granted parole. While working in the library, Wayne Lashley enters with his two goons, Lipton and Foley. While Lipton and Foley keep watch, Lashley tries to kill Les, but in the struggle, it's Lashley who ends up dead, and Les who ends up looking guilty. Matthews is charged with Lashley's murder and Ben wants to defend him. He sends Tyler undercover in the prison and places him with the cellmate of the man who was killed. He gives Ben evidence that not only proves Matthews is telling the truth but also who was responsible for the murder that Matthews was convicted of seven years ago.
Guest stars: Nick Cassavetes (Foley), Robert Walden (Roger Bundy), Lee Purcell (Andrea Colter), David Froman (Lt. Bob Brooks), Robert Pine (Jeffrey Paul / Sam Dolan), Larry Wilcox (Lester Matthews), Arnold F. Turner (Officer Green), Tom Tyler (Convict)
- E18 The Court Martial (1)Feb 17, 1987
Synopsis
Ben is hired by a friend to defend his son, who is in the army, who's been charged with killing the sadistic lieutenant, whose mistreatment of his men led to the death of his friend.
Guest stars: Michael Gregory (Bar Fighter), Robert Mandan (General Connors), Diane Franklin (Nancy Lamont), Cliff DeYoung (Jim Lynch), Georg Stanford Brown (Jeffrey Hamilton), Tim Reid (Danny Miller), Gregg Henry (Bill Campbell), Gary Crosby (Mess Hall Supervisor)
- E19 The Court Martial (2)Feb 24, 1987 · 60 min
Synopsis
As the case progresses, Ben discovers that the lieutenant and four other officers may have been involved in some kind of illegal activities. Charlene who has been working undercover and gets close to one of those officers, examines him on the stand and he reveals that they have been smuggling drugs. Ben then examines one of the officers and has him reveal to the court the scar that the lieutenant left on him after he killed him. He then reveals that he and the other two officers drew straws on who would kill him cause, an investigation might reveal their activities.
Guest stars: Michael Gregory (Bar Fighter), Robert Mandan (General Connors), Diane Franklin (Nancy Lamont), Cliff DeYoung (Jim Lynch), Georg Stanford Brown (Jeffrey Hamilton), Tim Reid (Danny Miller), Gregg Henry (Bill Campbell), Gary Crosby (Mess Hall Supervisor)
- E20 The TherapistMar 3, 1987
Synopsis
Matlock is hired to defend a popular actor when he's accused of killing the man who ran the sex-therapy clinic where he was staying, ostensibly for releasing his name to the press. He's got a temporary thorn in his side, though, in the form of Cassie Phillips, a law student he once made an off-hand comment to about looking him up for a job...she took him a lot more seriously than he had intended.
Guest stars: Kari Lizer (Cassie Phillips), Steve Bond (Brett Cassidy), Sarah Douglas (Barbara Sutcliffe), Kevin Hagen (Dr. Halvern), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Bonnie McGrath), Michael Durrell (Lloyd Burgess), Richard Newton (Judge Richard Cooksey), Donna Mitchell (Felicia Lindstrom)
- E21 The People vs. MatlockMar 24, 1987 · 60 min
Synopsis
While defending union boss Gerald O'Hara, who has been accused of murdering his chief rival for his seat (Dan Keaton), Matlock is furious when juror number seven (Harry Craven) comes forward to announce that he was paid off by Matlock to vote a certain way. Luckily for Matlock, Julie knows him well enough to know he would never take a bribe, and she helps him prove that he's innocent, and that his client was railroaded by the same man who tried to bring down Ben.
Guest stars: Julie Sommars (Julie March), Arthur Rosenberg (John Lindford), Frank Kahlil Wheaton (Bailiff), Jason Wingreen (Arthur Beaumont), Ruth Peebles (Reporter #2), Alan Blumenfeld (Harry Craven), Richard Kuss (Gerald O'Hara), Dakin Matthews (Prosecutor)
- E22 The PhotographerMar 31, 1987 · 60 min
Synopsis
Amy Adler had a juvenile record before becoming a photographer's assistant. When the photographer she works for is murdered, she begs Matlock to help her out. While pro bono cases aren't usually his style, something about the feisty young woman catches his interest, and he agrees to help her out.
Guest stars: Sherilyn Wolter (Whitney Seaver), Julie Ronnie (Amy Adler), Billy Bob Thornton (Pawnshop Clerk), Scott Burkholder (Mark Jacobs), Loyita Chapel (Eileen Middleton), Robin Thomas (Burton Hawkins), Richard McKenzie (Rupert Davis), Richard Newton (Judge Richard Cooksey)
- E23 The ReporterMay 5, 1987 · 60 min
Synopsis
When Laurie Palmer is arrested for killing her husband, the reporter covering the case is convinced of her innocence, and goes to Ben Matlock looking for help.
Guest stars: Robert Harper (Michael Palmer), Caryn Richman (Laurie Palmer), David Froman (Lt. Bob Brooks), Andrew Divoff (Federal Agent), Lee Wilkof (Dr. Randolph), Robin Thomas (Burton Hawkins), Lucille Meredith (Irene Sawyer), Sarah Abrell (Sally Duncan)
- E24 The DoctorsMay 12, 1987
Synopsis
Dr. David Westlake was a nasty piece of work who had a reputation for making trouble for his medical students. Any one of four men had a motive to kill Westlake, but suspicion lands on Dr. Jacobs, who was seen fleeing the scene of the crime.
Guest stars: Tony Goldwyn (Mark Campion), David Froman (Lt. Bob Brooks), Rosalyn Landor (Helena Richards), Jay Acovone (Bruce Jacobs), Michael Durrell (Lloyd Burgess), Norman Fell (Norman Radburn), Darrell Larson (Dr. Jackson), Ralph Manza (Mr. Lipman)
Cast & crew
Created by Dean Hargrove
Andy Griffith
Daniel Roebuck
Carol HustonImages · 14
