Pilot Advance Episode Review
FRANKLIN & BASH Series Premiere Wednesday June 1st at 9 PM EST on TNT
May 27, 2011
By Lena Lamoray
FRANKLIN & BASH Press Release: This summer, two nontraditional street lawyers promise to shake-up a buttoned-down law firm in TNT’s new offbeat drama series FRANKLIN & BASH. Mark-Paul Gosselaar (NYPD Blue) and Breckin Meyer (Road Trip) star in the title roles, along with Malcolm McDowell (Hereos, Entourage) as the eccentric head of the law firm. The outstanding cast also includes Garcelle Beauvais (NYPD Blue), Dana Davis (10 Things I Hate About You), Kumail Nanjiani (Michael & Michael Have Issues) and Reed Diamond (Homicide: Life on the Street, Journeyman). FRANKLIN & BASH premieres Wednesday, June 1, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT). When they’re not hanging out at their favorite hot dog stand pontificating on what they’d go through to enjoy a night with their favorite female celebrities, Jared Franklin (Meyer) and Peter Bash (Gosselaar) are chasing down their latest clients…sometimes literally. With business cards in hand, they’re ready to nab a client within seconds after a car accident, arrest for solicitation or any other incident where their legal services may be needed. Once in the courtroom, they show their flair for the dramatic and the shocking. Peter has a knack for connecting with jury and judge, while Jared loves sticking it to authority every chance he gets. Despite their bad-boy antics, brash presentation and devil-may-care attitudes, Jared and Peter are good lawyers who are willing to do anything for a client, no matter who the client might be. That quality catches the attention of Stanton Infeld (McDowell), a Renaissance man and the patriarch of Infeld Daniels, one of the top law firms in Los Angeles. He sees a lot of himself in the young men and decides to recruit the pair to bring a fresh energy to the firm. Jared and Peter are joined by their two legal aides, the brilliant, brassy Carmen (Davis) and the agoraphobic, verminophobic Pindar (Nanjiani). Infeld’s decision to take on fresh talent doesn’t sit well with his nephew, Damien Karp (Reed), a lawyer who has his own plans for the firm and a particularly shifty way of doing business. The arrival of Jared and Peter also threatens Karp’s romantic – albeit celibate – relationship with Hanna Linden (Beauvais), a lawyer who takes an immediate liking to Jared. In their new digs at Infeld Daniels, Jared and Peter handle a variety of clients, from a woman fired for being too beautiful to a family feud over a cherished baseball. But their story is really about the incredible friendship they’ve built and how their relationship is challenged now that they find themselves working in a more corporate atmosphere. Only time will tell if these devoted buddies can survive in this new environment. FRANKLIN & BASH is produced by Four Sycamore Productions, Left Coast Productions and FanFare Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television. Jamie Tarses (TNT’s HawthoRNe, Mr. Sunshine and Mad Love), Jason Ensler (The West Wing, Chuck), Kevin Falls (Journeyman, The West Wing) and Bill Chais (Shark, Dirty Sexy Money) serve as executive producers. Falls and Chais wrote the pilot.
FRANKLIN & BASH “Pilot” Series Premiere Advance Review, Airing 6/1/2011
FRANKLIN & BASH are two lawyers with one goal, to get you off. FRANKLIN & BASH features Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Peter Bash and Breckin Meyer as Jared Franklin. Mark-Paul and Breckin have amazing chemistry in this series and together they make the best looking lawyer duo in television history. Seriously, who would not want this powerhouse team to represent them? Their outlandish and hilarious defense techniques put the spark back into courtroom dramas and pave the way for a compelling summer of television. I wanted to check out the series after I saw the first lawyer commercial promoting it and I am so happy that the show is as brilliant and as fun as advertised. I have been a fan of Mark-Paul Gosselaar’s since “Saved by the Bell” and I always check out the latest series that he is starring in and this has to be my favorite. I adore Mark-Paul’s character, Peter Bash, who is just so endearing and in need of a hug. You can’t help but feel for him as he offers up his soul to the tune of “I’m Not in Love” by 10cc. It’s a beautiful and heartbreaking moment that we get to live through twice.
Jared Franklin is the spunky sidekick with the best lines in the show. A couple of my favorite lines are, “movement in the lumberyard” and “I love the law and as soon as the state recognizes it, I’m going to marry it”. Those clever lines are just a taste of what you have to look forward to all season, along with several other factors that will make this show a hit.
All of the characters are fantastic and I have a couple of words for you, Malcolm McDowell, yes THE Malcolm McDowell. He plays Stanton Infeld, senior partner at Infeld Daniels. Malcolm really adds charm and moxie to the show and he takes the comedy to the next level. His character is so entertaining and he even delves into the world of physical comedy. Reed Diamond plays Damien Karp, a snaky attorney and Stanton’s nephew. Damien reminds me of Bradley Whitford’s character in “Billy Madison”. You are really going to want to punch him in the face. Garcelle Beauvais plays Hanna Linden, a lawyer and “lumberyard” interest of Jared Franklin. Kumail Najiani plays Pindar Singh, a researcher and writer that is part of the Franklin and Bash team but is plagued by phobias and anxiety. Dana Davis plays Carmen Phillips, a paralegal and also on team Franklin and Bash. Carmen also has the task of keeping everyone in line which is not easy and you will see why when you meet Jared and Peter.
Jared and Peter enjoy spending time playing “what if” celebrity sex games. I wouldn’t call them ambulance chasers but they do know the benefits of a well placed billboard. Don’t worry, they never take it too far but just in case, Jared is always willing to go the extra mile and sell his ass on Sunset if that is what it takes to get things done.
Bash is known for his sincerity and his puppy dog eyes. His facial expressions in court are always amusing and sweet. The first case that you see them try features a distracting model complete with the explicit courtroom drawings to prove it. Franklin does not have a fun day and ends up hanging out with some interesting folks.
Franklin and Bash go to the offices of Infeld and Daniels and officially meet Stanton Infeld. Stanton wants to hire them “as attorneys” but they have some serious demands that must be met. Luckily, Stanton is ready to give them what they want and even join in on the carpool to Coachella.
Bash appears with his client, Annie Benton (Melissa Ponzio) in court and while looking at some photos that were just handed to him regarding his case, he exclaims “Backdoor Baby Jesus!”, so you know it can’t be good. You will have to tune in to find out what he is referencing.
Franklin and Bash step up and take several hits for the team and that just leads them into apologizing to Stanton for being several hundred thousand short. Stanton gives us a little hint into the pictures that could possibly be floating around of him and a special guest star.
Just when I thought I could not enjoy this show anymore, Bash busts out the guitar and bursts into song. I love the song, “I’m Not in Love” by 10cc and when Mark-Paul Gosselaar sings it, you will get goose bumps. I’m positive that every woman and man has dreamt about having Mark-Paul sing to them at some point and here is your opportunity to hear him sing a beautiful song. If you enjoyed the singing then get ready for the big reveal. Yes, you have seen it before on “Weeds” and a few other things but a repeat performance is always welcome. Do yourself a favor and do not miss the premiere episode of FRANKLIN & BASH or you will miss not only an incredible show but Mark-Paul walking out of a hot tub au naturel. Do not say I didn’t warn you because if you miss it I can’t be held responsible.
Bash gets his ducks in a row and heads back to court with Annie and he wows the jury with his knowledge of foot rubs and rock operas. If there is one thing that Bash excels at is winning over the jury. I know I would not think twice about allowing him to represent me.
Pindar uncovers a “Towering Inferno” and is faced with two options. What will Pindar do? Will he face his fears and come through for his team or will he just give up after decorating one mode of transportation?
The episode wraps up with an additional shot of 10cc and a sex chat about famous people, the perfect way to end an outstanding pilot that leads you straight into a superb series. I really love this show and after watching the first five episodes, I can tell you that it doesn’t lose its charm and it certainly isn’t a one hit wonder like 10cc. Watch the premiere of FRANKLIN & BASH on June 1st at 9 PM EST only on TNT.
