"Judging Amy" (1999) TV series 1999-2005

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Creators:

Amy Brenneman
Bill D'Elia
Connie Tavel

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

19 September 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A family drama focused on three generations of women living together in Hartford, Connecticut. Amy Brenneman plays Amy Gray...

Plot Keywords:

Judge | Female Lead | Court Of Law | Doctor | Law

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 13 wins & 37 nominations

Cast

Amy Brenneman	...	Amy Gray (138 episodes, 1999-2005)
Richard T. Jones	...	Bruce Van Exel (138 episodes, 1999-2005)
Jessica Tuck	...	Gillian Gray (138 episodes, 1999-2005)
Marcus Giamatti	...	Peter Gray (138 episodes, 1999-2005)
Karle Warren	...	Lauren Cassidy / ... (138 episodes, 1999-2005)
Tyne Daly	...	Maxine Gray (138 episodes, 1999-2005)
Jillian Armenante	...	Donna Kozlowski (130 episodes, 1999-2005)
Timothy Omundson	...	Sean Potter (89 episodes, 2000-2005)
Dan Futterman	...	Vincent Gray (76 episodes, 1999-2005)
Kevin Rahm	...	Kyle McCarty (66 episodes, 2001-2004)

Also Known As:

La juez Amy (Argentina) (Spain) [es]
Amy (France) [fr]
Amyn lailla (Finland) [fi]
Amys ret (Denmark) [da]
Für alle Fälle Amy (Germany) [de]
Giudice Amy (Italy) [it]
Vem dömer Amy? (Sweden) [sv]

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Netherlands:6 | Australia:PG | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Barbara Hall/Joseph Stern Productions

Trivia:

In one episode, Maxine gives Ignacio a book of art called "Chicano Visions". Cheech Marin, who plays Ignacio, is the real author.

Quotes:

Interior Decorator: Usually I'm so perceptive of people. Come on... what's changed?
Maxine: Two weeks ago my fiancée died of a heart attack 48 hours before we were to be wed. Also, I've cut my hair.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Joey: Joey and the Big Break: Part 2 (#2.2)" (2005)

Solid entertaining drama

I don't know what show some of the "critics" have been watching, because many of the complaints can't possibly apply to the "Judging Amy" I've been watching. For one thing, this show is about as nonpolitical as a show about a judge can be. Issues which come up during the cases heard by Amy or handled by Maxine are decided in the interest of the child--that's the whole point of the juvenile justice system. The only reason I can see for lodging the charge that "Judging Amy" is "left-leaning" is that characters who fall outside the "married-white-protestant-middleclass-traditional-family" group (in other words, most everyone) aren't stoned to death on the show. Other than that, there is no left to lean.

As to whether this is a "woman's show:" first of all, I'm a man, and have loved the show from Week One. The two most important characters are women, but "Amy" has never been one of those shows concerned primarily with emotions and issues unique to women (like "Sisters" or "One Day At A Time")--the third most important character has always been a man (first Vincent, then Kyle). And to say that male characters are treated unfairly is patently ridiculous.

I do think that over the years the show has suffered from too much turnover in Amy's love life--she never seems to date anyone for more than 3 or 4 consecutive shows. My favorite of all the "boyfriends" was Stu (Reed Diamond); I found his history with Amy and the way the relationship was developing well worth exploring. I wish they'd bring him back. Also missed is Dan Futterman. Kevin Rahm as Kyle is doing a fine job, and the character is growing on me, but I really liked the affectionate/prickly/challenging relationships between the main triangle of Amy, Maxine, and Vincent. The other characters are often used in lighter subplots, but are compelling and well-rounded people in their own right. I guess it's possible that "Amy" detractors are NYPD Blue fans upset that "Amy" always beats it in the ratings, but that's hardly an excuse for trashing a good show.