Common Law (1996 TV series)

This article is about the 1996 ABC comedy series. For the 2012 USA Network comedy-drama series, see Common Law (2012 TV series).

1996 American TV series or program

Common Law

Genre| Sitcom
Created by| Rob LaZebnik
Written by| Rob LaZebnik
Starring| Greg Giraldo
Megyn Price
David Pasquesi
Carlos Jacott
Diana-Maria Riva
Gregory Sierra
John Di Maggio
Richard Fancy
Suzy Nakamura
Theme music composer| Los Lobos
Composers| Mark Mothersbaugh
Robert Mothersbaugh
Country of origin| United States
Original language| English
No. of seasons| 1
No. of episodes| 9 (5 unaired) [1]
Production
Executive producers| Rob LaZebnik
Paul Junger Witt
Tony Thomas
Gary S. Levine
Camera setup| Multi-camera
Running time| 30 minutes
Production companies| Boone County Productions
Witt/Thomas Productions
Warner Bros. Television
Original release
Network| ABC
Release| September 28 (1996-09-28) –
October 19, 1996 (1996-10-19)

Common Law is an American television sitcom that premiered on ABC on September 28, 1996.[2] The show stars Greg Giraldo as a Latino lawyer at a mostly white law firm. The series was created by Rob LaZebnik and produced by Witt/Thomas Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Due to low ratings, the series was pulled from ABC's schedule after four episodes had aired.[1]

## Synopsis

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Common Law focuses on John Alvarez (Greg Giraldo), the seemingly-token Latino at a large, WASPy law firm. John has a degree from Harvard Law School but never forgets his working-class Queens roots, nor the idea that law is about protecting the "little guy" from the major corporations that are his firm's key clients. He has started a clandestine affair with fellow attorney Nancy Slaton (Megyn Price), clandestine because the firm forbids lawyers from dating each other to minimize claims of sexual harassment. To the disgust of his barber father, Luis (Gregory Sierra), John wears his hair long and plays guitar; his father views him as a hippie.

Greg Giraldo was, in reality, a graduate of Harvard Law School, nearly top of his class, and became a lawyer for a while before becoming a comedian. After a year as an attorney, Giraldo fell out of love with the profession and launched his comedy career, only referring to his law background very occasionally on the stand-up circuit until he starred in this series.

Supporters of Common Law pointed to the Saturday 9:30/8:30 time slot as a factor in its poor ratings and subsequent cancellation despite having the long-running ABC sitcom Coach as its lead-in.[2] The series garnered much praise from the Latino community, who were happy to see a character and entertainer of Latino descent starring in such an upscale role. Subsequently, they gave ABC much backlash when the show was canceled.[2]

## Cast

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* Greg Giraldo as lawyer John Alvarez
* Megyn Price as lawyer Nancy Slaton
* David Pasquesi as Henry Beckett
* Carlos Jacott as Peter Gutenhimmel
* Diana-Maria Riva as receptionist Maria Marquez
* Gregory Sierra as John's father Luis Alvarez
* John Di Maggio as John's childhood friend Francis
* Roxane Wilson as Karen

## Episodes

[edit]

This section needs a plot summary. Please add one in your own words. (September 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

No.| Title| Directed by| Written by| Original release date| Prod.
code

|
|
|
|
|

1| "Pilot"| Robby Benson| Rob LaZebnik| September 28, 1996 (1996-09-28)| 001
2| "In the Matter of: John's 15 Minutes"| Will Mackenzie| Phil Baker & Drew Vaupen| October 5, 1996 (1996-10-05)| 004
3| "In the Matter of: Acceptance"| Will Mackenzie| Rob LaZebnik| October 12, 1996 (1996-10-12)| 003
4| "In the Matter of: Luis in Love"| Will Mackenzie| Roger Garrett| October 19, 1996 (1996-10-19)| 005
5| "In the Matter of: Need"| TBD| TBD| UNAIRED| TBA
6| "In the Matter of: Attention"| TBD| TBD| UNAIRED| TBA
7| "In the Matter of: John's Hero"| TBD| TBD| UNAIRED| TBA
8| "In the Matter of: Thanksgiving"| TBD| TBD| UNAIRED| TBA
9| "In the Matter of: John and Nancy's Secret"| TBD| TBD| UNAIRED| TBA

## References

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1. ^ a b Braxton, Greg (October 18, 1996). "Latino Groups Decry ABC's Pulling of 'Common Law'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
2. ^ a b c O'Connor, John J. (September 28, 1996). "A Sitcom, Upscale And Latin". The New York Times. Retrieved December 9, 2009.

* Brooks, Tim and Marsh, Earle, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows

## External links

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* Common Law at IMDb

*[No.]: Number
*[Prod.]: Production