David E. Kelley
262332
224082683
2008-07-07T06:09:19Z
Work permit
4066914
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/67.174.193.102|67.174.193.102]] to last version by Rjwilmsi (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
{{two other uses|the American television and film producer|the American philosopher and writer|David Kelley|the Canadian archaeologist and epigrapher|David H. Kelley}}
{{Infobox Actor
| name = David E. Kelley
| image = Michelle Pfeiffer and David E. Kelley.jpg
| caption = Kelley and Michelle Pfeiffer at the 47th [[Emmy Awards]] in 1994
| birthdate = {{birth date and age|1956|4|4}}
| location = [[Waterville, Maine]]
| occupation = [[Writer]], [[Television producer|producer]], [[lawyer]]
| spouse = [[Michelle Pfeiffer]] (1993-present)
| children = two
| emmyawards = '''[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]]'''<br>1989 ''[[L.A. Law]]''<br>1990 ''L.A. Law''<br>1991 ''L.A. Law''<br>1993 ''[[Picket Fences]]''<br>1994 ''Picket Fences''<br>1998 ''[[The Practice]]''<br>1999 ''The Practice'' <br> '''[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series|Outstanding Comedy Series]]'''<br>1999 ''[[Ally McBeal]]'' <br> '''[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Writing - Drama]]'''<br>1990 ''L.A. Law''<br>1991 ''L.A. Law''
}}
'''David Edward Kelley''' (born [[April 4]], [[1956]]) is a multi-Emmy award winning American [[writer]], [[executive producer]], and creator of the well-known [[television program|television series]] ''[[Picket Fences]]'', ''[[Chicago Hope]]'', ''[[The Practice]]'', ''[[Ally McBeal]]'', ''[[Boston Public]]'', and ''[[Boston Legal]]''. He has also written several film scripts. Kelley's shows are renowned for their whimsical, occasionally surreal comedic touches, as well as moments of seriousness.
==Early life==
Born in [[Waterville, Maine]], raised in [[Belmont, Massachusetts]] and attended the [[Belmont Hill School]]. Kelley was the son of a [[ice hockey|hockey]] coach<ref name=FATHER>Kelley's father, Jack Kelley, was the coach of the [[Boston University]] [[Boston University Terriers#Terrier Hockey|hockey team]] from 1962 to 1972 and of the [[World Hockey Association]]'s [[New England Whalers]] in their inaugural season of 1972-1973.[http://goterriers.cstv.com/hallfame/kelley-john-h.html]</ref> and played the game himself. He was captain of the team at [[Princeton University]], from which he graduated in 1979 with a degree in politics.<ref name=NYT110298>{{cite web
|date=[[March 2]], [[1998]]
|author= Carter, Bill
|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE2DD1731F931A35750C0A96E958260
|title= The Unintended Career Of TV's Prolific Writer; From Real Law Office to Two Fictional Ones
|publisher= [[New York Times]]
|accessdate=2008-03-26}}</ref>
Demonstrating early on a creative and quirky bent, in his junior year at Princeton, Kelley submitted a paper for a political science class about [[John F. Kennedy|John F. Kennedy's]] plot to kill [[Fidel Castro]] as a poem.<ref name="WP022298" /> For his [[senior thesis]], he turned the [[United States Bill of Rights|Bill of Rights]] into a play. "I made each [[Constitutional amendment|amendment]] into a character," he said. "The [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]] is a loudmouth guy who won't shut up. The [[Second Amendment to the United States Constitution|Second Amendment guy]], all he wanted to talk about was his gun collection. Then the [[Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|10th Amendment]], the one where they say leave the rest for the states to decide, he was a guy with no self-esteem."<ref name="NYT110298" /> Also while at Princeton, he was a member of the [[Princeton Triangle Club]].<ref>{{cite web
|date=[[November 18]] [[2007]]
|author= La Gorce, Tammy
|url= http://select.nytimes.com/mem/tnt.html?emc=tnt&tntget=2007/11/18/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/18trianglenj.html&tntemail0=y
|title= From Trenton to Piscataway, a Virtual Tour of the State for Laughs
|accessdate=2007-11-18}}</ref>
He graduated with a law degree from [[Boston University]] where he wrote comedy sketches for the annual follies. He began working for a Boston law firm, mostly dealing with real estate and minor criminal cases. In 1983, while considering it only a hobby, Kelley began writing a screenplay, a legal [[Thriller (genre)|thriller]], which was [[optioned]] in 1986 and later became the [[Judd Nelson]] feature film ''[[From the Hip (film)|From the Hip]]'' in 1987.<ref name="NYT110298" /><ref name=NYT020790>{{cite web
|date=[[February 7]], [[1990]]
|author= Carter, Bill
|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE7D81F30F934A35751C0A966958260
|title= He's a Lawyer. He's a Writer. But Can He Type?
|publisher= [[New York Times]]
|accessdate=2008-03-26}}</ref>
==Television work==
===''L.A. Law'' (1986–1994)===
In 1986, [[Steven Bochco]] was searching for writers with a law background for his new [[National Broadcasting Company|NBC]] legal series, ''[[L.A. Law]]''. His agent sent him Kelley's movie script for ''From the Hip''. Enthusiastic, Bochco made him a writer and [[story editor]] for the show. During this first year, Kelley kept his law office in Boston as a hedge. However, his involvement in the show only expanded. In the second year, he became executive story editor and co-producer. Finally, in 1989, Bochco stepped away from the series making Kelley the [[executive producer]].<ref name="NYT020790" /> While executive producer, Kelley received two [[Primetime Emmy Award|Emmys]] for Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series and the show received the award for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]] for both years.<ref name=EMMYS /> For the first five seasons he was involved with the show, he wrote or co-wrote two out of three episodes. Kelley left after the fifth season in 1991 and ratings began to fall. As ''[[Newsday]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s TV critic wrote, "The difference between good and bad ''L.A. Law'' ... was David Kelley."<ref>Levine, David E. Kelley: The Man Behind Ally McBeal. p. 24</ref> Midway through the sixth season, both Bochco and Kelley were brought in as [[creative consultant]]s after the show received bad press about its decline in quality.<ref name=NYT013092>{{cite web
|date=[[January 30]], [[1992]]
|author= Carter, Bill
|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE0DD143FF933A05752C0A964958260
|title= 'L.A. Law,' to Halt Slide, Reaches Back to Bochco
|publisher= [[The New York Times]]
|accessdate=2008-03-26}}</ref>
<br style="clear:both;"/>
===''Picket Fences'' (1992–1996)===
By 1992, after co-creating ''[[Doogie Howser, M.D.]]'' with his mentor Bochco, Kelley formed his own production company, David E Kelley Productions, making a three-series deal with [[Columbia Broadcast System|CBS]].<ref>Levine, David E. Kelley: The Man Behind Ally McBeal. p. 28</ref> Its first creation, ''[[Picket Fences]]'', airing in 1992 and influenced by ''[[Twin Peaks]]'' and ''[[Northern Exposure]]'',<ref>Levine, David E. Kelley: The Man Behind Ally McBeal. p. 27</ref> focused on the police department in the quirky town of [[Rome, Wisconsin]]. Kelley took on the role of writing most of the episodes for the first three years.<ref>Levine, David E. Kelley: The Man Behind Ally McBeal. p. 31</ref> The show was critically acclaimed but never found a sizable audience.<ref name="Variety050301-4">{{cite web
|date=[[May 3]], [[2001]]
|author= Levine, Stuart
|url= http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117798567.html?categoryid=1048&cs=1&query=David+E%2E+Kelley+
|title= Kelley acts as judge, jury for series quality
|publisher= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]
|accessdate=2007-04-02}}</ref> ''Picket Fences'' went on for four years, receiving a total of 14 [[Primetime Emmy Award|Emmy]] awards including back-to-back Emmys for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]] for its first and second seasons.<ref name="EMMYS">{{cite web
|url= http://www.emmys.org/awards/awardsearch.php
|title= Advanced Primetime Awards Search
|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref>
In 1995, the fourth and final season, Kelley stopped writing episodes. "We had almost 10 writers try to come in and take over for this one man," said [[Holly Marie Combs]] who played a character on the show. "The quality was not nearly what it was."<ref>{{cite web
|date=[[July 10]], [[1997]]
|author= Urankar, Stan
|url= http://www.sunnews.com/entertain/features/hollycombs.htm
|title= Outside those "Picket Fences"
|publisher= Sun News Ohio
|accessdate=2007-04-01}}</ref>
<br style="clear:both;"/>
===''Chicago Hope'' (1994–2000)===
Under pressure from [[Columbia Broadcasting System|CBS]] to develop a second series even though Kelley didn't feel ready to produce the two shows simultaneously,<ref>Levine, David E. Kelley: The Man Behind Ally McBeal. p. 35</ref> Kelley's medical drama, ''[[Chicago Hope]]'', starring [[Mandy Patinkin]] and [[Adam Arkin]], premiered in 1994.<ref name="NYT091994">{{cite web
|date=[[September 19]], [[1994]]
|author= O'Connor, John J.
|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A03E0DD1E3BF93AA2575AC0A962958260
|title= Doctor Shows for the High-Tech 90's
|publisher= [[The New York Times]]
|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> Airing at the same time as the season's other new medical drama, [[National Broadcasting Company|NBC]]'s ''[[ER (TV series)|ER]]'', the ultimate ratings leader,<ref>For the six seasons, ''[[ER (TV series)|ER]]'' ranked in the top four, Chicago Hope's highest ranking was 23rd.[http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/ratings/ratings.htm]</ref> ''Chicago Hope'' plotted "upscale medicine in a high-tech world run by high-priced doctors."<ref name="NYT102399">{{cite web
|date=[[October 23]], [[1999]]
|author= O'Connor, John J.
|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE0DC103CF930A15753C1A962958260
|title= The Operation Was a Success: 'E.R.' Lives
|publisher= [[The New York Times]]
|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> During its six-year run, it won seven [[Primetime Emmy Award|Emmys]],<ref name=EMMYS /> generally high critical praise but only middling ratings.<ref>Levine, David E. Kelley: The Man Behind Ally McBeal. p. 37</ref>
Originally intending to write only the first several episodes in order to return full time to ''Picket Fences'', Kelley eventually wrote most of the material for both shows -- a total of roughly 40 scripts. Expressing a desire to focus more on his production company and upcoming projects, Kelley ceased day-to-day involvement with both series in 1995, allowing others to write and produce.<ref name="BANDC061295" /> Towards the end of the fifth season in 1999, facing cancellation, Kelley fired all cast members added since he had left the show, brought back [[Mandy Patinkin]] and began writing episodes again.<ref name="NYT051299">{{cite web
|date=[[May 23]], [[1999]]
|author= Carter, Bill
|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9507E4DB133FF931A25756C0A96F958260
|title= Calling Dr. Geiger
|publisher= [[The New York Times]]
|accessdate=2008-03-26}}</ref>
<br style="clear:both;"/>
===''The Practice'' (1997–2004)===
In 1995, Kelley entered into a five year deal with [[20th Century Fox Television]] to produce shows for both the [[American Broadcast Company|ABC]] and [[Fox Broadcasting Network|FOX]] television networks, each agreeing to take two series. If one network passed on a project, the other got [[Right of first refusal|first refusal]]. Kelley retained full [[Artistic control|creative control]].<ref>Caves, ''Switching Channels: Organization and Change in TV Broadcasting''. p. 26</ref> ''[[Ally McBeal]]'' on FOX and ''[[The Practice]]'' on ABC were the first two projects to come from this deal.<ref>The other two projects were ''[[Ally McBeal#Ally the sitcom|Ally]]'', a short-lived 30 minute edit of [[Ally McBeal]] on [[Fox Broadcasting Network|FOX]] and the quickly cancelled ''[[Snoops]]'' on [[American Broadcast Company|ABC]].</ref>
Premiering as a [[midseason replacement]] for the 1996-1997 season, ''The Practice'' was Kelley's chance to write another courtroom drama but one focusing on the less glamorous realities of a small law firm.<ref name="Variety050301-4" /> Receiving critical applause (along with two [[Primetime Emmy Award|Emmys]] for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]]) but low ratings in its starting seasons, it eventually became a popular top 10 program.<ref name="Variety0503015">{{cite web
|date=[[May 3]], [[2001]]
|author= Kissel, Rick
|url= http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117798566.html?categoryid=1048&cs=1&query=David+E%2E+Kelley+
|title= 'Practice's' good legal standing
|publisher= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]
|accessdate=2007-04-02}}</ref> The [[New York Times]] described the show as "the profoundly realistic, unending battle between soul-searching and ambition".<ref name="NYT042798" />
During the first two years of the series, Kelley was the sole full-time writer. He felt that, at first, the show creator can best flesh out the characters in a "[[Writer's voice|voice]]-specific show." Later, the writing staff would grow to 10, most with law degrees.<ref name="Variety050301">{{cite web
|date=[[May 3]], [[2001]]
|author= Levine, Stuart
|url= http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117798580.html?categoryid=1048&cs=1&query=David+E%2E+Kelley+
|title= As former lawyers, writers on same page
|publisher= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]
|accessdate=2007-04-02}}</ref> By the fifth season, he worked on the final script and was generally not on the set during filming.<ref name="Variety050301-03>{{cite web
|date=[[May 3]], [[2001]]
|author= Wethington, Jessica
|url= http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117798570.html?categoryid=1048&cs=1&query=David+E%2E+Kelley+
|title= Script-to-b'cast a race vs. deadline
|publisher= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]
|accessdate=2007-04-02}}</ref>
In 2003, due to sagging ratings, ABC cut Kelley's budget in half for the eighth and final season. He responded by firing most of the cast and hiring [[James Spader]] for the role of [[Alan Shore]],<ref name="TVGUIDE091703">{{cite web
|date=[[September 17]], [[2003]]
|author=
|url= http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Interviews-Features/Article/default.aspx?posting=%7BF18D410B-1143-401A-B10C-F1F9B25B627A%7D
|title= Kelley Defends The Practice
|publisher= [[TV Guide]]
|accessdate=2007-04-06}}</ref> who the [[New York Times]] described as "a lecherous, twisted antitrust lawyer with a breezy disregard for ethics."<ref name="NYT092703">{{cite web
|date=[[September 27]], [[2003]]
|author= Stanley, Allesendra
|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01EEDA123DF934A1575AC0A9659C8B63&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fK%2fKelley%2c%20David%20E%2e
|title= Same Old Law Firm, New Snake
|publisher= [[The New York Times]]
|accessdate=2007-04-02}}</ref> The final episodes of ''The Practice'' were focused on introducing the new characters from his next show, ''[[Boston Legal]]''.
<br style="clear:both;"/>
===''Ally McBeal'' (1997–2002)===
When ''[[Ally McBeal]]'', Kelley's first genuine and influential hit, premiered in 1997 on [[Fox Broadcasting Network|FOX]], Kelley was also shepherding his other two shows, ''[[Chicago Hope]]'' and ''[[The Practice]]'', although he was not actively participating in ''Chicago Hope'' at the time.<ref name="NYT051299" /> The title character, Ally, is a young, attractive, impulsive, Harvard-educated lawyer, described by a [[The New York Times|''New York Times'']] journalist as "stylish, sexy, smart, opinionated and an emotional wreck."<ref name=NYT112397>{{cite web
|date=[[November 23]], [[1997]]
|author= Kimberly, Stevens
|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9402E5D8123BF930A15752C1A961958260
|title= NOTICED; Ally, the Talk Around the Water Cooler
|publisher= [[The New York Times]]
|accessdate=2008-03-26}}</ref> In contrast to ''The Practice'' and its idealistic lawyers, the law firm in ''Ally McBeal'' was founded to make money.<ref>Levine, David E. Kelley: The Man Behind Ally McBeal. p. 8</ref>
''The New York Times'' felt that the show uniquely emphasized "character and caricature."<ref name="NYT042798">{{cite web
|date=[[April 27]], [[1998]]
|author= James, Caryn
|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C03E1DA113FF934A15757C0A96E958260&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fK%2fKelley%2c%20David%20E%2e
|title= Ally McBeal Teams Up With Less Flitty Lawyers
|publisher= [[The New York Times]]
|accessdate=2007-04-02}}</ref> The show lasted five seasons, seven [[Primetime Emmy Award|Emmys]] (one for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Comedy Series]] for its second season), mostly positive reviews and a barrage of criticism for its portrayal of women, with many journalists saying that the character Ally was a giant step backwards.<ref>Levine, David E. Kelley: The Man Behind Ally McBeal. pp. 62-63</ref>
Parallel to ''The Practice'', Kelley penned all the scripts for the first season, then brought in other writers in subsequent years.<ref name=Variety050301 />
<br style="clear:both;"/>
===''Boston Public'' (2000–2004)===
In 2000, [[20th Century Fox Television]] extended its arrangement with Kelley.<ref name="NYT011200>{{cite web
|date=[[January 12]], [[2000]]
|author= Carter, Bill
|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C05E6DC163AF931A25752C0A9669C8B63
|title= TV NOTES
|publisher= [[The New York Times]]
|accessdate=2008-03-26}}</ref> The deal, which ran for six years, reportedly made Kelley the highest paid producer in TV history -- up to $40 million a year -- in return for a [[First look deal|first-look]] at his projects.<ref name="WSJ011200>{{cite web
|date=[[January 12]], [[2000]]
|author= Flint, Joe
|url= http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/wsj/access/47822960.html?dids=47822960:47822960&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jan+12%2C+2000&author=By+Joe+Flint&pub=Wall+Street+Journal&edition=Eastern+edition&startpage=1&type=91_1996&desc=News+Corp.+May+Make+David+Kelley+Highest-Paid+Producer+in+TV+History
|title= News Corp. May Make David Kelley Highest-Paid Producer in TV History
|publisher= [[The Wall Street Journal]]
|accessdate=2007-04-06}}</ref>
Premiering on [[Fox Broadcasting Network|FOX]] in 2000, ''[[Boston Public]]'', which follows the lives of teachers and administrators at a Boston high school, joined ''[[The Practice]]'' and ''[[Ally McBeal]]'' for the season meaning Kelley was responsible for writing or overseeing 67 episodes.<ref name="Variety0503015" />
The program initially considered a modest hit but received less than glowing reviews. The previous season, Kelley stumbled with both the short lived ''[[Snoops]]'', his first attempt at delegating most of the responsibilities to others and with ''[[Ally McBeal#Ally the sitcom|Ally]]'', the experiment with 30 minute shortened episodes of ''Ally McBeal''. The TV critic from the [[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]] opined that these failures and the weaknesses he saw in ''Boston Public'' were a sign that Kelley had lost the [[Midas touch]].<ref name="KRNS121300">{{cite web
|date=[[December 13]], [[2000]]
|author= Perkins, Ken Parish
|url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-68020775.html
|title= Prolific writer/producer David E. Kelley can't seem to sustain hits
|publisher= [[Knight Ridder|Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service]]
|accessdate=2007-04-09}}</ref> The show lasted four seasons, garnering one minor Emmy.
<br style="clear:both;"/>
===''Boston Legal'' (2004–present)===
In addition to ''[[Snoops]]'', Kelley continued to have a string of unsuccessful series: ''[[Girls Club|girls club]]''<!--note: lower case "girls club" is correct--> in 2002, ''[[The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire]]'' in 2003, the [[reality show]] ''[[The Law Firm]]'' in 2005. All the while, he continued overseeing ''Boston Public'' and ''The Practice.''
''[[Boston Legal]]'' on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], premiering in 2004, gave continuity and success to the Kelley franchise. It is a spin-off of his long-running legal drama ''The Practice''. It follows attorney [[Alan Shore]] (a character introduced during the last season of ''The Practice'', played by [[James Spader]]) to his new law firm, [[Crane, Poole & Schmidt]]. It also stars veteran television actors [[Candice Bergen]] and [[William Shatner]]. Critically popular with less than spectacular ratings (ranked 27th for the first season,<ref name="HR0405">{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/television/feature_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000937471|publisher=[[Hollywood Reporter]]|date=2005-05-27|title=2004-05 Final audience and ratings figures}}</ref> 46th for the second<ref name="HR0506">{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/television/feature_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002576393|publisher=[[Hollywood Reporter]]|date=2006-05-26|title=2005-06 primetime wrap}}</ref>), the show has received four Emmys.
<br style="clear:both;"/>
In 2007, ''Boston Legal'' began to see a rise of viewership as a result of it following ABC's extremely popular ''[[Dancing with the Stars (US TV series)|Dancing with the Stars]]'' series, mostly ranking either first or second most watched program of the evening in its ten o'clock time period, beating out CBS and NBC's shows. The show's third season finale dominated other network's shows.<ref>{{cite web
|date=[[May 30]], [[2007]]
|author=
|url= http://www.zap2it.com/tv/ratings/zap-ratings052907,0,2974350.story?coll=zap-tv-ratings-headlines
|title= 'House' Finale Wins Tuesday for FOX
|publisher= zap2it.com
|accessdate=2007-05-30}}</ref>
===Recent projects===
His most recent new series, [[The Wedding Bells]], began airing at the beginning of 2007 and canceled after only seven episodes.<ref name="CNN040307" /> Kelley is working on an Americanized version of the BBC show ''[[Life on Mars (US TV series)|Life on Mars]]'' for the 2007-2008 season on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], an adaptation of [[Joseph Wambaugh|Joseph Wambaugh's]] ''Hollywood Station'', and a [[Single-camera setup|single-camera]] comedy about a jury for [[Fox Broadcasting Network|FOX]].<ref name=EW111706>{{cite web
|date=[[November 17]], [[2006]]
|author= Stack, Tim
|url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1557734,00.html
|title= David E. Kelley makes a big comeback
|publisher= [[Entertainment Weekly]]
|accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref>
<br style="clear:both;"/>
==Methods==
===Writing===
Kelley, using a heavy metal [[Société Bic|Bic]] [[ballpoint]] and yellow legal pad, writes his first drafts longhand. He easily churns out scripts in two to four days, initially working without collaboration, finding it faster and easier than trying to explain what he wants to others.<ref name="WP022298" />
Kelley was criticized for not delegating. A ''Picket Fences'' writer described his time on the show as "the most boring period of my life -- you'd write a scene ... [and Kelley would] rewrite it completely. Or he just cut you out completely -- you learned nothing. Having a writing staff was a needless expense for the network."<ref>Tucker, ''Kissing Bill O'Reilly, Roasting Miss Piggy: 100 Things to Love And Hate About TV''. p. 4</ref> Later, he became more comfortable bringing in writers for ideas and taking over the writing responsibilities.<ref name="Variety050301" /> Kelley described this as a natural evolution: {{cquote|There's a period at the beginning of a series (when) you're doing most of the writing and then you go through another period where you have the ideas and you're assigning those stories and ideas to other people and hopefully they execute them. Then, if you're lucky, you get a staff where they come into the room with their own ideas and specific takes on how to execute them and they do.<ref name="Variety050301" />}}
===Story elements===
Kelley structures his episodes with multiple [[Plot (narrative)|storylines]]. An episode may include a self-contained [[sub-plot]] plus other [[story arcs]] that either began in a previous episode or will continue subsequently -- some will continue the entire season. The viewer, thereby, is rarely sure whether what appears as a simple incident will blossom into a major [[plot point]].<ref>Ellis, ''Seeing Things: Television in an Age of Uncertainty'', p. 123</ref>
Kelley seeds his [[plot (narrative)|plots]] with political, social and religious "hot-button" issues. One method is by introducing provocative legal cases. Episodes have covered the gamut of contemporary issues from the culpability of tobacco companies and gun makers to assisted-suicide crusaders.<ref name=salon>{{cite web
|date=[[September 20]], [[1999]]
|author= Millman, Joyce
|url= http://www.salon.com/ent/col/mill/1999/09/20/kelley/index.html
|title= Kelleyvision
|publisher= [[Salon.com]]
|accessdate=2007-03-31}}</ref> Another way is by undergirding the character's social interrelationships with serious explorations of (say) feminism, homosexuality or divorce.<ref name=abc110306>{{cite web
|date=[[November 3]], [[2006]]
|author= McNiff, Eamon; Cuomo, Chris
|url= http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2625856&page=1
|title= David E. Kelley Likes Stirring the Pot
|publisher= [[ABC News]]
|accessdate=2007-04-01}}</ref> Instead of lessons, Kelley strives to "raise moral and ethical questions without easy answers."<ref>Levine, David E. Kelley: The Man Behind Ally McBeal. p. 31</ref> He avoids a [[Didacticism|didactic]] narrative by not losing sight of the audience's desire to be entertained.<ref name=ORLIK>Orlik, ''Electronic Media Criticism: : Applied Perspectives'', p. 125</ref> He states, {{cquote|You've got to honor your relationship with your audience -- that they sit down because they want to be entertained. And that doesn't mean you can't provoke them and antagonize them and challenge them in the course of the entertainment as long as you keep the entertainment part of the equation alive.<ref name=BANDC061295>{{citation
| date = [[June 12]] [[1995]]
| last = Coe
| first = Steve
| title = The dramatic license of David Kelley.
| newspaper = [[Broadcasting & Cable]]
}}</ref>}}Instead of taking clear stands on issues such as, say, [[sexual harassment]], Kelley creates scenarios meant to challenge audience preconceptions. For instance, an episode of ''Ally McBeal'' dealt with a female employee suing for sexual harassment because she noticed that other, "prettier" women were being promoted. There was no clearly explicit [[Perspective (cognitive)|point-of-view]].<ref name="WP022298" />
Using humor and the surreal, mixing tragedy and farce, Kelley described his strategy this way, {{cquote|Often we try to seduce the audience at the beginning that this is going to be fun, a romp or a ride, and then once the ride has begun, to reveal some serious subject matter for them to think about.<ref>Levine, David E. Kelley: The Man Behind Ally McBeal. p. 31</ref>}}
In ''Ally McBeal'', Kelley utilized two techniques: the [[voice-over]], providing an [[interior monologue]] for the titular character and [[Walter Mitty]]-like fantasy sequences (ala ''[[Dream On (TV series)|Dream On]]'', as critics have noted) that gave humorous, often ironic portrayal of these thoughts.<ref>Levine, David E. Kelley: The Man Behind Ally McBeal. pp. 60-61</ref><ref name=NYT091097>{{cite web
|date=[[September 10]], [[1997]]
|author= Carter, Bill
|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B02E6DB1539F933A2575AC0A961958260
|title= Looks Like a Hit
|publisher= [[New York Times]]
|accessdate=2007-04-09}}</ref><ref name=NYT031898>{{cite web
|date=[[March 18]], [[1998]]
|author= Jefferson, Margo
|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F06EEDF1039F93BA25750C0A96E958260
|title= You Want to Slap Ally McBeal, but Do You Like Her?
|publisher= [[New York Times]]
|accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref>
===Crossover episodes===
Kelley frequently crossed the cast of different shows. One crossover program event (which uniquely crossed networks also) involved characters from Kelley's ''Ally McBeal'' on the [[Fox Broadcasting Network|Fox]] network appearing on his [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] show, ''The Practice'', and, in turn, ''The Practice'' characters appeared on ''Ally McBeal''. This was done in spite of the two shows' different tones (one a comedy, the other a drama).<ref name="CALDWELL">Caldwell, ''Television After TV: Essays on a Medium in Transition'', p. 64</ref> This crossover was partially credited for raising the ratings for ''The Practice'' which it sustained.<ref name="Variety0503015" />
Subsequently, Kelley repeated this stunt with ''Boston Public'' and ''Ally McBeal''. Many other crossovers occurred including shows not created by Kelley.<ref name="CALDWELL" />
===Casting===
David E. Kelley's shows tend to be revolving door ensemble casts with no single principal character. Even on ''Ally McBeal'' there were episodes in which the title character had few lines or was even omitted. Kelley has a tendency to focus on newer characters he creates, sometimes at the expense of older characters. (New character [[Alan Shore]], for example, completely dominated the final season of ''[[The Practice]]''.) In the most extreme cases, older characters of Kelley's series sometimes disappear without explanation or further mention; this tendency has been cited as one potentially contributing cause to dips in the ratings for ''[[Ally McBeal]]'', ''[[Boston Public]]'', and ''[[The Practice]]''.
Kelley often uses regular actors from older shows in newer shows, and vice versa. For example, [[Anthony Heald]] and [[Rene Auberjonois]] both played judges on ''The Practice'', and both went on to be regular cast members in later shows (Heald on ''Boston Public'' as a vice-principal and Auberjonois on ''Boston Legal'' as a partner at a law firm).
==Critiques==
===Legal profession===
''The Practice'' was considered more accurate in its portrayal of the law than ''L.A. Law'' or ''Ally McBeal''. The importance of legal strategy sometimes at the expense of the truth rang true. One attorney said, "[I]t's really about the tactics and the mistakes that opposing counsel makes." Judges were represented as complex, less-than-perfect human beings, sometimes with emotional problems. Plots demonstrated how a defendant's personality would impact the adjudication of a case.<ref name="Variety050301-2">{{cite web
|date=[[May 3]], [[2001]]
|author= Speier, Michael
|url= http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117798572.html?categoryid=1048&cs=1&query=David+E%2E+Kelley+
|title= Attorneys quick to offer reality check
|publisher= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]
|accessdate=2007-04-02}}</ref> Stuart Levine of [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] said, "[The Practice] isn't afraid to paint the firm's clients as the dregs of society."<ref name="Variety050301-4" /> Kelley said, {{cquote|One of the most fundamental questions people have about defense attorneys is, 'How can you do that? How can you go to bat everyday for a person that you may not know is guilty but you have a pretty good idea that he's not so innocent.<ref name="Variety050301-4" />}}
Other aspects of the legal profession in Kelley's shows have been criticized as unrealistic. Attorneys complained that:
*[[Ex parte]] meetings (where lawyers meet in a judge's [[Chambers (law)|chambers]] without opposing counsel present) do not happen,
*Judges would not allow attorneys to badger or attack witnesses,
*His shows overplayed prosecutorial and law enforcement misconduct, and
*Many of the cases would never have made it to trial.<ref name="Variety050301-2" />
===Women===
When the program ''Ally McBeal'' first ran, many women lauded its portrayal of the lead character. [[Sharon Waxman]], writing for the Washington Post, commented that Kelley had a keen insight into the human nature of both men and women. Quoting [[Dyan Cannon]] in the article, "This man understands the way a woman thinks, ... the complex ways we've found to hide our fears."<ref name=WP022298>{{Citation
| last = Waxman
| first = Sharon
| author-link = Sharon Waxman
| last2 =
| first2 =
| author2-link =
| title = America Follows His Script
| newspaper = [[Washington Post]]
| pages = G.01
| year = 1998
| date = [[February 22]], [[1998]]
| url = http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/26542008.html?dids=26542008:26542008&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Feb+22%2C+1998&author=Sharon+Waxman&pub=The+Washington+Post&edition=&startpage=G.01&desc=America+Follows+His+Script}}
</ref> A New York Times writer used the character as an example of a strong television woman's role,<ref name=NYT128197>{{cite web
|date=[[December 18]], [[1997]]
|author= Sterngold, James
|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E06EFD8133FF93BA25751C1A961958260
|title= Strong Women in TV? They'd Sure Better Be; Progress, but Slowly, on Camera and Off
|publisher= [[New York Times]]
|accessdate=2008-03-26}}</ref> another saw herself, at times, in the character's portrayal of self-absorption and reflection, her crafted neuroses, her vulnerabilities.<ref name="NYT031898" />
Later, however, much press coverage was spent on the controversial nature of women in ''Ally McBeal.'' [[Time (magazine)|Time]] featured a cover story about the decline of feminism with a picture of Ally (among a pantheon of feminist heroes) on the cover.<ref>{{cite web
|date=[[June 29]], [[1998]]
|author= Time Magazine cover
|url= http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19980629,00.html
|title= Time cover of June 29, 1998
|publisher= [[Time (magazine)|Time]]
|accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref> In the article, [[Ginia Bellafante]] used the McBeal character as a modern exemplar proving that "[M]uch of feminism has devolved into the silly."<ref name=TIME062998>{{cite web
|date=[[June 29]], [[1998]]
|author= [[Ginia Bellafante|Bellafante, Ginia]]
|url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,988616-1,00.html
|title= It's All About Me!
|publisher= [[Time (magazine)|Time]]
|accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref> In response, the author [[Erica Jong]] felt that the Time journalist diminished her argument by using only pop-cultural references and ignoring the majority of real world women who have made significant progress.<ref>{{Citation
| last = Jong
| first = Erica
| author-link = Erica Jong
| last2 =
| first2 =
| author2-link =
| title = Ally McBeal and Time Magazine Can't Keep the Good Women Down
| newspaper = [[The New York Observer]]
| pages = 19
| year = 1998
| date = [[July 13]], [[1998]]
| url = http://www.ericajong.com/nyobserver980713.htm}}
</ref>
Writing in [[Salon.com]], Joyce Millman disputed that ''Ally McBeal'' should even be described as a "women's show" -- that its representations of women were, in fact, a male fantasy. She felt that Kelley's treated his female characters "sadistically" in general, beginning all the way back to ''L.A. Law'', saving only ''The Practice'' for positive remarks.<ref name="salon" />
What can't be denied is that Kelley's ''Ally McBeal'' was hugely successful in attracting the 18-to-34-year-old women audience [[demographic]]. The New York Times columnist, [[Maureen Dowd]], quoted two young, professional women saying they liked shows with female characters like themselves, single, even obsessed. Quoting the executive producer of [[Law & Order]], [[Dick Wolf]], "I think there is a wish-fulfillment factor when you put an attractive woman in a situation where she is doing real, adult stuff."<ref name=NYT072298>{{cite web
|date=[[July 22]], [[1998]]
|author= [[Maureen Dowd|Dowd, Maureen]]
|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B00E7DB1639F931A15754C0A96E958260
|title= Liberties; She-TV, Me-TV
|publisher= [[New York Times]]
|accessdate=2008-03-26}}</ref>
===Public education===
[[Samuel G. Freedman]], a professor of journalism at [[Columbia University]], writing in the New York Times, praises Kelley's series ''Boston Public'' as an attempt to both reflect and change public opinion about public education, particularly the urban, overcrowded, underfinanced variety. He liked the realism of the setting, the mixed ethnicity of the faculty and (ofttimes antipathetic) student body and the bureaucratic struggles. He lambasted Kelley, though, for pandering to stereotypes of teachers and students and for failing to show successful teaching strategies.<ref name=NYT121700>{{cite web
|date=[[December 17]], [[2000]]
|author= [[Samuel G. Freedman|Freedman, Samuel G.]]
|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C05E6D6133FF934A25751C1A9669C8B63
|title= A Report Card for 'Boston Public': A's and F's
|publisher= [[New York Times]]
|accessdate=2008-03-26}}</ref>
===Medicine===
In the [[New York Times]], [[Arthur Caplan]], professor of [[bioethics]] at the [[University of Pennsylvania]], felt that [[medical drama]]s such as Kelley's ''Chicago Hope'' do a good job of addressing [[bioethics|bioethical]] issues such as who should receive a liver transplant or when should a patient be allowed to die. However, there is a lack of discussion concerning the primary money issue: "How do people pay for this?"<ref name="NYT121596">{{cite web
|date=[[December 15]], [[1996]]
|author= Dreifus, Claudia
|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9805EFD9163FF936A25751C1A960958260
|title= Who gets the liver transplant? Which one's the mother? When do you lie? (And those are the easy ones)
|publisher= [[New York Times]]
|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> The show has been criticized for presenting a one-sided view of [[managed care]], portraying [[Health Management Organization|HMOs]] as dramatically evil glossing over the complexities. Doctors are too often shown as selfless patient advocates ready to battle whatever the financial cost.<ref name="NYT122296">{{cite web
|date=[[December 22]], [[1996]]
|author= Bilger, Burkhard
|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0CEFDC1E3EF931A15751C1A960958260&sec=health&spon=&pagewanted=1
|title= TV's Powerful Doctor Shows vs. the H.M.O.
|publisher= [[New York Times]]
|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref>
===Catholicism===
Kelley has incorporated religious subject matter from the beginning, including issues involving Protestantism, Judaism and Catholicism.<ref>Levine, David E. Kelley: The Man Behind Ally McBeal. p. 27</ref> With the widespread media coverage of [[Roman Catholic sex abuse cases|child sexual abuse cases in the Roman Catholic Church]] during the mid-to-late 90s, Kelley began to introduce this controversy into his scripts. For instance, the character Bobby Donnell on ''The Practice'', a Catholic, became personally estranged from the Church over the issue of sexually abusive priests. While the conservative [[Catholic League (U.S.)|Catholic League]] didn't have an issue with this episode,<ref name=NYT110702>{{cite web
|date=[[November 7]], [[2002]]
|author= Carter, Bill
|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C00EFD7113EF934A35752C1A9649C8B63
|title= A Catholic Writer Brings His Anger to 'The Practice'
|publisher= [[New York Times]]
|accessdate=2008-03-26}}</ref> they frequently complained of anti-Catholic bias in Kelley's shows because of his references to this subject.<ref name=WP110698>{{Citation
| last = de Moraes
| first = Lisa
| author-link = Lisa de Moraes
| last2 =
| first2 =
| author2-link =
| title = `Ally' Oops: Catholic League Says Fox Has Apologized for This Week's Episode
| newspaper = [[Washington Post]]
| pages = D.07
| year = 1998
| date = [[November 6]], [[1998]]
| url = http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/35741678.html?dids=35741678:35741678&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Nov+6%2C+1998&author=Lisa+de+Moraes&pub=The+Washington+Post&edition=&startpage=D.07&desc=%60Ally%27+Oops%3A+Catholic+League+Says+Fox+Has+Apologized+for+This+Week%27s+Episode}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web
|date=[[December 3]], [[2002]]
|author=
|url= http://www.catholicleague.org/02press_releases/pr0402.htm#DAVID%20E.%20KELLEY%20LASHES%20OUT%20AGAIN
|title= David E. Kelley Lashes Out Again
|publisher= [[Catholic League (U.S.)|Catholic League]]
|accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|date=[[February 14]], [[2006]]
|author=
|url= http://www.catholicleague.org/06press_releases/quarter%201/060214_Hollywood%20ACLU.htm
|title= Hollywood and ACLU vs. Catholicism
|publisher= [[Catholic League (U.S.)|Catholic League]]
|accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref>
==Feature films==
Besides his first film, ''From the Hip'' which received poor reviews,<ref>Levine, David E. Kelley: The Man Behind Ally McBeal. p. 23</ref> Kelley wrote and produced three other films. 1996's ''[[To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday]]'', a romance, co-starring his wife, [[Michelle Pfeiffer]], received tepid critical and box office reception.<ref>Levine, David E. Kelley: The Man Behind Ally McBeal. p. 41</ref> In 1999, came two films: ''[[Lake Placid (film)|Lake Placid]]'', a unique combination of suspense, horror and comedy, and ''[[Mystery, Alaska]]'', about a fictional small-town [[ice hockey]] team that plays a game against the [[New York Rangers]] of the [[National Hockey League]]. Neither movie did well with either the critics or the audience.
His next film, ''[[Chasing Montana]]'', starring Pfeiffer, and written by Kelley, is a father-daughter drama to be released by [[Focus Features]] in 2008.<ref>{{cite web
|date=[[May 18]], [[2004]]
|author= Williamson, Kevin
|url= http://www.calgarysun.com/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=84539&x=articles&s=showbiz
|title= Pfeiffer drama circling Calgary area
|publisher= [[Calgary Sun]]
|accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref>
Kelley will oversee the scripting of a new feature film based on the origins of the [[World Hockey Association]] (a league Kelley's father was involved with<ref name="FATHER" />) and hockey player [[Gordie Howe]].<ref name=VAR101606>{{cite web
|date=[[October 16]], [[2006]]
|author= McNary, Dave
|url= http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117952043.html
|title= Trio put bucks on pucks
|publisher= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]
|accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Kelley married [[actor|actress]] [[Michelle Pfeiffer]] in 1993. They have two children, an adopted daughter and a biological son. Kelley is known for leaving work in time to be home in the evenings and weekends.<ref>Levine, David E. Kelley: The Man Behind Ally McBeal. p. 34</ref><ref name="WP022298" /> Sometimes assumed to be a Catholic because his programs address Catholic issues, Kelley was raised a Protestant.<ref name=NYT112502>{{cite web
|date=[[November 25]], [[2002]]
|author=
|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C03E4DB1E39F936A15752C1A9649C8B63
|title= Corrections
|publisher= [[New York Times]]
|accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref>
==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Year !! Title !! Involvement !! Notes
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[2008 in film|2008]] || ''[[Chasing Montana]]'' ||Writer|| pre-production
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1999 in film|1999]] || ''[[Mystery, Alaska]]'' ||Co-writer, producer||
|-
| ''[[Lake Placid (film)|Lake Placid]]'' ||Writer, producer||
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[1996 in film|1996]] || ''[[To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday]]''||Screenplay, producer||
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[1987 in film|1987]] || ''[[From the Hip (film)|From the Hip]]''||Writer, story||
|}
==Television work==
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Premiere Season<ref>Each U.S. network television season starts in late September and ends in late May, which coincides with the completion of [[Nielsen Ratings|May sweeps]].</ref> !! Title !!Network!!Involvement !! Status
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[2007 in television|2007]]–[[2008 in television|2008]] ||''[[Life on Mars (US TV series)|Life on Mars]]''||align="center"|ABC||Writer, executive producer || pre-production
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[2006 in television|2006]]–[[2007 in television|2007]] ||''[[The Wedding Bells]]''||align="center"|Fox || Creator, writer, executive producer ||canceled after 7 episodes<ref name=CNN040307>{{cite web
|date=[[April 3]], [[2007]]
|author=
|url= http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/03/television.bells.reut/index.html?eref=rss_showbiz
|title= 'Bells' stop ringing after seven episodes
|publisher= [[CNN]]
|accessdate=2007-04-03}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[2005 in television|2005]]–[[2006 in television|2006]]||''[[The Law Firm]]''||align="center"|NBC||Creator, writer, executive producer||canceled after 2 episodes<ref>The remaining episodes were aired on [[Bravo (television network)|Bravo]].</ref>
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[2004 in television|2004]]–[[2005 in television|2005]]||''[[Boston Legal]]''||align="center"|ABC||Creator, writer, executive producer||ongoing
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[2003 in television|2003]]–[[2004 in television|2004]]||''[[The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire]]''||align="center"|CBS||Creator, writer, executive producer||canceled after 5 episodes
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[2002 in television|2002]]–[[2003 in television|2003]]||''[[Girls Club|girls club]]''<!--note: lower case "girls club" is correct--><ref>Lower case letters in "girls club" are correct.</ref>||align="center"|Fox||Creator, writer, executive producer||canceled after 2 episodes
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[2000 in television|2000]]–[[2001 in television|2001]]||''[[Boston Public]]''||align="center"|Fox||Creator, writer, executive producer, executive consultant||ended [[2004 in television|2004]]<ref>The last two episodes aired in [[2005]] in syndication on [[TV One (Radio One)|TV One]].</ref>
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1999 in television|1999]]–[[2000 in television|2000]]||''[[Snoops]]''||align="center"|Fox||Creator, writer, executive producer, actor (uncredited)||canceled after 10 episodes<ref>Episodes 11 through 13 did air overseas.</ref>
|-
|''[[Ally McBeal#Ally the sitcom|Ally]]''||align="center"|Fox||Creator, writer, executive producer||canceled after 10 episodes
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[1997 in television|1997]]–[[1998 in television|1998]]||''[[Ally McBeal]]''||align="center"|Fox||Creator, writer, executive producer||ended [[2002 in television|2002]]
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[1996 in television|1996]]–[[1997 in television|1997]]||''[[The Practice]]''||align="center"|ABC||Creator, writer, executive producer||ended [[2004 in television|2004]]
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[1994 in television|1994]]–[[1995 in television|1995]]||''[[Chicago Hope]]''||align="center"|CBS||Creator, writer, executive producer, executive consultant||ended [[2000 in television|2000]]
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[1992 in television|1992]]–[[1993 in television|1993]]||''[[Picket Fences]]''||align="center"|CBS||Creator, writer, executive producer||ended [[1996 in television|1996]]
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[1989 in television|1989]]–[[1990 in television|1990]]||''[[Doogie Howser, M.D.]]''||align="center"|ABC||Co-creator (with [[Steven Bochco]]), writer, creative consultant||ended [[1993 in television|1993]]
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[1986 in television|1986]]–[[1987 in television|1987]]||''[[L.A. Law]]''||align="center"|NBC||Writer, story editor, executive story editor, supervising producer, co-producer, executive producer, creative consultant||ended [[1994 in television|1994]]
|}
==Awards==
===Emmy awards and nominations===
{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center"
| '''Year''' || '''For''' || '''Category''' || '''Result''' || '''Other notes'''
|-
| [[2007 in television|2007]] || ''[[Boston Legal]]'' || [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]] || Nominated ||
|-
| [[2000 in television|2000]] || ''[[The Practice]]'' || [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]] || Nominated || Shared with Bob Breech, [[Jeffrey Kramer]], Christina Musrey, Gary M. Strangis, Pamela Wisne
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[1999 in television|1999]] || ''[[The Practice]]'' || [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]] || '''Awarded''' || Shared with Bob Breech, [[Jeffrey Kramer]], Christina Musrey, Gary M. Strangis, Pamela Wisne
|-
|''[[Ally McBeal]]'' ||[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series|Outstanding Comedy Series]] || '''Awarded''' || Shared with Peter Burrell, [[Jeffrey Kramer]], Mike Listo, Jonathan Pontell, Steve Robin, Pamela Wisne
|-
|''[[Ally McBeal]]'' ||Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series || Nominated ||
|-
|rowspan="4"| [[1998 in television|1998]] || ''[[The Practice]]'' || [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]] || '''Awarded''' || Shared with Bob Breech, [[Jeffrey Kramer]], Christina Musrey, Jonathan Pontell, Ed Redlich, Gary M. Strangis, Pamela Wisne
|-
|''[[Ally McBeal]]'' ||[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series|Outstanding Comedy Series]] || Nominated || Shared with [[Jeffrey Kramer]], Mike Listo, Jonathan Pontell, Steve Robin, Pamela Wisne
|-
|''[[Ally McBeal]]'' ||Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series || Nominated ||
|-
|''[[The Practice]]'' ||Outstanding Writing for a Dramatic Series || Nominated ||
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[1996 in television|1996]] || ''[[Chicago Hope]]'' || [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]] || Nominated || Shared with Kevin Arkadie, Rob Corn, Bill D'Elia, Michael Dinner, Patricia Green, James C. Hart, John Heath, John Tinker
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[1995 in television|1995]] || ''[[Chicago Hope]]'' || [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]] || Nominated || Shared with Michael Braverman, Dennis Cooper, Rob Corn, Michael Dinner, James C. Hart, John Heath, Michael Pressman, John Tinker
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[1994 in television|1994]] || ''[[Picket Fences]]'' || [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]] || '''Awarded''' || Shared with Robert Breech, [[Ann Donahue]], Geoffrey Neigher, Jack Philbrick, Jonathan Pontell, Michael Pressman, Alice West
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[1993 in television|1993]] || ''[[Picket Fences]]'' || [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]] || '''Awarded''' || Shared with Robert Breech, Mark B. Perry, Jonathan Pontell, Michael Pressman, Alice West
|-
|rowspan="1"|[[1991 in television|1991]]||''[[L.A. Law]]'' ||Outstanding Writing for a Dramatic Series || '''Awarded''' ||
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[1990 in television|1990]]|| ''[[L.A. Law]]'' || [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]] || '''Awarded''' || Shared with Robert M. Breech, William M. Finkelstein, [[Elodie Keene]], [[Michael M. Robin]], [[Rick Wallace]], Alice West
|-
|''[[L.A. Law]]'' ||Outstanding Writing for a Dramatic Series || '''Awarded''' ||
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[1989 in television|1989]]|| ''[[L.A. Law]]'' || [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]] || '''Awarded''' || Shared with [[Steven Bochco]], William M. Finkelstein, Michele Gallery, Phillip M. Goldfarb, Scott Goldstein, Judith Parker, [[Rick Wallace]], Alice West
|-
|''[[L.A. Law]]'' ||Outstanding Writing for a Dramatic Series || Nominated ||
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[1988 in television|1988]]|| ''[[L.A. Law]]'' || [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]] || Nominated || Shared with [[Steven Bochco]], Terry Louise Fisher, Phillip M. Goldfarb, Scott Goldstein, [[Gregory Hoblit]], [[Rick Wallace]]
|-
|''[[L.A. Law]]'' ||Outstanding Writing for a Dramatic Series || Nominated || Shared with Terry Louise Fisher
|-
|}
====Notes====
# Information from the [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] online database<ref name="EMMYS" />
# Several shared writing nominations not included.
# In 1999, he was the first producer ever to take home Emmys for both Best Comedy Series (Ally McBeal) and Best Drama (The Practice).<ref name=slate>{{cite web
|date=[[October 1]], [[2001]]
|author= Stevens, Dana
|url= http://fray.slate.com/id/2107604/
|title= The Kelley Curse
|publisher= [[Slate.com]]
|accessdate=2007-04-01}}</ref>
==== Emmy winning actors and actresses in Kelley's series====
Among the actors and actresses who have won Emmys for playing roles in Kelley's series are [[Peter MacNicol]], [[Tracey Ullman]], [[Sharon Stone]], [[William Shatner]], [[James Spader]], [[Alfre Woodard]], [[Charles S. Dutton]], [[Michael Emerson]], [[James Whitmore]], [[Beah Richards]], [[Edward Herrmann]], [[Michael Badalucco]], [[Holland Taylor]], [[John Larroquette]], [[Camryn Manheim]], [[Christine Lahti]], [[Hector Elizondo]], [[Mandy Patinkin]], [[Kathy Baker]], [[Ray Walston]], [[Paul Winfield]], [[Richard Kiley]], [[Fyvush Finkel]], [[Leigh Taylor-Young]], [[Tom Skerritt]], [[Richard Dysart]], [[Jimmy Smits]], and [[Larry Drake]].
===Peabody awards===
The following information is from the [[Peabody award]]s database.<ref>{{cite web
|url= http://www.peabody.uga.edu/archives/search.html
|title= The Peabody Awards winner's search
|accessdate=2007-04-09}}</ref>
{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center"
| '''Year''' || '''For''' || '''Producing Organizations'''
|-
|rowspan="1"|2005||''[[Boston Legal]]''||David E. Kelley Productions in association with [[20th Century Fox Television]]
|-
|rowspan="1"|2002||''[[Boston Public]]''||David E. Kelley Productions in association with [[20th Century Fox Television]]
|-
|rowspan="2"|1998||''[[The Practice]]''||[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] and David E. Kelley Productions
|-
|''[[Ally McBeal]]''||[[Fox Broadcasting Network|FOX]]" and David E. Kelley Productions
|-
|}
==Footnotes and references==
{{reflist|2}}
==Bibliography==
*Caldwell, John: "Convergence Television: Aggregating Form and Repurposing Content in the Culture of Conglomeration". ''Television after TV: Essays on a Medium in Transition''. Ed. Lynn Spigel and Jan Olsson. Duke University Press, 2004 ISBN 978-0822333937
*Caves, Richard E.: ''Switching Channels: Organization and Change in TV Broadcasting''. Harvard University Press, 2005. ISBN 978-0674018785
*Ellis, John: ''Seeing Things: Television in the Age of Uncertainty''. I. B. Tauris, 2000 ISBN 978-1860641251
*Levine, Josh: ''David E. Kelley: The Man Behind Ally McBeal''. ECW Press, 1999 ISBN 978-1550223729
*Orlik, Peter B.: ''Electronic Media Criticism: : Applied Perspectives''. LEA, Inc., 2000 ISBN 978-0805836417
*Tucker, Ken: ''Kissing Bill O'Reilly, Roasting Miss Piggy: 100 Things to Love And Hate About TV''. St. Martin's Press, 2005 ISBN 978-0312330576
==External links==
* [http://www.youstinka.com Official site of David E. Kelley Productions]
* {{imdb name|0005082}}
{{Kelleytvshows}}
{{EmmyAward DramaWriting}}
{{Persondata
|NAME=Kelley, David Edward
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=David E. Kelley
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=Writer, producer, lawyer
|DATE OF BIRTH=[[April 4]] [[1956]]
|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Waterville, Maine]]
|DATE OF DEATH=
|PLACE OF DEATH=
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kelley, David E.}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American adoptive parents]]
[[Category:American Protestants]]
[[Category:American television writers]]
[[Category:American television producers]]
[[Category:Television writers]]
[[Category:American writers]]
[[Category:Television producers]]
[[Category:Boston University alumni]]
[[Category:Edgar Award winners]]
[[Category:Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:Massachusetts lawyers]]
[[Category:People from Waterville, Maine]]
[[Category:Princeton University alumni]]
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[[et:David E. Kelley]]
[[es:David Kelley]]
[[fr:David Edward Kelley]]
[[it:David E. Kelley]]
[[he:דייוויד אי. קלי]]
[[ja:デビッド・E・ケリー]]
[[pt:David E. Kelley]]
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