The Paper Chase (1978–1979)
The Gist: An intelligent, character-driven drama about the grueling first year at an elite law school, dominated by the brilliant and intimidating contracts professor, Charles W. Kingsfield Jr.
In an era of car chases and laugh tracks, The Paper Chase was an anomaly. It was a show about… thinking. Based on the acclaimed 1973 film of the same name, the series brought back John Houseman to reprise his Oscar-winning role as Professor Kingsfield. The show followed a group of first-year law students, led by the earnest Midwesterner James T. Hart (James Stephens), as they struggled to survive Kingsfield’s infamous Socratic method.
Aired on CBS, the show was a critical triumph. Critics lauded its sharp writing, superb performances, and refusal to dumb down its subject matter. The classroom scenes were electric, filled with intellectual sparring that was as dramatic as any fistfight on another show. However, that very intelligence may have been its downfall. It was perhaps too cerebral for a mass audience in 1978, and CBS canceled it after just one season despite its passionate, albeit small, following.
But that wasn’t the end. In a truly unusual move for the time, the show was given a second life. In 1983, the cable network Showtime revived the series with most of the original cast, producing three more seasons. This was one of the earliest examples of a canceled network show being saved by cable, a practice that is commonplace today. This fascinating broadcast history is a key part of its legacy, often studied by institutions like the Museum of Broadcast Communications.
Why It Mattered: The Paper Chase was a bold attempt at “prestige television” long before the term was coined. It proved that a network drama could be built around ideas rather than action. Its subsequent revival on cable was a harbinger of the changing television landscape, where niche audiences could be courted by subscription services, allowing smart, challenging shows to find a home.
Rewatch Cues: The centerpiece of any episode is a scene in Kingsfield’s classroom. Watch how Houseman commands the screen with a simple turn of the head or a pointed question. Observe the terror and awe on the students’ faces. Also, look for the moments outside the classroom, which explore the immense pressure these students are under and the toll it takes on their lives and relationships. It’s a compelling look at the pursuit of excellence and the price of ambition.
