Main Cast: Simon Baker, Dabney Coleman, Alan Rosenberg, Raphael Sbarge, Erica Leerhsen
Release Year: 2001
Country: US
Run Time: 60 minutes
Plot
Simon Baker stars in this weekly, 60-minute drama series as Nick Fallin, a hotshot attorney working for his father Burton's (Dabney Coleman) prestigious Philadelphia law firm. Arrested for doing cocaine, Nick is sentenced to 1,500 hours of community service. Reluctantly, he signs on as a part-time child advocate for an inner-city Legal Aid Services, all the while handling his usual high-profile clients. Ever so gradually, Nick finds himself caring more about his younger, poorer charges than he does about his wealthier customers -- and in so doing, he becomes the titular "guardian" of this CBS series. Also in the cast are Alan Rosenberg as Nick's skeptical new Legal Aid supervisor Alvin Masterson, Erica Leerhsen as Amanda Bowles, and Raphael Sbarge as Jake Strata. Created by David Hollander, The Guardian was originally set to premiere on September 18, 2001, but late-breaking news events caused the network to move the series up to September 25. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Charles Malik Whitfield - James Mooney; Kathleen Chalfant - Laurie Solt; Balazs Koos - Jerry; Rusty Schwimmer - Barbara Ludzinski; Johnny Sneed - Brian Olson
Credit
Michael Pressman - Director, Mark Johnson - Executive Producer, Michael Pressman - Executive Producer, Vahan Moosekian - Executive Producer, David Hollander - Executive Producer, John Heath - Producer, Jimmy Miller - Producer, Sara Cooper - Producer, Michael R. Perry - Producer, David Hollander - Screenwriter
David Hollander
Rid Eid
Jennifer Johnson Nick Santora
Anne McGrail
Alfonso H. Moreno
Peter Parnell
Michael R. Perry
Barry M. Schkolnick
Tom Smuts
Craig Turk
The series revolved around protagonist Nick Fallin, a corporate attorney sentenced to 1500 hours community service with Legal Services of Pittsburgh as the result of a drug conviction. The plot focused on Nick's community service and recovery from drug addiction, as well as his strained relationship with his father who was president of the corporate law firm where Nick was employed full time.
Cast
Simon Baker as Nicholas "Nik" Fallin - a lawyer sentenced to community service working for the community due to drugs charges. The central protagonist, he is a repressed individual whose work and relationships are the focus for the serial.
Dabney Coleman as Burton Fallin - Nik's father and senior partner at the law firm where Nick works. They do not have a close relationship. He fosters Shannon Gressler.
Alan Rosenberg as Alvin Masterson - In charge of Legal Services of Pittsburgh, where Nick serves his community service. Alvin dates Laurie and is arrested with a prostitute
Wendy Moniz as Louisa "Lulu" Archer - Nik's de facto boss from mid-season one, and his main love interest. She marries another man, but Nick's feelings still run deep.
Raphael Sbarge as Jake Straka - As close as Nik gets to a best friend, Jake is somewhat misguided but not malicious.
Charles Malik Whitfield as James Mooney - works at Legal Services of Pittsburgh. Has a gangs and drugs background, and is shot in the season two finale.
Erica Leerhsen as Amanda Bowles - an ambitious but caring associate, who leaves mid-way through season one.
Amanda Michalka as Shannon Gressler - Shannon's mother dies in the season one finale, and Burton Fallin comes to care for her. Troubled kid.
Kathleen Chalfant as Laurie Solt -hard working social worker who provides a lot of guidance for Nik.
Chris Doorley as Jimmy Maden
Notable guest stars
Farrah Fawcett appeared in four episodes as a troubled single grandma and love interest of Burton Fallin. Lolita Davidovich appeared in two episodes as a social welfare advocate and love interest of Alvin Masterson. Will Ferrell guests as Larry in the season two finale.
Production notes
The show was set in Pittsburgh, and was filmed in the city from time to time. The theme song from season two onwards was "Empire in My Mind" performed by The Wallflowers.
DVD releases
On July 27, 2009, CBS Home Entertainment (distributed by Paramount) announced they will be bring the first season to DVD, which was released on October 27, 2009. [1]
