The Trials of Rosie O'Neill

1990

Seasons & Episodes

  • 2
  • 1

7.3| 0h30m| en| More Info
Released: 17 September 1990 Ended
Producted By: MTM Enterprises
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
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Synopsis

The Trials of Rosie O'Neill is an American television drama series, which aired on CBS from 1990 to 1992. The show stars Sharon Gless as Fiona Rose "Rosie" O'Neill, a lawyer working in the public defender's office for the City of Los Angeles. The show marked the return of Gless to series television after her Emmy-winning run on Cagney & Lacey. "Rosie" was produced by Cagney & Lacey producer Barney Rosenzweig, whom Gless married in 1991. Despite the show's brilliant writing and production, it did not sustain a sizable audience, and was canceled by CBS in 1992. Each episode opens with Rosie talking with her therapist, whose face was never seen on camera. Rosie had been at the receiving end of an unwanted divorce, after her attorney husband had an affair. The advertisement for the series which appeared in TV Guide the night the series debuted told the story as follows: "I'm 43 and divorced. He got our law practice, the Mercedes, and the dog. It's only fair that I should be angry. I really liked that dog." The show's cast also included Dorian Harewood, Ron Rifkin, Georgann Johnson, Lisa Rieffel, and Robert Wagner. Season 2 saw two new cast additions: Ed Asner joined the cast as the cantankerous Kovac, a retired cop hired by Rosie's law firm as one of their investigators. David Rasche was cast in a recurring dramatic role as Patrick Ginty, Rosie's ex-husband who was often referred to but never seen in the first season. Adding Asner to the regular cast squeezed out Dorian Harewood, who was billed as "Special Guest Star" in all season 2 episodes.

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Reviews

smanning001 I had recently taken out season 1 of Cagney and Lacey at my local library and forgotten how much I enjoyed the acting of Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly (and how much I had missed such quality type shows). So in searching for more shows starring Gless and/or Daly, I came across "The Trials of Rosie O'Neill". I remember watching this show and enjoying it as much as Cagney and Lacey. Different type of show but with excellent supporting cast and great writing. (Gless is recently divorced and trying to rebuild her life as a public defender.) Tyne Daly guest starred in a "reunion" episode. Also, Carole King guest starred in the "reunion" episode. She sang the theme sing that she wrote for the show "I Wish I Knew". Each week the opening song written by King was sung beautifully by Melissa Manchester.My favorite part of the show was the beginning where she was talking to her therapist. (In real life her husband and producer) Can not believe this show only lasted 2 seasons and is not on DVD.
copax7 Sharon Gless does a great job in painting a complex and interesting character in this show. It's a truly adult part and one that doesn't pander to anyone. More importantly, it's a show that is carried squarely on her shoulders and she does it with passion and compassion. It was great seeing Tyne Daly guest star as a very different character from "Cagney & Lacey." And having Carole King sing the theme song (along with the other characters) was a real treat as well. The theme song for this great show was indeed written by Carole King, but recorded for the credits of the show by Melissa Manchester. Unfortunately, the song has yet to be released.
anns7666 The theme song for The Trials of Rosie O'Neill, "I Wish I Knew," was written by Carole King, not Carly Simon. I don't know who sang the song during the opening credits, but Carole King was a guest star on the episode, "The Reunion," along with Tyne Daly, and did perform "I Wish I Knew" during that episode. (I have the sheet music--Words and Music by Carole King!) As to the series itself, I liked it very much and was highly disappointed when it was canceled. I was hooked on it after seeing it for the first time--which may or may not have been the first episode--in it Rosie defends a young girl (maybe homeless, at least "family-less") accused of killing her newborn child and hiding the body in a dumpster. She claimed the baby was born dead and that she had buried the baby in the dumpster. It was a very touching episode, the young lady playing the defendant did an excellent job in her portrayal of the downtrodden girl. Being a fan of Sharon Gless, I am glad to see "Cagney & Lacey" finally being offered on DVD; I would like to see "The Trials of Rosie O'Neill," (the entire series) come out on DVD, I would definitely buy it.
Rosemea D.S. MacPherson Sharon Gless (Cagney&Lacey) played Rosie. Also, called Fiona "Rosie" O'Neill, and Fiona by her mother. Rosie was an attorney practicing as a Public Defender. Her mother wanted her to be a Corporation Lawyer and that caused friction between them. Specially when the mother had to introduce her to some high society type, she was embarrassed to say she worked in the Public Defender's Office. That was too poor for her. I guess she did not know that a crime is a crime whether or not it is committed by an executive or a blue collar worker. Her sister was a housewife married to a workaholic doctor. Rosie and her sister had a wonderful relationship. Rosie's theme was written and sung by one of my favorites, Carly Simon, a lovely song, which I recorded from the television, so that I could have the words for it. Actually I really don't understand why some lawyer's shows are so popular, and others get canceled after the first year, when they are so good. My guess is "age discrimination." When a more mature actor could play a more mature lawyer, the executives decide to get a skinny lawyer, one third of her age, and with so much wisdom for her age. Actually I thought that people grow wiser with age. But I guess it was just a thought! I think that we watched most of the series. We truly enjoyed the series. I am surprised that this is the first comment on the series! My favorite episode: The Christmas episode, when Rosie goes to church. Very moving shows. My Favorite quotes: "In a perfect world everyone's dreams will come true, what will the future hold, I wish I knew."