Just as I’m putting the finishing touches on the book chapter about the Boston Legal character Denny Crane, the ABC series shows another episode that wrestles with Alzheimer’s. The chapter on Denny Crane in the book focuses on the incredible first season back in 2004 when the whole show seemed predicated on Denny being convinced he had what he referred to as “Mad Cow” disease.
The theme pops up again every now and then, but the series seems leery to address it as fully as they did in that first season. On April 15th, Shirley Schmidt tries to end the suffering of her father who has been in a long battle with Alzheimer’s. The season summaries show a thumbnail sketch of the plot. The unofficial show site www.boston-legal.org offers lots of helpful info as well.
According to blogger Amy Archerd, the episode recently won special recognition (The Abe Burrows Entertainment Award) from the Alzheimer’s Association at their annual “Night at Sardi’s” gala.
