Age Discrimination in Network Programming, Hollywood Style

This week’s episode of Boston Legal (the next to last–next week’s episode is the series finale) had a weird little media law subplot. In “Juiced,” Catherine Piper (Betty White) convinces Carl Sack (John Laroquette) to bring an age discrimination case against the networks for failing to program enough shows that cater to older viewers. Sack’s arguments are quite passionate, and eventually the judge hearing the case (the wonderful Henry Gibson) allows it to go forward. Needless to say, opposing counsel Morrison (Andy Umberger) cannot believe it. Previous seasons of Boston Legal are already out on DVD, and this season will probably be available soon.