On this day March 3 1986 the legal drama Matlock premiered on NBC. The show starred Andy Griffith as Ben Matlock a sharp witted and charismatic defense attorney known for his folksy charm and brilliant courtroom strategies.
Matlock ran for nine seasons with a total of 193 episodes becoming one of the most beloved legal dramas of its time. Each episode followed Ben Matlock as he defended clients accused of serious crimes often using his investigative skills and clever questioning to uncover the real culprit.
The show was known for its mix of drama and humor with Andy Griffith’s performance making Matlock an iconic television character. The series gained a dedicated audience and remained popular even after moving to ABC in later seasons.
[B]80s insight: [/B]Andy Griffith wore the same gray suit in almost every episode of Matlock making it a signature part of his character’s look.