Franklin & Bash

Jared Franklin and Peter Bash are a pair of flashy, fast-talking lawyers who prefer grabbing clients at the scene of trouble rather than waiting for referrals. They hang out at a favorite hot dog stand, trade outrageous fantasies, and sprint after cases that start with car crashes, arrests, or awkward misunderstandings. Once they get a client, they lean on theatrical courtroom tactics, improvisation, and a lot of charm to tilt proceedings in their favor. Their style rubs colleagues the wrong way, but their chemistry and willingness to push legal boundaries keep the firm lively and unpredictable without revealing any big plot twists.

Created by Kevin Falls and Bill Chais, the series premiered on TNT in 2011. The show was produced for cable television and brought together a cast led by Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer, with Malcolm McDowell in a recurring senior role.

Critics and viewers generally enjoyed the blend of legal procedural and buddy comedy, reflected in a user vote average of 7.2 out of 10. Reviewers tended to praise the lead chemistry and brisk pacing while noting that individual episodes favor entertainment over gritty realism. Recurring themes include friendship under pressure, showmanship versus professional responsibility, and how personality can be used as a legal strategy.

On a cultural level the series is often remembered for its flamboyant courtroom set pieces and the easy banter between the two leads, which emphasized a modern take on the buddy-lawyer archetype. The hot dog stand bit and their habit of recruiting clients in the wild became recognizable running jokes, and the show found a steady niche among viewers who like legal cases with a comedic spin.

The series did not dominate awards season, and it did not become a major industry awards contender. Instead, it maintained a loyal audience through its tone and characters, earning modest attention rather than major honors.