Bull (2016 TV series)
Bull is an American legal drama television series created by Phil McGraw and Paul Attanasio, inspired by McGraw's early career as a trial consultant. The series premiered on CBS on September 20, 2016, and concluded on May 26, 2022, after six seasons.
The show centers on Dr. Jason Bull (played by Michael Weatherly), a psychologist and trial-science expert who runs Trial Analysis Corporation (TAC). Bull and his team employ psychology, human intuition, and high-tech data to understand jurors, lawyers, witnesses, and defendants in order to develop strategies that help their clients win trials.
Premise:
Dr. Bull leads a team of experts who analyze every aspect of a trial, from the selection of jurors to the presentation of evidence, to advise their clients on how to win their cases. The team consists of:
- Benny Colón: A lawyer and Bull's former brother-in-law. (Played by Freddy Rodriguez seasons 1-5).
- Marissa Morgan: A neurolinguistics expert and the team's second-in-command. (Played by Geneva Carr).
- Danny James: A former NYPD detective and the team's investigator. (Played by Jaime Lee Kirchner).
- Cable McCrory: A millennial hacker who handles cyber intelligence for the team. (Played by Annabelle Attanasio seasons 1-2; replaced by MacKenzie Meehan as Taylor Rentzel seasons 3-6).
- Chunk Palmer: A fashion stylist who prepares clients for court. (Played by Christopher Jackson).
Controversies:
The series faced controversy when Eliza Dushku, who was originally slated for a recurring role, alleged that she was written off the show after accusing Michael Weatherly of sexual harassment. CBS ultimately paid Dushku a settlement.
Reception:
Bull received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised Weatherly's performance and the show's intriguing premise, others criticized its predictable storylines and reliance on procedural tropes. The series maintained consistently solid viewership throughout its run.