PERRY MASON – This is definitely not Raymond Burr’s attorney-at-law. In fact, this Perry Mason isn’t even a lawyer. He’s a private detective without the class, elegance and success of his famed predecessor. Paul Drake is now a black police officer patrolling the seedy streets of LA. And Della Street? Well she’s still an ace secretary, and now she’s also a lesbian. Maybe she always was. I thought about the old Della while I was watching this new one. It would certainly have fit the premise of the original series from the 60s where lesbianism could only have been alluded to without being clearly stated. Both series are based on the novels of the same name by Erle Stanley Gardner. This modern version takes place in 1930s Los Angeles and is more gruesome and sinister than the original. Filmed in dark and neutral colors, we get the feeling this is a true snapshot of the 30s. The dead bodies are realistically shocking and graphic. The work is exceptional, including that of Jonathan Lithgow, who is always at the top of his game. I have no boyfriends or girlfriends in this one, but the peeps’ vote for the show is unanimous. Toasts all around! Cheers.