I’ve developed a fascination for Perry Mason. Not those TV movies from the 1980s and 90s, but the original series from 1957-1966.

Mason, as you may or may not know, was the creation of novelist Erle Stanley Gardner who first wrote about him in 1933. Since then the character has appeared in many forms, including a recent reboot prequel. But it is Raymond Burr and that first tv series that people remember.

On the surface, there’s a host of reasons not to watch. The show is sexist and overwhelmingly white. When minorities appear, the portrayals are racist AF. There’s hardly a scene without someone lighting a cigarette or pouring a drink. And the star of the show Thad to lie about his past to hide his homosexuality. And yet, there I am, every Monday and Thursday night, treating myself to an episode. (I’m currently on episode 19 of Season 1. They had 31 episodes a season in those days.)

Why?

Maybe it’s the easy chemistry between the actors. Perry and Della Street flirt their way through the show. Who knew there were be so many scenes with them sharing cozy dinners in his apartment? Raymond Burr, it turns out, was quite charming in those days. Dare I say, even suave? Then there’s William Hopper’s Paul Drake who smokes, slouches and wise-cracks he way across Los Angeles.

Maybe it’s the writing. Okay, not the actual writing – you’ve seen one Perry Mason you’ve seen them all – but the fact that the seeds of this show can be seen in practically every procedural and courtroom drama of the 20th century. Perry was the first maverick, justice-driven defense attorney. He bends rules left and right to prove his clients’ innocent. (In fact, it’s Private Eye Paul Drake who worries about the rules whenever Perry breaks into a house or disturbs a crime scene.) The show created the two-act episode where part one is the investigation and part two is the trial. Without Perry Mason and Erle Stanley Gardner to pave the way, there would be no Matlock, Jessica Fletcher or even Jack McCoy.

You know, come to think of it, I’ve watched every episode of every Law & Order too.

Maybe I just like cheezy tv shows.

Either way, I’m going to be binge watching for awhile.

Here’s the intro for Season 1, courtesy of CBS.