List of Matlock episodes

Matlock is an American television legal drama, starring Andy Griffith, that ran from March 3, 1986 to May 8, 1992 on NBC and from November 5, 1992 to May 7, 1995 on ABC. A total of 9 seasons and 194 episodes were produced.

Series overview

Season		No. of episodes	Originally aired
			First aired	Last aired
	1	24	March 3, 1986	May 12, 1987
	2	24	September 22, 1987	May 3, 1988
	3	20	November 29, 1988	May 16, 1989
	4	24	September 19, 1989	May 8, 1990
	5	22	September 18, 1990	April 30, 1991
	6	22	October 18, 1991	May 8, 1992
	7	18	November 5, 1992	May 86, 1993
	8	22	September 23, 1993	May 19, 1994
	9	18	October 13, 1994	May 7, 1995

Season 1 (1986–87)

Actor	Character	Main	Recurring
Andy Griffith	Ben Matlock	Entire season	N/A
Lori Lethin	Charlene Matlock	Episode 1	N/A
Linda Purl		Episodes 2–24	N/A
Alice Hirson	Hazel	Episode 1	N/A
Kene Holliday	Tyler Hudson	Entire season	N/A
Julie Sommars	ADA Julie March	N/A	Episodes 16 & 21

• Lori Lethin was replaced by Linda Purl
• Linda Purl departed at the end of the season
• Linda Purl was absent for six episodes
• Kene Holiday was absent for one episode

No. in season	No. in series	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original air date	Production code
1	1	"Diary of a Perfect Murder"	Robert Day	Dean Hargrove	March 3, 1986	8600
Ben Matlock (Andy Griffith) and his daughter Charlene (Lori Lethin) defend TV journalist Steve Emerson (Steve Inwood) who is accused of killing Linda Coolidge (Katherine Cannon), his ex-wife. Note: It originally aired as a two-hour series premiere during the Spring of the 1986–87 network TV season, with subsequent airings air in two parts. In this TV movie it mentions that Ben's mom is still alive, but in latter episodes it says that his mom died when he was young. Other guest stars: Billy Green Bush as Billy Ray Webber, Lawrence Pressman as Nelson White, Dennis Lipscomb as Les McCall, Alice Hirson as Hazel (Matlock's secretary), Richard Newton as Judge Reynolds, Robin Thomas Grossman as Prosecutor Burton Hawkins, Darrell Zwerling as Dr. Farnsworth, Peter White I as Attorney Harvey Ravanelle, James McEachin as Lt. Frank Daniels, Al Ruscio as Ernie "The Tailor" Marzell
2	2	"The Judge"	Christopher Hibler	Robert Hamilton	September 23, 1986	8601
The episode starts out with Kevin Meredith (played by Brian Lane Green) and Joanne Leigh (played by Bobbie Eakes) kissing in a room with Carter Addison (played by Dick Van Dyke) watching them through the window with a pair of binoculars. He finally comes to the conclusion that his lover is cheating on him. He walks over to their apartment room, lets himself in, and waits for Kevin to go take a shower, before entering the bedroom, covering Joanne's mouth and then stabbing her to death in her bed. He leaves the knife on the floor, goes back out into the hall and calls the front desk, saying, "There is a woman screaming for help. Something terrible has happened". Then he takes his bag with the bloody clothes in it. Kevin comes out of the shower and finds a knife with blood all over it. He picks up the knife, looks over at the bed and sees Joanne dead, and then someone at the apartment comes in and sees him holding the murder weapon. It turns out Carter Addison is the judge presiding over the trial. Matlock becomes very suspicious when Carter asks him to step aside and have the son of another lawyer they are both familiar with take his place. Later in the episode Carter goes back and burns the bag with all of his bloody clothes in it. Matlock, however, beat him to it. He had replacements put there by Tyler Hudson and is able to present the real clothes in court. The prosecution then moves for dismissal. Other guest stars: Richard Newton as Judge Richard Cooksey, Richard McKenzie as Lt. Rupert Davis, and Toni Sawyer as Mrs. Meredith, Richard Wright as Harry Hobson, Brian Lane Green as Kevin Meredith, Piper Laurie as Claire Leigh, Bobbie Eakes as Joanne Leigh, Michael Durrell as D.A. Lloyd Burgess Note: This is the premiere episode. Linda Purl replaced Lori Lethin in the role of Charlene Matlock.
3	3	"The Stripper"	Daniel Haller	Teleplay by: Michael Petryni Story by: Rick Mittleman	September 30, 1986	8602
After being fired from one job after another because of her ex-husband, Jason Hardiman, Carla Evans has had to resort to stripping at a local club. She takes her son there and has him read a book in another room while she performs. Then, her ex-husband shows up, and threatens to take her son away by going to court. She threatens him in front of witnesses, saying, "I'm not going to stand still for this. I'm warning you". So when Jason Hardiman ends in the hospital after being shot, she is the prime suspect. Matlock, who represented her ex-husband in the divorce hearings five years ago, offers to defend her on the house after he found out what a liar her ex-husband was. When Carla Evans is released from jail, Jason Hardiman is murdered in the hospital, and once again, Carla is the suspect in a murder case after the night nurse, Ms. Jackson, identified her from the hallway and from a security camera video. Charlene tackles that by bringing up the point that she was not wearing her glasses when she identified the defendant from the hallway. Matlock notices in another video that the woman that killed Jason Hardiman buttoned their trench coat like a man, left over right. When Helen Shelly is called to the stand, she says she was with Doug Templitt on the night Jason Hardiman was shot and when someone entered the hospital room and killed Jason Hardiman. Because they spend so much time together, Matlock assumes that she grabbed Doug's trench coat by accident. Matlock then thinks they have a case of confused identity, so he tells a joke he heard Doug tell while going undercover at the club – "One time a woman went into a barroom with a duck under her arm. The bartender walks over and says, 'Where did you get the pig?' and the woman says, 'It's a duck,' and the bartender says, 'I was talking to the pig.' " Helen says, "Duck, I was talking to the duck" in Doug's voice. It turns out that Helen Shelly and Doug Templitt are one and the same person, but two personalities. When Matlock asks Doug who killed Jason Hardiman, he says it was Helen. In Doug's words, Carla "was everything Helen wanted to be but couldn't". Jason wanted to humiliate, degrade, and take her child away from Carla. Doug would not let Helen kill Carla because he loved Carla. Guest stars: David Froman as Lt. Bob Brooks, Robin Thomas Grossman as Prosecutor Burton Hawkins, Kerrie Keane as Carla Evans, Anne Hanes as Nurse Jackson, John Carter as Jason Hardiman, Gary Frank as Doug Templitt\Helen Shelly, Jennifer Rhoades as Gracie Fielder, Wayne Heffles as Wayne Cornell, Michael Faustino as Jimmy Hardiman, Richard Newton as Judge Richard Cooksey
4	4	"The Affair"	John Llewellyn Moxey	Paul Savage	October 7, 1986	8603
With the encouragement of Charlene, who used to go out with her boyfriend, his mother asks both Matlock and Charlene to take the case of the Spanish maid Sonia Cardenas who was accused of killing her husband Richard Ward, leaving Ben with some worries. Christina says her husband was a womanizer, the woman was another one of his dalliances, and that she wants to make it public. Tyler also follows the man who was once Sonia's boyfriend, who was later hospitalized with broken bones and a concussion. Matlock wants to know who killed the patriarch as Matlock primarily focused on the family, which includes the woman who hired him and his son. Guest Stars: Kevin Conroy as Clark Harrison, Ron Ulstad as Sgt. Maguire, Ivan Bonar as a Judge, Phillip Sterling as a Prosecutor, Jeff Conaway as Daniel Ward, Carolyn Seymour as Christina Harrison Ward, Marsha Hunt as Aunt Harriet, John Christy Ewing as Richard Ward, Alina Cenal as Mrs. Rodriquez, Jenny Beck as Lila Harrison, Max Segar as Forbes The Butler
5	5	"The Seduction"	Nicholas Sgarro	Anne Collins	October 14, 1986	8604
Matlock defends Brad Bingham (John Beck), an aging football star with a reputation as a womanizer, who was about to be eliminated from the team. Charlene is opposed to her father's decision, as she believes everything the tabloids have to say about Brad. In addition, years ago, he had a short relationship with her friend, Ellen Hawley, who nearly committed suicide after they broke up. Brad also asks Tyler to talk to Johnny Mack (Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr.), a bouncer in a bar. After Tyler gets jumped by him. flung onto a table, pushed right through the hall and into a room where he falls onto a box, Johnny finally decides to reveal everything he knows to Tyler. As the case opens, Charlene realizes that not everything that's printed in the papers is true, and maybe Ellen wasn't being honest with her. A call girl, who was hired to make Brad take the blame, nearly convinces her that he is the killer. Other guest stars: Nancy Stafford as Caryn Nelson/Caroline Nathan (who would play Michelle Thomas, the following year), Richard McKenzie as Lt. Rupert Davis, Betty Lynn as Sarah (Ben's secretary), Robin Thomas Grossman as Prosecutor Burton Hawkins, Joshua Bryant as Dave Edwards, Alex Hyde-White as Vincient Hyland, Shannon Wilcox as Marsha Barnes, David Froman as Lt. Bob Brooks
6	6	"The Don: Part 1"	Nicholas Sgarro	Teleplay by: Anne Collinsbr />Story by: Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	October 28, 1986	8606
Ben and Charlene take the controversial case of a Mafia don Nicholas Baron (José Ferrer) accused of murdering a business rival Donald Kovack (Charles Howerton); Charlene is attracted to the man's son, Paul Baron (Joe Penny). Other guest stars: Betty Lynn as Sarah (Ben's secretary), Johnny Silver as Eddie Alonzo, Joe Penny as Paul Baron, José Ferrer as Nicholas Baron, Doran Clark as Cathy Baron, Mark La Mura as Dr. Daniel Baron, William Conrad as D.A. James L. McShane (precursor to Jake and The Fatman), Alan Campbell as Palmer (James L. McShane's assistant), James McEachin as Lt. Frank Daniels, Joseph Hacker as Phillip Kovack, Claude Earl Jones as Mr. Henderson, Ron Karabatsos as Dave Christopher, Sheree North as Alice Jenkins, Dominic Oliver as Roy Vincient, Joan Roberts as Mrs. Kovack, Tom McCleister as a Metro Cop, Lucille Meredith as Judge Irene Sawyer
7	7	"The Don: Part 2"	Leo Penn	Teleplay by: Anne Collinsbr />Story by: Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	November 4, 1986	8607
Matlock continues to defend a mafia don (who investigates a suspect closer to home than Baron would want), while Charlene blows her chance at a relationship with Paul when she is unable to separate the man from the legend. Guest Stars: Joe Penny, José Ferrer, Doran Clark, Mark La Mura, William Conrad, Alan Campbell , James McEachin, Ron Karabatsos, Joan Roberts, Sheree North, Arthur Adams as Mr. Johnson
8	8	"The Sisters"	Alan Cooke	Doc Barnett	November 11, 1986	8609
Sisters Julia (Gail O'Grady) and Emily (Diane Behrens) execute a clever and cold-hearted plan to murder their wealthy aunt Esther and frame her husband, Harold Scully. Ben reluctantly agrees to defend the annoying Scully, and is faced with the challenge of breaking the seemingly airtight alibi of the sisters as well as the strong bond between them. Other guest stars: James McEachin as Lt. Frank Daniels, Gene Ross as Harold Scully, Oceana Marr as Esther Scully, Bruno Alexander as a Detective, Lee Paul as Caretaker James Henderson, Michael Durrell as D.A. Lloyd Burgess, Conchata Ferrell as Mrs. Reece
9	9	"The Cop"	Daniel Haller	Teleplay by: Robert Schlitt Story by: Joel Steiger, Robert Schlitt, & Dean Hargrove	November 18, 1986	8610
Police detective Joe Peters (Héctor Elizondo) has been framed of taking bribes and murdering a fence, and was to be believed in the death of another cop, Harry Landers (Asher Brauner). When the subject came about, it is revealed that one of the other police officers of Atlanta was more involved than they should have been. Other guest stars: James Handy as a Prosecutor, James McEachin as Lt. Frank Daniels, Robert Donner as a Truck Driver, John Lehne as Captain Braddock, Lucille Meredith as Judge Irene Sawyer, John Mariano as Eddie Leeds, Charles Cypher as Tom Coyle, Andrew Bloch as Michael Danello, Justin Williams as Donnie Styles
10	10	"The Angel"	Larry Elikann	Robin Bernheim	November 25, 1986	8605
After Charlene tells Matlock that she is already working for other people, he reluctantly represents the free-spirited popular rocker Margaret "Angel" Danello (Kari Lizer), a young lady who has been accused of killing her manager Lou Pearson (Stewart Moss). Because of her alcohol induced black-out, she is unable to present an alibi. That evening, Matlock gets very furious when Angel continues to ignore his orders at keeping her temper. Fortunately, she learns to take his advice to heart before she gets convicted of the murder. Other guest stars: Kari Lizer as Angel (and who would star as Cassie Phillips in Season 2), Jonathan Frakes as D.A. Park, Kip Gilman as Sonny Hutton, Richard McKenzie as Lt. Rueben Davis, Julia Cobb as Janice Pearson, John Chappell as Rupert, Betty McGuire as Mrs. Hoffman, Gary Werntz as Trashcan Reed, Charles Hoyes as Snake Barker
11	11	"The Professor"	Bill Duke	Donald Ross	December 2, 1986	8608
Ben's old law professor, Erskine Tate (Don Porter), is arrested on charges of committing vehicular homicide, but claims to have no recollection of what happened. Ben defends him. Ben suspects the man's assistant and two of his students of being behind the whole thing, and has to figure out the reason why. Other guest stars: James McEachin as Lt. Frank Daniels, Michael Durrell as D.A. Lloyd Burgess, Christopher McDonald as Eric Lane, Daniel Davis as James Billings, and Henry G. Sanders as Pat Gaines, Nicholas Cascone as Wesley Wallace, and Richard Newton as Judge Richard Cooksey
12	12	"Santa Claus"	Daniel Haller	Teleplay by: Robert Schlitt Story by: Joel Steiger & Dean Hargrove	December 9, 1986	8612
At Christmas time, a heartless businessman wants to evict the residents of an apartment building he owns. He tangles with a resident named Tom McCabe (Pat Hingle), who just happens to be working as a street Santa. Later, a man wearing a Santa suit enters the businessman's office building and kills him. Later someone enters the Santa's apartment and tangles with him. Later, three of the businessman's people find him dead. Ben offers to defend the Santa, and suspects that one of the associates is the killer because a piece of evidence against the Santa was found near the body, and he believes who ever broke into the Santa's apartment took it and planted it there. Guest stars: David Froman as Lt. Bob Brooks, Michael Durrell as D.A. Lloyd Burgess, Pat Hingle as Tom McCabe, Barry Jenner as Mark Harris, Betty Lynn as Sarah (Ben's secretary), Andrew Masset as Dan Paulson, Grainger Hines as Carl Lang, Linden Chiles as Alan Rollins, Charlotte Stewart as Mrs. Pellmen, Terri Treas as Annie Harris, Richard Newton as Judge Richard Cooksey, Sean McGuirk as a Detective, Gary Bergher as Duke Mitchell
13	13	"The Chef"	Bob Sweeney	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: David R. Toddman, Joel Steiger, & Dean Hargrove	January 6, 1987	8611
Matlock defends TV cooking-show hostess Victoria Edwards, who is charged with murder in the on-camera death of a guest chef, who happens to be her ex-husband, Michael Edwards, whose success came in no small measure from appropriating her recipes and expertise during their 12-year marriage. Guest stars: James McEachin as Lt. Frank Daniels, Roddy McDowall as Christopher Hoyt, Allan Arbus as Peter Leonie, Ray Reinhardt as Stefan Lichtman, Lee Garlington as Paula, Nancy Lane as Leslie, Craig Claiborne as Michael Edwards, Michael Durrell as D.A. Lloyd Burgess, Cathryn Damon as Victoria Edwards, Jeff Austin as a Police Officer, Joseph Burke as a Bakery Manager, Richard Newton as Judge Richard Cooksey
14	14	"The Author"	Michael O'Herlihy	Gerald Sanoff	January 13, 1987	8613
A woman (Audra Lindley) in a small town writes a book whose characters are actual people in the town. When it becomes a best seller, the press converge on the town to interview them, and some of them threaten the woman. When the local reverend Deluca (John O'Leary) goes to visit her, someone takes a shot at her, but kills the reverend. The police investigate and it leads them to one of the town's doctors, Dr. Phillip Eagen, who was depicted in the book as being a druggie, which he denies, and threatened the woman. Ben comes to defend him, and starts by checking some of the other people depicted in the book, but learns none of them have reason to kill her. Later, Ben discovers a different motive and suspect for the killing. Other guest stars: Michael Durrell as D.A. Lloyd Burgess, Parker Stevenson as Dr. Phillip Eagen, Guy Stockwell as Chief Johnson, Stanley Kamel as Jeweler Mark Douglas, Brion James as Mr. Grock, John Schuck as Reporter Carl Burke, Kay Freeman as Majorie Sawyer, Eddie Quillan as David Sears, Richard Newton as Judge Richard Crooksey, Audrey Lindley as Mary Ann Newton, Elizabeth Savage as Barbara Gleason, Louise Claire Clark as Jessie Peters
15	15	"The Rat Pack"	Nicholas Sgarro	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Joel Steiger & Dean Hargrove	January 20, 1987	8614
After a night out in town, Debra O'Keefe (Shawn Weatherly) was found dead in a bathtub. The case against her boyfriend, Adam Gardner (Timothy Busfield), looks weak, especially when an eyewitness points the finger at him. After corporate lawyers ask him to plead guilty, Matlock travels to Beverly Hills to defend Adam. The more Matlock believes in Adam's innocence, and the more he learns about the victim, the greater the motive his client has, especially when it comes to the love letters that were alternated between the victim and John Sinclair (Greg Evigan), Adam's assumed best friend. Other guest stars: Erwin Fuller as Judge Sean Black, William Bogert as Mr. Wallingford, Jimmy Baio as Mark Williams, Gregory Itzin as Carl Richardson, Jack Rader as L.A. Lawyer, James A. Watson Jr. as Prosecutor, Rex Ryon as Buster, James V. Christy as Jimmy, and Herb Edelman as Arthur Rydell. Note: Linda Purl does not appear in this episode. Purl's ex-husband, Desi Arnaz Jr., guest stars.
16	16	"The Nurse"	Charles S. Dubin	Robert Hamilton	February 3, 1987	8615
While Kathy Warren (Lise Cutter), a private nurse for the St. John is on duty, a man she was taking care of had died. When it was murder, Nurse Warren is the prime suspect. Matlock and the woman get into an elevator, at the courthouse, where it has a malfunction. He plans to hire this woman, offering her $250,000 engagement ring for a fee. Matlock also goes to an arraignment hearing with Kathy and finds out the woman he was stuck with in the elevator is the new A.D.A., Julie March. Later, Lacey St. John tells Julie that the ring was stolen from their house, that something is not right in the home of St. John's and that somebody is lying. Other guest stars: David Froman as lt. Bob Brooks, Christine Rose as Lacey ST. John, Billy Zane as Eric Dawson, Laurie O'Brien as Barbara Warren, Jo De Winter as Ruth Delamey, Jason Wingreen as Judge Arthur Beaumont, Robert Broyley as Peter St. John, Paul Reid Roman as Marcus Scott Note: Julie Sommars makes her first appearance as Julie March.
17	17	"The Convict"	Daniel Haller	Marvin Kupfer	February 10, 1987	8616
A man Ben defended seven years ago for killing his friend and business associate, but lost the case, was granted parole. Shortly after, some men try to kill him, but he defends himself and kills one of the men. The others claim he attacked the man he killed and would be charged with murder. Ben offers to defend him and eventually learns the attempt on his life and the murder he was convicted of may be linked. Tyler goes undercover in the prison and places himself with a cellmate of the man who was murdered. Tyler also delivers evidence to Matlock that not only proves Matthews really is being honest, but also who was really behind the murder Matthews was convicted of seven years ago. Guest stars: David Froman as Lt. Bob Brooks, Lucille Meredith as Judge Irene Sawyer, Arnold F. Turner as Officer Green, Robert Walden as Roger Bundy, Robert Pine as Sam Dolen, Nick Cassavetes as Foley, Robin Thomas Grossman as Prosecutor Burton Hawkins, Erik Stern as Wayne Lashley, David L. Lander as Eli Walsh, Larry Wilcox as Lester Matthews, Joe Prami as John Colter, Lee Purcell as Andrea Colter
18	18	"The Court-Martial: Part 1"	Charles S. Dubin	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Joel Steiger & Dean Hargrove	February 17, 1987	8617
A sinister Army Officer (Richard Green) pushes his guys too hard, especially one of the private's friends, Lt. Bobby Thomas (Philip Bailey), who died of a ruptured appendix; the officer then died alone, afterwards. Matlock's friend (Dana Elcar) was hired by him to defend his own son (Tony Becker) with the charge of the Army Officer's murder. Charlene also helps, but Matlock also begs Tyler to join the Army because Chris' father and Gen. Connors (Robert Mandan) both had to go all the way to the pentagon to get Tyler's & Chris' platoon. In the midst of the hearing, the defendant is gone.
19	19	"The Court-Martial: Part 2"	Charles S. Dubin	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Joel Steiger & Dean Hargrove	February 24, 1987	8618
As Matlock brings back the defendant (Tony Becker), the only important witness vanishes. Matlock also discovers a lieutenant (Cliff De Young), along with four other officers, dealing in illegal situations. Tyler finds out about the drug scheme, while Charlene investigates to narrow down one of the officers, and Matlock finally put the pieces together in solving an military case (while also having learned a lot about the Army).
20	20	"The Therapist"	Christopher Hibler	Robert Hamilton	March 3, 1987	8619
A popular actor (Steve Bond) is accused of killing the man who headed the sex therapy clinic (Kevin Hagen) where Brett was residing, and Matlock takes on the case. Ben's temporary thorn in his side is Cassie Phillips, a law student he once made an off-hand comment to about finding a job as a lawyer's assistant; she took him very seriously than he thought, while taking advantage of him in not doing the job he asked her to do. Tyler told Matlock that Cassie was kidnapped at the clinic, pretending Kimberly Bradshaw (Deborah Wakeham) was not there. Note: Though Linda Purl does not appear in this episode, her voice is heard. Charlene tells her father that she is handling a case in Philadelphia. Kari Lizer makes her first appearance as Cassie Phillips.
21	21	"The People vs. Matlock"	Charles S. Dubin	Robert Hamilton	March 24, 1987	8620
Matlock's daughter Charlene decides to move to Philadelphia to set up her own law practice. While defending the city's union boss (Richard Kuss), who has been accused of murdering his head rival, Matlock is disgusted when juror #7 (Alan Blumenfeld) comes forward to announce he was paid off by Matlock to vote in an unusual matter. Fortunately for Matlock, he gets some help from Julie (Julie Sommars) — while being accused for jury tampering, she understood he would never take on a bribe when she helps him become innocent (as his client was being railroaded by the same man who tried to put him away). Note: This is Linda Purl's final episode (who left the show due to dispute over the role of her character).{{May 18, 1987 interview in PEOPLE Magazine}} The following season, she is replaced by Nancy Stafford.
22	22	"The Photographer"	Bob Sweeney	Robin Bernheim	March 31, 1987	8621
Amy Adler (Julie Ronnie), a young lady with a juvenile record, was fired for not showing up to work on time, and was being charged for the murder of her photographer's boss (Jack Heller). When that happened, she persisted for Matlock to represent her. Despite not having an interest in pro bono cases, a case about her catches his interest, and he is glad to help her out. After heading back to the studio and picking up some supplies, Amy is beaten up by a man (Scott Burkholder), causing her best dress to get ruined. Tyler comes to rescue her and heard she took the man's picture. Note: Though departed from the cast one episode before, Linda Purl is still featured in the opening credits.
23	23	"The Reporter"	Charles S. Dubin	Robert Hamilton	May 5, 1987	8622
When a house blows up and a body is found which appears to be that of the owner, the police investigate and think that the man's wife (Caryn Richman) is a suspect. When she is arrested, a reporter (David Carpenter) tells Ben about her and when he offers to defend her, the reporter is hopeful about getting a story. When they look into the man's background, they discover a lot of irregularities, and even the neighbor saw some peculiar things on the night of the explosion. Note: Andy Griffith is the main cast member to appear in this episode.
24	24	"The Doctors"	Tony Mordente	Dean Hargrove, Robin Bernheim & Joel Steiger	May 12, 1987	8623
An evil head physician, Dr. David Westlake (Ben Piazza) caused a lot of trouble towards his medical students. One of his students had planned to kill him. When Dr. Westlake's body is found by Dr. Bruce Jacobs (Jay Avocone), who fled at the scene of the crime, all the questioning falls on him. Matlock, who has a pain in his hip, decides to take the case on a busy yet explanatory handsome physician. Note: Daniel Roebuck guest stars as Dr. Bobby Jacobs (and would play various roles before playing Cliff Lewis on the ABC version).

Season 2 (1987–88)

Actor	Character	Main	Recurring
Andy Griffith	Ben Matlock	Entire season	N/A
Nancy Stafford	Michelle Thomas	Entire season	N/A
Kari Lizer	Cassie Phillips	Entire season	N/A
Kene Holliday	Tyler Hudson	Entire season	N/A
Julie Sommars	ADA Julie March	N/A	Episodes 4–5,9–11,15,22

• Nancy Stafford and Kari Lizer joined the cast this season
• Kari Lizer departed at the end of the season

No. in season	No. in series	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original air date	Production code
1	25	"The Billionaire: Part 1"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	September 22, 1987	TBA
A British business man and wealthy patriarch Albert Gordon (Don Murray) is found dead. American lawyer, Michelle Thomas, who was going to spend time with Albert, finds him dead. One of his three sons Eric Gordon (Greg Evigan) was charged for the murder of his father. His sister Laura Gordon (Michelle Greene) believes of her brother's innocence to set up a mock trial, hoping something the truth did not get will come out, and Matlock travels all the way to England to represent Eric. Other guest stars: Preston Lockwood as Judge Woolsey, David McCallum as Phil Dudley, Ronald Pickup as Sir Alec Moore, Claire Oberman as Fiona Maxwell, Alan Downer as Stanley Douglas, Linal Haft as Robert Harris, John Guasie as Stevenson Davies, Jane How as Sybill Gordon, Barrie Ingham as Butler, Richard Riding as Nicky, Bruce Greenwood as Mitchell Gordon Notes: This is the first appearance of Michelle Thomas. Nancy Stafford takes the place of Linda Purl in the opening credits. The episode was filmed in England.
2	26	"The Billionaire: Part 2"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	September 22, 1987	TBA
Matlock was very devastated over the death of Fiona Maxwell (Claire Oberman) and asks Tyler to find the person who was behind it. When Robert Harris was in a scheme that took advantage of Albert (Don Murray), where Theona came in, he hired Tyler to crack the safe. In the end, Matlock asked Michelle to replace his daughter Charlene to become an equal partner to him. Other guest stars: Preston Lockwood as Judge Woolsey, Leon Greene as Inspector Liggett, David McCallum as Phil Dudley, Ronald Pickup as Sir Alec Moore, Jane How as Sybill Gordon, Alan Downer as Stanley Douglas, Linal Haft as Robert Harris, Barrie Ingham as Butler, Lindy Whiteford as Maid, Oliver Parker as Man at Butler's school, John Guasie as Stevenson Davies, Richard Riding as Nicky, Bruce Greenwood as Mitchell Gordon Note: This episode was filmed in England.
3	27	"Blind Justice"	Christian I. Nyby II	Sam Bernard	September 29, 1987	TBA
When Michelle's old collegemate (Kathleen Lloyd) is accused of killing her volatile husband (Greg Mullavey), Michelle is more than happy to take the case. Matlock later finds out that the actual killer was Clay's blind friend (David Ogden Stiers), but discovers it will take some good luck to prove how a blind man managed to carry off a near-perfect murder. Note: Greg Mullavey guest starred with David Ogden Stiers on one episode of M*A*S*H, entitled "Major Ego," (season 7).
4	28	"The Annihilator"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Rift Fournier	October 13, 1987	TBA
Matlock reluctantly agrees to represent a famous wrestler (Dick Butkus) when he is accused of killing a long-time rival (Lee Paul), but only when Cassie begs him to. The key witness in the case is a young girl (Marta Kober) who was a die-hard fan of the dead wrestler, but whose story might not be completely accurate.
5	29	"The Husband"	Tony Mordente	Teleplay by: Robert Schlitt Story by: Leigh Vance & Robert Schlitt	October 20, 1987	TBA
Matlock is more than happy to defend Cassie's friend Diane Jonas-Benson (Christopher Norris), because he is intrigued to find out that her husband Kevin Benson (Terrence E. McNally) had another wife, Judy Benson (Sherry Hursey), and a third wife, Elizabeth Benson (Nancy Franglone). Other guest stars: Julie Sommars as Julie March, Lucille Meredith as Judge Irene Sawyer, Gordon Pinkey as Lt. Mark Herrmann, Natalie Core as Mrs. Berino, H. Richard Greene as Clark Benson
6	30	"The Power Brokers: Part 1"	Charles S. Dubin	Robert Hamilton	October 27, 1987	TBA
Matlock travels to Washington, D.C. and reluctantly takes on the case of Melinda Stuart (Isabella Hofmann), who was accused of killing her source. When Tyler gets dragged by an FBI Agent Paul Davies (Alan Fudge) before Matlock, he yelled at the agent not to ruin his tuxedo (when it was already ruined). For Melinda to plead guilty, she would rather be listening to what Agent Davies has to say, than herself listening to him.
7	31	"The Power Brokers: Part 2"	Charles S. Dubin	Robert Hamilton	November 3, 1987	TBA
Matlock's up the creek when his client, Melinda, makes a confession and retraces his steps. Tyler searches for Clarissa Irwin (Nancy Dussault) who's staying at the spa in Texas, under heavy sedation.
8	32	"The Network"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Phillip Mishkin Story by: Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	December 1, 1987	TBA
Matlock and Michelle both travel to Los Angeles to defend a television executive (Granville Van Dusen) accused of murdering his boss. Guest stars: ALF, Betty White, Jason Bateman, Corbin Bernsen, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Cameron Mitchell as Lane Lockletter, Frank Collison as Unshaven Man, Mark Schneider as D.A. David Clark, John McCahn as Lt. Wallace, Aneta Corsaut as Ida Stillman, Mie Hunt as Judge Judith Nagata Note: Kari Lizer and Kene Holliday do not appear in this episode.
9	33	"The Best Friend"	Tony Mordente	Gerald Sanoff	December 8, 1987	TBA
A writer (James Mulholland) is found dead, and Vanessa (Nana Visitor) is charged for his murder; Matlock still takes on the case. Obviously, Matlock also finds out about his client who is guilty of the murder she is responsible for committing, he arranges a plan to implicate her best friend, Sarah (Katherine Cannon), with the crime, knowing that Vanessa will not let her friend take the blame for something she did. After Tyler, who tried to look up all the files before Lamont (Grant Heslov), which had nothing, Tyler found a Douglas Manuscript file in one of the books and gave it to Lamont to copy and print it out when he burned it.
10	34	"The Country Boy"	Charles S. Dubin	Doc Barnett	December 15, 1987	TBA
Matlock's favorite country singer of all, Jimmy le Grand (David Carradine), has been accused of a hit-and-run by Kitty Carroll (Candy Clark), which killed her sister Luann. It is revealed that she left him because of his alcohol abuse. When that happens, Matlock immediately defends him and to house the country legend in his place. However, he soon finds out that Jimmy is a very difficult person and has an alcoholic personality.
11	35	"The Gift"	Tony Mordente	Robert Schlitt	December 22, 1987	TBA
Matlock defends a Santa accused of murder – Brian Emerson (Bryan Cranston). Maggie Crowley (Lise Hilboldt), Brian's ex-wife, was murdered at 5 minutes past 10:00. She was hosting a Christmas party populated by Santa Clauses. Matlock also plays father Christmas to Wendy Crowley (Jandi Swanson), Maggie and Brian's daughter, and spreads some Christmas Cheer on a judge who has lost his Christmas spirit. After Tyler was hit in the head, Philip Tracy (Howard George), whose wife left him seven years ago, confesses that he had gone to the party that night to have it out with Maggie, and that he made all those threatening phone calls to Maggie because of what Maggie had done to his wife. He also says that he was so mad, he could have killed Maggie himself, "but someone beat me to it". He also tells Tyler that he got a good look at the guy who committed the murder. Tyler then brings back Tracy's wife Miriam (Judith Baldwin) as a Christmas gift. Her husband said, "Why did you come here?" Miriam replied, "He said you still loved me". Philip replied back to his wife, "But you left me!" Miriam then replied, "You sent me away." Finally, Philip tells Miriam, "I thought you don't want me anymore."
12	36	"The Gambler"	Tony Mordente	Robert Hamilton	December 29, 1987	TBA
Matlock defends a police Lieutenant (Bruce Weitz) against a murder charge in Las Vegas. Laura Norwood (Marg Helgenberger), the victim, was killed on the evening of the 19th, between 10:30 and 11:30. She was staying on the 6th floor of a hotel run by Lewis Devlin (Ken Kercheval), in the Princess Suite. Note: Andy Griffith is the only main cast member to appear in this episode.
13	37	"The Body"	Charles S. Dubin	Gerald Sanoff	January 5, 1988	TBA
Matlock is more than happy to defend the woman (Penelope Windust) who was accused of killing the aerobics instructor, Christie Huntley (Michelle Zeitlin), who work at a spa, who slept with her husband. Matlock later notices that Christine's death had nothing to do with who she slept with, when it had everything to do with why she slept with them.
14	38	"The Reunion"	Charles S. Dubin	Mary Ann Kasica & Michael Scheff	January 12, 1988	TBA
Matlock attends a law school class reunion with his oldest classmates (Richard Roat, Bill Hayes and Fredd Wayne), but the reunion was short-lived when one of them was murdered, one of them was framed, and Matlock has no choice other than to prove that a classmate had murdered another one. He also assigns Michelle and Tyler to follow the people who killed Warren.
15	39	"The Gigolo"	Tony Mordente	Stephen Black & Henry Stern	January 19, 1988	TBA
When one's married lover (Jane Hallaren) had run by a car, Matlock defends Scott Lazar (Steven Memel) for this murder. Other guest stars: Julie Sommars as Julie March, Roy Fegan as Lt. Snell, Jason Wingreen as Judge Arthur Beaumont, David Froman as Lt. Bob Brooks, Chad Dee Block as Judge Archibald Smith, Sheilia Shaw as Letitia, Penny Fuller as Barbara Raymond, Gerald Prendergast as Dash Harrison, Jane Hallaren as Laura Frazier, William Prince as Garland Frazier
16	40	"The Umpire"	Harvey S. Laidman	Phil Mishkin	January 26, 1988	TBA
Matlock defends an Insurance Salesman (Richard Kline) accused of killing his boss after a disputed play during a softball game in which the boss was the umpire.
17	41	"The Investigation: Part 1"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	February 2, 1988	TBA
A popular mobster (John Randolph) is about to be exposed. After the politician subpoenaed the mobster's son, Craig Gentry (Shaun Cassidy), the politician is murdered (Stan Ivar), and Craig is arrested for his murdered. When that happened, he refused to go to his father, when he came to Matlock. With the encouragement of Cassie, Tyler enters into the bar. Before he questions Juanita Martinez (Maria O'Brien) about one of the guys who works for the Martinez gang, who shot the building, that day, a bartender (Anthony Torrell) throws Tyler on the ground. As soon as Matlock enters into the bar where Tyler went, he was looking for Mickey Morrison (Geoffrey Lewis), who was found dead, before Matlock was assaulted in the head.
18	42	"The Investigation: Part 2"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	February 9, 1988	TBA
As the investigation continues, Matlock, who was assaulted, goes on with the case. Gentry (Shaun Cassidy) continues to turn his back on his father (John Randolph), Tyler returns to the same bar, continues to be thrown on the ground (twice), especially for asking Juanita Martinez (Maria O'Brien) about her night of the murders of both Morrison (Geoffrey Lewis) and Congressman Pete McGuiness (Stan Ivar). The Gentry Family nearly got caught in the middle of the mob war with the Hernandez family, Matlock notices that somebody is pressing the buttons.
19	43	"The Hucksters"	Charles S. Dubin	Teleplay by: Phil Mishkin Story by: Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	February 16, 1988	TBA
At a television station, Matlock and Michelle both need to prove that Hal Simpson (Rob Winniger) didn't kill Robert Ullman (Robert Lesser), a scheming huckster. Note: When this episode aired originally you could call and vote for each of the three suspects, 1. Jane Barnes (Beth Broderick), 2. Don Ridgely (Michael Flynn), 3. Stephen Spector (James A. Watson Jr.). All you had to pay was fifty cents and the suspect with the most calls was the murderer, and the proceeds were donated to charity.
20	44	"The Lovelorn"	Christopher Hibler	Max Eisenberg	February 23, 1988	TBA
Matlock and Michelle both represent the man (Jerry Houser) accused of killing the relationship columnist (Natalija Nogulich) whose response led to the end of the relationship.
21	45	"The Genius"	Frank Thackery	Lincoln Kibbee	March 15, 1988	TBA
Matlock's nephew (Bill Mumy) is charged with the murder of his boss (Gerald Hiken), in a high-tech computer firm to clear his name.
22	46	"The Magician"	TBA	TBA	March 22, 1988	TBA
Matlock attends a magic show with Julie (Julie March) one night. Afterwards, Daniel Fontaine (Michael E. Knight) was framed for the murder of his lover/partner (Kim Johnston Ulrich), who was devious as she was beautiful. When the game of pool was over, Tyler questioned Jimmy (Peter Freschette) about his tiny gig with the Magic Castle. His contact with that company, set Tyler up, led both of them in jail, and Tyler is furious because Jimmy said to him it was Arthur Wolff (Michael Halsey) who told him to. Note: Though departed from the cast one episode before this one, Kari Lizer is still featured in the opening credits.
23	47	"The Fisherman"	Harvey S. Laidman	Marvin Kupfer	March 29, 1988	TBA
Matlock defends both the Vietnamese fisherman (Dana Lee) and his own son (Jason Scott Lee), after a prejudiced fisherman (S.A. Griffin) was murdered on the boat. Together, both the father and son had words. It turns out that there is more than just the fisherman Matlock is defending, as he also becomes a prime target of the racist townspeople.
24	48	"The Heiress"	Leo Penn	Diana Kopald Marcus	May 3, 1988	TBA
When Allison Tate (Jill Carroll) was just a little girl, she finds the bodies of her parents, who were killed by an intruder. After she reached 21, she searched for Marsha Gold (Melinda O. Fee), and finds her dead in the same manner that her parents were murdered, years before. When she was put back into the Linder Sanitarium, where she resided since the murder of her parents, Bob Rainer (Mason Adams) (her father's former business partner, who was her surrogate uncle) hires Matlock to prove that Allison is not guilty of this murder, who in turn has a quarrel with Warren Kreitzer (Brian Benben), an insurance attorney who was about to head on vacation, but will do whatever he has to protect Allison.

Season 3 (1988–89)

Actor	Character
Andy Griffith	Ben Matlock
Nancy Stafford	Michelle Thomas
Julie Sommars	ADA Julie March
Kene Holliday	Tyler Hudson

• Julie Sommars joined the cast this season
• Kene Holliday departed at the end of the season

No. in season	No. in series	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original air date	Production code
1	49	"The Lemon"	Leo Penn	Diana Kopald Marcus	November 29, 1988	TBA
Matlock's new neighbor (Don Knotts) gets confused when he is faced with two competitive car salesmen, and gets framed for the murder of one of them, T.J. Cassidy (John McCann), who sold him a lemon. Notes: This is the first appearance of Don Knotts in the role of Les Calhoun. It was the first time in over twenty years that Griffith and Knotts had worked together on a television series, since The Andy Griffith Show. (They had reunited two years earlier in the popular TV reunion-movie Return to Mayberry.)
2	50	"The Ambassador: Part 1"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	December 6, 1988	TBA
British ambassador Anthony Stewart (Neil Dickson) is charged with the murder of his lover's husband (Charles Bateman). When he has diplomatic immunity, he was accompanied by Alex Winthrop (Daniel Roebuck) who in turn called Matlock to travel to New York City to represent him. Other guest stars: John Rubinstein as Dr. Douglas Clark, David Ogden Stiers as Thomas Baldwin, Michael C. Gwynne as Lt. Rosetti, Albert Hall as a prosecutor, Don Knotts as Les Calhoun, Akio Mitamura as Judge Raymond Kawai Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
3	51	"The Ambassador: Part 2"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	December 13, 1988	TBA
After Stewart (Neil Dickson) is nearly killed in a hit and run accident, Matlock notices that the only way to get him off is to locate the woman (Lisa Hartman) who accused the client of this crime. Other guest stars: John Rubinstein as Dr. Douglas Clark, David Ogden Stiers as Thomas Baldwin, Michael C. Gwynne as Lt. Rosetti, Albert Hall as a prosecutor, Akio Mitamura as Judge Raymond Kawai Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
4	52	"The Mistress"	Harvey S. Laidman	Robert Hamilton	December 20, 1988	TBA
Matlock and Julie both agree to defend a jealous woman (Pamela Galloway) who's charged with murdering her husband. Note: Nancy Stafford and Kene Holliday do not appear in this episode.
5	53	"The D.J."	Tony Mordente	Bill Dana	January 3, 1989	TBA
Michelle's poetic, corruptive boyfriend, Arthur Saxon (S.A. Griffin) has a job as a DJ at a radio station, who later, got framed for the murder of his arch rival, Robby Moore (Robert Krantz). When Arthur got arrested, Michelle asks Matlock to take the case. Note: Julie Sommars and Kene Holliday do not appear in this episode.
6	54	"The Captain"	Frank Thackery	Lincoln Kibbee	January 10, 1989	TBA
Matlock's old friend, Capt. Edward Hanna (Richard Herd), was once a fine cop and had won many honors. Unfortunately, his actions after his wife was murdered took on a vicious tone, and had earned him the nickname 'The Mad Hatter'. Sgt. Jim Shanley (David Niedorf) had come to suspect that the Captain was murdering suspects who had gotten off on technicalities, and he had compiled a list, and had confronted Hanna, saying that if the Captain did not retire gracefully, he would report him to Internal Affairs. (Captain Hanna was the arresting officer on 5 suspects, who were murdered shortly after being acquitted.) So Sgt. Shanley had to be killed, and Hanna did a beautiful frame, setting up Sgt. Jerry Reese (Joe Urla) for the crime, who ironically thought Hanna should not be called "the mad hatter." Matlock had to prove that Reese was innocent and that the Captain was guilty. Note: Andy Griffith is the only main cast member to appear in this episode.
7	55	"The Vendetta"	David Solomon	Robert Schlitt	January 17, 1989	TBA
When the brother of the dead convict (Mitchell Laurance) holds Michelle hostage, both Tyler and Julie must not allow Ned Billings to kill Matlock. Note: This episode is featured in an anthology-style, reviewing the pilot episode "The Diary of a Perfect Murder", season two episodes "Blind Justice" and the 2-part "The Investigation", followed by the rest of the season one episodes "The People Vs. Matlock", "The Stripper", "The Court-Martial", "The Seduction", and "The Sisters" – all episodes as to explain how Michelle, Julie and Tyler enjoyed working for Matlock. It concludes with "The Professor", the only episode within the context of trying to find out why Ned's brother had hung himself in jail, after he was found guilty for the murder. Andy Griffith appears briefly at the end of the episode.
8	56	"The Mayor: Part 1"	Harvey S. Laidman	Teleplay by: Robert Schlitt Story by: Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	January 31, 1989	TBA
When a man (Tony Maggio) is determined to bring back the sixties is accused of murdering the mayor, Matlock travels to Chicago to represent him. Other guest stars: Georg Stanford Brown as Judge Stuart Franklin, Ford Rainey as Judge Donald Powell, Mel Stewart as Sgt. Lou Marshall
9	57	"The Mayor: Part 2"	Harvey S. Laidman	Teleplay by: Robert Schlitt Story by: Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	February 7, 1989	TBA
After Paul O'Neill (Tony Soper) found Jackie Chan (Evan C. Kim) dead, he fled to Matlock in asking him for money to go to Texas to follow Eddie Lomax (Alan Stock), knowing he'd be the real killer, before his own murder in prison. In Chicago, Matlock notices that the real estate scam is responsible for everything, and enlists the mayor's wife as his main ally. Other guest stars: Georg Stanford Brown, Ford Rainey, Mel Stewart, Leonard Donato as an Assistant D.A.
10	58	"The Black Widow"	Christopher Hibler	Gerald Sanoff	February 14, 1989	TBA
Being convicted for seven years for killing his wife Ann (Debra Stipe), Ken Wilson (Jeff Allin) approaches a woman in Los Angeles, only to discover that she is Ann, still alive under the name Kelly Manning. When she is killed a second time, Ken is arrested again. In Atlanta, Les is more than happy with his new girlfriend Bernice, whom he met at Ray Templin's bar. Note: Julie Sommars and Nancy Stafford do not appear in this episode.
11	59	"The Other Woman"	Robert Scheerer	Phil Mishkin	February 21, 1989	TBA
After an abusive and controlling man (Peter Mark Richman) is murdered, his wife's therapist (James Sloyan) is arrested for the crime and Matlock takes the case. He begins to noticed that Erin Whitley (Nana Visitor) had a series of psychiatric problems, and is shocked to finally discover the identity of the killer.
12	60	"The Starlet"	Harvey S. Laidman	Marvin Kupfer	February 28, 1989	TBA
Matlock's old friend (Anne Francis, Forbidden planet) besought him to prove that her daughter (Rebecca Staab) did not murder her rival Morgan Girard (Nia Peeples). Roddy McDowall also appears.
13	61	"The Psychic"	Beth Austin	Teleplay by: Beth Ronald & Ronald Austin Story by: Sue Downey	March 7, 1989	TBA
Matlock agrees to take on the case of Jennifer Holtz (Camilla More), a psychic who claims to have seen the murder before it ever took place. When the murder does take place, she hires Matlock. Ben's friend Les (Don Knotts) really believes in her powers, and is upset when she tells him that he won't live to see the outcome of the trial. As it turns out, no one does, since charges are dismissed.
14	62	"The Thief: Part 1"	Harvey S. Laidman	Gerald Sanoff	March 28, 1989	TBA
A coin dealer (John Harkins) finds out that a man who had been working for is stealing. Michael begs Rob Casey (Tom Henschel) to give him all of his coins back or Michael will press charges against Rob. When the employee was found dead, he was charged for his murder. Matlock represents the boss, as is Linda, the private investigator (Cindy Morgan), whom Tyler is less than happy after his boss hired her, himself, for the time being. Tyler's also very suspicious of Linda's plots. Guest star: Henry G. Sanders as Mitchell Sands
15	63	"The Thief: Part 2"	Harvey S. Laidman	Gerald Sanoff	April 4, 1989	TBA
Matlock and Tyler both found out that part of Linda's deception is in location of the kidnapping of her own son. While Tyler finds the son, Matlock finds the rare coins he needs to put together to close the case. Guest star: Henry G. Sanders as Mitchell Sands
16	64	"The Thoroughbred"	Leo Penn	Mary Ann Kasica Michael Scheff	April 18, 1989	TBA
When Sandra Taylor (Susan Walden), the manager of a thoroughbred farm is murder, her father (Claude Akins) strongly insist Matlock, that he represent the mentally handicapped young man (Don Swayze) accused of the murder.
17	65	"The Model"	Tony Mordente	Robert Schlitt	April 25, 1989	TBA
Matlock has a breakthrough in the case he was struggling with, but he forgets it all when he is then hit by a car. While in the hospital he reads over the material he has, much to the annoyance of the nurse Gertrude, who wants him to rest. As he reads over the statements of the three suspects attending the party, where the murder occurred, the statements are reenacted, and of course they differ slightly from one another. Fascinating! One of them is the murderer, but which one? Nurse Gertrude puts a patch on him to cure his headache, and suddenly Ben knows how the murder was done and tells Gert he loves her. Matlock appears very seldom in this episode, and mostly in a hospital bed, so Andy Griffith was probably feeling out of sorts. He does appear in the final courtroom scene, though. Note: Julie Sommars and Kene Holliday do not appear in this episode.
18	66	"The Cult"	Harvey S. Laidman	Marvin Kupfer	May 2, 1989	TBA
An outraged parent (Jack Dodson) arrives from Chicago to Atlanta in pursuit of looking for his son (Wallace Langham), who was grabbed by the cult. Dennis told his father to leave him alone, because the cult was his place, as he turned his back on his father. The head of the cult, Joshua Bradbury (Roger Davis) encourages William to accept his son's decision by leaving him alone. Austin refuses to go anywhere else without his son, and the police escort William outside the mansion, yelling, threatening Mr. Bradbury he will have his head torn off. In the mansion, Dennis learned there was a shot, but then tells the police that his father had shot him. When the father had found out Dennis has signed his trust fund and his life's savings over to the cult, Matlock confronts him, and is shocked to hear Dennis deny his father. Matlock goes to an expert in de-programming cult victims, who tells him that Dennis may believe he saw his father, but he is probably so brain-washed by the cult that he can't really be sure what he saw. Under Matlock's orders, Tyler infiltrates the cult, but he might be getting himself in over his head when he seems to be falling for their line.
19	67	"The Blues Singer"	Leo Penn	Joel Stieger	May 9, 1989	TBA
An iconic blues singer (Joe Seneca) is charged with murder, Matlock must defend Eddie Haynes, a man he once idolized. Note: Julie Sommars and Kene Holliday do not appear in this episode.
20	68	"The Priest"	Harvey S. Laidman	Max Eisenberg	May 16, 1989	TBA
After a local mobster (Robert Miranda) is accused of murdering a priest (Leo Penn), Alex Winthrop (Daniel Roebuck) from New York, visits Matlock in Atlanta, for help with the case because he knows that he can't do it on his own. It doesn't take long before Matlock realises that the church is covering something up. Note: Kene Holliday was officially fired from the show, after being three months sober, from his long battle against drugs and alcohol. Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.

Season 4 (1989–90)

Actor	Character	Main	Recurring
Andy Griffith	Ben Matlock	Entire season	N/A
Nancy Stafford	Michelle Thomas	Entire season	N/A
Julie Sommars	ADA Julie March	Entire season	N/A
Clarence Gilyard, Jr.	Conrad McMasters	Entire season	N/A
Kene Holliday	Tyler Hudson	N/A	Episodes 4,14

• Clarence Gilyard, Jr. joined the cast this season

No. in season	No. in series	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original air date	Production code
1	69	"The Hunting Party: Part 1"	Robert Scheerer	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	September 19, 1989	TBA
Matlock travels to Manteo, North Carolina, to defend Spencer Hamilton (Jeff Wincott), the brother of Frank, who was killed in a duck-hunting accident. After Ryan Bartell (Jeff Lester) was shot, immediately after Spencer's brother, Matlock also was approached by a handsome young sheriff, Conrad McMasters, to find evidence in killing Ryan. Other guest stars: R.G. Armstrong as Sherrif Dalton Parks, Fred Thompson as Gordon Lewis, Terri Hanauer as Prosecutor Melissa Lyle, and Richard Newton as Judge Richard Cooksey, and Lee Lively as Judge Stone. Note: This is the first appearance of Conrad McMasters. Clarence Gilyard, Jr. takes the place of Kene Holliday in the opening credits. Nancy Stafford appears briefly at the beginning. The episode was filmed in Andy Griffith's hometown of Manteo, North Carolina.
2	70	"The Hunting Party: Part 2"	Robert Scheerer	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	September 19, 1989	TBA
After Conrad calms Matlock down, realizing he was framed for all the dope that he had in his car, Matlock investigates the three guys who killed Bartell, and discovers that each of whom were all liars. In the end, Matlock hired Conrad as a full-time partner and private investigator in Atlanta, after Conrad leaves his hometown of Manteo, North Carolina. Guest stars: R.G. Armstrong as Sherrif Dalton Parks, Fred Thompson as Gordon Lewis, Terri Hanauer as Prosecutor Melissa Lyle, Lee Lively as Judge Stone Note: This episode was filmed in Andy Griffith's hometown of Manteo, North Carolina.
3	71	"The Good Boy"	Christopher Hibler	David Hoffman & Leslie Daryl Zerg	September 26, 1989	TBA
A woman's son (Brian Bloom) resents that his mom (Leslie Bevis) has a new husband (John Calvin), and makes sure to have his feelings about it out in the open. Her husband, feeling that her son needs to be straightened out, wants to send him to a military school. But when he refuses, her husband tells him that unless he goes, his mother is going to know what he has been doing. So he kills him. Eventually, his mother is arrested, and Ben defends her. Note: Julie Sommars and Clarence Gilyard Jr. do not appear in this episode.
4	72	"The Best Seller"	Christopher Hibler	Robert Schlitt	October 10, 1989	TBA
While Matlock is in Texas, for a lawyer's convention, Julie defends Phillip Slayton (Don Galloway), the man accused of killing his wife. Note: Kene Holliday makes an appearance as Tyler Hudson. The opening credits for this episode are also the same as in the whole third season.
5	73	"The Ex"	Harvey S. Laidman	Diana Kopald Marcus	October 17, 1989	TBA
Julie goes to Baltimore to defend the guy (Alan Fudge), who accused of killing the newspaper editor (Bruce Kirby) who used his name in the air. Julie asks Matlock if Conrad's there to do some investigation, when he has too many things to do, leaving Matlock to do most of his investigative work with Julie, who was with her divorced husband (Barry Jenner). Note: Nancy Stafford and Clarence Gilyard Jr. do not appear in this episode.
6	74	"The Clown"	Leo Penn	Lincoln Kibbee	October 24, 1989	TBA
Homer Fleming (Hy Anzell), the clown, asks Ben Matlock to represent him, as he has been accused of killing his partner, Simon (Raye Birk). When Conrad told Matlock he was interested in doing investigative work while attending the circus, Matlock finds out that everybody had a good reason to dislike Simon Le Simple. Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
7	75	"The Star"	Seymour Robbie	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Joyce Burditt, Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	October 31, 1989	TBA
Sexy actress Catherine McKay (Anita Morris) had her first and only blockbuster movie in her career. When one of the actors stabbed her for real, the director, Noel Bishop (Dennis Christopher), is accused of her murder. Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
8	76	"The Con Man"	Leo Penn	Gerald Sanoff	November 7, 1989	TBA
When a client (James Eckhouse) of Ben's is taken by some con artists, he decides to get back at them. When one of them is killed and when another one decides to testify against him, Ben defends him. Michelle tries to work on another member of the team and is taken with him.
9	77	"The Prisoner: Part 1"	Harvey S. Laidman	Teleplay by: Gerald Sanoff Story by: Marvin Kupfer & Gerald Sanoff	November 14, 1989	TBA
After John Jackson (Michael Champion) was accused of murdering Rudy Chambers (Bob Minor), there is a prison Riot and The prisoners take control of the jail. The Attorney General Peter Garner asks Matlock to go to the prison because the prisoners want to try John Jackson of murder in a kangaroo court. So, Ben goes and meets Steve Mazarowski who is going to be the Prosecuting attorney and tells him that Tiny (Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr.), will be with him at all times as his bodyguard. When Lenny Marcus (David Paymer), who saw Rudy's murderer, will not testify, Ben and Tiny later find him murdered. (Tiny later says that Rudy was a friend of his.) Other guest stars: David Paymer as Lenny Marcus, Daniel Quinn as Art Spring, Troy Evans as Dick Henderson, Terry Bozeman as Attorney General Peter Garner, Colin Hamilton as Ed Harper, Louis Hacsi as Charlie Hauk, Ji-Tu Cumbuka as Jerry Stone, and David Carradine as Steve Mazarowski, Ron Taylor as Deacon Holmes (Steve Mazaroswki's prisoner bodyguard), Conor O"Farrell as Billy Castell, Richard Zobell as Val Delaney, John Lehne as Newman (the prisoner judge), Wilfredo Hernández as C.J. Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
10	78	"The Prisoner: Part 2"	Harvey S. Laidman	Teleplay by: Gerald Sanoff Story by: Marvin Kupfer & Gerald Sanoff	November 21, 1989	TBA
While Matlock finds the weapon that indicates the deaths of both Chambers' and Marcus' in jail, Conrad works outside of jail to clear the guard and to keep Ben safe. Guest stars: Daniel Quinn, Troy Evans, Terry Bozeman, David Carradine, Ron Taylor, Colin Hamilton, Ji-Tu Cumbuka, John Lehne, Michael Mederios as Jim Beck, Conor O"Farrell as Billy Castell, Richard Zobell, John Toles-Bey as Mike Saunders, Anthony Charnota as Red, Greg Rusin as Greenwood Guard Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
11	79	"The Fugitive"	Tony Mordente	Bruce Shelly & Reed Shelly	November 28, 1989	TBA
Matlock knew Drew Carey (Tim Ryan) since he was a little boy. He is actually being framed for the murder of his uncle (David Tress), prior to his crazy temper tantrums. Matlock thought Drew was a nice person, when Drew himself turned into a corrupt, young man, who refused to follow his lawyer's orders suspecting that Valerie (Terri Garber) (a young woman who married her husband) actually had done it, when she was having an affair with a construction worker. Despite Drew finding himself innocent for not killing his uncle, Judge Sawyer (Lucille Meredith) also sentenced him to an indefinite community service, due to his behavioral problems, both inside and outside the court. Note: Nancy Stafford and Clarence Gilyard Jr. do not appear in this episode.
12	80	"The Buddies"	Frank Thackery	Phil Mishkin	December 12, 1989	TBA
It's November 1955. Four of Ben's collegemates were spending some time during their vacation, when they picked up a hitchhiker (Beth Black), who subsequently dies. Her death is blamed on a poor black local named Calvin Stokes (Arnold Johnson). Almost 35 years later, one of them (who had left before the girl died) informs Ben of this fact in a posthumous letter, and begs the Atlanta attorney to find out the truth of what happened. Over dinner, Ben confronts the survivors, who deny everything. Later, after Conrad briefs his boss on the investigation so far, Ben starts his car, and an ignition bomb explodes. Conrad pulls Ben out and saves his boss's life. Conrad then investigates the three friends, one of whom, apparently, almost killed Matlock. Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
13	81	"The Scrooge"	Harvey S. Laidman	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Joel Steiger	December 19, 1989	TBA
After Steven's partner (Thomas Ryan), who happened to be the scrooge of a store owner, is killed, he was accused of his murder, leaving Matlock to defend him. Conrad told Les about the Christmas party he and the rest of Matlock's associates were going to attend to, when Matlock's already at the police station to tell Steven (Peter Michael Goetz) that he must give a lot at Christmas, rather than doing business.
14	82	"The Witness"	Tony Mordente	Susan Woollen	January 2, 1990	TBA
Before heading off to California, Matlock passes his first case to Michelle, who's boss's paperboy (Michael Mantell) was arrested for the murder, when in fact, Sandra Townsend (Caitlin Clarke), who's an old friend of Michelle's actually did it, when her ex-boyfriend threatens to expose her love life. At first, Michelle hated to do that to Sandra, after putting her on the stand, but she did, and her old classmate had connived her in not confessing to it. Note: Kene Holliday makes an appearance as Tyler Hudson, which is his final appearance. The opening credits for this episode are also the same as in the whole third season.
15	83	"The Student"	Burt Brinckerhoff	Teleplay by: Gerald Sanoff Story by: Marvin Kupfer	January 9, 1990	TBA
An English professor, John Gallagher (Dennis Boutsikaris), gives everybody A's, except for Mark Carter (Steven Eckholdt), who was accused of cheating on his test. Marcy (Debbie Barker) asked the professor about having an affair with another woman, which he confesses to her about. While he is typing up the students' grades on his computer, one of the students killed him, and it is up to Matlock and his associates to prove who the real killer was.
16	84	"The Talk Show"	Robert Scheerer	David Hoffman & Leslie Daryl Zerg	January 16, 1990	TBA
After Dan Galloway (James Harper) fired the executive producer and humiliated three women on the air, he gets murdered, and the suspects are not running short. Almost everybody wanted the guy dead, but it's Matlock's job to prove whether Marla (Kathryn Leigh Scott), Leanne (Leann Hunley) or Katherine (Samantha Eggar) was found guilty of his murder. Note: Julie Sommars and Clarence Gilyard Jr. do not appear in this episode.
17	85	"The Victim"	Robert Scheerer	Michael Marks	January 23, 1990	TBA
Matlock has to take the case of Alex Gordon (Alan Toy), the paraplegic man who actually killed his wife (Patrie Allen). When Michelle and Conrad both visited Alex's house, to overhear the conversation of their boss' client (who was innocent), he explicitly yelled at them, telling their boss's client to leave.
18	86	"The Kidnapper"	Frank Thackery	Joyce Burditt	February 6, 1990	TBA
Michelle and Conrad search through Matlock's old cases to find out who actually held Matlock hostage. Note: This episode is featured in an anthology-style reviewing the season one episodes "The Judge", the two-part "The Don", then concluding with "The Sisters", all within the context of trying to find out who kidnapped Ben.
19	87	"The Pro"	Burt Brinckerhoff	Max Eisenberg	February 13, 1990	TBA
When a young, bastardized tennis player, Dave Travis (Vincent Van Patten) was found guilty of murdering Victor Tomassio (Jason Tomlins), Matlock has to defend Dave, in Atlanta, before his life gets slightly tainted. He did not do it, anyways, which it was actually self-defense. In Los Angeles, Michelle and Conrad both ask Travis's tennis players some questions that'll release his name.
20	88	"The Informer: Part 1"	Harvey S. Laidman	Teleplay by: Gerald Sanoff Story by: Sam Rolfe & Gerald Sanoff	February 20, 1990	TBA
A jealous, hotshot lawyer, David O'Malley (Richard Masur) hires Matlock to represent him, after O'Malley is accused of killing Sam Chandler (John Anderson), a client whom O'Malley recently discovered to be having an affair with O'Malley's wife(Katherine Cannon). Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
21	89	"The Informer: Part 2"	Harvey S. Laidman	Teleplay by: Gerald Sanoff Story by: Sam Rolfe & Gerald Sanoff	February 27, 1990	TBA
After Matlock's client, O'Malley, fired Angela Page (Lynn Whitfield), for telling her not to go to the memorial of Chandler, she goes to Conrad to help her find the informer that will track down his murderer. Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
22	90	"The D.A."	Russ Mayberry	Diana Kopald Marcus	March 20, 1990	TBA
After successfully getting a man convicted of killing his wife's lover, Julie is threatened by the man's brother and becomes the target of a stalker.
23	91	"The Blackmailer"	Christopher Hibler	Gerald Sanoff	May 1, 1990	TBA
Matlock defends Peter Dolan (Peter Haskell), a state senator accused of murdering Ron Winfield (Ray Buktenica), a comic strip artist who was going to go public on Dolan's affair with another senator's wife.
24	92	"The Cookie Monster"	Harvey S. Laidman	Michele S. Chodos & Bonnie L. DeSouza	May 8, 1990	TBA
As Katie White (Lynne Cormack) plans a hostile takeover of a number of smaller companies, she dies of an allergic reaction to hazelnuts. When all else fails for her, Matlock decides to defend Bobby Neil (Bobby Neil). While working undercover, Conrad gets kicked in the head by an Illegal Alien (Raymond Cruz), who gets fired and is asked by Conrad if he stole the equipment and the cookie dough--things he didn't do. Conrad also asks him about jumping him last night, when he explained everything to him, that he did do.

Season 5 (1990–91)

Actor	Character
Andy Griffith	Ben Matlock
Nancy Stafford	Michelle Thomas
Julie Sommars	ADA Julie March
Clarence Gilyard, Jr.	Conrad McMasters

No. in season	No. in series	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original air date	Production code
1	93	"The Mother"	Robert Scheerer	Michael Marks	September 18, 1990	TBA
For Phyllis Todd (Shirley Knight) who did not want her daughter (Beth Toussaint) to be found guilty (which, of course she was), she confessed to the murder of Frank Larson (James O'Sullivan) who her daughter had an affair with. Also, Conrad bets Michelle that she can't seduce Ben.
2	94	"Nowhere To Turn: Part 1"	Harvey S. Laidman	Anne Collins, Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	September 25, 1990	TBA
When the popular Los Angeles judge Raymond Price who already charged Matlock for his contempt in court, he is soon found dead and Matlock needs to defend himself for his murder, while in Los Angeles. Guest stars: Richard Newton as Judge Richard Cooksey (Uncredited), James Cromwell as Judge Raymond Price, Will Jeffries as D.A. Ferber, David Hayward as Lt. Judd Myerson, Joe Regalbuto as Arthur Prescott, Earl Boen as Judge George Clayton, J. Kenneth Campbell as Scott Walker, Rob Steinberg as A.D.A. O'Connor, Diane Shalet as Mrs. Hawkins, Don Calfa as Andrew Sloan, Charles Siebert as Dr. Gilbert Lehman, Miguel Sandoval as Carlos Berman, Roger Aaron Brown as Daryl Wilson, and Robert Clotworthy as Prosecutor in L.A. Note: It originally aired as a "Matlock Movie Mystery".
3	95	"Nowhere To Turn: Part 2"	Harvey S. Laidman	Anne Collins, Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger	September 25, 1990	TBA
While Michelle continues to defend Matlock for the murder of Judge Price, Conrad gets a job as a bartender, but failed to cooperate with the FBI, which led to his temporary arrest. Guest stars: David Hayward as Lt. Judd Myerson, Joe Regalbuto as Arthur Prescott, Earl Boen as Judge George Clayton, J. Kenneth Campbell as Scott Walker, Rob Steinberg as A.D.A. O'Connor, Diane Shalet as Mrs. Hawkins, Don Calfa as Andrew Sloan, Charles Siebert as Dr. Gilbert Lenman, Miguel Sandoval as Carlos Berman, Roger Aaron Brown as Daryl Wilson, and Robert Clotworthy as Prosecutor in L.A.
4	96	"The Madam"	Leo Penn	Gerald Sanoff	October 2, 1990	TBA
A madam (Maureen Arthur) was accused of killing one of the call girls, Matlock agrees to take on the case.
5	97	"The Personal Trainer"	Burt Brinckerhoff	Lincoln Kibbee	October 9, 1990	TBA
Matlock's roofer and Joanna's husband (George DiCenzo) was taken into custody for the murder of the personal trainer, Harry Slade (Peter Marc Jacobson). Matlock is happy to take on the case, as George would promise to fix his lawyer's roof. It wasn't all that simple of a case when Harry was sleeping with four other women in his life, especially his wife (Leslie Easterbrook).
6	98	"The Narc"	Harvey S. Laidman	Phil Mishkin	October 23, 1990	TBA
After Det. Ed Tobias (Robert Ginty) was exposing his co-workers to the top brass (they sold the drugs they didn't turn in), he was murdered. Lt. Bob Brooks (David Froman) asks Matlock to defend the accused killer (Titus Welliver), the only one on the squad who wasn't on the take. While playing baseball with Conrad, Matlock is happy to defend Bauer, esp. if Bauer is a nasty as his friends were, because he knew what they were doing and kept quiet. Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
7	99	"The Secret: Part 1"	Leo Penn	Gerald Sanoff	October 30, 1990	TBA
Thinking that somebody is from the bookie's past is the guilty party, Matlock takes on the case of the singing gambler (Ron Taylor) who was accused of killing his bookie (Brett Porter). Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
8	100	"The Secret: Part 2"	Leo Penn	Gerald Sanoff	November 6, 1990	TBA
Matlock sends Conrad to Chicago to collect the evidence that will prove Tyler's innocence. Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
9	101	"The Brothers"	Christopher Hibler	Anne Collins & Gerald Sanoff	November 13, 1990	TBA
A popular, brilliant plastic surgeon (Kristoffer Tabori) got into a loud argument with his partner (David Haskell), about ending their own business, just before he was murdered. Lowell is the immediate suspect, until Matlock meets his twin brother, Gary (also played by Kristoffer Tabori).
10	102	"The Cover Girl"	Christopher Hibler	Max Eisenberg	November 20, 1990	TBA
Conrad is happy to introduce Matlock to his new girlfriend, Carla Royce (Shari Headley). When her boss (Tricia O'Neil) is murdered, Conrad and Carla both asked Matlock to take on the case of the photographer (Michael Harris), at Carla's bequest.
11	103	"The Biker"	Harvey S. Laidman	Bruce Shelly & Reed Shelly	November 27, 1990	TBA
A popular actor with a bad reputation (Stephen Meadows) is murdered whilst heading unto the premiere, a judge friend of Matlock's (Paul Lambert) asks Matlock to defend the son (Stephen Nichols), a biker who had been fired from his job previously. Nicky also gets into a fight with Conrad, and all the other bikers as Matlock's car come over and he begs Nicky to either get in his car or face life in prison. Guest Star: Ally Walker as Renee Williams
12	104	"The Broker"	Robert Scheerer	Diana Kopald Marcus	December 4, 1990	TBA
When a stockbroker (Robert Sampson) was murdered, his ex-partner (Jerry Hardin) calls Julie for help. Note: Nancy Stafford and Clarence Gilyard Jr. do not appear in this episode.
13	105	"The Fighter"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: David Hoffman & Leslie Daryl Zerg Story by: Phil Combest, David Hoffman & Leslie Daryl Zerg	December 11, 1990	TBA
Billy Leon (Ken Foree) is accused of killing Nick Underwood (Christopher Allport), the reporter who thought was he friend who announced in the paper that he was using steroids. When all else was heard, Matlock agrees to take Billy's case. Both of Matlock's associates and himself were all excited into knowing who the actual killer was when it took time to find out who did it.
14	106	"The Critic"	Robert Scheerer	Phil Mishkin	January 8, 1991	TBA
Matlock knew Sam Spelvin (Geoffrey Blake) since he was only 6, so he's more than happy to consult on his client's play, Lovers and Lawyers. The critic who saw the play, John Bosley Hackett (Tony Jay), gave it 'two thumbs down'. When Hackett is murdered, Sam is arrested. Matlock is more than happy to defend his lifelong friend and defers his payment, while they wait to figure out if the play has good reviews. Ben also manages to find a few more people who would be thrilled to see the critic dead, and to see Sam's play flop.
15	107	"The Parents"	Harvey S. Laidman	Michael Marks	January 15, 1991	TBA
Parents Howard and Amy Boggs (Allan Royal and Ann Dusenberry) have their plans answered when their only daughter Jill (Christine Elise) plans to give them her child she was carrying. After Jill changed her mind and is found dead, her parents are the number one suspects in her murder. Note: Julie Sommars and Clarence Gilyard Jr. do not appear in this episode.
16	108	"The Man Of The Year"	Burt Brinckerhoff	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff	January 29, 1991	TBA
Michelle's ex-boyfriend, Arthur Saxon (S.A. Griffin), a former disc jockey who was found not guilty of killing Robby Moore, is back to emcee the event in which Matlock was honored to be "The Man of The Year." Matlock was honored to appear, too. However, the problem was that Matlock's car broke down and he had no choice other than to ask his housekeeper Mrs.McCardle (Marge Redmond) for a ride. An easy, yet short trip turns into a flat tire, a hostage situation and an afternoon in jail. Arthur decides to host the show without Matlock, having to appear in the ceremony, in a rude manner and suggested that Michelle, Julie and even himself talk about how they enjoyed working for their boss. Note: This episode is featured in an anthology-style reviewing the season three episode "The Thoroughbred", followed by the season four episode "The Ex", then concluding with season three's "The D.J."
17	109	"The Arsonist"	Robert Scheerer	Jim McGrath	February 5, 1991	TBA
Business partners, Marvin Shea (Lawrence Dobkin) and Sid Franklin (Bill Macy) have been working associates for over 30 years. Their bank loan has been denied and are unable to pay the bill, therefore, Marv talked Sid into hiring an arsonist to collect the money, so they can rebuild all over. Before Marv has an opportunity to talk with the arsonist, once again, he was found dead outside his daughter's wedding, hence, Sid got a guilty conscious. Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
18	110	"The Formula"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff	February 12, 1991	TBA
In the middle of the night, Matlock receives a phone call from a young man (Charlie Stratton) who painted his house once, claims he's been arrested for stealing the formula to cure baldness, from the company who fired his friend and stole his material. Twenty-four hours, after the murder, Matlock receives a phone call from the same young man, who has been accused of murdering the man he claims he stole the formula for. The largest problem is that what Jeff is saying doesn't make any sense. It turns out that Dr. Tim Crider (Christian Clemenson), who gave him permission to steal the formula, was never fired in the first place.
19	111	"The Trial: Part 1"	Frank Thackery	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff	February 19, 1991	TBA
A.D.A. Howard Wright (John Carter) is murdered in his workshop. So the attorney general approaches Matlock and asks him to take on the assignment of special prosecutor. With the help of Michelle and Conrad, Matlock investigates Wright's past, and notices the man was spending money that he could not have earned legitimately. While investigating the names that Wright had left behind, Matlock finds himself embroiled in a lawsuit involving Maxwell Toys. Guest star: Terry Bozeman as Attorney General Stuart Roberts
20	112	"The Trial: Part 2"	Frank Thackery	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff	February 26, 1991	TBA
Michelle and Conrad encourages Matlock to find out what is happening with the Wright case, when Matlock is being disqualified from the final round of the competition. There are a number of entertaining subplots, including a Deep Throat who tells Ben to "follow the money." Guest star: Terry Bozeman as Attorney General Stuart Roberts
21	113	"The Accident"	Christopher Hibler	Max Eisenberg & Lonon F. Smith	March 26, 1991	TBA
Eugene Dobbs (Tom Henschel) and Nolan Wheeler (Ken Lerner) make quite the lawyer/private investigator team. Dobbs is active in all of his cases, while Wheeler does a lot of legwork. After Dobbs is unwilling to keep every promise he made to his football coach, John Kramer (Richard Grove), Dobbs meets his maker one evening at the office, while Kramer is the prime suspect. Matlock takes the case partly to prove to Kramer that not all lawyers are schmucks like Dobbs, and partly because the list of people who want Dobbs dead is getting longer by the minute as Matlock and Conrad find an interesting link between Dobbs, the manager of a local water park and Dobbs' wife.
22	114	"The Celebrity"	Leo Penn	Gerald Sanoff	April 30, 1991	TBA
Ben and Julie both represent the one-time movie diva (who is now a cosmetics mogul) when she is framed of murdering her ex-lover to prevent the publication of some revealing photos of her.

Season 6 (1991–92)

Actor	Character	Main	Recurring
Andy Griffith	Ben Matlock	Entire season	N/A
Nancy Stafford	Michelle Thomas	Entire season	N/A
Julie Sommars	ADA Julie March	Entire season	N/A
Clarence Gilyard, Jr.	Conrad McMasters	Entire season	N/A
Brynn Thayer	Leanne McIntyre	N/A	Episodes 21-22

• Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars departed at the end of the season

No. in season	No. in series	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original air date	Production code
1	115	"The Witness Killings: Part 1"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff	October 18, 1991	TBA
Matlock, accompanied by Julie, heads to his hometown for a family reunion, but things get pretty chaotic when the best friend of his cousin's son is killed and the rival, Russ Gifford (Cyril O'Reilly), is charged with the murder. Also, the entire town happens to be against Matlock, as many of them believe that Matlock thinks that he is better than they are, he being a big city lawyer. Other guest stars: Warren Frost as Billy Lewis, Kathleen Freeman as Lucy Lewis, Alan Fudge as Jack Sylvester, Dion Anderson as Harley Wilkes, Michael Ensign as a Doctor, Anne Haney as Aunt Elsie, Stacy Keach, Sr. as Sam Carothers Note: This is the first episode to have an uptempo theme, which will be later used in the next season. This was filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina. Nancy Stafford and Clarence Gilyard Jr. do not appear in the two-part episode.
2	116	"The Witness Killings: Part 2"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff	October 18, 1991	TBA
When a second young man dies under normal apparently circumstances, Matlock continues to represent Gifford, in North Carolina. In Atlanta, Conrad investigates the tattoo that connects the case together. Guest stars: Warren Frost, Kathleen Freeman, Alan Fudge, Dion Anderson, Michael Ensign, Anne Haney, Stacy Keach, Sr., Tom Urich as a small claims judge Note: This was filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina.
3	117	"The Strangler"	Leo Penn	Lincoln Kilbee	October 25, 1991	TBA
A serial killer, Jeffrey Spidell (Richard Gilliland) strangles his victims including Patricia Downey (Katherine Cannon) and frames Ben's tax return guy Leo Kasbian (Steven Gilborn). Matlock takes the case as Speidel makes a point of turning Matlock as the next target...his next attempt is to ruin Matlock in public, before he is killed.
4	118	"The Nightmare"	Robert Scheerer	Anne Collins	November 1, 1991	TBA
At a forced halt during a Wild West bus tour, Matlock bumps his head and wakes up in the era of the Old West, where he meets Wild West equivalents of his friends and acquaintances. He has to save Conrad from an angry lynch mob after Conrad is accused of murdering the town sheriff, but is being frequently disturbed by Michelle, a lovely saloon girl, and Julie, the vengeance-seeking sister of the deceased.
5	119	"The Marriage Counselor"	Christopher Hibler	Phil Mishkin	November 8, 1991	TBA
The marriage counselor, Dr. Harding Fletcher (Bryan Cranston) has been murdered. All of his suspects not only include his co-workers, but also the couples he helped out; apparently part of his treatment was seducing the female half of the couples. Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
6	120	"The Dame"	Leo Penn	David Hoffman	November 15, 1991	TBA
While eating out with Julie, a chance meeting with a woman (Julianna McCarthy) causes Matlock to relate the story about the investigation, a long, long time ago, about a widow that Ben's father (also played by Andy Griffith) thinks may have been responsible for the death of his friend – her husband (Daniel Benzali). Guest star: Steve Witting as Young Ben Matlock Note: Nancy Stafford and Clarence Gilyard Jr. do not appear in this episode.
7	121	"The Suspect: Part 1"	Harvey S. Laidman	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff & Joel Stieger	November 29, 1991	TBA
Matlock represents a rich widow (Brynn Thayer) who is charged with the murder of her husband, while Michelle helps in defending a father (Pepe Serna) accused of killing the drug dealer who got his child hooked - a dealer who just happened to be a cop. While running undercover, Conrad gets into an accident. Note: Brynn Thayer guest-stars as Roxanne Windemere in this episode. She will play Leanne McIntyre at the end of this season.
8	122	"The Suspect: Part 2"	Harvey S. Laidman	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff & Joel Stieger	November 29, 1991	TBA
When Conrad was taken to the hospital, after suffering from broken ribs in the car accident, the investigation continues as Michelle defends the father accused of murder a drug dealer.
9	123	"The Defense"	Peter Ellis II	Gerald Sanoff	December 6, 1991	TBA
Teenager Danny Hayes (David Kaufman) is on trial for the murder of his father. Danny honestly believed that his father was about to kill his mother as he threatened to, but the testimony of his father's best friend threatens Danny's chances at freedom. Note: Julie Sommars and Clarence Gilyard Jr. do not appear in this episode.
10	124	"The Game Show"	Robert Scheerer	Max Eisenberg & Lonon F. Smith	December 13, 1991	TBA
The producer of the popular game show "It's About Time" is murdered, and Matlock defends the aging host Dennis Blake at the request of a friend of Conrad's, while Michelle goes undercover as a contestant. Guest stars: David Froman as Lt. Bob Brooks, Chuck Sloan as A.D.A. McGarth, Bruce Fairbarin as Walter Beldon, Kathleen Garrett as Marjorie Wood, Peter Haskell as Emcee Dennis Blake, Juanita Jennings as an Assistant, Arthur Rosenberg as Larry Fisher, Dana Sparks as Kari Summers, Mark L. Taylor as Norm Fisher, Steven Hack as Sheldon, Roger Keller as Game Show Contestant, Nancy Linari as Doreen, David Nelson as Kari Summers's body Guard, Caroline Schlitt as Rita, Alexander Zale as Judge Michael Alden
11	125	"The Foursome"	Harvey S. Laidman	Diana Kopald Marcus	December 20, 1991	TBA
Matlock reluctantly represent Ellis Blake (Mitch Ryan), a millionaire who's accused of murdering his daughter's fiancee, Jeffrey Holden (Russ Anderson), a golf caddy who supplemented his living by double-crossing the men he caddied for. Meanwhile, Matlock is tolerating a young, new district attorney, Lauren Richmond (Amy Stock-Poynton), who's absolutely too sweet in telling the truth.
12	126	"The Picture: Part 1"	Leo Penn	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff & Joel Stieger	January 17, 1992	TBA
Ben's disagreeable cousin Diana Huntington (Christina Pickles) comes to Matlock's house and tells him her husband (Reiner Schone) has left her for another woman. So she asks him to locate Jack while using a doctored photograph to help find him. Later, someone driving Diana's car hits Jack while he was jogging; as a result, Diana is charged with his murder. Matlock reluctantly represents her. Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
13	127	"The Picture: Part 2"	Leo Penn	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff & Joel Stieger	January 24, 1992	TBA
Matlock successfully defends his cousin Diana Huntington on charges of murdering her husband. However, when all is said and done, he still cannot stand her. Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
14	128	"The Outcast: Part 1"	Frank Thackery	Robert Schlitt	February 7, 1992	TBA
After confusing a case and being unable to remember a client's name, Matlock has decided to retire from the law business and goes fishing out of town. After he discovers that a hitchhiker to whom he gave a ride died mysteriously, he decides to investigate the case.
15	129	"The Outcast: Part 2"	Frank Thackery	Robert Schlitt	February 7, 1992	TBA
When Conrad takes a job working in a farm, he gets shot after entering a motel, and Matlock must take him to a hospital. When the town has none, Matlock specifically asks Alice (Sylvia Short) to rescue his investigator who suffered from a gunshot wound. In the end, Matlock and Conrad both returned to Atlanta for the entire friends and employees to throw a welcome back party for Matlock.
16	130	"The Big Payoff"	Leo Penn	Teleplay by: Gerry Conway Story by: Joel Stieger	February 28, 1992	TBA
Before Matlock hires Billy Wheeler (Randy Travis) to paint Ben's house, Michelle works with an insurance investigator (Max Alexander) who'll prove that a man killed his rich wife (Lynne Cormack) to collect on the insurance money.
17	131	"The Abduction"	Robert Scheerer	Lincoln Kibbee	March 6, 1992	TBA
Matlock has done everything he could to preserve lawyer/client confidentially; however, when Michelle was kidnapped by a group of mobsters, who force information from Matlock, he has to weigh his professional ethics against her life.
18	132	"Mr. Awesome"	Harvey S. Laidman	William T. Conway	April 17, 1992	TBA
When a waitress's ex-boyfriend Dwayne Meeks (John D'Aquino) is murdered, Conrad begs Matlock to defend the waitress, Anne Johnson (Marilyn Jones),[1] who is also a friend of Conrad's. It is discovered that Dwayne was a womanizer and not a very nice guy. Matlock soon notices that her son Jimmy (Jordan Christopher Michael) is the key to the entire case. Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
19	133	"The Evening News: Part 1"	Harvey S. Laidman	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff	April 24, 1992	TBA
Billy Finley (Bill Winkler) is constantly the butt of his co-worker's jokes, and is fired after he makes a fool out of himself on two different stories - one with Matlock, the other with politician Joe Bivins (Jim Jansen). Shortly after, the body of another fired co-worker, Doug Levitt (Leon Russom), is found, and Billy is the first suspect. Matlock agrees to defend Billy, who then makes another scene as he confronts Diane Becker (Mary Gordon Murray) at the office, accusing her of being behind the second prank, which ended up getting him fired. What Matlock doesn't realize is that Levitt faked his own death, and he and Becker were involved in a scheme to make a lot of money by airing incorrect news regarding a report by the zoning commission. While Conrad keeps an eye on their third partner, Nelson Adelson (Stuart Margolin), Matlock also tries to get out of a ticket for failure to stop at a stop sign. Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
20	134	"The Evening News: Part 2"	Harvey S. Laidman	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff	May 1, 1992	TBA
The real murderer winds up being killed himself, which does not help Matlock's client (Bill Winkler) much. Not only that, but there's a real estate scam looming in the wings that also affects the case. Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
21	135	"The Assassination: Part 1"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	May 8, 1992	TBA
While the local mayor is assainated, Matlock's daughter Leanne McIntyre comes to town to prove the case. The case takes a different turn when Judge Arthur Eller is accused of murdering a local man's wife, and Matlock and Leanne have to work out their relationship together to clear Eller of murder. Guest Stars: Eddie Jones as Chief Colin Young and Daniel Roebuck as Prosecutor Mr. Sodowsky Note: This is the first appearance of Brynn Thayer as Leanne MacIntyre, and Don Knotts's final appearance as Les Calhoun.
22	136	"The Assassination: Part 2"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	May 8, 1992	TBA
Matlock and Leanne continue to try to clear Eller of Murder. Guest star: Eddie Jones as Chief Colin Young Note: This is the final episode to air on NBC. This episode also marks the final appearances of Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars, who both left the show in order to spend more time with their husbands and children, and did not want to be relocated, since Matlock would move production in North Carolina.

Season 7 (1992–93)

Actor	Character	Main	Recurring
Andy Griffith	Ben Matlock	Entire season	N/A
Brynn Thayer	Leanne McIntyre	Entire season	N/A
Daniel Roebuck	Cliff Lewis	Entire season	N/A
Clarence Gilyard, Jr.	Conrad McMasters	Entire season	N/A

• Brynn Thayer and Daniel Roebuck joined the cast this season
• Clarence Gilyard, Jr. departed as a regular at the end of the season, but appeared once more early in Season 8

No. in season	No. in series	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original air date	Production code
1	137	"The Vacation: Part 1"	Harvey Laidman	Gerry Conway	November 5, 1992	TBA
Ben and Leanne head to the beach where Leanne reunites with three friends from college, and Ben reunites with someone from his past who just happens to be the brother of the woman whose heart Ben "broke" years earlier. Note: This is the first appearance of Daniel Roebuck as Cliff Lewis and Warren Frost in a recurring role as Cliff's dad Billy Lewis, and is the first episode to air on ABC. The uptempo theme song returned for this season.
2	138	"The Vacation: Part 2"	Harvey Laidman	Gerry Conway	November 5, 1992	TBA
Leanne's reunion with her old friends turns problematic when she soon begins to suspect one of them of murder. Billy Lewis (Warren Frost) is determined to get back at Ben for breaking his sister Lucy's heart years earlier.
3	139	"The Legacy: Part 1"	Harvey S. Laidman	Teleplay by: D.O'Brien Story by: Gerald Sanoff	November 19, 1992	TBA
After Brian Martell is arrested and charged with the murder of Arthur Kendall, Ben decides to get involved because, years earlier, his father Charlie (Andy Griffith) had been a suspect in the murder of Arthur's father Jake – a murder Brian's father Lee was convicted of. Brian is convinced that Ben is doing it to make up for Lee spending years in prison for a crime that Charlie Matlock committed.
4	140	"The Legacy: Part 2"	Harvey S. Laidman	Teleplay by: D.O'Brien Story by: Gerald Sanoff	November 19, 1992	TBA
Ben, Leanne, and Conrad continue to try to free Brian Martell of murder.
5	141	"The Ghost"	Harvey S. Laidman	Gerry Conway	January 14, 1993	TBA
A murder victim returns from the dead as a ghost and asks Matlock to defend his wife, who is charged with his death. Guest star: Diana Taylor as Assistant D.A. Ms. Harrington
6	142	"The Class"	Harvey S. Laidman	Teleplay by D.O'Brien Story by: Joel Steiger	January 21, 1993	TBA
Ben discusses his career and the idea of "The Perfect Murder" with a law class. But when one of the students vanishes, the university thinks Ben's speech sparked an extracurricular Murder. Guest Star: David Kaufman as Danny Hayes
7	143	"The Singer"	Harvey S. Laidman	Robert Brennen	January 28, 1993	TBA
When a producer is accused of murdering his country singer client, Ben comes to his defense. Guest stars: Jason Beghe as Lt. Pat Rutledge, Peter Jurasik as Steve Fisher, Joyce Leigh Bowden as Kathy Westfall, Fredric Lehne as John Page, Terry Loughlin as Judge Edwards, Grayce Spence as Judge Drake, Tod Brenner as a Detective, and Diana Taylor as Prosecutor Ms. Harrington Note: Daniel Roebuck and Clarence Gilyard Jr. did not appear in this episode.
8	144	"The Mark"	Harvey S. Laidman	Robert Schlitt	February 4, 1993	TBA
When Billy Wheeler (Randy Travis) returns to Atlanta with a $250,000 lottery ticket, he is swindled out of his money by a beautiful con artist, who soon turns up dead with, Billy Wheeler being framed for murder. Ben and Leanne have to try to clear his name.
9	145	"The Juror"	Frank Thackery	Gerald Sanoff	February 11, 1993	TBA
Ben is planning a birthday fishing trip with Leanne, but when he is called up for jury duty. puts a damper on their trip. Despite his convictions that no lawyer would want him on their jury. Ben ends up being juror number six, and while everyone else on the jury wants to convict Travis Spaulding of the murder of his wife. It is Ben alone that thinks they need to take a closer look at the evidence before sentencing the man to death. Unfortunately, tempers flare in the jury room as the jurors soon become divided between guilty and innocent. Guest star: Fred Thompson as Prosecutor McGonigal Note: Brynn Thayer, Daniel Roebuck, and Clarence Gilyard Jr. did not appear in this episode.
10	146	"The Fortune: Part 1"	Leo Penn	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Joel Steiger	February 18, 1993	TBA
The nephew of a eccentric millionaire is accused of murdering his uncle after they were seen arguing, and Cliff is sent to work in the uncle's zoo in order to gather information to exonerate him. Meanwhile, Billy persuades Ben to defend him in court after he becomes involved in an investment scheme gone awry. Guest stars: Warren Frost as Billy Lewis, H. Richard Greene as Ron Welker, Assistant D.A. Ms. Harrington, Jordan Rhoades as Lt. Harmon Andrews. Note: Clarence Gilyard Jr. is absent from this episode.
11	147	"The Fortune: Part 2"	Leo Penn	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Joel Steiger	February 18, 1993	TBA
Ben, Leanne, and Cliff continue to try and exonerate the nephew of murder. Guest stars: Warren Frost as Billy Lewis, H. Richard Greene as Ron Welker, Diana Taylor as Assistant D.A. Ms. Harrington, Jordan Rhoades as Lt. Harmon Andrews.
12	148	"The Debt"	Christopher Hibler	Richard Collins	March 18, 1993	TBA
When Leanne's ex-husband Peter MacIntyre (Robert Desiderio) is charged with the murder of his friend and boss once the truth comes out about Peter's possible motive in the killing. Ben despises his ex-son-in-law more than ever.
13	149	"The Revenge"	Frank Thackery	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff	March 25, 1993	TBA
Ben witnesses a robbery at a convenience store, but things start happening that made him look like he's losing it, including messing with his papers, sending him to wrong parties and submitting phony pictures of his rump to newspapers. Ben realizes that someone is trying to set him up. So, he, Cliff and Conrad look into some of his old cases, trying to figure out which recently released killer is out to get him. It turns out to be Cissy Lockwood (Bonnie Burroughs) from the episode "Mr. Awesome". Note: This episode features clips from the season five episodes "The Cover Girl" and "The Personal Trainer", and the season six episode "Mr. Awesome".
14	150	"The Obsession"	Christopher Hibler	Max Eisenberg and Lonon F. Smith	April 1, 1993	TBA
Even from his hospital bed, Ben can't get the case of a TV star accused of killing a therapist out of his mind.
15	151	"The Divorce"	Leo Penn	William T. Conway	April 8, 1993	TBA
Duncan and Clara Farmington seemed to have the perfect marriage. Now they want the perfect divorce. What starts out as a simple division of property turns nasty as Leanne represents the wife and Ben the husband. At the same time, Ben is being sued for millions by a con artist who faked getting hurt at Ben's house. Guest star: James Stephens as Duncan Farmington
16	152	"The Final Affair: Part 1"	Frank Thackery	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff	April 29, 1993	TBA
Ben invites homeless man Lenny to live with him, while trying to find out if the archbishop was meant to die in a plot — a plot that includes an ex-football player, his wife, her lover and the Mafia. Guest star: Jordan Rhoades as Lt. Harmon Andrews
17	153	"The Final Affair: Part 2"	Frank Thackery	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff	April 29, 1993	TBA
Ben is still trying to untangle the mystery of the death of the archbishop. Guest star: Jordan Rhoades as Lt. Harmon Andrews Note: This episode marks the final regular appearance of Clarence Gilyard Jr., as he was leaving the show to sign with CBS, which offered him the chance to debut as a main character on Walker, Texas Ranger. He would appear once more early in Season 8.
18	154	"The Competition"	Leo Penn	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff	May 6, 1993	TBA
Matlock doesn't think a young piano player committed suicide. Nor does the girl's father, who hires Ben to find out what really happened. Guest Stars: Warren Frost as Billy Lewis and Leo Penn as Russ Lewis (Billy Lewis's brother)

Season 8 (1993–94)

Actor	Character
Andy Griffith	Ben Matlock
Brynn Thayer	Leanne McIntyre
Daniel Roebuck	Cliff Lewis

• Brynn Thayer departed at the end of the season

No. in season	No. in series	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original air date	Production code
1	155	"The Play"	Christoper Hibler	Phil Mishkin	September 23, 1993	TBA
After an actress in The Last Cry of the Hounds is murdered, Ben agrees to represent the director of a local community play... on the condition that the director not cut him out of the play.
2	156	"The Fatal Seduction: Part 1"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	September 30, 1993	TBA
Ben, Leanne and Cliff go to North Carolina to attend Billy's sister Lucy Lewis's funeral. While there, they end up getting involved in a pair of murders connected to two young women. As a way to catch them, Leanne sets a trap with Cliff in the role of bait.
3	157	"The Fatal Seduction: Part 2"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	October 7, 1993	TBA
Ben and Leanne are convinced that Carrie and Ashley are guilty of not only extortion, but murder as well, but the two girls seem to have airtight alibis.
4	158	"The Diner"	Frank Thackery	Max Eisenberg and Lonon F. Smith	October 14, 1993	TBA
Ben takes Leanne to meet Martha Jordan, the wife of his very first client back in 1962. Stan Shaw was the cook at the local diner where he was accused of killing the local sheriff after a disagreement in the diner. Charlie Matlock (Andy Griffith) pushed his son Ben (Steve Witting) who had recently quit his job as a District Attorney to take the case, but not everyone in town was happy with the Matlocks siding with the black cook that was accused of killing the white sheriff. Despite Cyrus Jordan's attempts to get the Matlocks to drop his case for their own safety, father and son were determined to prove that Cyrus never killed anyone.
5	159	"The View"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Joel Steiger Story by: Gerald Sanoff	October 28, 1993	TBA
While out of town at a wedding, an ill Ben witnesses a man attack a woman from the window of the hotel, and learns the next day that the woman has been murdered. He's convinced that the man murdered the woman, and has a hard time convincing the police that the man he saw through the window was not the woman's husband, whom Matlock had also seen through the window earlier that day. Note: Clarence Gilyard Jr. appears as Conrad McMasters (even though he left the show to go to Walker Texas Ranger). It is Conrad McMasters's last appearance.
6	160	"The Last Laugh"	Russ Mayberry	Milton Berle and Stephen Lord	November 4, 1993	TBA
A comedian named Harvey Chase (Milton Berle) is accused of murdering another comic who insulted him, and Ben defends him. Guest star: Diana Taylor as Assistant D.A. Ms. Harrington
7	161	"The Capital Offense"	Robert Scheerer	Brian Alan Lane	November 11, 1993	TBA
Ben continues his five-year struggle to save a con artist from the electric chair. Guest star: Diana Taylor as Assistant D.A. Ms. Harrington
8	162	"The Haunted: Part 1"	Harvey S. Laidman	Teleplay by: Gerry Conway Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	November 18, 1993	TBA
While Cliff investigates a suit of medical malpractice and ends up getting more involved then he should with his client, Ben investigated the case of the mysterious Rod Greenwood, who happens to bear an eerie resemblance to a dead business man. Soon Cliff and Ben realize their cases are tied together.
9	163	"The Haunted: Part 2"	Harvey S. Laidman	Teleplay by: Gerry Conway Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	November 18, 1993	TBA
Ben and Cliff continue to investigate both of their cases together.
10	164	"The Conspiracy"	Leo Penn	Gerlad Sanoff and Joel Steiger	November 25, 1993	TBA
Ben defends a lawyer accused of murdering an associate who'd accused him of botching a lawsuit involving toxic waste polluters.
11	165	"Matlock's Bad, Bad, Bad, Dream"	Russ Mayberry	Robin Madden	December 2, 1993	TBA
Ben dreams that he, Leanne, Cliff and Billy are in 1932 and are involved with the murder of a sax player.
12	166	"The Defendant"	Leo Penn	David Hoffman	December 16, 1993	TBA
Leanne falls for Ben's new client, a philanthropist named Gil Stoddard (Richard Gilliland) accused of murdering his business partner.
13	167	"The Kidnapping: Part 1"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	January 13, 1994	TBA
Abductors try to kidnap Leanne but kidnap Billy Lewis and hold him for ransom by accident instead. Guest star: Diana Taylor as Assistant D.A. Ms. Harrington
14	168	"The Kidnapping: Part 2"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	January 20, 1994	TBA
FBI agent Ed Wingate (J. Kenneth Campbell), who was in charge of Billy's kidnapping, is charged with murdering another FBI agent. Guest Star: Diana Taylor as Assistant D.A. Ms. Harrington
15	169	"The Temptation"	Harvey S. Laidman	Gerald Sanoff	January 27, 1994	TBA
A thug tries to make Leanne fall in love with him by using her journal that he stole from her house.
16	170	"The Crook"	Leo Penn	Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	February 3, 1994	TBA
Ben agrees to defend Wally McDaniels, a fellow choir member, after he is arrested for killing the man who turned him into the police for stealing rare books. Guest star: Jordan Rhoades as Lt. Harmon Andrews
17	171	"The Murder Game"	Frank Thackery	Teleplay by: Robert Schlitt Story by: Gerald Sanoff, Joel Steiger, and Don Ross	February 10, 1994	TBA
Matlock reluctantly agrees to spend the weekend as part of a murder mystery with Cliff, Leanne and three other people who each paid $10,000 for the privilege of matching wits with the famous Ben Matlock. When the pretend victim actually turns up dead, they know that one of the three paying visitors killed him. Leanne has her father keep the three suspects occupied with stories of previous cases, while she and Cliff investigate. Note: This episode features clips from the season six episode "The Critic" and the season four episodes "The Talk Show" and "The Con Man".
18	172	"Brennen"	Robert Scheerer	Teleplay by: Michael McGuire Story by: Gerald Sanoff, Joel Steiger, and Michael McGuire	February 17, 1994	TBA
Ben vies with a formidable A.D.A Michael Brennen (George Dzundza) while defending a client accused of killing a city councilwoman, and discovers a secret hiding in the D.A.'s past that is affecting his judgment in this case. Guest stars: Lee Lively as Judge Caldwell, Wayne Tippit as A.D.A. Jerry Carlilse
19	173	"The P.I."	Christopher Hibler	J.I. Henderson	March 3, 1994	TBA
In a backdoor pilot, after Ben briefly meets Jesse Morgan (Tracy Nelson) in the teaser, the remainder is set in Los Angeles and centered entirely on Jesse and her father (George Peppard) with no Matlock characters even mentioned. Guest star: Jonathan Banks as Jack Starling Note: Brynn Thayer and Daniel Roebuck do not appear in this episode.
20	174	"The Godfather"	Christopher Hibler	Richard Collins	April 28, 1994	TBA
Ben reluctantly agrees to host a reception from his goddaughter's wedding at Leanne's prompting, but when one of the best men is murdered after the bachelor party, Ben agrees to defend the brother of the bride when he is accused of murder. The case is hindered by cheating lovers, a bad history between the victim and the accused and an increasing number of uninvited guests at Ben's house.
21	175	"The Idol: Part 1"	Frank Thackery	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	May 19, 1994	TBA
Sam Haskins (Scott N. Stevens), an aspiring young lawyer who is a fan of Matlock, is accused of having murdered a P.I. who tried to blackmail him with spicy pictures. Guest star: John Beck as Paul Cox
22	176	"The Idol: Part 2"	Frank Thackery	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	May 19, 1994	TBA
Matlock continues to try to free Sam Haskins. Guest star: John Beck as Paul Cox

Season 9 (1994–95)

Actor	Character
Andy Griffith	Ben Matlock
Daniel Roebuck	Cliff Lewis
Carol Huston	Jeri Stone

• Carol Huston joined the cast this season

No. in season	No. in series	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original air date	Production code
1	177	"The Accused: Part 1"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	October 13, 1994	TBA
Matlock defends a journalist who is accused of killing an underworld figure in self defense after meeting with him for an interview. Note: This is Jerri Stone's first appearance.
2	178	"The Accused: Part 2"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	October 13, 1994	TBA
Matlock continues trying to free a journalist accused of murder to cover up her previous plagerism.
3	179	"The Scandal"	Frank Thackery	Brian Alan Lee	October 20, 1994	TBA
When Ben defends attorney Lisa Swift (Melora Hardin), who is accused of murdering her boss Bruce Parnelee (David Purdham), he also uncovers a history of sexual harassment involving the law firm. Guest star: Diana Taylor as Assistant D.A. Ms. Harrington, Eugene Casassa as Judge Stillwell
4	180	"The Dare"	Leo Penn	Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	October 27, 1994	TBA
A millionaire named Malcolm Engle (Terry O'Quinn) is bent on revenge, and murders one of Matlock's closest friends, Bob Brooks (David Froman). He eventually dares the lawyer to prove he did murder Bob.
5	181	"The Tabloid"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	November 3, 1994	TBA
Senatorial candidate Carol Davis (Tricia O'Neil) has a photo taken of her which embarrasses her, and when she confronts Ross Buckley, the editor-in-chief of the National Informer, she finds him dead. The murder weapon turns up at her house, and she is accused of his murder. Ben defends her. It turns out that the real killer was Chet Sellers, a photographer at the paper and a high school dropout, who discovered that Ross and Reverend Wesley Masters were conspiring together concerning a picture he had taken, and he killed him.
6	182	"The Coach"	Russ Mayberry	William T. Conway	November 10, 1994	TBA
A basketball coach is accused of murdering an influential booster, and Ben decides to take his case. Guest star: Diana Taylor as Assistant D.A. Ms. Harrington
7	183	"The Dating Game"	Robert Scheerer	Barry M. Scholnick	November 17, 1994	TBA
When Cliff's friend Fred is accused of murdering Melissa, a woman he met through a dating service, he and Ben take the case, and Jerri goes undercover to investigate. She sets herself up as one of the dates, much to the frustration of a local police officer. Unfortunately, she has better luck then she hoped, as one of her dates is a killer in disguise.
8	184	"The Confession"	Robert Scheerer	Teleplay by: Robert Schlitt Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	December 1, 1994	TBA
Julie March returns from L.A. for a legal conference, and when a former snitch calls her to the jailhouse and admits that she lied, Julie convinces Ben to defend the man, an admitted thief who had one rule... never break into a house when anyone is home. After Jerri Stone (Carol Huston) talks with Susan Kellogg, a woman who lost her daughter to a hit-and-run driver around the same time that Brenda Chaney was murdered, Ben realizes there may be more to this case then meets the eye. Julie also tells him that she's been proposed to and is thinking about getting married again, and asks him what he thinks she should do, and she tells him she's always had feelings for him. At the end of the episode, she says that she decided not to get married yet. Guest Star: Julie Sommars as Julie March
9	185	"Dead Air"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	December 8, 1994	TBA
A radio personality is accused of killing his partner, but Ben suspects the victim's girlfriend. The only problem is that she seems to have an airtight alibi - Ray's neighbor, Mr. Yates, watched her "find" the body.
10	186	"The Getaway"	Leo Penn	Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	January 5, 1995	TBA
Ben takes the case of an ex-convict when he's arrested for robbing a bank - the same one he had robbed years before. A young boy named Matt Ahem saw the whole thing, but he is unwilling to tell the truth unless Ben promises to get his father out of jail.
11	187	"The Verdict"	Leo Penn	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	January 12, 1995	TBA
Katie Clark (Jane Sibbett) is a hot new prosecutor in town, fresh from St. Louis, but originally from Atlanta. Her first case involves prosecuting a building contractor, Jack Gibson (Josh Taylor), who has been accused of murdering one of his employees (who just happens to be Clark's former lover). Ben agrees to let her continue on the case, as he is impressed by her desire to not allow her personal past with Gibson get in the way of her duty. Guest star: Brandon Douglas plays Mike Gibson
12	188	"The Deadly Dose"	Robert Scheerer	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	February 2, 1995	TBA
Jerri's sister Rachael (Annie Fitzgerald) comes to Atlanta looking for help when she is fired from her job as a nurse after a doctor blames her for a mistake that cost a surgery patient her kidney. When the doctor is murdered, Rachael is blamed with the crime, and Ben agrees to defend her.
13	189	"The Target"	Frank Thackery	Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	February 9, 1995	TBA
Matlock is the unlikely witness when a boat blows up killing Judge Michael Sterns (Robert D. Raiford). Had it not been for Ben's sea-sickness, he would have been on the boat. Convinced that someone was out to get him and not Judge Sterns, Ben, Cliff, and Jerri take a look through some of Matlock's old cases, including Jeffrey Spidell (Richard Gilliland) from the season six episode The "Strangler". It turns out that Jeffrey Spidell is the one who is trying to kill him. Note: This episode has clips from the following episodes, "The Strangler" (season 6), "The Class" (season 7), and "The View" (season 8).
14	190	"The Assault"	Christopher Hibler	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	February 16, 1995	TBA
While Cliff, Jerri and Billy plan to throw Ben a surprise party for his birthday, Ben agrees to pick up a barbecue. While there, his car breaks down, he's mugged, the phone eats the last quarter he has... and by the time he is rescued by activist Stan Johnson (Christopher Birt) and returned to his car, it's half-stripped and the thieves have stolen his barbecue. Ben is very impressed by the young man, and when he's accused of trying to kill the landlord of the apartment complex he lives in, Ben steps in to defend him and to stand up to the landlord George Mitchell (H. Richard Greene), who is a very respected man in the legal community. Guest star: James McEachin as Hollis Greeley
15	191	"The Heist: Part 1"	Leo Penn	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	April 27, 1995	TBA
Ben and Jerri head out to the beach with Billy and Cliff, while Cliff is preparing for an upcoming triathlon. Once there, Ben is surprised to run into Ex-F.B.I. agent Ed Wingate (J. Kenneth Campbell), who is investigating a case of his own. While Ben keeps himself busy occasionally running into Ed, Cliff throws himself into the completion, and Billy throws himself at Anita Montrose, the real estate agent who rented them the beach house they're staying in. Guest star: Jason Beghe as Thomas Creighton
16	192	"The Heist: Part 2"	Leo Penn	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	April 27, 1995	TBA
When one of the people who Wingate is investigating is found dead, Ben agrees to defend his old friend. Guest star: Jason Beghe as Thomas Creighton
17	193	"The Scam: Part 1"	Frank Thackery	Teleplay by: Anne Collinss Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	May 7, 1995	TBA
Cliff's old college chum Craig Browning is defending Cameron Ivers on charges of vehicular manslaughter, and is being blackmailed about an affair he had and getting his client to plead a certain way. Craig hires Cliff to meet the blackmailer to keep his hands clean, but when Scott Astons is found dead, suspicion turns to Cliff, who needs to find the real killers. With Jerri's help, they manage to find out that Aston worked for John Robinson and Mark Reeves, two men who frequently like to get one-up on Ivers in the business world, and that the women Craig has been having an affair with the secretary. Ben prepares for his fortieth reunion by dieting to fit into his old choral suit.
18	194	"The Scam: Part 2"	Frank Thackery	Teleplay by: Anne Collins Story by: Gerald Sanoff and Joel Steiger	May 7, 1995	TBA
When Cameron Ivers is killed in a hit and run accident, Ben decides to take a closer look at Robinson and Reeves, hoping that if he can tie them to Cameron Ivers' death he'll be able to tie them to Scott Aston's death and clear Cliff. After gathering together a number of people Scott Aston had been investigating who were supposed to be dead, Ben heads to Florida where he finds Chuck Ratner, and Cliff and Jerri learn that the people are all connected because they all turned down the same kind of life insurance. Ben continues in his quest to lose weight in time for his reunion, but decides to fire his personal trainer.

See also

• List of Matlock characters

References

1. Marilyn Jones

External links

• Complete Episode Guide at tagsrwc.com
• Matlock at tv.com
• Episodes for "Matlock" at the Internet Movie Database
• www.tv.com