It doesn't get the buzz or critical acclaim that some of David E. Kelley's past series received (think: "Ally McBeal"), but ABC's "Boston Legal" has come into its own in its second season by going against convention.

Most prime-time series prefer to focus on youthful characters in hopes of attracting viewers from the advertiser-coveted 18-49 age group. But, instead, Mr. Kelley gives the most screen time to older characters, played by TV veterans. And in a conservative political climate, he writes dialogue that clearly falls in the liberal camp. .

Last fall, "Boston Legal" (10 tonight, WTAE) introduced young characters in an apparent attempt to attract younger viewers but has already abandoned them. Twentysomething actors Justin Mentell and Ryan Michelle Bathe have vanished from the show, and a publicist confirmed neither remains a series regular. Instead the focus is on stories involving the show's more mature performers, including Candice Bergen, 59, and Rene Auberjonois, 65.

That may hurt the show's demographic ratings -- the No. 39-ranked prime-time series season-to-date in households, "Boston Legal" ranks No. 56 among viewers 18-49 -- but it has preserved the integrity of Mr. Kelley's vision, which, "Ally McBeal" notwithstanding, has never been dependent on pretty young things.

After a first year that felt tentative and bloodless, Kelley and Co. have found the right tone for "Boston Legal," abandoning all sense of reality for what is often flat-out comedy, with an added pinch of political irreverence.

"It's really the only show on television that is relevant in the way shows in the '70s were lauded for their relevance," said Amanda Lotz, an assistant professor in communications studies at the University of Michigan. "Crime dramas are ripped from the headlines but those kinds of crimes are not the experience of most U.S. citizens, whereas stories about insurance companies and the way they treat people and questions related to the war are."

Mr. Kelley has chucked the sense of moral/legal balance he brought to his previous shows, most notably "Picket Fences." On "Boston Legal," he eagerly tilts in full favor of the liberal leanings of attorney Alan Shore (James Spade, 46), whose firm has recently tackled cases involving privacy rights, the morning-after pill and re-districting. Conservative lawyer Denny Crane (William Shatner, 74) is presented as a buffoon, but he's such an exaggeration that even the most ardent conservatives should be able to laugh at him.

"You Democrats," Crane said in last week's episode, "protesting wars, banning guns. If you nancies had your way, nobody would ever shoot anyone, and then where would we be?"

When Shore -- who it should be noted is Crane's best friend despite their political differences -- comes to him with concern that he's about to lose a case, Crane advises, "If all else fails and you think you've lost, act like you've won. Works for our president."

Taking shots at the political establishment didn't used to be radical, but it's not something you see too often in today's mainstream TV. There's no denying most Hollywood writers have liberal leanings, but few are as free with their opinions as Mr. Kelley.

"I think smiling is overrated, as you can see," Shore said, holding up a newspaper with U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay's smiling police mug shot under the headline "DeLay Investigation Ongoing."

(As much as Kelley shows his liberal stripes, tonight's episode isn't as steadfast in its defense of assisted suicide as it could be, when a last-act shocker makes Shore question his beliefs.)

Robert Thompson, director of the Center for the Study of Popular Television at Syracuse University, said "Boston Legal" is a better show now that Mr. Kelley has abandoned both the demographic and political balance that once marked his series.

"He's said, 'Forget it, I'm going to go straight for the audience that's obviously watching and don't bother with 18-to-29-year-olds.' He's done the same thing in regards to politics," Thompson said. " 'Boston Legal' has really got some juice and energy to it. It's got a point of view. It doesn't look like it's trying to follow the network rules of diversifying the portfolio."

Tom Selleck, 61, guest stars tonight as the ex-husband of Shirley Schmidt (Ms. Bergen). He's about to marry a young woman with an annoying laugh. The only way to shut the young woman up? Mention something bad or sad.

"Bill Buckner!" snaps Mr. Selleck's Ivan Tiggs.

"Tsunami! Holocaust! Trent Lott!" adds Ms. Bergen's Schmidt.

"Are you one of those?" the woman replies. "One of those people who mock the religious right and put down our administration?"

"I would NEVER!" Schmidt says with mock indignation.

This season "Boston Legal" has also upped its quotient of self-references, including a recent outing in which Crane says he hasn't seen Shore "this episode." Tonight Crane complains, "I'm tired of my Alzheimer's being a story point."

Some of the show's interpersonal stories seem overly conventional, typical TV melodrama -- tonight attorney Paul Lewiston (Mr. Auberjonois) reunites with his estranged daughter (Jayne Brook, late of Mr. Kelley's "Chicago Hope"). But Mr. Kelley's willingness to write dialogue laced with social and political commentary makes "Boston Legal" unconventional appointment television.