In recent years, the TV show, South Park, has highlighted the AI, ChatGPT. In 2023, ChatGPT was showcased in the South Park episode, “Deep Learning,” where it was also credited as an episode writer. Most recently, the episode, Sickofancy, took another shot at ChatGPT (and the current administration). Both episodes were funny and thought provoking meaning it was typical South Park fare. So on a whim I looked into the ChatGPT program, which is open AI technology (please don’t ask me what that means).
I asked the program the following: “Write a 450 word WordPress post on the differences between the Perry Mason Books and the TV show.” The results of that question are below and available for your perusal. It took ChatGPT less than 2 seconds to write what would have taken me, frankly, days (research, editing, etc.).
So why not use it all the time? Because it’s not me. The content below is factual, well edited and reads like a Wikipedia entry. But, it’s not my voice. It’s not my pacing. It doesn’t convey the frustration of reading a Gardner book knowing that if it wasn’t for actor Raymond Burr‘s stellar portrayal of Perry Mason, you probably wouldn’t be interested in the character at all. Look, it took three TV story editors (Gene Wang, Jackson Gillis and Samuel Newman) over the course of the nine year TV series run to make sense of the Gardner stories (and they weren’t always successful at it).
The bottom line is I might use ChatGPT as an “idea generator” in the future, but never as a submitted post on this site. I’m just not going to do it. Anyway, enjoy the ChatGPT submission below:
Perry Mason: How the Books Differ from the TV Show
Erle Stanley Gardner’s Perry Mason novels introduced one of the most iconic fictional lawyers of all time. The books, which began in 1933 with The Case of the Velvet Claws, inspired the classic television series starring Raymond Burr, which ran from 1957 to 1966. While both versions feature the same brilliant defense attorney, there are key differences between the original novels and the TV adaptation.
1. Perry Mason’s Personality and Approach
In the books, Perry Mason is a shrewd, aggressive, and sometimes ethically ambiguous lawyer. He doesn’t hesitate to manipulate the law to serve his clients and is often willing to operate in gray areas. The TV series, however, presents Mason as a more conventional hero—principled, unwaveringly ethical, and always fighting for justice. While still clever and relentless, the television Mason adheres more strictly to legal procedures and courtroom decorum.2. More Action in the Books
The Perry Mason novels are often filled with thrilling action and detective work. Mason frequently engages in risky investigations, sometimes even breaking and entering or obstructing justice to obtain crucial evidence. The TV show tones this down significantly, making Mason more reliant on his legal skills and logical reasoning rather than taking the law into his own hands.3. The Role of Paul Drake
Paul Drake, Mason’s loyal private investigator, is a major character in both the books and the TV series. However, in the novels, Drake is a bit rougher around the edges—more of a traditional gumshoe with a willingness to bend the rules. The TV show, on the other hand, presents him as a more polished and professional detective, still effective but less prone to underhanded tactics.4. Della Street’s Relationship with Mason
Della Street, Perry Mason’s trusted secretary, is another key character in both versions. In the books, there are subtle hints of romantic tension between Mason and Della, though it is never explicitly confirmed. The TV show downplays this dynamic, keeping their relationship strictly professional and platonic, in line with the more conservative television standards of the era.5. The Courtroom Dramas
The biggest appeal of the Perry Mason TV series was its courtroom battles, where Mason would famously dismantle the prosecution’s case and often get the real culprit to confess on the stand. In the books, however, trials are not always the main focus. Some cases are resolved before reaching court, and Mason’s legal strategies are often more elaborate and intricate compared to the straightforward television resolutions.6. The Presence of District Attorney Hamilton Burger
In the TV show, District Attorney Hamilton Burger is a recurring character who frequently finds himself on the losing end of Mason’s brilliant defenses. In the books, however, Burger does not appear in every case, and Mason faces a variety of prosecutors. Additionally, Burger is sometimes portrayed as more competent in the novels, whereas in the show, he becomes famous for never managing to secure a conviction against Mason’s clients.Conclusion
While the Perry Mason TV show remains a beloved classic, it presents a more sanitized and structured version of Gardner’s original character. The books offer a grittier, more unpredictable Mason, blending elements of legal drama with detective fiction. Whether you prefer the novels’ hard-hitting legal escapades or the TV show’s dramatic courtroom reveals, both versions contribute to Perry Mason’s lasting legacy as the ultimate defense attorney.
