Ally McBeal

Ally McBeal

1997 - United States

Stylish, subtle, witty, thoughtful, insightful. Yet paradoxically - manic, in your face, full-on- lunacy on a hilariously epic scale simultaneously, Ally McBeal was US television's mid-nineties love affair with the navel gazing, self-absorbed inner lives of 30 something professional baby-boomers given a slick, hallucinogenic make-over for the millennial MTV bred generation. Created by the brilliantly innovative David E. Kelley, (one time co-collaborator on some of Steven Bochco's greatest triumphs such as LA Law and Doogie Howser, M.D.), the series chronicles the complexly intertwined lives, loves, obsessions and working relationships of the lawyers working for the firm of Fish and Cage, and in particular, the titular heroine of the series, Ally McBeal herself. 

Played to stunning perfection by the amazing and aptly named Callista Flockhart, Ally was a tangled mass of conflicting emotional traumas barely managing to keep afloat in a hurricane tossed sea of intermingling fantasy vs. reality, a wide-eyed designer dressed Alice who somehow took a wrong turn and found herself lost in a hyperactive Neverland, whose God had taken-but never completed-a crash course in world design from Tex Avery.

Creator/producer/writer Kelley's true masterstroke of brilliance in this series was in the perfect dovetailing of fantasy sequences, razor sharp dialogue and expertly chosen music to counterpoint and illuminate the inner conflicts and outer dilemmas of the characters. The acid laced icing on this particular cake was an ensemble cast of highly talented performers at the zenith of their craft, who obviously relished each new opportunity to shine that the consistently outstanding scripts for the series afforded them. Special mention should go to the ever excellent Peter McNicol's inspired, seemingly effortless, and outright brilliant performance as the strange, endearingly weird, Barry White fixated, senior partner, John Cage. In any other show, Cage would be worthy of central character; here he's merely an essential component in a slick and expertly designed machine. Ally McBeal was that rarest of beasts, an instant television classic. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I need to 'take a moment...' 

Published on November 27th, 2018. Humor.

Read Next...

When a woman is rescued from a doomsday cult and lands in New York City, she must navigate a world she didn’t think even existed anymore. This US sitcom, inventive and fast-paced, was nominated for 20 Emmy awards. Why didn't it win any?

Also starring Jane Krakowski

It's Ulrika

One-off sketch show showcasing the comic talents of Ulrika Jonsson, written by Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer and starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams

Also released in 1997

Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones

US miniseries on the real-life story of cult leader Jim Jones and the events involving the moving of his People's Temple to Guyana, and the tragedy that befell...

Also starring Albert Hall

Feud

Anthology drama that chronicles real Hollywood rivalries. The first season concerns the feud between actresses Joan Crawford and Bette Davis; The second season focuses on the end of Truman Capote's friendships with many New York socialites

Also starring Calista Flockhart

The Odyssey 1997 miniseries

Stylish adaptation of Homer's classic tale of the adventures of Odysseus

Also released in 1997

Red One

After Santa Claus is kidnapped, the North Pole's Head of Security must team up with a notorious hacker in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas. Could this box-office failure be a festive streaming success?

Also starring Lucy Liu

Oz 1997

HBO's first one-hour drama series was set in an experimental prison where the intention was to rehabilitate the inmates during their period of incarceration - however, the different factions end up constantly at war with one another

Also released in 1997

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Buffy The Vampire Slayer went for the emotional jugular then finished the viewer off with an adrenaline-powered stake to the heart. It was hot, sassy and sexy. It's was also a hellmouth full of fun.

Also released in 1997

Food for Ravens

Drama profile of Aneurin Bevan, noted for his tenure as Minister of Health in Clement Atlee's government which spearheaded the creation of the National Health Service

Also released in 1997