Guide Note

Ally McBeal was a television dramady that ran on the FOX network from September 8, 1997 to May 20, 2002. It centered around a love lorn lawyer McBeal (played by Calista Flockhart) who ended up practicing law at the same firm as her childhood sweetheart. While she combated unresolved feelings for him, McBeal took a wide array of eccentric cases, formed life long friendships, and ultimately found love. The program was unique it in its use of fantasy, song, and CGI animation including a dancing baby that haunted McBeal through most of the four seasons.

Fast Facts

1. Created by David E. Kelley
2. Network: FOX
3. First run: September 8, 1997 – May 20, 2002
4. Starring: Calista Flockhart, Peter MacNicol, Greg Germann, Jane Krakowski
5. Theme by: Vonda Sheperad
6. Number of episodes: 112
7. Won an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series 1998

Ally McBeal drew the ire of feminists for portraying a woman who dropped her entire life to follow her ex-boyfriend, wore miniskirts with her suits, and was almost entirely preoccupied with finding love and having a baby. The show also drew criticism from groups when the already small framed star Calista Flockhart lost a significant amount of weight suggesting that she may suffer from an eating disorder. While she died it at the time, years later Flockart disclosed that she battled anorexia at the television show's run.

1. "I like being a mess. It's who I am." - Ally McBeal, IMDb
2. "It's okay. I prefer being a plaintiff, but a defendant's nice too. I get a martyr glow. " - Ling Woo, IMDb
3. "She's two-thirds of a Rice Krispie treat. She's already snapped, and crackled, and she's ready for the final pop. " - Elaine Vassel, IMDb