I know there is a TV on DVD thread, but we really need a thread to celebrate/discuss this show SINCE IT IS FINALLY OUT ON DVD TODAY!!!!

It has been a L O N G wait, but I can't wait to get my copy today. Anyone else care to revisit this show? I can't wait to dive back into the world of Ally, John Cage, Ling, etc.

It is a real shame Calista didn't win an Emmy for this. I also would have liked to have seen awards go to Liu, Downey Jr, etc. At least it pulled off one comedy series win & supporting actor win for McNichol

wait, its out on dvd today? which season?
Do you know if theres a dvd box set of ALL the seasons? I love this show.

quote:

Originally posted by domi392:
wait, its out on dvd today? which season?
Do you know if theres a dvd box set of ALL the seasons? I love this show.

I saw a box set of all seasons at Target today for $99. I almost bought it.

Both season 1 and a box set with all seasons is out today.

Yeah, it's been a long wait. I'm kinda intrigued to pick this up. I wouldn't mind revisiting it.

I've been waiting years for this show to finally show up and now that it is has, naturally,like most Americans, I'm currently broke so I can't buy the box set. At least not until near Xmas when I'm sure some website will have it dirt cheap.

If anyone could list the episodes the cast members, the directors and the show itself submitted for Emmy consideration each year would be much appreciated.

quote:

Originally posted by flaming tail:
If anyone could list the episodes the cast members, the directors and the show itself submitted for Emmy consideration each year would be much appreciated.

The submissions can be found in the Past Emmy submissions thread.

Great first and second seasons. Hilarious and dramatic all in one. Third season was sort of average with a few good storylines and then you have that big shock towards the end. I still remember watching that episode when 'it' first aired and my jaw was on the floor because I just wasn't expecting 'it' to happen.

I may be the only person around that felt the RDJr. episodes were just...meh.

The show fell so quickly in quality after the third season.

Calista Flockhart should have at least two Emmys for her role in this show.

I've been waiting for this DVD set forever. Calista Flockhart should have at least one Emmy for this iconic role.
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Reliving the crazy world of "Ally McBeal"
by Lisa Respers France
CNN.com

(CNN) -- It's only been a dozen years, but the landscape of television is very different from what it was when "Ally McBeal" was in its heyday.

When the hit show debuted in 1997, the world of reality television consisted mostly of MTV's "The Real World" and Fox's "Cops." Sitcoms and dramas were still king.

It was in that environment that the quirky "McBeal," about a 20-something single attorney and the eccentric law firm where she worked, exploded onto the scene -- complete with a dancing baby, a waiflike star and a devoted audience.

The entire series -- five seasons -- was released in a 32-disc DVD collection Tuesday. Season 1 came out the same day.

The set includes all of the show's original music, featured on "The Best of Ally McBeal" soundtrack, as well as bonus material including a retrospective of the hit David E. Kelley series.

The exploits of McBeal, an attorney navigating -- at times comically -- the drama and pitfalls of singlehood, resonated with viewers. McBeal's colleagues included her first love, his wife, and a pair of law partners, John Cage and Richard Fish, who indulged in their own zany escapades. (Fish, played by Greg Germann, had a fascination with older women's wattles.)

Singer Vonda Shepard, the headliner at the bar to which the lawyers retreated, provided much of the musical soundtrack.

It was an unusual show for its time, mixing comedy, drama, music, law, and a unisex bathroom.

But Gil Bellows, who played McBeal's childhood sweetheart Billy Thomas, said the show was, at its heart, about love.

"At the core of it was a story about the power and strength of your first love, maybe your true love," he said. "That was something I identified with greatly and I thought the overall writing was sensational. ... The mix of comedy and drama was deft."

The series, which ran until 2002, was the brainchild of Kelley, a former attorney, who made his name in Hollywood as the creative force behind several critically acclaimed shows including "Picket Fences," "Chicago Hope," "Boston Legal," and "The Practice."

Kelley told Reuters he had no idea "McBeal" would become such a huge hit.

"It was such a different animal and I didn't know whether the studio and the network would even get it, much less the public," Kelley said. "I have got to credit Calista [Flockhart] a lot for its iconic reputation. As an actress, she just resonated with the public in a way that a writer can't predict."

Flockhart's slight frame also sparked speculation that the actress had an eating disorder. The "does she or doesn't she?" rumors kept the tabloids consistently buzzing.

The show also led to a debate about McBeal as a role model. Flockhart appeared on the cover of Time magazine -- next to Susan B. Anthony, Betty Friedan, and Gloria Steinem -- with the headline "Is Feminism Dead?" The show also reignited interest in R&B veteran Barry White, with Cage, known as "the Biscuit," lip-synching his music.

Shepard, best known for the "McBeal" theme song "Searchin' My Soul," credits the show with launching her musical career.

Shepard was friends with creator Kelley and his wife, actress Michelle Pfeiffer, when she invited the pair to one of her shows in Los Angeles. The performer said she was excited when Kelley said he thought her music would be perfect for a show he was developing about a group of lawyers.

"I was living in New York, lugging my keyboard in the rain, playing to 30 people," Shepard recalled. "I heard him say 'Do you want to do a show about lawyers?' and I was like, 'Sure, yes!' "

Shepard said she had such a gut feeling that the series would do well that she moved back to Los Angeles. She acted as music producer and bit player on the show and her music, including some previously unreleased tracks, make up the "Best of" CD.

There aren't a lot of shows like "McBeal," Shepard said, which pushed the envelope in terms of its storylines and unique characters and embraced music so wholeheartedly.

"It was such a gift as an artist," said Shepard. "I watched the first episode because I wanted to refresh my own memory and within the first 15 minutes, David had put seven of my own original songs in the show. It was an honor."

Actress Lisa Nicole Carson, who played McBeal's roommate, Renee Raddick, said the fact that the show incorporated such great music was "rare and wonderful."

"To be able to sing on a television show was so great," said Carson, who said she has continued to work on her music since leaving the show. "It was brilliant writing and I have nothing but fond memories of working on the series."

Carson said she believed the casting helped viewers connect with the characters, especially Flockhart, whose portrayal of McBeal she hailed.

Carson, who has been off the scene for several years after success in films like "Love Jones" and "Eve's Bayou," said she is hoping to return to acting.

Playing Raddick was an incredible experience, she said.

"What attracted me to the role is the fact that she was strong, professional and intelligent," Carson said. "Those things really appealed to me at that time. I thought that was a unique situation, to be able to play an African-American woman on television coming from that space, and I thought it was pretty cool."

Bellows said he believes the series' legacy of mixing drama with comedy, and using music to explore its themes and its characters' inner lives, lives on in current shows such as "Grey's Anatomy" and "Glee."

"Ally McBeal" meant so much to its fans, Bellows said, that he hopes the release of the series on DVD will bring joy to past fans -- and maybe capture some new ones.

"One of the wonderful things about a television show that works is that it becomes such a part of people's lives and they invest so much in it," Bellows said. "I hope it gives people a chance to reconnect with an old friend, and for the generation that was too young to watch it when it was on, it gives them a chance to see what all the fuss was about."

I just bought the complete series. I credit the posters here at Gold Derby for it because it has been one of the most praised series in this forum. In-fact I've read several times that Helen Hunt should have three Emmys and one of her four should have gone to Flockhart. I've only seen the first two episodes and I love it. It was only $99 at Target for the complete set. It's an awesome box set and that is one heck of a deal.

I was curious about the Emmys, Globes, SAGs that "Ally McBeal" won so I compiled the list. Some submissions are unknown.

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1998 Emmy Awards (1 win out of 10 noms)
- Comedy Series
- Writing, David E. Kelley (“Theme of Life”)
- Directing, Allan Arkush (“Cro-Magnon”)
- Directing, James Frawley(“Pilot”)
- Lead Actress, Calista Flockhart (“One Hundred Tears Away”)
- Art Direction
- Casting
- Costuming
- Single-Camera Picture Editing
**Sound-Mixing

1998 Golden Globe Awards (2 wins out of 2 noms)
**Comedy or Musical Series
**Lead Actress, Calista Flockhart

1998 SAG Awards (2 noms)
- Comedy Ensemble
- Female Actor, Calista Flockhart

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1999 Emmy Awards (3 wins out of 13 noms)
**Comedy Series
- Writing, David E. Kelley (“Sideshow”)
- Directing, Arlene Sanford (“Those Lips, That Hand”)
- Lead Actress, Calista Flockhart (“Sideshow”)
- Supp. Actor, Peter MacNicol (unknown submissions)
- Supp. Actress, Lucy Liu (“Angels and Blimps” & unknown submission)
- Guest Actor, John Ritter (as George Madison in “It’s My Party” & “Story of Love”)
**Guest Actress, Tracey Ullman (as Tracy Clark in “Sideshow”)
- Art Direction
- Casting
- Costume Design
- Single-Camera Picture Editing
**Sound-Mixing

1999 Golden Globe Awards (1 win out of 3 noms)
**Comedy or Musical Series
- Lead Actress, Calista Flockhart
- Supp. Actress, Jane Krakowski

1999 SAG Awards (1 win out of 3 noms)
**Comedy Ensemble
- Male Actor, Peter MacNicol
- Female Actor, Calista Flockhart

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2000 Emmy Awards (1 win out of 3 noms)
- Directing, Bill D’Elia (“Ally McBeal: The Musical”)
- Supp. Actor, Peter MacNicol (unknown submissions)
**Sound Mixing

2000 Golden Globe Awards (2 noms)
- Comedy or Musical Series
- Lead Actress, Calista Flockhart

2000 SAG Awards (4 noms)
- Comedy Ensemble
- Male Actor, Peter MacNicol
- Female Actor, Calista Flockhart
- Female Actor, Lucy Liu

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2001 Emmy Awards (2 wins out of 7 noms)
- Lead Actress, Calista Flockhart (“Falling Up”)
- Supp. Actor, Robert Downey Jr. (“The Obstacle Course” & “Sex, Lies and Second Thoughts”)
**Supp. Actor, Peter MacNicol (“In Search of Barry White” & “Reasons to Believe”)
- Guest Actress, Jami Gertz (as Kimmy Bishop)
- Guest Actress, Bernadette Peters (as Cassandra Lewis)
**Casting
- Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series

2001 Golden Globe Awards (1 win, 3 noms)
- Comedy or Musical Series
- Lead Actress, Calista Flockhart
**Supp. Actor, Robert Downey Jr.

2001 SAG Awards (1 win out of 4 noms)
- Comedy Ensemble
**Male Actor, Robert Downey Jr.
- Male Actor, Peter MacNicol
- Female Actor, Calista Flockhart

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2002 Emmy Awards (1 nom)
- Cinematography

2002 Golden Globe Awards (2 noms)
- Musical or Comedy Series
- Lead Actress, Calista Flockhart

2002 SAG Awards (0 noms)

------------------------------------------------

--Morgan

Season 1 was pretty good, and I loved season 2. That's when the show hit its stride for me. But it sarted sucking after that, like most David E. Kelley shows do.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: markk,

Season 2 was really good, and I think I'll wait for that to come out on DVD and just buy that one set unless I was able to find the entire series set for less than 50 dollars (I love a steal).

I really loved Lucy Liu in her role on the show. I definitley would have given the emmy to her or Kudrow in 1999. And Flockhart was amazing in her role. Sure she got a lot of flack from feminist, but I thought she gave a winning performance that balanced dippyness, smarts, and singlehood quite nicely.

I also never get why people think the season 2 win was bad. Season 2 was amazing and far better than any of the other contenders that year. The show also had a ton of buzz and was iconic. I can see a case being made for Friends (season 5 is my favorite, and imo the best season) but Season 2 of all was hilariously wack and had a lot of emotion. They also powered through the precursors, winning all of them.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: G.Penn,

I would have voted for Friends, but I'm fine with Ally winning that year, especially with "Angels and Blimps" as one of the show's submissions. Terrific episode, and one of Lucy Liu's best performances.

I love season one and two. The third is kinda strange with so many ups and downs.

I'd give a emmy for almost all the cast. Lucy Liu, however, was my favorite. Very funny and bitchy.

I have been a little slower getting through this than I thought, but I am up through "Silver Bells", and I have to say that the show/Calista are just as fantastic as I remember it, but one thing that has suprised me is Dyan Cannon. She was fantastic in "Silver Bells" Was she nominated for guest actress? If not she should have been.

Also I miss Peter MacNicol...he should really find another dramedy because he does both comedy & drama so well!

Finally the cast was on Good Morning America this week for a reunion...it was nice to see them again. If you go to their website the videos from Monday & Tuesday are still up
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/

I love Calista as Ally McBeal but it's kind of sad for me to watch because it reminds me of how wasted she is on "Brothers and Sisters". If Calista as Ally is joy, Calista as Kitty is pain.

quote:

Originally posted by detroitchadster:
I love Calista as Ally McBeal but it's kind of sad for me to watch because it reminds me of how wasted she is on "Brothers and Sisters". If Calista as Ally is joy, Calista as Kitty is pain.

Really? I thought Calista was great on Ally McBeal, but I think the performances she's given since season 1 of "Brothers & Sisters" KILL any performance she gave on "Ally McBeal". I thought she was a solid actress on "Ally McBeal", but now I think she's one of the best actresses around with her work on "Brothers & Sisters".

quote:

Originally posted by GH:

quote:

Originally posted by detroitchadster:
I love Calista as Ally McBeal but it's kind of sad for me to watch because it reminds me of how wasted she is on "Brothers and Sisters". If Calista as Ally is joy, Calista as Kitty is pain.

Really? I thought Calista was great on Ally McBeal, but I think the performances she's given since season 1 of "Brothers & Sisters" KILL any performance she gave on "Ally McBeal". I thought she was a solid actress on "Ally McBeal", but now I think she's one of the best actresses around with her work on "Brothers & Sisters".

I agree. I thought they had kind of under used her for the first part of the series but last year she was AMAZING and really should have gotten into the best actress race over Sally Field. I would say the same with her cancer storyline this season. I almost wish she would go supporting so she has a better shot

I could onlly afford to buy the 1st season, but i really want to get the whole series boxed set, hopefully i will get it for Christmas!

quote:

Originally posted by jss0058:

quote:

Originally posted by GH:

quote:

Originally posted by detroitchadster:
I love Calista as Ally McBeal but it's kind of sad for me to watch because it reminds me of how wasted she is on "Brothers and Sisters". If Calista as Ally is joy, Calista as Kitty is pain.

Really? I thought Calista was great on Ally McBeal, but I think the performances she's given since season 1 of "Brothers & Sisters" KILL any performance she gave on "Ally McBeal". I thought she was a solid actress on "Ally McBeal", but now I think she's one of the best actresses around with her work on "Brothers & Sisters".

I agree. I thought they had kind of under used her for the first part of the series but last year she was AMAZING and really should have gotten into the best actress race over Sally Field. I would say the same with her cancer storyline this season. I almost wish she would go supporting so she has a better shot

Flockhart was incredible in season 1 of "Brothers & Sisters". Look at "Mistakes Were Made" and the season finale.