Is it possible to show the lives of some lawyers, their work and problems and even create a comedy out of it all?

Ally McBeal proved this can be done. And the show wasn’t just “nice” it was VERY funny. Imagine you had one man in your life. Your first love, the best friend your entire childhood, first man you kissed and so on. He’s the reason you’re studying Law, he’s the reason you are an attorney now. And he’s gone for a while, and you’re still trying to mend that broken heart.

And, after having problems with your boss, you’re invited by an old coleague to join his brand new spanking law-firm. Filled with young sexy people and a very relaxed style.

Everything looks perfect to young Ally McBeal, who’s occasionally seeing a dancing baby and is always prone to accidents. Even so, her career at least starts looking very good. Almost perfect, if we don’t consider her ex-lover is there. And married to a superb wife, who’s also working as an attorney.

There’s no one “perfectly” sane in the firm. All associates have their quirks, there’s a lot of “drama” and sexual tension, the dialogues are fast and funny and the soundtrack just amazing. Back then Vonda Shepard was a “nobody” back then, but the show established her as a music star.

Here is the cast (main actors) and few words about each:

• Ally McBeal (Calista Flockhart) – the anorexic main character. Always falling, always bumping her head. And, when not in love with the wrong man, she’s seeing a dancing baby.
• Richard Fish (Greg Germann) – one of the owners. He’s got a wattle fetish, is a serial womanizer if I can use the term and wraps his sexist ideas under the “name” of fishisms.
• Elaine Vassal (Jane Krakowski) – the slutty assistant. As all the members of the Cage and Fish firm she’s also facing a lot of troubles at work. When she’s not inventing something, she’s always ready to sing at the local bar.
• John Cage (Peter MacNicol) – the second owner, together with Richard. He’s a small shy guy who’s still trying to hide his stutter. He’s the other “weirdo” in the firm and immediately bonds with Ally. He’s got the main talent to also date all the wrong women. As an attorney he’s meticulous and ferocious. The small man becomes a beast, when having to defend his clients.
• Renée Raddick (Lisa Nicole Carson) – the big bosom room-mate. Sexy and smart, she’s faced her problems in love too, but has to be there to support Ally, whenever she’s down.
• Nelle Porter (Portia de Rossi) – the superb blond attorney. The moment she joins the firm, it all goes to flames. She’s not only beautiful, but very good too and, who might have guessed, finds out she’s attracted to the little stuttering John Cage.
• Ling Woo (Lucy Liu) – the perfect mate for Richard. Soulless and smart, she’s starting her career as the “sue everyone” rich crazy lady and the realizes she’s actually got a diploma. A nice exotic addition to the cast.
• Billy Allen Thomas (Gil Bellows) – he is the ex-lover. The one who Ally still thinks about. Married and supposedly happy, he cannot prevent from still remembering their time together.
• Georgia Thomas (Courtney Thorne-Smith) – the wife. The enemy, the one who’s preventing Ally and Billy from living happily ever-after. At least this is the case in the beginning.
• Larry Paul (Robert Downey Jr.) – Ally’s big love after Billy is no longer of interest. He’s one of the greatest additions to the plot and him leaving the show was an unpleasant turn, caused by Robert Downey Jr.’s problem with drugs. Such a good actor, such a lousy person.

These are just some of the characters, the main ones in the show. As the series progressed some more joined the team, but for me these made Ally McBeal the success it was. Can’t wait to re-watch the show, as soon as I get back home to my DVD collection. I assume you’re familiar with it too, if not, do give it a try.