Ally McBeal started up on September 8 of 1997 but continued running until May 20 of 2002. As a result, it had a total of five seasons, which was interesting because its creator David E. Kelley had predicted that it would run for a total of five seasons before running out of steam when it was still at the height of its popularity. Regardless, Ally McBeal was a legal drama, which is perhaps unsurprising when Kelley has something of a reputation for them. However, it incorporated more than its fair share of both comedic and dramatic elements, with the result that it was capable of switching tones with a smoothness that was unusual on the TV screen of its time.
How Did Ally McBeal Change TV?
As mentioned, Ally McBeal‘s switching from one tone to the next was innovative in its time, which was permitted because Fox had provided Kelley with a free hand when it came to his TV show. Furthermore, it is important to note that was far from being the sole example of innovation in Ally McBeal. For example, the titular character was prone to having fanciful thoughts, which resulted in some rather interesting images from time to time. Furthermore, the TV show was fond of pairing its most legal drama moments with more personal struggles, thus reinforcing its narrative for more powerful results. Based on this, it can be said that Ally McBeal broadened a lot of people’s understanding of what was possible when telling a story on the TV screen, making it part of a trend that has resulted in more innovative TV.
Speaking of which, Ally McBeal is also interesting because the titular character was permitted to show weakness instead of being held up to an impossible ideal. As a result, it can be said that she contributed to a trend of more realistic female characters, though it has been said that the titular character might have taken things a bit too far. Whatever the case, it is important to remember that Ally McBeal had a lot of comedic elements, meaning that some of its sillier moments were reflective of its tone rather than its characters.
Summed up, Ally McBeal had an important role in shaping the TV shows that followed it. However, like a lot of other influential TV shows, its innovations no longer stand out so much because they have become a common part of TV as a whole. Something that should provide confidence that TV will become better and better as new generations continue to improve on the works of those who have preceded them.
Will There Be More Ally McBeal in the Future?
Ally McBeal had its 20th anniversary not so long ago, which resulted in a celebration of its contributions. As a result, it is unsurprising that some people became frenzied about rumors of a potential revival. However, those rumors are just that – rumors. While it could be interesting to see how the cast of Ally McBeal have changed over those 20 years, the TV show was very much a product of its times, meaning that it is difficult to see it being able to make a smooth transition. As a result, while interested individuals should keep an eye out because nostalgia sells, they shouldn’t count on such a thing happening anytime soon.
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