The Book Ally McBeal is without doubt the freshest, most deliciously politically incorrect show to have ever crossed the Atlantic. Already gathering a stack of awards, it is deservedly popular on both sides of "the pond." The bane of feminists, it flaunts its collection of eccentric characters, outrageous madcap humour, cartoon-like fantasies, and its sentimental melodramas. [Where else but in the offices of Cage/Fish would there be a Unisex restroom where the characters dance, sit on each others laps, discuss their innermost romantic yearnings, loose frogs down toilets (with heated seats), and where toilet lids operate by remote control.] But Ally McBeal also raises some important universal concerns that must have made volatile conversation around countless dinner-tables. And there are always thoughtful issues behind the cases that come to trial each week. Tim Appelo visits the show, interviews David E. Kelley the show's creator and writer, talks about all the characters and the actors playing them and interviews most of them. His questions are interesting, humorous and probing. We come away with a much better appreciation of how well the show is put together and the tight knit but beautifully planned ensemble acting within a context where all the characters change and grow. We have a more rounded portrait of Calista Flockhart, for instance -- she comes across as a gifted and hard-working actress -- much more informing than the usual anorexic/love starved trivial garbage that is usually written about her in the popular press. I was disappointed that there was no interview with Peter MacNicol (marvellous as the weirdly eccentric John "The Biscuit" Cage) nor with Portia de Rossi (the ice maiden Nelle Porter). The book also contains synopses of all the episodes of Series One and Series Two. (I understand a third series is already being seen in the USA?) There are pages devoted to the sayings of Ally (like: "Men are like gum. After you chew awhile, they loose their flavour.") and Richard ("Bygones") Fish (like: "Tell me...what kind of lie works here?" or "Love. You can't bank on it"). Needless to say, there are many coloured stills from the show like an assortment of characters entering the dumper truck; Ally and Georgia's heads suddenly turning into snarling cats, that dancing baby, and the tongues of Billy and Greg reaching floor-wards as they admire the figure of a new recruit. Great fun and a super souvenir of a fabulous show. An ideal Christmas present Reviewer Ian Lace  The CD This is the second volume of songs from Ally McBeal and as last year I include them because I will admit to being a devoted fan of Calista Flockhart and of this crazy show. The second series just unfolding on our screens, here in the UK, is, to my mind, even better than the first. Ally's character might be submerged a little now in favour of a more ensemble approach, but the scatty humour, the freshness of the plots and the youthful high spirits still holds this reviewer spellbound. Vonda Shepherd's songs are an integral part of each episode, and are often featured within them, pushing the drama along as Ally tries to enchant her Dr Greg, for instance, as well as commenting on the plight of the characters when the end credits roll - especially Ally herself but sometimes also Nelle, Renee and others. As Vonda Shepherd writes, in a brief liner note, "All lyric alterations were specific to David E. Kelley's vision of the show and I wanted the songs to reflect that vision on this album...' In fact, as we learn from the book (reviewed with this album), Kelley views the songs as an important part of the show and chooses/scripts 90% of them into the programme. In the book Vonda says, "David Kelley talks about me as being the voice of Ally - she'll be saying something, and my lyric will take over that matches her thought. I'm sort of her subconscious, in a way...I think my favourite early moment was when she was walking down the street in the pilot episode and "The Wildest Times in the World" came on - it goes, "Ain't it funny how you're walking through life and it turns on a dime" - and you can feel how she feels." So, this album might be regarded as a song cycle reflecting Ally's progress (or lack of it) through life and love. But in case I sound rather too profound, I hasten to add that the songs are enjoyable in their own right. Following the pattern of last Fall's album, there is a mix of the familiar and the unfamiliar. There is the old Roy Orbison number, 'Crying'; the lovely 'Starry Night' of Don McLean; Lennon and Mc Cartney's 'World Without Love'; and 'This Old Heart of Mine' with that warbling refrain - "...This old heart darling (darling) weeps for you, I love you, yes I do (yes, I do-oo-oo). Vonda Shepherd contributes five songs herself in a mix of styles including quasi-gospel and country and western. I liked 'Baby, Don't You Break My Heart Slow' which she has written with that great film music melody man - James Newton Howard. The album ends with a quiet rendition, with just piano accompaniment, of another beautiful song, Paul Williams' and Jon Vezner's 'I know Him by Heart.' Not quite the stunning album that the first Allly McBeal Cd was, nevertheless it makes nice dinner party listening and late night smooching material. But I must go, Ally McBeal is just about to start and we have two episodes, and two hours of Ally tonight! Cheers! Reviewer Ian Lace	Reviewer Ian Lace Reviews from previous months Reviews carry sales links but you can also purchase from:
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