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CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION | ||
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Positive:
26
Mixed:
3
Negative:
3
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Critic Reviews
Jul 24, 2013
Season 2 Review:
The question, of course, is whether the show can sustain its heat and, more importantly, its unique character and remarkable quality in its sophomore season. Tonight's season premiere suggests the answer is yes. [14 Sep 1998]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
Unlike so many new series, Ally McBeal has a voice, a smart point of view and a promising conflict. [7 Sep 1997]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
The freshest new show of this or any recent TV season. [8 Sep 1997]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
Kelley has always had the rare talent of making his TV characters seem like real human beings, with all the flaws and contradictions and insecurities that makes us mortals so mortal. In Ally McBeal, he has taken that skill to a new level, creating a smart and sometimes daring series that is unlike any other on TV. [26 Sep 1997]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
In the wrong hands, it would be hopelessly hokey. In Kelley's hands, it's hokey and somehow meaningful, thanks mainly to his deft writing touch. [8 Sep 1997]
Jun 12, 2013
Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
This smart, imaginative romantic drama about a female attorney has quickly established itself as one of the most interesting new series in years. [29 Sep 1997]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
An instantly engaging show that seamlessly delivers stimulating dramatic situations and juicy romantic comedy. [8 Sep 1997]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
One of the new season's best and most unusual series, with a shot at true excellence within its reach. [8 Sep 1997]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 2 Review:
Pungent, sophisticated comedy. [14 Sep 1998]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 2 Review:
The bottom line is that "Ally McBeal" features wonderfully provocative scripts that are as clever as they are wise; supporting actors who are the definitive opposite of stock; and a carefully struck tone that balances the fantastic, the romantic, the sardonic, and the sincere. It is a uniquely imagined TV series that, with producer/writer David E. Kelley as the engine behind it, goes further than ever seemed possible. [14 Sep 1998]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
A whimsical, cleverly conceived dramedy ... Whether 'Ally's' fantasy element can stay whimsical, without falling over into tiresome or distracting (as it did on 'Dream On'), remains to be seen. [8 Sep 1997]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
A delightful program. [14 Sep 1997]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
Flockhart... is a compelling presence, and the tone of the writing is both fun and thoughtful. [7 Sep 1997]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
Even allowing that "Ally McBeal" is sort of a gimmick show, its characters still ring true; much truer than most of the characters on television. [8 Sep 1997]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
Offbeat, engaging and smartly written ... "Ally McBeal" is the rare example of a broadcast network premiering a series that feels fresh and different, if occasionally contrived. [8 Sep 1997]
Jul 12, 2013
Season 1 Review:
As a law show, "McBeal" is not as good as "The Practice." It has a lot of unrealistic, implausible, even surrealistic law. What it does well is show the compassionate, human side of the law profession, outside the courtroom. [9 Feb 1998]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
Whether in visions of falling steel balls or in plot twists that capture the imagination without unduly stressing credulity, it's those fanciful, Kelleyish touches that make "Ally McBeal" so watchable. [8 Sep 1997]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
In the premiere episode, there are times when it is difficult to believe Ally is a top-notch lawyer, given her tentative, almost little-girl nature. Then there are scenes like her frank and catty discussion with Billy's wife... that are great fun to watch. [8 Sep 1997]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
Mr. Kelley otherwise fills too much time with extraneous law cases and Ally's narrative meanderings and fantasies. ... There are sparks, though. Ms. Flockhart is an actress of considerable promise, and some of the dialogue zings home while Mr. Kelley walks his latest high wire. [7 Sep 1997]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
Both different and diverting, when the self-conscious style doesn't intrude on the storytelling. [8 Sep 1997]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
"Ally McBeal" is not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but it is bona fide quality TV. [8 Sep 1997]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
Like Mary Tyler Moore and even the master, Bob Newhart, [Flockhart is] great at reacting to what happens around her. But right now, the characters around her aren't very interesting. [8 Sep 1997]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
It's thin fantasy material that often stumbles over the line of cute, but it's snappy and cleverly fresh. [8 Sep 1997]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
Ally McBeal has the components of a potential guilty pleasure. Giddily romantic but also sassily sardonic, it merely needs to curb some of its more groaning indulgences. [8 Sep 1997]
Jul 2, 2013
Season 1 Review:
Ally's self-involvement can make the viewer wince because of the writing and because she hasn't earned our sympathy--her predicaments often seem so false. ... And yet, because Flockhart really is a fine actress and the writing can rise to a higher level, the show has its winning moments.
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Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
Being allowed inside the cerebrum of Ally, I feel some sympathy for her. I like her more than I would if she were the typical TV cipher. But I don't like her enough to want to watch this flawed show about a lawyers-in-love triangle week after week. [4 Sep 1997]
Jul 24, 2013
Season 1 Review:
Silly McDumb. [14 Sep 1997]
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