Season 04: Ally McBeal (TV Episode)

• Genre: Comedy
• Movie Type: Prime-Time Drama
• Main Cast: Calista Flockhart, Peter MacNicol, Greg Germann, Lucy Liu, Portia de Rossi, Jane Krakowski, Lisa Nicole Carson, Vonda Shepard, Robert Downey, Jr., James LeGros
• Release Year: 2000
• Country: US
• Run Time: 60 minutes

Plot

This season of Ally McBeal brought many changes to the show, in both cast and formula. Perhaps the most significant absence is that of Billy Thomas (Gil Bellows), whose character passed away from cancer, and his wife, Georgia (Courtney Thorne-Smith). Though both actors left the show to pursue other opportunities, they did return for occasional guest appearances. Also worth noting is the presence of a long-term, committed relationship for Ally (Calista Flockhart). Robert Downey Jr. played rival attorney Larry Paul, a quirky lawyer whom everyone -- including producer David E. Kelley -- believed was Ally's perfect match. Unfortunately, Downey Jr. was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance, and Kelley was forced to re-write the two-part season finale which was originally intended to include a wedding between Ally and Larry. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide