Musical performers add to 'Ally's' quirky story lines
By Chelsea J. Carter
Associated Press
It began with a bar and a bluesy vocalist playing to "Ally McBeal" and her lawyer friends.
Associated Press
Then Al Green sang, danced and acted his way through an episode, and everything changed.
Rock 'n' roll hall of famer Elton John was one of the performers to appear on "Ally McBeal" this season. Past performers include Sting, Mariah Carey and Gladys Knight.
Musical guests began lining up to take their shot on the show, which airs at 8 p.m. Mondays on Fox. The list includes Barry White, Tina Turner, Gladys Knight and Gloria Gaynor.
As the show marches through its fifth season, the cavalcade of music has continued with performances by Elton John and Mariah Carey. Jon Bon Jovi is the latest to appear on the show, although for now his nine-episode run is limited to acting.
"When David (Kelley) came up with the concept of the show, he felt music was a great vehicle to help tell stories," said Steve Robin, the show's supervising producer.
Unlike many television shows that use musical guests as background scenery, "Ally McBeal" has involved performers in the show's quirky, comedic story lines.
Fox
Sting once poked fun at his superstar status, as a defendant accused of stealing a woman's affections from her husband by singing to her during a performance.
Mariah Carey performed a tune from the "Glitter" soundtrack last month on "Ally McBeal."
The episode also hit on another of the show's unlikely staples — duets with cast members. Sting performed "Every Breath You Take" with then cast member Robert Downey Jr.
Kelley once said the show was a release for his love of music. Beyond just name-brand performances, he has regularly scripted music and dance numbers for its cast members.
"You get the feeling sometimes the song comes first, and David writes the story and script around it," Robin said.
As a result, the show's reputation as a music-friendly environment has helped snag some of the industry's top artists.
In recent years, record labels have begun lobbying the show's producers, sending hundreds of albums to Kelley for consideration. Performers themselves also have approached the show.
"Sometimes they realize with 'Ally McBeal,' they can reach a huge audience very quickly. Sometimes they are just fans of the show," Robin said.
