Karen Lurie writes:

"Even with all this stunt casting, Ally McBeal is stale and in big ratings trouble. It's lost its buzz appeal, not to mention as much as one-fourth its audience since its season premiere. Industry experts are warning David E. Kelley to do something soon, or it could be curtains for Ally.

"But all Ally needs is to make a slight course correction and hit the decks, so to speak. Think about it: What other show featured wacky one-dimensional regulars, leering innuendo, weekly B-list star turns, leering innuendo, a tenuous balance of heavy-handed moralizing and comic relief, leering innuendo and obligatory musical numbers? Right. The Love Boat."

Read the article, Welcome Aboard, Ally, or reply to this post to suggest other TV shows that could use a Love Boat-esque sized overhaul.

Thank you for putting Ally in its place. In fact, all of David Kelley's creations (Boston Public, Practice) are overhyped and rely entirely on contrived plots and stereotyping. They feel innovative because no one thought of making up all this idiotic stuff before -- not because they are evidence of original thinking.

The comparisons in this are right on the mark. Great song, too.