Fox Movies

 

The first season of Ally McBeal centers around Ally's (Calista Flockhart) introduction to a law firm as full of eccentric characters as it is legal files. Not only must Ally adjust to her former high-school sweetheart's choice to marry another, but she also has to learn how to cope with having both him and his wife as co-workers. This season was a highly successful test of Ally McBeal's unique format, which emphasized musical numbers and special effect-laden flights of fancy. Despite initial low expectations from the network, Ally McBeal became a sleeper hit, owing much of its success to its originality, incorporation of truly unique characters, and its expert combination of modern issues of political-correctness with age-old matters of the heart. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

After having received mediocre ratings for some time, this was the last season of Ally McBeal. Featuring actor and singer Jon Bon Jovi as Victor, Ally's newest boyfriend, this season gave Ally something she had always longed for -- a family. When Maddie Harrington (Hayden Panettiere) came to Ally's doorstep and informed Ally that she was a mother, the famously neurotic lawyer finally found something to focus on besides her own life. Though Ally had never gotten over Larry (Robert Downey Jr.), she was able to find some semblance of emotional gratification with her daughter. In the end, Ally decided to move to New York for Maddie's sake and leave the past five years of her life in Boston. Though some of the shows staple characters departed -- Ling (Lucy Liu) and John (Peter MacNicol) were the only regular cast members for part of the season -- everyone grew and, in general, became more mature versions of their former selves. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

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, Rovi

 

Season 5 finds medical misanthrope Greg House more irascible than ever. As the season opens, House's best (well, only) friend James Wilson returns to Princeton-Plainsboro after three months of grief leave following his fiancée Amber's death, only to announce he's leaving. The reason, Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) claims initially, is that everything reminds him of Amber. But that's not good enough for House (Hugh Laurie), who neglects his duties to get to the bottom of it. After enduring some of House's trademark harassment, Wilson confesses Amber isn't the reason he's leaving -- House is. Their "bromance" isn't dead though, especially after a wild road trip the two take to the funeral of House's father. Meanwhile, love blossoms among the staff, with relationships developing between Cameron and Chase (Jennifer Morrison, Jesse Spencer), Thirteen and Foreman (Olivia Wilde, Omar Epps), and possibly even House and new adoptive mom Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein), who share a few tender moments between bickering sessions. The season takes a darker turn toward its conclusion, as the good doctors face an inexplicable tragedy that deeply affects them all, but House in particular, who also turns to stronger medication to control his pain. ~ Dianne Zoccola, Rovi

The prison break saga winds to a close as Michael teams up with his deadliest enemies to attempt the most daring breakout ever. Realizing that they don't have a chance of getting to Michael Scofield, the federal government decides to play dirty by going after the woman he loves. Arrested for murder while pregnant with Michael's unborn child, Sara is locked away in an impenetrable women's prison. But there's a price on Sara's head, and her time is running out. Realizing that the fates of the woman he loves and their future child are both on the line, Michael forms a dangerous alliance in order to break her out before it's too late. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

 

 

David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reprise their roles as Fox Mulder and Dana Scully with this long-delayed big-screen continuation that revives the series six years after it headed off the air in 2002. Creator Chris Carter returns to direct, co-writing the script with series veteran Frank Spotnitz for 20th Century Fox. Billy Connolly, Amanda Peet and rapper Xzibit co-star in the stand-alone sequel. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

A made for TV movie that provides a bridge between the sixth and seventh seasons of the hit FOX action series 24, 24: Redemption features series star Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer. As the program opens, Bauer spends his time doing missionary work in Africa, laying low while the United States government attempts to capture him. His work leads him into contact with an evil warlord who maintains a loyal army by constantly brainwashing children into joining him. Bauer risks his freedom in order to stop the warlord. Redemption co-stars Oscar winner Jon Voight, Gil Bellows, and Robert Carlyle. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi