TV Notes: 'Ally' Finale Reworked
April 26 -- It could take the brains of the best lawyers on Ally McBeal to get the show out of its current jam.
Producers are trying to find a way to finish up the season without actor Robert Downey Jr., who joined the Fox show this season as Ally's boyfriend. Creator David E. Kelley announced Downey would not be in the finale, and was not expected to return to the series after his arrest Tuesday on drug charges.
About a third of the finale has already been shot, including several scenes with Downey. Now Kelly is faced with reworking the entire episode while somehow wrapping up the storyline between Ally (Calista Flockhart) and her departing boyfriend.
This is certainly not the first TV series to struggle with the loss of a cast member. Last year The Sopranos were in a similar situation with the death of actress Nancy Marchand, who playedMafia mama Livia Soprano.
Jackass Injuries 'Upsetting'
You can watch Jackass on TV. But don't be a jackass at home, because MTV says it won't be responsible for it
A number of teens have been seriously injured imitating host Johnny Knoxville, who performs dangerous stunts on the popular show. The latest involved a 16 year-old boy who broke his leg while jumping in front of a car driven by his friends. They filmed the stunt and planned on using it as an audition for the series.
A network representative said while it's "incredibly upsetting" when young people hurt themselves, the music channel isn't responsible.
The network airs both a spoken and printed disclaimer at the beginning of each episode, telling viewers not to try what they see on the show and reminding fans that audition tapes are not accepted for the show.
Midler to Pen Sitcom Memoirs
Some people might want to forget an unpleasant work experience.
Not Bette Midler.
The flamboyant star and her producing partner Bonnie Bruckheimer are writing a book based on Midler's struggles on the short-lived sitcom Bette. The actress publicly complained about the rigors of doing a regular series.
