"Actor: Courtney Thorne Smith"

• Ally McBeal - Season 2 | DVD | (21/02/2005) from £20.23   |  Saving you £-0.24 (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Join the whimsical Ally McBeal both in and out of the courtroom to watch her defend and prosecute the most flamboyant and comical cases whilst at the same time falling in and out of relationships. The introduction of icy Nelle Porter (Portia de Rossi) often known as 'sub-zero Nelle' and the tempestuous Ling Woo (Lucy Liu) into the firm creates an ever intriguing element of love and hate in Season 2. Amusing to some but a cause of great anguish to others both of them capture the h

• Ally McBeal, Series 5 Box Set 1 | DVD | (10/02/2003) from £10.65   |  Saving you £9.34 (87.70%)   |  RRP £19.99

  The fifth season was the last series of Ally McBeal, and probably the least satisfying. While always at least slightly entertaining, it was troubled by two conflicting imperatives: first, to steer its neurotic characters and multiplicity of sub-plots towards a coherent and credible resolution; second, to sustain another series of a programme which had, by now, exhausted all the plot possibilities that were remotely believable. The result is a bemusing onslaught of new characters (Ally's Mini-Me Jenny and a barely distinguishable phalanx of lantern-jawed male leads), celebrity cameos (Edna Everage, Christina Ricci, Barry White, Matthew Perry, Jon Bon Jovi), several storylines that would test the credulity of any of the curiously indulgent judges before whom Ally's firm practises (notably the arrival of a 10-year-old daughter that Ally didn't know she had) and one misbegotten attempt to anchor the programme to the real world (the "Nine One One" episode, an unwatchably mawkish allegory about the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States). Granted that Ally McBeal was never intended to be realistic drama, but when the programme spirals entirely off into the realms of the surreal, any possibility of the sort of identification with the characters on which the programme once relied is lost. Though not without its moments, the sudden redemption of Fish, always the best-written character, is deftly handled. Series Five will be of chief interest to adherents who stuck with it through the first four and so wanted to see how it all ends; in keeping with the central character's defining motifs of solipsism and self-pity, it does so with a whimper. On the DVD: Ally McBeal has episode selector on each disc, and a scene selector within each of those. The final disc contains two short and desultory documentaries on the series billed, somewhat hopefully, as "Special Features". A French audio soundtrack is available, as are subtitles in English, French and Dutch. –-Andrew Mueller

• Ally McBeal - Season 1 | DVD | (21/02/2005) from £19.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Meet Ally McBeal she over-analyses her relationships (and sometimes lack of) to the point of becoming emotionally neurotic. Sounds annoying? It can be. Sounds so-American? It can be. Sounds addictive? It will be... They are young successful lawyers some of them could even be called beautiful a lot of them could be called eccentric and they all work and play together. In this first season we are introduced to the Unisex (the bathroom they all share). Ally is living with Renee st

• Lucas | DVD | (03/01/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  There's nothing wrong with being different. Lucas a nerdy 14-year-old has skipped two grades and is having a tough time fitting in with his older classmates. The jocks make fun of him and the girls barely know that he's alive. During the summer Lucas's life is brightened by his new neighbor who quickly becomes his good friend. Unfortunately to Lucas she's a lot more than that and when school begins again he realizes to his dismay that Maggie no longer belongs to him alone. W

• Ally McBeal - Season 3 | DVD | (21/02/2005) from £19.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  What's a girl to do when she's about to turn 30? If you're Ally you'll have a sexual encounter with a stranger kiss Ling get sued defend Santa date a homeless guy and then decide that John Cage is ""the one"". Meanwhile John loses touch with his inner Barry White. Billy goes blonde and dumps Georgia. Ling gets arrested for pimping Richard and Ling breakup Nelle and John kiss and make up while Elaine tries to adopt a baby. Features the entire collection of Season 3 episodes.

• Ally McBeal - Season 1 Part 1 | DVD | (07/10/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Much lighter in tone than creator, producer and writer David E Kelley's other forays into legal drama LA Law, and The Practice, the slick thirtysomething series Ally McBeal has never been out-and-out comedy but it spikes its exploration of emotional territory with sharp funny lines. Ally (Calista Flockhart) is a kookie cutie, a ditzy, skinny, single lawyer and we are privy to scenes from her overactive imagination (courtesy of CGI), surrounded by larger-than-life peripheral characters--almost grotesques--like outspoken boss Richard Fish (Greg Germann), nervy courtroom wizz John "The Biscuit" Cage (Peter MacNicol) and nosy secretary Elaine Vassal (Jane Krakowski). In later series these characters (including popular newcomers Lucy Lui and Portia de Rossi as frosty law babes Ling and Nelle) would edge towards one-dimensional caricatures as the same ground was retrodden relentlessly, but in this first series there is something compelling about the intrusive dynamics of this group of oddballs. The point is you don't have to like them to find them entertaining. Ally herself can be extremely irritating in a love-to-hate-her kind of a way. She is a curious dichotomy, a 1990s woman with a go-getting career and a penchant for her own way and yet with the romantic ideals of someone from another generation. Basically still hung up on ex-boyfriend Billy (Gil Bellows) who works for same Boston practice, alongside wife Georgia (Courtney Thorne-Smith), Ally is on the look out for her Prince Charming. The first series and its lead both garnered Golden Globes, a lot of gossip and a healthy audience for the Fox television network in America. Channel 4 snapped it up for British audiences who were intrigued, not least by the unisex toilets and sophisticated afterwork bar soirées where chanteuse Vonda Shepherd was always to be found crooning away in the corner. All in all, Ally McBeal leaves you with the conundrum of wanting more but not being able to say why. --Emma Perry

• Ally McBeal - Season 5 (M-Lock Packaging) | DVD | (09/05/2005) from £8.18   |  Saving you £11.81 (59.10%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Featuring all the episodes from the final season of Ally McBeal spread over 6 discs! Episodes comprise: 1. Friends and Lovers 2. Judge Ling 3. Neutral Corners 4. Fear of Flirting 5. I Want Love 6. Lost and Found 7. Playing With Matches 8. Blowin' in the Wind 9. One Hundred Tears 10. A Kick in the Head'. 11. The New Day 12. Woman 13. Home Coming 14. Heart and Soul 15. Love is all Around 16. Tom Dooley 17. Another One Bites the Dust 18. Reality Bites 19. All of Me 20. Bygones

• Ally McBeal - Season 4 (M-Lock Packaging) | DVD | (09/05/2005) from £14.53   |  Saving you £5.46 (37.58%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Ally McBeal is back...and this time she has company in the shape of Robert Downey Jr. ! Heralded as the best season yet Ally McBeal Season 4 is packed with hilarious and touching antics and with the arrival of the gorgeous Larry Paul (Robert Downey Jr.) could Ally have FINALLY found her true love? Episodes Featured: 1. Sex Lies and Second Thoughts 2. Two's a Crowd 3. Girls Night Out 4. Without a Net 5. The Last Virgin 6. 'Tis the Season 7. Love on Holiday 8. The Man with the Bag 9. Reasons to Believe 10. The Ex-Files 11. Mr.Bo 12. Hats Off to Larry 13. Reach Out and Touch 14. Boys Town 15. Falling Up 16. The Getaway 17. The Pursuit Of Unhappiness 18. The Obstacle Course 19. In Search Of Barry White 20. Cloudy Skies 21. Queen Bee 22. Home Again 23. The Wedding 24. Chance Of Parade

• Melrose Place - Season 1 | DVD | (13/11/2006) from £25.46   |  Saving you £24.53 (96.35%)   |  RRP £49.99

  Aaron Spelling's drama series about the lives careers trials and tribulations of a group of young people living in an apartment building in the trendy neighbourhood of Melrose Place. A spin-off of Beverly Hills 90210 Melrose Place starred Heather Locklear as the scheming Amanda Woodward head of her own advertising agency and owner of the apartment building. Episodes Comprise: 1. Pilot 2. Friends and Lovers 3. Lost and Found 4. For Love or Money 5. Leap of Faith 6. Second Chances 7. My Way 8. Lonely Hearts 9. Responsibly Yours 10. Burned 11. A Promise Broken 12. Polluted Affairs 13. Dreams Come True 14. Drawing the Line 15. House of God 16. The Whole Truth 17. Jake vs. Jake 18. A Melrose Place Christmas 19. Single White Sister 20. Peanut Butter and Jealousy 21. Picture Imperfect 22. Three's a Crowd 23. My New Partner 24. Bye Bye Billy 25. Irreconcilable Similarites 26. End Game 27. The Test 28. Pushing Boundaries 29. Pas de Trois 30. Carpe Diem 31. State of Need 32. Suspicious Minds

• Revenge Of The Nerds II | DVD | (20/06/2005) from £6.98   |  Saving you £9.00 (225.56%)   |  RRP £12.99

  The Nerds are Back... and They're Taking a Trip to Paradise! Everyone's favourite nerds are back! This time the gang is off to the United Fraternity Conference in Ft. Lauderdale but thanks to the Alpha Betas the Tri-Lambs are forced to endure Florida's most dismal accommodations. Although the boys are misled mistreated and misused they once again strike back proving the importance of self-respect in a wild and wacky lesson you'll never forget.

• Ally McBeal, Series 5 Box Set 2 | DVD | (10/02/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  The fifth season was the last series of Ally McBeal, and probably the least satisfying. While always at least slightly entertaining, it was troubled by two conflicting imperatives: first, to steer its neurotic characters and multiplicity of sub-plots towards a coherent and credible resolution; second, to sustain another series of a programme that had, by now, exhausted all the plot possibilities that were remotely believable. The result is a bemusing onslaught of new characters (Ally's Mini-Me Jenny and a barely distinguishable phalanx of lantern-jawed male leads), celebrity cameos (Edna Everage, Christina Ricci, Barry White, Matthew Perry, Jon Bon Jovi), several storylines that would test the credulity of any of the curiously indulgent judges before whom Ally's firm practises (notably the arrival of a 10-year-old daughter that Ally didn't know she had) and one misbegotten attempt to anchor the programme to the real world (the "Nine One One" episode, an unwatchably mawkish allegory about the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States). Granted that Ally McBeal was never intended to be realistic drama, but when the programme spirals entirely off into the realms of the surreal, any possibility of the sort of identification with the characters on which the programme once relied is lost. Though not without its moments, the sudden redemption of Fish, always the best-written character, is deftly handled. Season Five will be of chief interest to adherents who stuck with it through the first four and so wanted to see how it all ends; in keeping with the central character's defining motifs of solipsism and self-pity, it does so with a whimper. On the DVD: Ally McBeal has episode selector on each disc, and a scene selector within each of those. The final disc contains two short and desultory documentaries on the series billed, somewhat hopefully, as "Special Features". A French audio soundtrack is available, as are subtitles in English, French and Dutch. –-Andrew Mueller

• Revenge Of The Nerds / Revenge Of The Nerds 2 | DVD | (05/01/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £14.99

  Revenge Of The Nerds: Two high school pals who can best be described as 'nerds' arrive at college and cause an uproar when they attempt to join a fraternity. After being rejected they make plans for revenge... Revenge Of The Nerds 2 - Nerds In Paradise: Lewis Skolnick and his band of barmy classmates attend a congress of national fraternities at Fort Lauderdale in Florida. Upon their arrival they come face-to-face with their rivals the Alpha Betas. From that point all

• Melrose Place - Series 3 | DVD | (18/05/2009) from £21.58   |  Saving you £3.41 (15.80%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Melrose Place: Season 3

• Ally McBeal - Season 4 Box Set 2 | DVD | (08/04/2002) from £10.87   |  Saving you £12.11 (153.68%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Too mainstream to be a cult, yet too odd to be totally conventional, Ally McBeal has become one of televisions curios. While its early days saw the show become something of a victim of its own self-conscious stylising, the episodes included on series 4 volume 2 are far stronger in terms of characterisation and plot and the storylines are easy to pick up. Not that the quirks have been exiled--the first programme features McBeal hallucinating about Barry Manilow--rather they have now become part of the overall feel of the show. Despite the attention lavished on both the lead character and the actress who plays her, the show is a real ensemble piece and works best when all the players are together. One of the collection's weakest moments is the episode that sends the usually excellent Richard and John off to LA on their own, an episode which lays threat to a dreaded spin off. While there are annoying moments--could they not have edited out the "previously on Ally McBeal" parts for retail release and why do they never go out with anyone other than work colleagues--with guest appearances from the likes of Sting this is a must for any fan of the series. On the DVD: Sadly, the DVD collection betrays very little thought or effort. The pace of the show is certainly brisk (especially when shorn of the adverts) and the picture quality is equally dynamic, instilling real depth to the many aerial shots of Boston itself. Given that music is such an integral part in the show, it is no surprise that the soundtrack has been given a boost by its recreation in Dolby digital stereo. The interactive menu, however, is clumsy to use and having to work back through the options at the end of each episode quickly becomes tiresome. The complete lack of any extras whatsoever is also a definite minus point.--Phil Udell

• Ally McBeal - Season 4 Part 1 | DVD | (11/02/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  The first half of Ally McBeal's fourth season starts with that all important question, the one Ally has been waiting for from day one: "Ally will you... move in with me?". As always Ally's romantic dreams never quite become a reality and the series continues within the Grimm Fairy Tale world of Ally's love (and quirky work) life. The most important twist this season occurs in the first episode "Sex, Lies and Second Thoughts"--the departure of Tracy Ullman and Ally's current beau, Brian, to be replaced by the series' new heart-throb Larry (Robert Downey Jr). Initially dating both father and son ("Two's a Crowd") Ally cannot help but become besotted by Larry's charisma; he being a fellow lawyer further seals their bond, that is until Larry's past comes back to haunt him. Other highlights include a quirky romance for John ("Reason to Belive"), a charity auction leading to an all male fan-club for John ("Love on Holiday") and a romantic connection for Mark--though the recipient of his affection may have hidden more than he bargained for. Unfortunately the series was outshone by the real-life drama of Calista Flockhart's and Downey's rocky relationship along with Downey's drugs convictions. Even though he won a Golden Globe for his performance, he ultimately had to be dropped from the series. On the DVD: Not much on offer here for Ally's début into the DVD market. The individual episode menu does offer a language selection of French and English and the subtitles for the Netherlands and French. You also have the option to select chapters from the specific episodes, along with a "previously on Ally McBeal..." for that little reminder of whom Ally is dating now. Although standard for a TV DVD release, the 1.33:1 aspect ratio and 2.0 Dolby sound is disappointing for a television series which offers ground-breaking use of special effects. --Nikki Disney

• Ally McBeal - Season 1 Part 2 | DVD | (07/10/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Follow Ally's trials and tribulations in life through her eyes and caricaturises her personal thoughts and fantasies. Contains the second half of Season One's episodes. The episodes are: 'The Blame Game' 'Body Language' 'Once In A Lifetime' 'Forbidden Fruits' 'Theme Of Life' 'The Playing Field' 'Happy Birthday Baby' 'The Inmates' 'Being There' 'Alone Again' and 'These Are The Days'.

• Ally McBeal - Season 2 Part 2 | DVD | (07/10/2002) from £9.39   |  Saving you £10.60 (53.00%)   |  RRP £19.99

  A blend of courtroom dramas and neurotic love affairs create the perfect formula for the second part of the acclaimed Ally McBeal season 2. Ally (Calista Flockhart) continues to suffer in the hands of love and embarks upon a series of doomed love affairs that culminate in an adulterous kiss with her old love Billy (Gil Bellows). The confusion that accompanies her fated love life follows her into the courtroom where not only does she experience bizarre Al Green hallucinations but she also tries to sue God in defence of a little boy with leukaemia (Angels and Blimps). Meanwhile as Ally encounters visions of Al Green in the courtroom an inner Barry White takes over John Cage (Peter Macnicol) leaving him re-energised and finally confident enough to conquer his infatuation with sub-zero Nelle (Portia di Rossi). Enter the magical world of Ally with these essential Season 2 Part 2 DVDs that chronicle the daily traumas of Elaine's (Jane Krawkoski) face bras imaginary extended tongues and rigorous therapy sessions that will leave us all hollering for more. This box set includes the episodes: Angels & Blimps; Pyramids on the Nile; Sideshow; Sex Lies and Politics; Civil Wars; Those Lips That Hand; Lets Dance; Only the Lonely; The Green Monster; and I Know Him by Heart.

• Ally McBeal - Season 2 Part 1 | DVD | (07/10/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  At the start of Series Two of the Boston law firm drama, nothing much had changed at Richard Fish's rather kooky establishment. Ally (Calista Flockhart) was still a skinny, whimsical woman-child looking for Mr Right. Billy (Gil Bellows) was still married to Georgia (Courtney Thorne-Smith), John Cage (Peter McNicol) was still too eccentric to be considered for romantic involvement, Elaine (Jane Krakowski) was still a nosey meddler and Fish (Greg Germann) himself was still looking for ways to make money. Lots of it. Greed prompts him to hire new litigator Nelle (Portia DiRossi), a tall, blonde power-dresser who leaves the other women bristling in her wake. But their antipathy towards their new colleague is nothing compared to the forces of hatred spiky Ling (Lucy Liu) inspires. Before long John (The Biscuit) and Nelle are embarking on a tempestuous romance, Ally is stealing Elaine's new boyfriend before going out with one of Georgia's exes and Billy begins to show the signs of instability which lead to him to bleach his hair blonde in the following season. Ally's outspoken flatmate Renee (Lisa Nicole Carson) got a welcome increase in her time on screen in this second season. Despite the sheer number of episodes David E Kelley and his team turn around each year, this second series consistently provided entertaining viewing to the last, despite--or perhaps because of--some of the characters being so unlikable. The inter-office banter reached new heights of inventive bitchiness, the comic CGI illustrations of Ally's imagination still felt reasonably fresh and the court cases managed to combine oddity with emotional involvement. All in all this group of dysfunctional and rather incestuous workaholics proved curiously engaging yet again. --Emma Perry

• Ally McBeal - Season 3 Part 1 | DVD | (07/10/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  In David E Kelley's Boston law drama, Ally McBeal, his lawyers' private and work lives are always inextricably linked. Nobody does anything in the "Cage and Fish" firm without their colleagues knowing about it, including going to the toilet. Kelley is as willing as always to embrace implausible coincidence in his storylines for the pay-off of maintaining the high pace and dramatic neatness. Our anti-heroine Ally McBeal starts her third season with a wet, wordless fling in a car wash with Jason Gedrick, and it's no surprise that Ally ends up facing Gedrick at the altar when a client asks her to be bridesmaid. With the entire firm invited along as guests, can she keep quiet about the groom? Well, you know Ally--she may not have any lasting success in the romance department but it's a subject she feels very strongly about. The third season sees fewer CGI expressions of Ally's thoughts and imagination, but the drama is just as colourful. Billy's increasing concerns over the balance of male and female power manifests itself in his newly dyed blond hair and his hiring of six PVC-clad women to follow him around boosting his testosterone. Other highlights include Ally exploring her lesbian side with Ling, Elaine posing as John's "fluffer" to banish his sexual insecurities and an explosive Thanksgiving party at Ally's. There are plotlines within Series 3 which stretch plausibility, such as finding out that Ally's dad is the man Georgia's been snogging to forget her husband's metamorphosis into a blonde-haired, sexist egomaniac. Ally McBeal does have the tendency to descend into sickening sentimental tosh, like all the "child inside" nonsense in Episode 11, but that aside, it continues to provide escapist entertainment of the first order. --Emma Perry

• Ally McBeal - Complete DVD Collection | DVD | (30/10/2006) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £74.99

  Every episode from all 5 seasons of Ally McBeal in one must-have collector's box set! Meet Ally McBeal she over-analyses her relationships (and sometimes lack of) to the point of becoming emotionally neurotic. Sounds annoying? It can be. Sounds so-American? It can be. Sounds addictive? It will be... They are young successful lawyers some of them could even be called beautiful a lot of them could be called eccentric and they all work and play together. From the first season we are introduced to the Unisex (the bathroom they all share). Ally is living with Renee still trying to deal with Billy's marriage to someone who is not her and is forced to come to terms with working with his new wife Georgia. Richard and Whipper are still together Elaine establishes herself as the resident know-it-all tart and John Cage is well warming up to being John Cage.... It is from this season we all have to hold to our hearts as the first time we were introduced to Ally McBeal the quirky original and (yet again) brilliance of a David E. Kelly creation!