Author: Kristen Davis

     This 1990s TV show is one of a kind when it comes to entertainment. The creator David E. Kelly, had influential ideas and quirks that made this show into the masterpiece it is. The ‘90s had a large set of funny sitcoms and booming shows that made this decade one to remember.

     With the Golden Girls recent ending in 1992, different directors and writers had to think of some form of entertainment that would put a spin on reality. A big success was when Seinfeld debuted in 1989 and stream into the next decade.

     So, of course, Kelly took the challenge to make an interesting, funny, dubious sitcom, “Ally McBeal.” This show has its various amounts of silliness and unusual events in this series. It is also based on a law firm that has a highly sexual environment. One of the main characters that the audience soon falls in love with is Calista Flockhart, a hilarious, strong-minded person that shows her humor throughout the show.

     Another popular cast member that gives the show an extra boost is Greg Germann. His character, Richard Fish, sexualizes everything in a comical way that brings life to the office. This show balances dating life, lawyer drama and professional lives into a quirky comedy that touches on real-life situations, but with highly bizarre cases that the show presents in each episode.

     Even though the cases are farfetched, it makes this show a lot funnier to see what verdicts the juries and the judges reach. This show features highly popular, classic songs featured throughout the series.

     The creator of the show wanted to add thoughts and ideas in the series that were unlike any other sitcom. For example, John Cage, who is a main character, uses a specific artist throughout the series that gets him through his relationships, his trials and overall life.

     The theme song is sung by a once well-known performer, Vonda Shepard,  “Searchin’ My Soul,” who also performers on every episode at the bar downstairs from the lawyers’ office, every one of the main settings in almost every show.

     The main character in the show, Ally, is the key character that brings them all together. Her weird personality mixed with emotions and sometimes hallucinations, make her character a very unique one. She has lost and gained a lot of aspects throughout the series that make this show exciting to watch. In one of her lines she says, “Love is like an obstacle course, some people let the obstacles land, and there are those who don’t.” The main quirk of hers is that most of the time, her hallucinations are based on famous singers and famous hits like, “Hooked On A Feelin,”   and artists like Al Green. Also, one actor gave the show an extra light in the show; Robert Downey Jr.

     The creator wanted to have an extra boost to gain more popularity with this actor. This show has principles and underlying messages that bring light to situations that society faced back then and are still facing now,  all the while, bringing humor to it. This show is currently available to stream on Hulu. I highly recommend watching it, if you’re in for a good laugh.

     Performing usually gives everyone the jitters as they walk on the stage to express their talent. Pegasus gave students and anyone else that chance on Feb. 21.  at Espresso 41.

     At a little before six, a guitar was strumming and students were rehearsing their material. I happened to be one of those performers, even though I am not musically talented. I picked a song, got some instrumental music and prepared myself to sing, all the while my heart beating faster than I could talk. I was afraid my voice was going to crack when I let that first note out.

     My hands were shaking on my steering wheel as I drove there. All the thoughts in my head were racing, “Will they enjoy it?,” “What if I forget the words?,” “What if I miss a note,?”

     Around 30 people showed up at 6 p.m. and more cars began to pack the parking spaces. Jeff Newberry was the first reader. He read a few of his pieces that were very strong, powerful stories. Different professors from ABAC joined the open mic night and some read and listened to the pieces students and faculty chose to read.

     One of the students, Hannah Robinson, read her own written narrative nonfiction piece to the crowd. “‘See Me’ was something I wrote a couple months after my twenty-first birthday when I was dealing with a lot of thoughts about my life so far. I was in an abusive situation as a kid, and as a result, I deal with depression and anxiety. I also have been dealing with a chronic illness called fibromyalgia since I was about 16. All of those things together inspired that piece.”

     “The end of ‘See Me’ is basically about me realizing that even those bad parts of my life are a part of me. And I think that’s a beautiful thing to come to realize.”

     After Robinson read her piece, the crowd burst into cheers and encouragement while congratulating her for standing up on that platform to read her story. A few moments later, after everyone went inside and grabbed a bite to eat and drink, a little girl grabbed the microphone and announced, “Next up, we have Kristen Davis.” Everyone’s eyes were immediately directed toward me. I froze in panic and my heart began to beat a hundred times faster. I steadily walked toward the small platform outside and I stood behind the mic and the man next to me plugged my aux in.

     My mind was racing with all the songs I could’ve picked, but of course, I picked one of the most famous, well-known songs nearly everyone has heard, “Take On Me” by A-ha. In my mind, I have sung that song so much better alone, but when I stood in front of people, my voice became quiet.

     I sang the song and I thought I did absolutely terrible, but the crowd thought otherwise with their claps and cheers when it was over. So, I was partially shocked. I thought everyone would laugh at me and think it was terrible, but they all congratulated me and said I did great.

     So, after all, I guess I did okay, but the experience of the whole event was really fun. If anyone has the chance to attend one of these open mics, I would highly recommend going. It is a very free-spirited atmosphere and it was filled with laughter and cheers and fun.