Bygones is a fortnightly podcast where sisters Laura-Jane and Eleanor Parker rewatch an episode of Ally McBeal every couple of weeks through 2018 eyes!
It is here! It is time! Yep, we've loved, we've lost (mainly RDJ) and now we're on the other side of Season 4 - it only took us 3.5 years but we did it!! And what a rollercoaster ride that was. So, as is customary here at Bygones, we simply cannot move on to seasons new until we make time to hold space for everything we lived, laughed and lost over the course of this one. AND OF COURSE, we must determine who is the winner of this season's Verdict of the Week Leaderboard - everyone's (read: Laura-Jane's) favourite feature.
We're FINALLY here with the last episode of Season 4 (!!) which means that it is high time for us to tie up this Larry business once and for all (spoiler: THAT'S IT, HE'S NOT COMING BACK, EVERYONE MOVE ON, NO IT'S FINE HONEST), for LJ to lose her mind over witnessing Josh Groban's origin story, and for all of us to wonder wtf just happened here. Today we are processing all of our feelings about S4E23: The Wedding. Now pass us our "Go Away. We're Sad" signs. *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
Dust off your karaoke booths and sing along Bygoners!:
Let's have an episode that has literally nothing to do with Ally SHALL WE?! Richard and John bravely fight against their manly urges when a sexually magnetic women who admires bee's a little too much needs legal counsel... and elsewhere Reverend Mark is back because he is incapable of expanding his dating pool beyond his own employees. Today we are discussing S4E21: Queen Bee *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
We're back! A man wants to clone his dead wife! John has lost the ability to channel everyone's favourite disco behemoth! Ling might be in love cos Jackson is in slo-motion! It's like we were never away! It's S4E19: In Search of Barry White. *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
There's nothing we love more than a little homo-erotic toe-to-toe but NOT at the expense of innocent people's weddings! Jackson and Larry almost end things between a betrothed couple over a pre-nup with a side of muscle-envy. And things aren't so great between Elaine and Mark (oh no, stop, so sad...
ℹ️ Content Note: This episode was recorded a few weeks before the news broke of Anne Heche's death. This episode marks Anne's last appearance as Melanie West, so we discuss her performance in the show towards the end of the episode. Our thoughts are with all those who loved and knew Anne
John and Richard are bickering like an ol' married couple and Mark has unceremoniously tried to dump Elaine for being too thirsty but don't worry we've got Cage & Fish's OFFICIAL RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLOR Ally McBeal on the case so make sure no unhealthy toxic partnerships are EVER broken up. That's right! We've arrived at the middle of this season, gang, and today we're talking S4E14: Boy's Town. *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
Don't you just love it when your favourite show about a Single Female Lawyer making her way in the world at the turn of the millenium has an extra special musical star guest spot by none other than Bazza Manilow?! And then don't you just love it even more when said musical star Bazza Manilow, who has a plethora of banging tunes in his back catalogue, proceeds to use said guest spot to sing precisely *checks notes* NONE of the classics?!?!?! Yes folks, it's S4E13: Reach Out and Touch... Don't you dare try and start a sing along to Copacabana. *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
At Cage & Fish this episode, everyone except Nelle has competition fever as Chubbie Checker is in town overseeing a TWIST CONTEST. Meanwhile as Vonda makes her way through the back catalogue of songs Robbie Williams has covered, Melanie introduces John to her tiny home and her special homeless friend - neither of which turn out to be what they seem. And Ally is surprised to learn that Richard is a JERK, and that every woman that works at Cage & Fish is a Grade A Hottie. Yep, today, we're discussing S4E11: Mr. Bo. *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
Who's got the Ex-Factor? ❌ Ling, for one, who's ex is supposed to getting married but can't just quit Ling (who can?!). ❌ But also Larry, because guess what, everyone's fave Detroit homewrecker is back in town, and BOY ARE WE MAD ABOUT IT! ❌ Today, we're discussing S4E10: The Ex-Files. *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
John's boyhood legal hero (sure!) is having marriage trouble so John pulls in the best charmer in town THAT'S RIGHT Larry Paul to get those two ol' love birds back on track. Also, John defends a lady with Tourette's on a murder charge but SOMEHOW we have a feeling will be STICKING AROUND! Today, we're discussing S4E9: Reasons to Believe *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
A li'l late but its Christmas in Boston, and that means another patented Cage and Fish holiday party! Except this year, ONE THING and ONE THING ONLY threaten to spoil the festivities and that is Larry's ex-wife Jamie! It's not all about Ally's love life though, elsewhere Nelle's dad is actually Santa?! Of COURSE he is
Oh, Larry. This episode Ally discovers the sad secret as to why he hates Christmas. Join us as we discuss blowing Big Santa wide open, John's questionable rock n roll wooing technique and of course, the heartbreak that is RDJ sitting at a lonely piano singing Joni Mitchell covers on S4E6: 'Tis The Season. *sobs into some tinsel* *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
Kimmy is BACK but this time she's not suing Ally, but her old firm. Turns out Kimmy is l'il too prudey for those dudies! Meanwhile we think it's about this point when everyone is shipping Ally and Larry, EVEN THOUGH she is having an unnatural level of stress over their first kiss, cos they are just too frickin cute. Today we're discussing S4E5: The Last Virgin. ℹ️ This episode of Bygones was recorded in July 2021 *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
Ally's boyfriend Brian has asked her to move in with him! Hooray! A MAN! It's everything Ally has ever wanted!! Let's celebrate! Right?! WRONG! Ally runs immediately to therapy, and finds no Tracey (
Er, hi, remember us?!?! We're coming back baby! Here's what to expect from Bygones S4 now that it has its very own real life dancing baby to contend with. Thanks for being patient - we love you all!! *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
Knock Knock! Yep it's your friendly office mailwoman here with ALL OUR LISTENERS THOUGHTS AND QUESTIONS on Season 3! And we are here to answer them for you! PLUS... the FINAL Season 3 Verdict of the Week Leaderboard results! *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
Hoorah! We've survived car sex, computer sex, grief and espionage to make it to the end of Season 3! As is tradition, we're taking a look back at the season as a whole, talking about our highs and lows (oh man, the lows)... not forgetting to crown the winner of the Verdict of the Week Leaderboard, before putting it to bed ready fresh for Season 4! This is our Season 3 Wrap-Up and don't you miss it! *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
Guys.... 2020.. what a TIME! We know this probably isn't the Christmas many of you had hoped for - but we hope we make your festive time a little more bright with a li'l bite-sized bloopers ep to tide you over until our Season 3 wrap-up in January. We hope you all stay safe and have a great time saying GOOD RIDDANCE to 2020!!! We'll be back when we've had our 2021 eyeballs installed! *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
WOWEE, this is the one where the Allyverse goes full jazz hands by attempting a musical episode to round off this season! John and Nelle sing sad songs, a whole restaurant sings at Ally, her mum and dad cause some Freudian DRAMA but uhhh we don't care about that because we get Renee and Elaine on stage singing, which lets face it is, is how everyone needs to see off this year! Today we're discussing S3E21: Ally McBeal: The Musical, Almost *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
We're back the penultimate episode of season 3, discussing Nelle's dastardly deeds and emotional warfare, Ally's drunk-in-love obliviousness, and BUTTON-TONGUING?!?! Today we're discussing S3E20: Hope and Glory *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
Renee thinks Ally is hiding a guy in her room! But she's not! She's having COMPUTER SEX! Whatever that means! And then she is convinced her mystery internet guy is Lawyer Hugh Grant! But instead she is arrested for STATUTORY RAPE!? Also Nelle pushes to make partner, but... Richard says no, because he's done the research! Today we're discussing S3E19: Do You Wanna Dance? *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
Come, join us to explore the wonder of dedicating an entire episode to the trauma of getting "older", as well as Elaine vs Renee song battles and the apparent fact that if a woman has breasts in your TV show, that is carte blanche to focus your camera on them at all times and add balloon squeaky sound effects. Today we're discussing S3E18: Turning Thirty. *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
So this is the one where we find out what to fill the hole that Billy ButtHurt has left in our lives with... or should that be WHO we fill the hole with.. That's right NEW CHARACTER KLAXON! Strap yourselves in for our conversation all about Gloria Gaynor, Ghost Billy and MISSING RENEE! Today we're discussing S3E17: I Will Survive. *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
Uhhhmm GUYS... WE HAVE FEELINGS ABOUT THIS EPISODE AND IT MIGHT NOT BE WHAT YOU EXPECT!?!? Join us as we say goodbye to one half of the greatest love story that was never really real to begin with (but that won't stop Ally telling it anyway!). And we welcome back recurring guest Liam Dempsey (Spocklight), who insisted he be here to ensure we conduct ourselves with the proper amount of respect for those no longer with us. THIS IS A BIG ONE! Today we're discussing S3E16: Boy Next Door. *** GET TO KNOW OUR GUEST!Listen to more of Liam on Spocklight podcast: @spocklightpod, available everywhere you get your podcasts! *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
It's the season of Billy somehow not being the worst person in the show, whilst still also being awful?! ANALYSE THAT! Luckily, that's exactly what this podcast is here to do, so join us for a deep dive into Ally's refusal to work on her prejudices, and Nelle's sudden personality transplant. Today we're discussing S3E13: Pursuit of Loneliness *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
Should Ling be impersonating blind people to cross streets? Should Ally be causing traffic accidents just to set thirst traps? Why has Ling never mentioned her best friend Marty ever before? And most of all, are Pygmies a peaceful people or a severely badly drawn stereotype? These are just some of the questions we'll be grappling with today as we discuss S3E12: In Search of Pygmies *** FIND US ON THE INTERNET!
Get ready for war Cage & Fish style as Georgia is suing the firm for causing the death of her marriage. PROPS
It's nearly Christmas at Cage & Fish and we have some complicated feelings about Jerry from Parks and Rec's loose grip on the fundamentals of employment law, Billy's general bell-endery, John's hypocrisy and the downright horrendous treatment of little people?!?! Today we're discussing S3E7: Saving Santa. ***
It's happening, it's happening YOU GUYS IT'S HAPPENINGGGGGG THINGS ARE CHANGING BECAUSE IT'S EFFING CHANGES!!!! We mean... *ahem*... today we are discussing S3E6: Changes. ***
BYGONES 3.05 We Can Call Him Daddy IT'S THANKSGIVING! And it's the episode where we find out the TRUTH about Georgia's secret mystery man, and we say goodbye to Tracy
In this episode, Ally finds herself the subject of a lawsuit as Risa is back to get justice for her wedding shambles, Ling and Richard are arguing over orgasms and Billy is still king of the man-babies and gets a VERY poorly-judged makeover! Today we're discussing S3E4: Heat Wave
Don't get too excited but AL GREEN IS BACK!! Which means we need to prepare for Ally searching her soul over whether to take anti-depressants and brace yourself because a cameo from Betty White does *not* help matters! Also, Billy takes Richard to his Man Baby Club and somehow this means they all stand around chanting "penis" into the clear Boston sky. No, we don't know either. This week we're discussing s3e3: Seeing Green. *** Find Bygones: On TWITTER! @bygonespodcast On FACEBOOK! Search Bygones Podcast On INSTA! @bygonespod On EMAIL! bygonespodcast@gmail.com ***
SPECIAL GUEST KLAXON!!! This episode features guest appearances from Zoe and Amy from the awesome I'm With The Boyband podcast!! We talk about horrendous spanking, horrendous misogyny, and of course... Ally & Ling's visit to gay town. This week we're discussing s3e2: Buried Pleasures. *** Find Zoe and Amy @TheBoybandPod on Twitter or @ImWithTheBoyband on Insta! *** Find Bygones: On TWITTER! @bygonespodcast On FACEBOOK! Search Bygones Podcast On INSTA! @bygonespod On EMAIL! bygonespodcast@gmail.com ***
HOLY DANCING BABIES WE'RE BACK!!! And Season 3 kicks off with sex sex and moar sex, because all the ladies are having sex this season and the men do NOT know what to do about it. This episode we're SO THRILLED to be discussing s3e1: Car Wash. *** Find Bygones: On TWITTER! @bygonespodcast On FACEBOOK! Search Bygones Podcast On INSTA! @bygonespod On EMAIL! bygonespodcast@gmail.com ***
Our mail woman is back with a special delivery... OUR ANSWERS to YOUR QUESTIONS! Our last stop before we steam through to Season 3 so choo-choo jump on board! This is our Mailbag: Vol. 4! *** Find Bygones: On TWITTER! @bygonespodcast On FACEBOOK! Search Bygones Podcast On INSTA! @bygonespod On EMAIL! bygonespodcast@gmail.com ***
Guys we made it! We went through mean girls bitchery, frog woes, #Bally insanity, lightbulb karaoke, swing-dance androgyny, blimps, racoon makeup, knee-pits, racism, homophobia, Al Green AND BARRY WHITE! We cannot POSSIBLY move onto season 3 without sitting back and taking stock of our favourite moments as well as some truly UNACCEPTABLE ones! And OF COURSE, we get the final update from the Verdict of the Week Leaderboard! This is our Season 2 Wrap-Up! *** Find Bygones: On TWITTER! @bygonespodcast On FACEBOOK! Search Bygones Podcast On INSTA! @bygonespod On EMAIL! bygonespodcast@gmail.com ***
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!! And we're here, at the FINAL episode of season 2 - we made it!! Whilst we hope you're all having a lovely time with (or without??? You do you!) loved ones this week, sadly, Ally is a reminder that sometimes life has other plans. She's spiralling into a depressive episode and everyone INCLUDING US is worried. It's a sad episode for a finale but we know together - we can get through it! So join us as we discuss s2e23: I Know Him By Heart. *** Find Bygones: On TWITTER! @bygonespodcast On FACEBOOK! Search Bygones Podcast On INSTA! @bygonespod On EMAIL! bygonespodcast@gmail.com ***