10 Most Groundbreaking TV Shows Of The '90s

Whether it be the unisex bathrooms or that dreaded dancing baby, Ally McBeal caused a stir back in the late '90s and went on to win a string of awards for it.

But what made Ally McBeal groundbreaking? Well, there were many things. For a start, Ally was without a doubt one of the most polarising protagonists in TV history, and many complained that she wasn't a very role model, or a good example of feminism. But perhaps therein lies her appeal. She wasn't trying to be a role model or an inspiration, she was unabashedly and unapologetically herself and that's why we all loved her.

And politics aside, the character was a trailblazer, as the success of the hit series paved the way for more female-led television. The David E. Kelley dramedy was revolutionary to say the least, and it marked one of the first times we'd seen such a brutally honest portrayal of the female mind on network television.

Voice-over can come off as contrived if not used properly, but Ally McBeal boasts one of the best uses of the tool in TV history. Much of the show's appeal lay in the fact that we were inside Ally's head, and so the voice-over was a great way of conveying the protagonist's inner thoughts.

With the exception of one episode in the final season, Kelley penned - or at least co-penned - every single episode of the comedy-drama, which is sure to be some sort of record considering the show ran for five very lengthy seasons. With more guest stars than you could count, the show saw people like Tina Turner and Elton John pop up at the lawyer's local club throughout, and Robert Downey Jr and Jon Bon Jovi were series regulars at one point.