Wednesday February 14, 2001

David E. Kelley

It's Ally McBeal in Beverly Hills, Calista Flockhart joined Dylan McDermott and Jane Krakowski came to support the man behind their hit shows, David Kelley. The TV mogul was honored at the Tourette Syndrome Association's annual awards dinner. Calista says, "Because of him the world is definitely becoming more aware and accepting of this disorder."

On "Ally McBeal," Anne Heche plays a woman who displays the sudden tics caused by this neurological disorder. Kelley says, "We have got this character personifying all these tics and impulses and at the same time you want to be drawn to them to care for them."

From Anne Heche to Robert Downey Jr., Kelley doesn't shy away from casting stars in the spotlight.

Leeza: That seems to be one of your uncanny gifts to take stars at the height of the publics interest in them and they end up on one of your shows.

David: I think the common denominator to all of them is that they can act.

Leeza: Would you be inspired by Robert Downey Jr.'s situation to tackle addiction on any of your programs?

David: We wouldn't be afraid of it. We haven't yet on "Ally McBeal" but it certainly is a subject matter that calls for exploration.

But what about the subject of motherhood? It seems David's leading ladies are starting a brood of little ones.

Leeza: The Kelley girls are very busy, Calista has a new baby, Camryn having a baby, Kelli Williams having a baby…

David: None of them are mine by the way.