PREMIERE

MEET THE LAW FIRM OF CRANE, POOLE & SCHMIDT, WHERE ANYTHING GOES AND OFTEN WILL-ON THE SERIES PREMIERE OF ABC'S "BOSTON LEGAL"

Alan Shore (James Spader) and Denny Crane (William Shatner) lead a brigade of high-priced civil litigators in an upscale Boston law firm in ABC's new legal drama series focusing on the professional and personal lives of brilliant but often emotionally challenged attorneys. Joining Shore and Crane is Brad Chase (Mark Valley), a consummate guy's guy, who recently headed up the Washington, DC office and has been recruited to Boston to keep an eye on loose cannon senior partner Denny Crane. He also finds himself in an unending test of wills with fellow attorney Alan Shore. Fast-paced and darkly comedic, the series confronts social and moral issues, and the pursuit of happiness and money-with varying degrees of priority.

In the premiere episode-"Head Cases"-when esteemed partner Edwin Poole makes a shocking entrance at the morning meeting, Brad Chase, up from the Washington, DC office, is forced to stay in Boston longer than planned, finding himself instantly at odds with Alan Shore, both professionally and personally. Meanwhile, on a dare, Shore takes the case of an African American girl who is denied the lead role in the national tour of Annie, and Denny Crane gets caught having an affair with the wife of the firm's biggest client. "Boston Legal" premieres SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

"Boston Legal" stars James Spader as Alan Shore, Monica Potter as Lori Colson, Mark Valley as Brad Chase, Rhona Mitra as Tara Wilson, Lake Bell as Sally Heep and William Shatner as Denny Crane.

Guest-starring in "Head Cases" are John Michael Higgins as Jerry Austin, Larry Miller as Edwin Poole, Melora Hardin as Sharon Brant, Todd Stashwick as Matthew Calder, Anne Betancourt as Judge Isabel Hernandez, Helen Eigenberg as Atty. Tompkins, Eric Payne as Mark Halpern, Rebecca Lin as CPS receptionist Samantha, Anita Finlay as Helen Poole, Philip Baker Hall as Ernie Dell, Tom Ormeny as man no. 1, John F. Schaffer as man no. 2 - Chicago, Kevin Owers as London guy Nigel, Simon Rhee as Tokyo guy, Aisha Hinds as Beah Toomy, Jadzia Pittman as Sarah, Steven Anderson as Seymore, Lisa Kaseman as Alpers receptionist, Sharon Lawrence as Judge Rita Sharpley, Don McManus as John Lennox and Kevin Cooney as Atty. Smith.

"Head Cases" was written by David E. Kelley and directed by Bill D'Elia.

"Boston Legal" was created by David E. Kelley. Kelley, Bill D'Elia, Scott Kaufer and Jeff Rake are executive producers. The series is produced by David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television.

"Boston Legal" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound. A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.