MEET THE LAW FIRM OF CRANE, POOLE & SCHMIDT, WHERE ANYTHING GOES -- AND OFTEN WILL -- WHEN ABC'S "BOSTON LEGAL" RETURNS ON ITS NEW NIGHT, TUESDAY, AUGUST 9

"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, on "Boston Legal," TUESDAY, AUGUST 9 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD: 10/13/04)

"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, Rene Auberjonois as Lewiston, Melora Hardin as Sharon Brant, Todd Stashwick as Matthew Alper, Anne Betancourt as Judge Isabel Hernandez, Helen Eigenberg as Atty. Tompkins, Larry Clarke as Bill Morgan, David Clennon as Atty. Thomas Mason, Michael Ensign as Judge Resnick, Michael Oberlander as Dr. Steven Rayburn, Eric Payne as 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, 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" is written by Scott Kaufer & Jeff Rake and David E. Kelley and directed by Bill D'Elia.

"Boston Legal" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound.

This program carries a TV-14 parental guideline.