A MAN BENT ON PROVING THAT DENNY AND HIS LATE LAWYER FATHER HELPED ACQUIT AN ACCUSED MURDERER HOLDS THE FIRM HOSTAGE IN ORDER TO CONDUCT A MOCK RE-TRIAL, AND ALAN IS THROWN IN JAIL FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT, ON ABC'S "BOSTON LEGAL"

Scenes from a 50-year-old Television Episode, "The Defender," Originally Aired on "Studio One" -- Featuring a young William Shatner -- are Incorporated into the Episode

"Son of the Defender" � A man with a decades-long grudge against Denny Crane and his late attorney father takes the firm hostage, forcing staff at Crane, Poole & Schmidt to "re-try" a murder case in which a young Denny ensured the defendant's acquittal. Scenes from a 50-year-old television episode, "The Defender," originally aired on "Studio One" � featuring a young William Shatner � are incorporated into the episode to show what transpired during the original case that led to the modern day hostage taking. Meanwhile, Alan Shore's attempt to defend an accused prostitute lands him in jail for contempt of court, on "Boston Legal," THURSDAY, AUGUST 23 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD 4/3/07)

Editors note: This program replaces "MEN IN TREES: The Darkest Day."

"Boston Legal" stars James Spader as Alan Shore, Julie Bowen as Denise Bauer, Mark Valley as Brad Chase, Rene Auberjonois as Paul Lewiston, Constance Zimmer as Claire Simms and Gary Anthony Williams as Clarence/Clarice Bell, with Candice Bergen as Shirley Schmidt and William Shatner as Denny Crane.

Guest starring are Meredith Eaton-Gilden as Bethany Horowitz, Stephen Lee as Aaron Sears, James Keane as Joe Gordon, Billy Mayo as Detective Sean Wilkins, Lawrence Pressman as Judge Floyd Hurwitz, Jackie Debatin as Jenna Aesop, Mike Hagerty as Wally Bird, Bonnie Bailey-Reed as Harriet Bird and Mark L. Taylor as Attorney Adam Jovanka.

"Son of the Defender" was written by Phoef Sutton & David E. Kelley and directed by Bill D'Elia.

"Boston Legal" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

This program carries a TV-14,D,V parental guideline.