ALAN SHORE AND DENNY CRANE TAKE ON THE USDA WHEN CATTLE RANCHER CAROL HOBER ISN'T PERMITTED TO TEST ALL OF HER COWS FOR MAD COW DISEASE, AND JERRY ESPENSON IS UP FOR PARTNER AT THE FIRM, ON ABC'S "BOSTON LEGAL"

Valerie Bertinelli Guest Stars as Carol Hober

Julie Bowen Guest Stars as Denise Bauer

Rene Auberjonois Guest Stars as Paul Lewiston

"Mad Cows" � Alan Shore and Denny Crane sue the government when cattle rancher Carol Hober � who, Crane believes, is the spitting image of actress Valerie Bertinelli -- accuses the USDA of not allowing her to test all of her cows for Mad Cow Disease, an affliction that's close to Denny's heart. But Denny continually irritates Carol when he tries to make her confess that she really is Valerie Bertinelli. (Casting note: Carol Hober is played by Valerie Bertinelli). Meanwhile, Jerry Espenson is up for partner at the firm, but his quirky social inadequacies could lead to his downfall with the firm's panel, which includes Paul Lewiston (Rene Auberjonois), on "Boston Legal," MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

"Boston Legal" stars James Spader as Alan Shore, John Larroquette as Carl Sack, Christian Clemenson as Jerry Espenson, Tara Summers as Katie Lloyd, with Candice Bergen as Shirley Schmidt and William Shatner as Denny Crane.

Guest starring are Julie Bowen a Denise Bauer, Rene Auberjonois as Paul Lewiston, Henry Gibson as Judge Clark Brown, Valerie Bertinelli as Carol Hober, Ned Vaughn as U.S.D.A. Rep Joel Beavis, Jim Jansen as Marshall Kennedy, Steven Anderson as Seymore and Pamela Dunlap as Yellowstone.

"Mad Cows" was written by David E. Kelley and directed by Steve Robin.

"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. A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.