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SHELLEY LONG TO GUEST-STAR ON ABC'S "BOSTON LEGAL"

Emmy and Golden Globe winner Shelley Long will guest-star in an episode of "Boston Legal," it was announced today. Long will play Miriam Watson, a prim and proper respected businesswoman who is a friend of Shirley Schmidt and former intimate of Denny Crane, whom Shirley and Denny defend when she's charged with engaging in sexual conduct for a fee. The episode, entitled "Death Be Not Proud," will air SUNDAY, MARCH 20 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Alan Shore and Denny Crane, played by Emmy Award winners James Spader and William Shatner, lead a brigade of high-priced litigators in this series focusing on the professional and personal lives of brilliant, but often emotionally challenged attorneys. Joining Shore and Crane is Shirley Schmidt (played by five-time Emmy winner Candice Bergen), who is coaxed back to the Boston law firm to help bring order to the chaotic office...and to keep an eye on Denny Crane, with whom she has a checkered history.

The firm's other attorneys include Brad Chase (played by Mark Valley), a consummate guy's guy, who often finds himself in a test of wills with Alan Shore; Lori Colson (played by Monica Potter), a former prosecutor who tends to see the serious side of things; Tara Wilson (played by Rhona Mitra), a first-year associate who has become intertwined with Shore - professionally and romantically; Paul Lewiston (played by Rene Auberjonois), the ultimate straight-laced "lawyer's lawyer" who continually tries to save Crane from himself; and Catherine Piper (played by six time Emmy winner Betty White), Shore's somewhat light-headed, always light-hearted assistant who isn't afraid to give him a verbal spanking whenever deserved.

Fast-paced and darkly comedic, the series confronts social and moral issues, while its characters continually stretch the boundaries of the law. "Boston Legal," airs on Sunday nights (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, Rhona Mitra as Tara Wilson, Mark Valley as Brad Chase, Rene Auberjonois as Paul Lewiston, with Candice Bergen as Shirley Schmidt and William Shatner as Denny Crane.

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