William Shatner is 76 years old today, and can celebrate his birthday with the knowledge that his series Boston Legal has been picked up for a fourth season.

The Hollywood Reporter carried the news that ABC had renewed Boston Legal - along with Desperate Housewives, Lost and Grey's Anatomy, new hit Ugly Betty and six other shows - for the 2007-8 television season. Deep Space Nine's Rene Auberjonois (Odo) is also a regular on Boston Legal. Shatner won two Emmy Awards playing Denny Crane on that show and its predecessor, The Practice.

"We have had a strong year," said ABC Entertainment president Stephen McPherson. "We are pleased that viewers have invested in...new favorites along with our other returning series." The Hollywood Reporter expressed surprise that the network had committed to Boston Legal so early in its scheduling, saying that the show has "developed [a] smaller but devoted fan base."

In addition, Contact Music reported that Boston Legal's producers planned an episode using footage from the 1957 Studio One drama The Defenders, with a 26-year-old Shatner. In the episode currently scheduled to air April 3rd, Denny Crane confronts a man who holds a grudge against him based on a 50-year-old court case, who is now holding hostages.

The original Defenders installment featured then-unknown actor Steve McQueen, though it is not known whether his footage will also be used in the Boston Legal episode. The Defenders is available on DVD.

Happy Birthday to Captain Kirk!

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