In ‘Practice,’ he’s been typecast

The special guest star on tonight’s episode of “The Practice” is playing a role that really isn’t much of a stretch. It’s the same character he’s played on “Chicago Hope,” “The Nanny” and HBO’s “Arli$$.” But then, who else could play CBS President Leslie Moonves better than ... CBS President Leslie Moonves?

The CBS top honcho, who was an actor before he became an executive, takes on his favorite role again on the ABC legal drama, but the part is more challenging than usual. He’s tied and gagged through most of the episode and he only has one line. The installment revolves around an obsessed woman (Andie McDowell) who kidnaps Moonves to get her “15 minutes of fame” on television.

The episode marks executive producer David E. Kelley’s slam at reality shows and the people who clamor to appear on them. Kelley was upset when Fox’s “Joe Millionaire” battered “The Practice” in the ratings. Making a cameo appearance is Sandy Grushow, chairman of the Fox Television Entertainment Group. 20th Century Fox Television, which Grushow oversees, produces “The Practice” and ... yes, “Joe Millionaire.”

CBS won’t let “The Practice” air without a fight -- it’s showing the NCAA basketball championship game (yes, the early April conclusion to March Madness). It’s up in the air which one Moonves will be watching.