Late in the 2002-03 season, David E. Kelley wrote an episode of "The Practice" entirely dedicated to explaining why reality programming is the scourge of the television universe, even getting CBS bigwig Les Moonves to appear as himself. Apparently, Kelley was only kidding when he suggested network chiefs should be held hostage for scheduling reality television.

The Emmy winner and reality television foe has caved. David E. Kelley is developing an unscripted series for NBC. According to The Hollywood Reporter, NBC has ordered eight episodes of a legal drama pitting contestants with law degrees against each other in a race for a partner position at a law firm.

Kelley will work with Renegade 83, the producers of The WB's "The Surreal Life," on the show. Renegade partners David Garfinkle and Jay Renfroe will also executive produce.

The series was initially set up at CBS. Once it was ditched by the Eye, NBC pounced.

Kelley's offering has more than a few basic similarities with "The Partner," which is scheduled to premiere on FOX in November. Given that FOX's "The Next Great Champ" appears to be a similar mimeograph of NBC's "The Contender," it's doubtful that FOX will cry foul.