DOWNEY SIGNED FOR EIGHT MORE 'ALLY' EPISODES

Robert Downey Jr., who faces a court hearing next week in his latest drug
possession case, has signed to return to "Ally McBeal'' for the remainder
of the season.

Downey, who has appeared in 10 episodes of "Ally'' this season as the love
interest of star Calista Flockhart's title character, agreed to make eight
more episodes, his publicist, Alan Nierob, said.

Downey's last episode, in which his character moved to Detroit to be with
his son, aired Feb. 5. The actor, and his character, Larry Paul, will
return to television Feb. 26.

The hiring of Downey by "Ally McBeal'' in August, just one week after his
release from prison, marked a remarkably swift comeback in a promising
acting career derailed by Downey's struggles with drug addiction.

It also turned out to be good for the show. Downey's on-screen chemistry
with Flockhart won critical praise, helped boost ratings and ultimately
earned him a Golden Globe Award.