TV Bulletin Board (Thurs., Dec. 10) -- Dallas-made The Deep End gets January berth

Billy Zane stretches out as philandering lawyer in The Deep End.
By ED BARK
Mostly filmed in Dallas -- but set in L.A. -- ABC's The Deep End will premiere on Thursday, Jan. 21st at 7 p.m. (central) opposite the latest new edition of CBS' Survivor.

That seems a little early for an adult legal drama, even though the very complex FlashForward previously occupied that spot before going on hiatus until March.

Deep End's most familiar face is Billy Zane (Titanic, The Phantom) as veteran two-timing lawyer Cliff Huddle. ABC press materials say he's bedding the firm's paralegal while still married to fellow attorney Susan Oppenheim (Nicole Ari Parker).

Also starring are Matt Long (Jack and Bobby), Leah Pipes (Sorority Row), Ben Lawson (Neighbours), Tina Majorino (Big Love) and Mehcad Brooks (True Blood).

Their characters, described by ABC as "eager and attractive law associates," are all thrust into the cutthroat Sterling law firm, where "they must fight for themselves and their clients to stay afloat in these shark-infested waters."

OK, we get it.