What Do the Cast of Boston Legal and My Little Pony Have in Common?

[Brian Damage]

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The stars of ABC's "Boston Legal" are taking a break from the lives of their oversexed, ego-driven characters to channel sunshine and rainbows.

William Shatner, James Spader and Candice Bergen are among the celebrities and artists who've agreed to design some new versions of My Little Pony, the plastic toy that has captivated girls since the 1980s.

Pawtucket-based Hasbro Inc. will auction the special ponies for the Give Kids The World charity as part of a celebration of the toy's 25th anniversary.

The pastel-colored ponies — with names like Rainbow Dash and Daybreak — usually sport decorations on their hind quarters, often of hearts, balloons or stars. The celebrities and artists were given blank, 18-inch versions of the usually 4-inch-tall ponies to decorate, Hasbro spokesman Dan Benkwitt said.

Other designers include Grammy-winning singer LeAnn Rimes, 1980s teen idol Deborah Gibson and actor Danny Aiello, known for his roles in "Moonstruck" and "Do the Right Thing."

Artists designing ponies include illustrator Catalina Estrada from Spain, New York graffiti artist-turned-designer Claw Money and Japanese manga artist Junko Mizuno.

A pony designed by Estrada was expected to be unveiled at a collectors' fair this weekend in Providence, Benkwitt said. The others will be unveiled during a gallery event in Manhattan in September, when they also will be auctioned.

Benkwitt said Bergen and Aiello agreed to design ponies because of their support of the charity that provides vacations at central Florida theme parks for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Bergen then got the cast members of "Boston Legal" involved.

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