Cynthia Nixon is returning to the 'Law & Order' family with a guest role on 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent.' The 'Sex And the City' star previously won an Emmy for a role on 'Law & Order: SVU.'

According to TVLine, Nixon will play Amanda Reese in the episode loosely based on the Broadway show 'Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.' Reese is described as a high-strung director of a fictional show, 'Icarus.' When a sabotaged stunt results in an actor's death, Nixon's character spirals out of control.

'Criminal Intent' has already been visited by Jay Mohr, with appearances from veteran actors Jeri Ryan and Neil McDonough in the pipeline.

In other TV news ...

• 'Judge Judy' will be sticking around TV for another couple of years. Judy Sheindlin has signed a deal with CBS TV to be on the air until 2015. 'Judge Judy' has surpassed 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' in viewers. [Deadline]

• The networks will extend their news broadcasts to one hour tonight to cover Osama bin Laden's death. ABC, CBS and NBC will add an extra half hour to their newscasts this evening. [Variety]

• Bravo star Patti Stanger is heading to 'Drop Dead Diva.' The 'Millionaire Matchmaker' will play a brutally honest dating-show guru. Her character insults Jane and then sues Teri for slander. "I can't wait to go head-to-head with Margaret Cho - I love, love her. But watch out, lady, I'm bringing you down! Oh, and while I'm on set, maybe I can do a little matchmaking!" [TV Guide]

The legacy of Star Trek includes many memorable guest stars, Joan Collins as Edith Keeler in "City on the Edge of Forever," Ricardo Montalban as Khan on "Space Seed," Jane Wyatt as Spock's mother on "Journey to Babel." And those are just the ones that come first to mind.

But what about the less celebrated stars who appeared on ST? There were many who made a great impression because of the larger than life character they were given to play, and the ability to seize the spotlight.

Here are five of my favorite, and most memorable, though less celebrated, Trek stars...