LOS ANGELES — The new CBS comedy-drama "The Defenders" isn't based on the 1960s drama of the same name. The new "Defenders," starring Jerry O'Connell and Jim Belushi as Las Vegas defense attorneys, actually got its start as a documentary that could have become a reality show.

Documentary makers Harry and Joe Gantz followed colorful Las Vegas lawyers Michael Cristalli and Marc Saggese and then spent eight years trying to get a reality series, told from the point of view of defense attorneys, on the air somewhere. Finally, CBS bought the idea and then brought in writers to dramatize it.

The Gantzes, who joined cast and producers on a CBS panel and have executive producer status, are thrilled at how things worked out.

"It was a great opportunity," Joe Gantz told TV critics. "We were a much different approach, but it's just been an inspiration, working on this."

O'Connell and Belush watched and enjoyed the documentary, they said.

"When there was interest about me playing the role of Pete, I went to meet Jim at his house, and we were talking about the script," O'Connell said. "I just loved how these guys were. (And) after Jim and I had had a couple of drinks, Jim put the documentary on and started acting out what they were doing.... It just cracked me up so much."

Belush watched the documentary over and over,he said. "The spirit of those characters, Jerry and I are doing for sure," he said. "These guys are so bright.  They have great strategies in the courtroom, (but) in real life and the rest of their life, they're kind of not so good.  They're not so good with women."

The two real-life "Defenders" approve of the show, Belush said. "They're great.  We hang out with these guys.  They were on the set the whole time. We went to Piero's in Vegas and drank those big martinis.  They can hold their liquor, these guys."

Added O'Connell, "They're fascinating, and from a professional standpoint, they represent a lot of people that I'm not even sure public defenders would represent.