Part of this episode focuses on the case of a black girl who wants to play the title role in Annie. But in fact, the idea of color-blind casting was not such a foreign concept to the show; a black woman, Nell Carter, had already played the role of Miss Hannigan in the 1997 Broadway revival.
This is the Series Premiere
James Spader and Melora Hardin both also had roles in "The Office" (USA) but, they do not share a scene in either show.