In the ever-growing and competitive entertainment industry there has been a steady, albeit predictable entrance of so-called “Reality TV” shows; among which are the popular ones featuring real judges. There used to be a time, not so long ago when legal proceedings were closed to the public, but not anymore. No one could have foreseen what Judge Harry Wapner, and afterwards, Judge Judy Sheindlin did to inadvertently pave the way for the latest crop of shows such as The People’s Court, Texas Justice, Divorce Court, and a host of others too numerous to mention.
These Judges have an almost cult following and celebrity-like status with household names such as Jeanine Pirro, Joe Brown, Greg Mathis, Alex Ferrer, Marilyn Millian, David Young, Larry Joe Doherty, Lynn Toler, Gloria Hatchett, Maria Lopez, Mabel Ephraim, and Larry Elder; to name a few. And don’t these judges like to ham it up in front of the camera as well as before their court audience. Never before has the public been interested in anything involving the usually tedious and slow-paced legal proceedings which normally happen behind the scenes and out of public view. Of course, the only exception to this usual rule of thumb was during “The Clarence Thomas Confirmation Hearings” and “O.J. Simpson Murder Trial.”
It seems that there are segments of American society who have a puerile and salacious interest in and gain immense satisfaction while watching other people air their dirty laundry in Civil Court when neighbor sues neighbor, friend against friend, parent against child, relative against relative, and sibling against sibling. The only thing missing from these shows is Jerry Springer introducing the litigants and after watching the perhaps unscripted dialogue and testimony of the Plaintiffs and Defendants in Court, the sitcom “Boston Legal” isn’t so ridiculous and farfetched after all.
Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
February 16, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com
