The TV Zone

As expected, Al D'Amato's moving forward with his planned court show and now it looks serious. Newsday has a story this morning that says he's secured a syndicator - Twentieth TV - and that the show'll go to pilot shortly. Will be produced in L.A., though he'll likely do it here if it gets a pickup. Because this is 20th, a heavyweight, the show stands a heck of a good chance of going forward - even if the airwaves are choked to the rafters with court/judge shows. 20th has the clout to get the show cleared on stations (including the Fox owned ones) and because it's footing the expense of actually producing the pilot, I'd say: Expect Al on Ch. 5 this fall. (Show needs a title; let's help: "Pothole Al?" No, too obvious. "The Hanging Judge." I like that! ) Show will be about small claims, so Al likely won't be involved in capital punishment cases, but who knows?

Here's what Al tells Newsday's Anne Bratskeir, who has the scoop:

"The ex-senator, er, his honor, says he is 'very excited ... It's an opportunity for people to see my persona unfiltered - not through the eyes of a reporter or someone with a political objective who will characterize my actions and statements. Nobody puts words in your mouth. It's just you.'"

Hollywood Reporter - which also picked up the story - says, "D'Amato would be encouraged to bring his own brand of humor and larger-than-life personality to the bench. A Republican who served in the Senate from 1981-99, D'Amato was known for his lengthy and at times comical filibusters on the Senate floor, one of which found him singing 'South of the Border.'"

(....down Mexico waaaayyy....)

OK, another title: "Here Come Da Singing Judge."

(Photo: AP)