In Depth
Litton Takes Court Shows to the ‘Street’
Brooklyn D.A. Mazzariello’s Show Aims for Fall ’09
With an eye toward shaking up the syndicated court-show genre, Litton Entertainment is set to launch “Street Court,” a new half-hour Monday-Friday show, for fall 2009. The series will feature former Brooklyn District Attorney Michael Mazzariello, aka “Judge Mazz,” as its tough-talking star.
The series will take the genre out of the courtroom as Mr. Mazzariello summons litigants back to the scene of each dispute. The series will travel to multiple markets over the course of the season.
“What really caught my eye was the talent of Judge Mazz first, and I realized that if we had the opportunity to take that talent and be the first in to progress the genre with a format like this, it would set up a great opportunity to succeed,” said Dave Morgan, president-CEO of Litton. “This talent and this format could make the current staged judge-courtroom obsolete.”
That new format will take the authority and tradition of the judge role and transplant it to real locations throughout the country. The genre continues to be a mainstay within the syndication ranks, with 11 shows set for lineups this fall. Court shows tend to be one of the most stable and profitable genres in syndication, with series often able to tape an entire season in under three months. However, recent launches have seen series struggle to break the 1.0 rating mark.
Mr. Morgan will serve as executive producer. The series will be produced by Strand Communications, a TV production and marketing company that has worked on a number of daytime shows.
“Street Court” was developed by Todd Lichten, director of development at Strand. The series concept was originated by Mr. Mazzariello and his managers, Gary I. Rosen and Linda Carrasquillo at RLR Vertigrated Entertainment, who also serve as co-executive producers for the series.
Mr. Mazzariello runs a private legal practice in New York and is a frequent legal contributor for television and radio, appearing as a legal analyst on CNN, MSNBC, tru TV and ABC’s “20/20.” His radio show, “Closing Arguments,” has been airing for six years.
“In each of the thousands of cases Michael’s handled, the key to winning was to captivate the jury,” said Chris Strand, CEO of Strand Communications. “And that’s what we’re going to do here. The most engaging aspect of any court drama is the conflict viewers never get to see inside the studio. If we can physically bring our audience closer to the heart of the dispute and capture that raw emotion, we’ve done our jobs.”
“Court shows are at the point where studios have sliced the genre to the level of sameness that there is no discernable difference between them—and the audience is bored,” said Mr. Morgan. “That said, the genre remains a valuable one for stations and it can be invigorated by bringing new, stimulating elements to the broadcast.”
Litton, meanwhile, continues to broaden its portfolio despite its status as an independent, and “Street Court” represents a return to full first-run strips for the company. Litton’s programs include “Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures,” “Baywatch,” “Cribs,” “Pimp My Ride,” “Storm Stories,” “Date My Mom,” “NASCAR Angels,” “Animal Exploration With Jarod Miller,” and “Businessweek Television.”
Other series in the mix for the 2009 season include “Oprah” spinoff “Dr. Oz” from Sony, “Marie Osmond” from Program Partners, a cooking show featuring Food Network star Paula Deen from Telepictures and a court show featuring former Sen. Alfonse D’Amato from Twentieth Television.
Additional projects being mulled include a daytime version of “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader,” which is drawing interest, according to sources, from the production arms of Twentieth, Debmar-Mercury and Tribune. Another project being shopped is a daytime talk show produced by Montel Williams, with Robin Givens on deck to host the program.
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Comments 26
Arcangela Mazzariello
Judge Mazz is my brother and he rocks. As a litigator myself.. I learned everything I know about being a lawyer from him. He will bring a sense of fairness to the court forum.
AMERICA, GET READY TO FALL IN LOVE WITH MY BABY BROTHER!!!
Francine
Of course you are going to say good things about your brother but lets face it,he is not a judge and is only looking to get on TV and sensationalize the cases. He is not looking for fairness on any level. he allows nonsense to be said that have nothing to do with the case. He does not judge fairly at all. Too bad I agreed to do this show before any of the shows had been aired so that I could have seen what a phony he is./
CARLA
Francine,you sound like Andrea-the lady the refuse to pay for damage on the MAZDA.You may have lost on the case and that is why you're complaining!!!!
Bill Davis
Hey Arcangela---what is a "huckellerro"---
tj solomon
This is a tremendous idea and you definitely have the right judge for the job. I have seen and heard Michael Mazzariello as an analyst and believe he will be perfect as Judge Mazz for your show. It is good to see some creativity in this area. The typical tv court show is boring and I believe street court will be a geat hit. Good job!
Joie Arthurs
Can't wait to see this show! What thrill of anticipation for its debut: like the birth of a baby or the unveiling of a masterpiece! Must we wait 'til Fall '09?
MacShill (Chris McCaw)
Pfft. What world are they living in thinking we need another court show? 'Judge Hatchett' is out of production and they're doing a "best-of" package from the past 8 years (a good idea to make use of previous seasons instead of running the one season from September '08 to September '09). And you got all these new where-did-they-sprout-out-from court shows like 'Judge David Young' and some old hag w/ a chain smoker's voice, 'Judge Christina'. C'mon, now.
Bob Clydesdale
As my best friend for 30 years I've watched Judge Mazz excel as an attorney, litigator and mediator. Working with him as cohost of Closing Arguments has been the most rewarding experience of my own career. His unique "no nonsense" common sense approach to the law is a refreshing departure from the current judge shows. This show will be uniquely entertaining and I am sure will set the standard of of future legal reality shows.
Lauren Noble
If this man has half the intelligence, sense of humor, zest for the law and for life in general as his sister (lawyer) in North Carolina, this show will be wildly entertaining and successful!
Dominick Magistro
Judge Mazz is the real deal! In the winter of 2006 Judge Mazz heard of our efforts to educate parents and children on abduction prevention and Internet safety. He felt our passion and stepped up to the plate to help get our programs to over
26,000 children. Judge Mazz not only has a "no nonsense" approach to the law but a "no nonsense" approach to everything he believes in.
AMERICA GET READY FOR JUDGE MAZZ!!!!
Marita Ferguson
I am so excited about the upcoming show. Michael Mazz is a great educator, as I had him for one of my paralegal classes at Marist College. He is very intelligent, and animated. You will definetely be able to keep up with the pace of the show, because he is so interesting, and informative. This show will be a "must to see". Can't wait for the fall of "09"!
Andrew Donato
Judge Mazz is the man! I had him for a Criminal Law class at Marist and the class rocked just like this show will! Free some space on your Tivo because your not gonna wanna miss what Judge Mazz has to say!
ROCK ON MAZZ!
RAYMOND BONSAI MUSCARELLO
This will be as exciting as finding a horses head on the road.
Viewers will be strapped into a Roller Coaster ride from hell,
a ride they will enjoy over and over again.I cant wait. Judge Mazz
has a raw honest aggressive approach,one that can embrace
and as easily kick you down the stairs... I have not been this pumped since I made out with Angela.
Nancy Olivo
I am so excited for "Judge MAZZ" and cannot wait to see the show! Just by reading these comments and hearing the type of person he is and what he has accomplished i am sure the show will be a GREAT success just like Judge MAZZ! Good Luck from everyone here at your local heating company!
Tameeka Williams
I am searching for the open call today 3/11/09 info for a role in the "Street Court".
Georgio Rugaffalo
You could be "Random crack whore commentator" # 3 if you were lucky.
Bill Moore
A show that grants a Rule 34 motion to view the scene! Can't wait to see what Judge Mazz has to offer and am looking forward to Fall of 2009. Thanks Litton!
judith hannibal
its been 3wks i did not recieve my check they said within 7 to 10 days its 21days whats up with that miss lisa dont hve my ### any more?
Sheila Jenkins
I am Judge Mazz's favored prostitute,and I know you all will love him and his new show,just as much as I love all of the money he gives me under the table in exchange for sexual favors,and not getting a paternity test to prove that he is the father of two of three of my children.I know that he will dole out some tough justice,as tough as when he backhands me for talking sass.
y'all r ghey
i can't not beleeve juge mazz has all his friends writin in up in here to say how kool he is. omgz. like duh, y'all.
Macnbray
This street court show sucks ass. I can't believe it bumped Judge Alex out of his time slot. Judge Alex has a show worth watching.
Jan
On 9/29 I watched the couple who signed a contract to rent a house AND backyard
from this realtor(?) Is she really?!!. I guess I'm glad I live in a small town where the realtor CARES about her job. The people still lived in the house and it was dirty and moldy. The couple assumed(and I guess that is where they were wrong!)that it would be cleaned and the refrigerator would be left there. The realtor STOLE the $2000 from this couple! As the judge said "you don't assume anything in New York". He was referring to especially the crooked realtors there! I hope the realtor realizes 'what goes around, comes around". Karma is a bitch! Hope it bites her really soon.
C.D. Price
Have half-ass watched this new show for a couple of weeks. It's brand new in my area and today ALREADY a REPEAT! Mazz may be OK - I respect ADAs (but not criminal defense attorneys) but his show SUCKS. Too many distractions from the street (traffic, pedestrians, etc), he has NO CONTROL over the litigants and it's nothing but a shouting match. Mazz SHOUTS too - he has to in order to be heard. Lord Almighty - get this show to the COURT ROOM! They've lost me already in 2 short boring weeks.
CD Price
Home with the flu - NOTHING on TV so gave this show one last chance. OMG, it's even worse than I originally thought.
Let's start with.....2 minutes into the show, Mazz says call us and tip the scales. You have absolutely no info yet with which to form an opinion. And....oh tee hee.....the phone # they give you includes the wording 'FREE 5 OFFERS".......oh wow - now I can get a ton more spam email than I already get......nah, NOT falling for that CRAP.
#2 - Mazz asks a litigant to speak, litigant TRIES only to have Mazz loudly interrupt him. Litigant tries again to answer Mazz's question....Mazz says "are YOU trying to talk over ME"? Give me a break. Mazz does all the talking and his words are said rushed and mumbled and it's hard to understand. OK.....those are all KINKS which I'm sure the producers can work out (better do it THIS season though because if you continue in this vein, there won't be a NEXT season.)
The FINAL act which makes me scream FAKE FAKE FAKE and insults my intelligence is to have Mazz go into a HOSPITAL ROOM to talk with a plaintiff. WHO HAS EVER SEEN a patient in any hospital in any city in any country WEARING DOCKERS AND A T-SHIRT in lieu of a hospital gown?? WHO??? Good thing the cameraman was adept enough at his job (or accolades to the editor) so the patient's SHOES weren't in the picture too. Poor guy......what? 2-3 days in the hospital for a dog bite and a bandaged arm which he was flinging all over the place! As I said, a TV show that is supposed to be entertainment, but instead insults my intelligence by its FAKERY can kiss it goodbye. Seriously doubt anyone is reading this webblog anyway.
Sheila Jenkins
Yeah that Judge Mazz is a real faker.Like he acts like he all virile and stuff,even going so far as to fake orgasm with me.Can you believe that,a so called MAN faking orgasm?
Ghislaine Bouchard
I simply do not like it at all ..... much prefer regular tv court