Order in the Court!
I have seven television channels to choose from, thanks to network TV and the one antenna that I sometimes twist around for better reception. There are a couple of odd-balls that I click past -- Spanish language or home shopping, and maybe some religious things. Basically I have FOX, which I leave all fuzzy because I only watch animated programs there. Next is NBC (Conan and an occasional Law and Order)... PBS where I guiltily watch lots of good stuff... ABC for news and Good Morning America ... CBS (Letterman and an occasional drama)... then there's WB, or whatever they're calling it now (Saturday morning cartoons and miscellany) ... then UPN, or whatever they're calling THAT one now (for more miscellany).

Even with that slim set of choices, I am struck with the number of courtroom shows that are on. There are probably even more on cable. Judge Joe, Judge Alex, Judges Tom, Dick, and Harry... People's Court, Divorce Court, Texas Justice, etc. I was able to stomach a bit of the People's Court with Judge Milian, before Judge Judy took over her time slot. I suppose these programs are cheap and easy to make. All you need is a little courtroom set, and some judge with a particular "style." Then it's like a weird gameshow, and no one has to think up questions or silly stunts for people to do. Let's just watch a couple of people fight over who is responsible for the damage at the car wash, or why they want their deposit back, or whatever. A great many of the cases are about someone who makes a loan (typically to a boy or girlfriend). Later, the "loan" becomes a "gift" but nothing is in writing so the judge gets to chew out whoever is the more shiftless of the pair. Oh well, maybe there's a lesson here and there for people... that will hopefully keep their own asses out of a courtroom.