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June 20, 2007 10:40 AM

Get Ready For Judge Larry

(AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
The good news? It appears Judge Larry Seidlin is not coming to the "Early Show."

The bad news? Seidlin has reportedly signed with CBS Television Distribution, home of Judge Judy and Judge Joe Brown. So while he may not be becoming a member of the nuclear family of the news division, it looks like Seidlin is still going to earn 'relative' status.

As you may recall, Seidlin was approached in February by the "Saturday Early Show" after presiding over the Anna Nicole Smith trial. "I have been extremely impressed by your compassion in the Anna Nicole case and I would love to discuss with you the idea of being our judge on a new segment, `Morning Justice,'" wrote senior producer Michael Rosen in a letter to Seidlin obtained by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "It would be a semi-regular segment in which you would resolve the ethical and legal questions of our viewers who send in the issues troubling them."

Public Eye expressed its disappointment with this development at the time, due to the fact that many legal experts thought Seidlin's performance on the bench was – how can I put this charitably? – disappointing. CBS News legal top dog Andrew Cohen was less diplomatic. "His performance over the past week was so bad, so unseemly, and so inappropriate that the Florida bar ought to immediately launch an investigation into whether he is truly fit to determine the rights and liberties of others," he wrote.

Broadcasting & Cable reports that Seidlin has resigned his seat, effective at the end of next month, and "is expected to tape a pilot or sales presentation July 2-3 in Los Angeles." In his resignation letter, Seidlin wrote that "it is now the time…to pursue the many opportunities that have been offered to me outside the judicial system…[w]hile those opportunities are varied, they all share in common a further commitment to helping my fellow citizens through roles in the educational system, the media and non-profit organizations."

Seidlin famously cried while announcing the verdict in the Smith case, about two minutes after calling on those present to remain "dignified." He was subsequently "inundated with at least 200 phone inquiries from TV recruiters," and now it looks like a deal with CBS Television Distribution is going through. It's pretty clear there's a lesson in all this, but it's not the kind they taught us back in elementary school.
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larry seidlin
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Media Issues
April 2, 2007 10:35 AM

Judge Larry May Be Coming To A Screen Near You

(AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
Broadcasting and Cable reports that Judge Larry Seidlin, who rose to fame while presiding over the Anna Nicole Smith burial case, is about to hold a series of meetings with various producers to discuss coming to television. The flamboyant and emotional judge has reportedly had "at least 200 phone inquiries from TV recruiters," though legal experts have been less than enthusiastic about his performance on the bench.

"His performance over the past week was so bad, so unseemly, and so inappropriate that the Florida bar ought to immediately launch an investigation into whether he is truly fit to determine the rights and liberties of others," wrote CBS News Legal Analyst Andrew Cohen, who was far from alone in that assessment. In February, a letter from the "Saturday Early Show" to Seidlin leaked to the press; in it, a producer wrote that "I have been extremely impressed by your compassion in the Anna Nicole case and I would love to discuss with you the idea of being our judge on a new segment, `Morning Justice.'"
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Larry Seidlin
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In The News
March 2, 2007 1:44 PM

If You've Lost Nancy, Have You Lost Middle America?

(GETTY IMAGES/Chip Somodevilla)
On Monday, we told you about the decision by the "Saturday Early Show" to reach out Larry Seidlin, the oft-criticized judge in the Anna Nicole Smith case. "I have been extremely impressed by your compassion in the Anna Nicole case and I would love to discuss with you the idea of being our judge on a new segment, `Morning Justice,'" wrote senior producer Michael Rosen in a letter obtained by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Now it seems that a "Sunday Morning" profile, airing over the weekend, will reveal that even CNN and Court TV host Nancy Grace – not exactly a darling of legal ethicists – has complaints about Seidlin. "As for the judge who heard the case, Grace joins the chorus of critics finding fault with his conduct," according to a CBSNews.com story. Said Grace: "It is about who is allowed to sit on a bench."
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nancy grace ,
larry seidlin ,
saturday early show
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In The News
February 26, 2007 2:32 PM

CBS News Reaches Out To The Anna Nicole Judge

(AP Photo/Lou Touman, Pool)
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel obtained a letter from "Saturday Early Show" senior producer Michael Rosen to Broward Circuit Judge Larry Seidlin, who presided over the Anna Nicole Smith case. In the letter, Rosen expresses interest in having Seidlin join the "Saturday Early Show."

"I have been extremely impressed by your compassion in the Anna Nicole case and I would love to discuss with you the idea of being our judge on a new segment, `Morning Justice,'" wrote Rosen. "It would be a semi-regular segment in which you would resolve the ethical and legal questions of our viewers who send in the issues troubling them."

Seidlin has reportedly been pushing for his own TV show – according to TMZ.com, he has even made a demo tape of his cases. His wife told ABC News that people regularly say he should have a show.

CBS News Legal Analyst Andrew Cohen has regularly derided Seidlin's work on the bench. "His performance over the past week was so bad, so unseemly, and so inappropriate that the Florida bar ought to immediately launch an investigation into whether he is truly fit to determine the rights and liberties of others," wrote Cohen in a blog post.

He added: "This fool has just had his five minutes of fame. He has had the opportunity to engage in stream-of-consciousness judgeship-- either that or a carefully orchestrated nervous breakdown-- with the whole world watching. Now I hope he gets what's coming to him."

It's safe to say that a job with CBS News is not what Cohen had in mind.

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Larry Seidlin
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