'Senator Pothole' Wants to Teach You About Small Claims Court

It appears that former New York Senator Alfonse D’Amato, 70, is making a bid to return to the public eye. However, D’Amato won’t be challenging either Sens. Clinton or Schumer for a return to the United States Senate. Instead, it’s to become America’s next star judge of a courtroom-based reality show. In this case, it’s not a divorce court – it’s a small claims court – the perfect venue for the Senator once affectionately nicknamed “Senator Pothole” for his willingness to meet with constituents and help with their cases, no matter how small.

A source associated with Twentieth Century, the leader and distributer of the pilot’s production, confirmed that D’Amato will be in Los Angeles this Friday to begin filming. Twentieth Century (NWS) is the distributor for popular reality courtroom shows such as Cristina's Court, Judge Alex and Divorce Court.

"This is all in its very early stages," said a spokesperson who agreed to comment on a condition of anonymity. "We’re still in a pre-pilot stage."

"But, we know it will feature a small claims court and (we) like (former) Senator D'Amato not only for his knowledge of the law and his experience, but most of all his humor," said the spokesperson. "Senator D'Amato is over-the-top, but I mean that in a good way."

"People like him. It should make for great entertainment. He's got the same kind of charisma as someone like Judge Judy, and we think he'd be a very entertaining and successful TV lawyer."

A call placed to Senator D’Amato’s office revealed that the former legislator is keeping quiet for now. “Senator D’Amato has said he doesn’t want to speak directly to the media about (the pilot) as of now,” said Dana Weisberg, media relations coordinator for Park Strategies, LLC, D’Amato’s public policy and business relations firm.