If you’re a show business fan, I want to share with you my favourite blog. If you’re not a fan of “s-biz” — which people in s-biz do not call it — maybe you want to skip this week and return next week, although I feel you may miss something interesting if you do. Your choice.
Still here?
As you may know from reading previous columns, in keeping with Above the Law’s theme, I try to focus on lawyers and legal issues, mostly with a Canadian flavour (and spelling).
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Today’s column is about Earl Pomerantz. Earl was born in Canada (checkmark). Earl is not, however, a lawyer, or even party to an important litigation (“X”). He did allegedly spend six weeks in law school (checkmark), but dropped out (“X”). Additionally, it was Canadian law school (huge “X”). His brother, Canadian comedy icon Hart Pomerantz, is a lawyer (checkmark).
Let’s add ‘em up. Three checkmarks, three “Xs”. Although admittedly tenuous, I think there’s enough nexus to Canadian legal stuff to go forward.
I’m going for it, anyway, because Earl Pomerantz writes the single best blog I’ve read and one I want you to know about. It’s exceptionally well-written and entertaining. If you’re a fan of s-biz, it’s filled with insider stories, because, while Earl is not a lawyer, he was a co-executive producer of The Cosby Show (more on that in a minute).
I was twigged to write this column after reading Earl’s recent open letter to President Obama, where he generously offered to replace Justice Scalia on a temporary basis until the next President can appoint a full-time justice.
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A Hollywood producer/non-lawyer wants to sit on SCOTUS. Hmmmm…
My first thought was, “Hey, Earl, you’re Canadian-born. Ain’t gonna happen.” Then I remembered Ted Cruz is also Canadian-born and aiming — with both eyes closed — for the big chair. I guess we can’t hold the Great White North against Earl, then, right?
Anyway, he makes some very compelling arguments why he’s the man for the job. For example, Earl notes Supreme Court justices don’t actually have to be lawyers and, in any case, with several months off for summer vacation, he would only have to sit for a few weeks at best.
He candidly admits he does not have the legal bona fides for the job and also declares he cannot guarantee he’ll judge impartially, but will be honest and punctual. Refreshing. Full marks on the scorecard for simply telling the truth. Wouldn’t it be nice if all SCOTUS candidates scraped off the varnish and just answered the questions with complete candour? “Yeah, Senator, I’m gonna come down on the liberal side of most issues because, duh, President Obama nominated me.”
Earl for SCOTUS. Seems like a crazy idea, but I’ve heard crazier. I have no doubt Justice Earl would ask more questions than Justice Clarence.
Here’s something Earl didn’t emphasize in his job application, but should have. Think of the stories he could tell in chambers. The man has written for Mary Tyler Moore, Phyllis, Rhoda, Taxi, Cheers, Sanford and Son, The Bob Newhart Show — some of the greatest sitcoms in television history. He helped start The Cosby Show back in a gentler time when Dr. Cosby was a guy you’d let fix you a highball. He worked with Garry Shandling on both of the late comedian’s groundbreaking sitcoms.
His lawyer-brother, Hart, has written jokes for Woody Allen and Laugh In. Hart’s writing partner in the 60s and 70s was Lorne Lipowitz (who later changed his last name to Michaels). Earl turned down a chance to work on Saturday Night Live’s initial season because he didn’t want to move to New York.
Are you crazy, Earl? You didn’t want to live in New York?
As you probably guessed, Earl has a million great stories, and consider this: Supreme Court justices are under a ton of stress. “I’ve got a migraine — who gives a crap if it takes an hour for this guy’s heart to stop beating?” Not a good frame of mind for a judge, right?
If I’m down to my final death penalty appeal, I want my justices happy, relaxed, focused on me and my fate, and not the headache-inducing circus that envelopes the Supreme Court. Earl could help relieve some of that tension by regaling his colleagues with funny insider stories about Hollywood. Surely nothing could be better for stress reduction and court cohesiveness than Justices Ginsburg and Alito doing “spit takes” together over Earl’s stories.
I do have a minor personal connection to Earl — we spoke once (before I started reading his blog). Earl created a show called Best of the West, starring Joel Higgins (of Silver Spoons fame). Best of the West was a sitcom set in the Old West about a man who drags his new bride and teenage son (from his first marriage) out west to build a new life. Sounds like a great premise.
It lasted one season.
I thought it was funny.
But, the most memorable thing about it for me was the show’s terrific theme song (written by Earl). Although the show went off the air in 1982, the song is stuck in my head some 30 years hence.
Anyway, long story short, I got an opportunity to sing the theme song to Earl over the phone (he in L.A., me in Toronto). After getting past the initial shock of some weirdo singing to him, he actually laughed, then sang the last part of the song with me.
After the singing ended, I told him how much I enjoyed Best of the West. And I added something like, “It’s too bad you only had one season — like 12 shows.”
“22,” Earl immediately shot back, indignantly.
See, he’s combative — he stood up to me. Although he’s not a lawyer, he has a backbone, which is very important for a Supreme Court Judge. Another checkmark for his candidacy.
I hope President Obama will take Earl up on his generous offer and nominate him. And, I hope the Senate will stop all this childish “we won’t even give him a hearing” garbage and confirm him — just for a couple of weeks.
Anyhow, if you like s-biz, and have a couple of moments to sneak away from more pressing matters, I highly recommend you check out Earl’s blog. Near as I can tell, he’s written a post almost every day for the last seven years, so there are lots of fun, interesting stories to keep you away from the billable hour.
That’s the View From Up North. Have a fun week.
Steve Dykstra is a Canadian-trained lawyer and legal recruiter. He is the President of Steven Dykstra Law Professional Corporation, a boutique corporate/commercial law firm located in the greater Toronto area. You can contact Steve at [email protected]. You can also read his blog at stevendykstra.wordpress.com, follow him on Twitter (@Law_Think), or connect on LinkedIn (ca.linkedin.com/in/stevedykstra/).