Las Vegas home to the next Judge Judy?

By Delen Goldberg

Wednesday, July 20, 2011 | 12:42 p.m.

A New York City casting director is scouring Las Vegas for the next Judge Judy.

“We’re looking for the Guy Fieri of Judge Judys,” casting agent Beth Schiff says.

By that she means someone with personality, pizazz and a clear point of view to star in a new courtroom TV series that would be filmed in Las Vegas. (Fieri is the tattooed, spiky haired, blond chef that has taken television by storm. He hosts two Food Network series and NBC’s “Minute to Win It.” He is also a UNLV alumnus.)

Experience matters, too. Just like home cooks look to Fieri for recipes and cooking tips, producers want their Las Vegas judge to be a legal expert.

The production company hasn’t yet sold the unnamed project, but Schiff says several networks are interested. Although producers are tight lipped about details, the show is expected to follow the Judge Judy model: a judge in a courtroom presiding over cases. Schiff is looking for a judge or mediator with a background in small claims.

“Once there’s a great talent attached to a project, that’s when deals are made,” Schiff said. “I’ve found some interesting characters so far, but I’m still looking.”

Producers felt Las Vegas was a natural fit for a courtroom reality show. It’s a big enough city to offer credible legal minds, but still maintains a small-town feel, complete with kooky residents.

“The stories and characters are probably a little more unusual in Vegas than in other parts of the country,” Schiff said.

Schiff said she wasn't familiar with former mob lawyer and mayor Oscar Goodman, who could be a slam dunk for the role. But after hearing a short description of him, her interest was piqued.

Judges who would like to be considered for the show can email their name, contact information, resume and photo to [email protected].