STARR REPORT
Sherman’s march – toward a series
Celebrity attorney Mickey Sherman – a staple on Fox News Channel, Court TV, CNN and MSNBC – is huddled in meetings with TV types pitching a show called “Crime Chowder,” described as a “Weekend Update”-type of show with a legal flavor.
Sherman’s got some good comedy genes in his favor: His first cousin was the late Allan Sherman, who enjoyed immense fame in the early-to-mid-’60s with his song parodies (“Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah,” “Sarah Jackman”). Sherman’s manager, Lynda Bensky, also manages Mark Fuhrman.
‘Birdman’ of Alcatraz?
Could this – gasp! – be the end of Harvey Birdman?
The star of “Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law,” will be scheduled to fry in the electric chair during a two-part episode that marks the series’ return to Cartoon Network on May 25.
In the May 25 episode, Harvey is accused of a crime “he probably didn’t commit” – the murder of Dynomutt, an assistant to Blue Falcon who’s found mangled in a copier machine. In the June 1 finale, Harvey will learn his fate. Stay tuned.
The Dreyfus affair – in L.A. for a good cause
“Watching Ellie” star Julia Louis-Dreyfus was among the celebrity judges at an L.A. event sponsored by Shifting Baselines, an environmental campaign dedicated to educating people about the “declining health” of our oceans.
Louis-Dreyfus, Bill Maher, “Seinfeld” co-creator Peter Mehlman and Mindy Sterling (“Austin Powers”), all of whom support Shifting Baselines, judged a comedy contest in which contestants were asked to riff on just what “shifting baselines” means. Over 40 people participated, with their (taped) routines judged by Louis-Dreyfus et al.
‘ATWT’ wannabes get a shot
“As the World Turns” will conduct live screen tests on “The Early Show” this week – trying to find “two superstars.”
Ten soap hopefuls will “screen-test” (guess it’s now a verb) opposite “ATWT” stars Martha Byrne, Mark Collier, Terri Colombino, Tamara Tunie and Michael Park. Viewers will then vote for their favorites on the “Early Show” website (cbsnews.com/earlyshow) until midnight Saturday.
The two winners snag a weeklong role on “ATWT.”
Last, but not least . . .
On today’s “John Walsh Show” (11 a.m./Ch. 4): Exploring teen violence on the fourth anniversary of Columbine.
ABC’s John Stossel tackles the conflicting questions about addiction – is it really a choice? – in “Help Me, I Can’t Help Myself,” airing tonight (8 p.m./ Ch. 7).
Simon Cowell (“American Idol”) will play himself in “Scary Movie 3,” premiering this fall, according to “Extra.”
“The Chloe Chronicles,” a new companion “Webisode” series to “Smallville” premieres April 29 (10 p.m.) on AOL.
Steppin’ Out editor Chaunce Hayden will review tri-state area strip clubs for Metro Channel’s “Naked New York.”
Congrats to publicist Drew Seldin and his wife, Colleen, on the birth of Avery Hope, who arrived last Thursday.

