MovieChat Forums > The People's Court (1997) Discussion > Curt, Heal Thyself!

Curt, Heal Thyself!

posted 9 years ago by LittleBrother55
7 replies | jump to latest

I've always considered the aptly-named Curt Chaplin to be the most annoying and obnoxious "hallway guy" ever.

I've only seen him on duty in the PC hallway, so I don't know if he's really like that all the time, or just enthusiastically playing his assigned role.

In his case, the assigned role is rarely limited to politely soliciting the litigants' reactions. After he physically "puts them in their place"-- and it's pathetic that the producers haven't figured out a better way to get the litigants facing the right way during their exit interview-- he goes on to do the same thing psychologically.

Mostly this involves quizzing them about whether they learned their lesson(s), and/or dismissing them with rude, snide, and snarky contempt if they too strongly disagree with the decision. He's hell on "sore losers", and strictly enforces the doctrine that Judge Milian can do no wrong-- especially if they dare to point out how she got it wrong. (And especially if they're right; it happens.)

Anyway, yesterday Curt had a brief encounter with a winning litigant that set a new record for Curt's hypocrisy. During the testimony, JM had sharply chastised the plaintiff for going to the nasty defendant's workplace and deliberately "pushing his buttons" and provoking him-- aggressively refusing to leave when the angry defendant repeatedly told him to, conspicuously recording the defendant with his smartphone, etc.

Naturally, in the hallway Curt picked up where the judge left off. "Weren't you just baiting the defendant, and trying to provoke him?" Curt demanded to know. The plaintiff actually smirked a bit and admitted that maybe this was so-- upon which Curt pretended to be amazed that the guy had the gall to actually smirk about his outrageous conduct!

But, the thing is, "Pushing their buttons", baiting, provoking, and smirking pretty much sums up Curt's act. He should've embraced the somewhat spooky but righteous plaintiff like a long-lost twin brother.

[–] Gubbio 9 years ago

There have been a lot of complaints here in the past about Curt. He never bothered me because his sole reason for being there is to make the litigants look ridiculous for a few more seconds.

Lately, though, he's gotten worse. It bothers me when he asks people questions, then brushes them off because there is so little time.

Why bother to ask if you are not going to give them time to answer? He comes off as a real dick.

[–] GraceFromSoCal 9 years ago

I rarely watch, so I'll withhold any comments about Curt. However:

After he physically "puts them in their place"-- and it's pathetic that the producers haven't figured out a better way to get the litigants facing the right way during their exit interview

This is something that's fascinated me FOR YEARS! All they need to do is put some foot stickers down on the floor, facing front, and tell the litigants ahead of time that when they exit the courtroom, to stand on the feet--in the same direction the stickers are pointing. Problem solved!

--

http://www.CaliforniaDreamsPhotography.com

[–] LittleBrother55 9 years ago

Yeah, the Hallway Shuffle seems oddly amateurish-- especially after, what, 18 seasons.

There is what you might call a Discombobulation Factor. Participating in stressful, often emotionally-charged hearings can leave people dazed and confused when they exit. Even though it's a TV event, and the litigants are being taken care of one way or the other, it's obvious that they still get genuinely worked up.

Many decades ago I almost killed myself when leaving the building after taking my SAT test. I stepped out into the street because I had the green light, and was almost run over by, of all things, a hearse!

I was so spaced out from the three-hour test that I hadn't noticed the approaching funeral procession, which doesn't stop for red lights.

More to the point, I used to hold administrative hearings for a state agency. Sometimes people were so nervous or wiped out when they left the room that they would come back because they couldn't find the elevators, etc.

Even so, they certainly could design a physical setup that guides people to the right spot.

[–] mcolby-125-523976 9 years ago

I think of it the same way I do when people do stupid stuff on JJ and TPC, like not knowing where to stand after they are announced in or trying to approach the bench to hand the judge something.
If I knew I was going to appear on a show and I had never seen it before I would devote a few hours to watching it and see what kind of show I signed myself up on.
I don't think having something on the floor telling them how to stand, which way to look would help either since the big cameras and probably several people they have only on one side hallway isn't enough of a clue to many people that they are suppose to stand facing the cameras and not their backs to them.

[–] There-Can-Be-Only-One 9 years ago

I have said this every time the subject has come up, and will continue to say it until they pay attention (yes, I have written the show about it directly, as well!).

I loathe Curt. He is pure scum. And it is particularly jarring to go from the class that is Judge Milian's courtroom into the sleeze in the hallway.

There is no reason whatsoever for the post-game wrap up. If we got rid of Curt, we could use the money they pay him to make more episodes! Win/win.

Pleeeeeease!

[–] rs_cyr 9 years ago

I agree. JM runs a professional courtroom and the shady characters like Curt and Harvey take it down.

[–] There-Can-Be-Only-One 9 years ago

I don't care about Harvey - I don't watch his schtick, but he also doesn't bug me the same way Curt does. However, apparently Harvey is the one responsible for getting the show up and going again, and with Judge Milian, so I don't think he's going anywhere. But I see no purpose for Curt whatsoever. He is such a worm.