HOLLYWOOD—This fall's new lineup on CBS debuts "The Defenders," a hard-hitting drama tightly based upon the law firm Cristalli & Saggese, a high-profile Las Vegas-based criminal defense firm which also serves as the Las Vegas law-office home of AVN's own legal columnist, Clyde DeWitt. Starring Jim Belushi in an impressive dramatic role as Nick Morelli, and Jerry O'Connell as Pete Kaczmarek, ringers for partners Michael Cristalli and Marc Saggese, the show follows the two attorneys as each week they defend a new, nerve-racking criminal matter.
But the character that apparently will be responsible for weekly comedic subplots is an attorney who transparently is Clyde DeWitt. In fact, the character is even named "Clyde", complete with spectacles and Clyde's trademark hat, and his ongoing story is that of a Vegas porn lawyer who, in the first episode, appears arm-in-arm with a porn star.
"I had no idea that they had plans to write me into this," said DeWitt, whose character is played by veteran Bruce Jarchow, a fellow Chicago native DeWitt's age. "After they already had shot the pilot, a handful of writers came in and sat on my office floor for a couple of hours, quizzing about my practice, so they apparently have plans for me to be a recurring bit of comedic relief in this very intense drama."
Jim Belushi, who, along with his late brother John, performed at Second City, reportedly plays an outstanding dramatic role here, mimicking and bearing a remarkable likeness to Michael Cristalli, the firm's senior partner.
"Since 2008, when I joined them," DeWitt reported, "I have always viewed Cristalli and Saggese as two very colorful attorneys. It never occurred to me that they (and I) could be a model for a television series; but once they did it, it seemed obvious. I'm looking forward to seeing what develops."
"The Defenders" will air on CBS's fall Wednesday lineup at 10:00 p.m., Eastern, debuting September 22nd.
(Pictured: Bruce Jarchow and Helena Mattsson)
