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CATHERINE CRIER Acclaimed Author, Former Judge, Award-Winning Journalist and Television Broadcaster |
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Letter from Catherine Crier After almost eight years at Court TV, it was hard imagining what to say to sum up my time on the network. You may have seen the last show. It demonstrated what I tried to produce all these years... extraordinary camaraderie among guests, who might spar by day in the courtroom, but would gather with me to debate and analyze issues and stories with passion, yes, but integrity, humor, dignity and real smarts as well. While a bit of screeching slipped in from time to time, you at home knew that wasn't the shtick on this program. We had the chance to tackle obvious stories, the current murder case or celebrity mishap, but there was so much more. Instead of hype when a story like John Mark Karr or Duke broke, we tried to give an honest pragmatic take — telling you almost from the start, they very likely had the wrong guys, and these people would never go to trial. From taking on the Enron story before the news channels knew what was happening, to major debates about war in Iran months before it was water cooler conversation to Constitutional issues that might seem obscure, but actually affect each of us in dramatic ways — we tried to bring it all into your homes. It may have seemed a diverse agenda, but there was a theme — the rule of law. That has been the touchstone throughout my life. If we protect it from manipulation and abuse, then the power this gives each of us to be treated justly, to have the precious freedoms granted as inalienable rights, to make the most powerful abide by the same tenets that governs the rest of us, then we are a step closer to realizing the extraordinary system of justice and government willed to us so long ago. I had the chance to speak my mind about many issues that have troubled me greatly in recent years. I received many wonderful emails from you about my various political rants, special thanks here to the graphics department — others were not always so happy. But again the theme, if my words are ever reexamined, was that very same rule of law. Our leaders in both political parties often press the envelope, play outside those constraints. I believe that can almost never be justified and am confident that a glance at history proves that position correct. Whenever someone tells you they have the right to secrecy, to cut corners, to rewrite the rules for their particular situation — be very careful. Grab your wallet — or better yet — your Constitution, and demand a public explanation. History, a little hindsight, invariably proves them wrong. The democratic process often characterized by chaotic debate, public hand wringing and the airing of dirty laundry, demonstrates time and again that we come out stronger, freer and yes, safer as individuals and as a nation when we insist on those time honored safeguards and constraints. It is rare on television today to have such freedom to discuss such a wide array of issues, to explore nuance and subtlety in problems or events, to take time to give real context to the complex matters we confront today and it has been an honor to preside over this bench for so many years. Court TV is changing dramatically. By years' end, that name will disappear and something else will have taken its place. I understand that time marches on, but I will always be proud to have shared a place with other committed lawyers and journalists who believed that training an eye on our courtrooms, our Congress, our lawmakers and yes lawbreakers, was a critically important contribution to our national education and role as citizens as the ultimate watch dogs in this Democracy. My heartfelt thanks to the many people who have made the show and my time at Court TV so special. I cannot name them here. It would take far too long. They made me proud to come to work every day and almost as important, insured I laughed a lot to balance the often tragic and troubling stories we covered. And finally, to everyone at home — thank you for making this the highest rated daytime show for so many years and reinforcing my belief that substance, intelligent conversation and the thoughtful exchange of ideas is still a worthy goal in this medium. Simply put, without you, this show would not have aired. For all those who have written about the show's cancellation, thank you so much. Your words have cheered and inspired me beyond description, I am already pursuing some fascinating projects. Change has always excited me. After all, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. Rest assured, I will post here as soon as there is news about my next manifestation. In the meantime, let me hear from you! With love and gratitude,  Click to Catherine Crier's Website. |