‘Poorman’ plans TV show

Radio and television personality Jim “Poorman” Trenton is working on

a “low budget” cable show in a city known more for its yacht clubs

and fine dining.

Trenton, who created KROQ-FM’s (106.7) risque “Loveline” show in

the 1980s, is now preparing “America’s ‘Low Budget’ Idol” for cable

-- and the producers of “American Idol” aren’t too happy about it.

The show, Trenton said at his beachside home, is set to be based

around video clips that would be mailed in from the public. Unlike

“American Idol,” singing will not be the only art form showcased.

“We’re not doing 16- to 23-year-olds doing six months of karaoke

with a slice-of-vanilla host,” Trenton said.

In addition to music, Trenton said his show will be open to

filmmaking, animation, comedy and other forms of entertainment.

Trenton said the show’s “low budget” prizes for the winner will be a

crown, $1,000 in cash, and a car worth $1,000. A parallel competition

for the worst submission is also planned.

“If it’s so bad, it’s probably great,” Trenton said. “There’s more

competition so far for the worst.”

Trenton’s show is scheduled to premier Oct. 1 on cable station

KJLA-TV. Trenton plans to tape footage for the show from his West

Newport home, where he also tapes segments for a another show,

“Poorman’s Bikini Beach.” Those shows and other Trenton programs are

set to air in a block of programming called “Poorman’s Saturday Night

Party.”

Trenton received a cease-and-desist letter dated Aug. 26 related

to his planned show. The letter was sent shortly after Trenton posted

a notice seeking submissions on o7www.craigslist.orgf7, an Internet

site that functions like an online bulletin board.

The letter was signed by Joseph Scavetta, the director of business

and legal affairs for FremantleMedia North America Inc., the parent

company of American Idol Productions Inc.

In the letter, Scavetta wrote his company was concerned Trenton’s

use of a similar name could confuse viewers who may think Trenton’s

show is affiliated with “American Idol,” which airs on the Fox

Network.

Scavetta declined to comment on the matter and referred question’s

to Fremantle’s public relations representatives. Representatives with

the company’s public relations firm could not be reached for comment

Tuesday and Wednesday.

Trenton’s Los Angeles-based lawyer, Brian Boydston said he is

still waiting to see if “American Idol” producers will take any

further legal actions regarding Trenton’s show. In Boydston’s view,

the likelihood of a viewer thinking Trenton’s show is connected with

“American Idol” is about the same as someone thinking a fake soft

drink advertisement on Saturday Night Live is an actual Coca-Cola

commercial.

“Essentially it’s a parody and there’s a special exception within

copyright and trademark law for parodies,” Boydston said. “Otherwise,

you can’t get any good parodies.”

* ANDREW EDWARDS covers business and the environment. He can be

reached at (714) 966-4624 or by e-mail at

[email protected].