Lawman Steven Seagal Gets A&E Reality TV Show
Seagal a Deputy Officer for 20 Years in Louisinana Parish
Sep 10, 2009
Famed martial arts actor Steven Seagal is entering reality TV with his debut show Lawman on A&E. Unknown to many, Seagal has been a police deputy for 20 years in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana where the reality television show is based. The show will follow Seagal on duty.
In the Lawman trailer available on A&E, Seagal is involved in a roadside arrest where he shouts at a cuffed man, "When we tell you 'git out the car, you 'git out the car!" Next, he gives colleagues a demonstration in personal defense moves. The trailer ends with Seagal's trademark smoky voice stating, "That's right. Steven Seagal, Deputy sheriff."
The series website claims Seagal fans will be allowed to ride along shotgun in the police cars while he and colleagues patrol the streets for crime. In addition to cameras following him at work, Seagal will also be followed off-duty. What exactly does Seagal do for fun? According to A&E, he attends musical performances and philanthropic events.
Steven Seagals A&E Lawman Plagued by Lawsuit
While the trailer states that it's coming in December, it could be delayed. A recently filed lawsuit against A&E by General Entertainment claims that the company was in talks with Seagal to do a reality show which General Entertainment pitched to A&E. The suit claims A&E moved forward with a Seagal reality series but excluded General Entertainment from the deal.
General Entertainment claims it brought a couple Seagal reality show ideas. One reality idea entitled Kung Pow featured action star hopefuls who would compete to be his protege. The suit alleges Steven Seagal gave General Entertainment an oral agreement to do any resulting reality series with the company.
Steven Seagal Keeps Busy With Many Ventures
Steven Seagal isn't sitting around waiting for his next opportunity. While he isn't known for his mainstream Hollywood films, the 58 year old actor releases several films per year. His action themed flicks are reported to have grossed over $2 billion worldwide. In addition to being an actor and active philanthropist, Seagal is a musician and released his first album in 2004. And, in 2005 Seagal launched a namesake 100% all-juice energy drink, "Steven Seagal's Lightning Bolt."
With Lawman in the can and ready to release, it may not make the December launch date due to a recently filed lawsuit by General Entertainment. Seagal fans will need to wait patiently to see him tackle alleged criminals and allow them the chance to ride shotgun in his police car. In the meantime, grab a Lightning Bolt and rent Above the Law for a Steven Seagal fix.
And for those living in Jefferson Parish, be careful on the streets. Steven Seagal is on duty.
Sources:
A&E, press release "A&E Goes Into Production on 'Steven Seagal: Lawman'," (November 24, 2008)
The Live Feed, "Steven Seagal Lawsuit Details," James Hibberd (August 25, 2009)
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