Best Show I Will End Up Never Watching But Will Totally Buy On DVD Ever

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STILL WATERS RUN DEEP AT COURT TV

Court TV is trying its first original scripted series, ordering a pilot for a murder-mystery anthology featuring filmmaker John Waters.

The cable channel expects to order 12 more episodes of " 'Til Death Do Us Part," which will dramatize real-life cases of spousal murder. Waters will take on a regular role as the "Groom Reaper" in "Death," setting the story for the viewer from his vantage point as a guest at the tragic couple's wedding, where each episode begins.

Shooting in New York this month, "Death" will begin airing in the first quarter in Court TV's primetime entertainment block, which previously was filled with unscripted fare including "Forensic Files" and "Psychic Detectives." But seeing how "Psychic" influenced hit dramas like NBC's "Medium" helped persuade the network to take a chance on scripted series.

"Court TV was always at the forefront of making forensics entertainment," said Marc Juris, general manager of programming and marketing at the network. "We do have a history of trying to tell stories in a way that involves high-stakes investigation and closure."

The premiere episode will depict the story of Nancy Seaman, a Michigan mother who stood trial on the charge of first-degree murder for killing her husband with a hatchet. She claimed self-defense.

"Death" will be produced by Jeff Lieberman ("Satan's Little Helper") of KaBoo Prods., who specializes in low-budget horror-genre productions. Juris felt his low-cost approach to horror would perfectly complement the tone of "Death," which he described as "delicious cynicism," as would the casting of cult icon Waters.

The director, last seen on screen in theatrical "Seed of Chucky," said in a statement that "Death" fulfilled his aspiration to become like one of the horror world's biggest icons.

"I've always been jealous of Vincent Price's career," Waters said. "Maybe now that he's dead, I can hijack it."