This image was lost some time after publication.

The last we heard, former U.S. Senator Al D'Amato was spending his days lobbying on behalf of Internet casinos and cleaning up nicely at weekly poker games. But he's gearing up to take a gamble on an entertainment career: Apparently he has a "Judge Judy-type" show in the works in which he'll preside over small-claims cases, joining the distinguished ranks of Judge Hatchett, Judge Joe Brown, Judge Marilyn Milian, and Judge Alex. From the looks of it, D'Amato's show sounds like a completely original concept:

D'Amato has a number of his own pet sayings up his sleeve. "Undoubtedly, 'You're a whack job' will find it's way into the series," he says. And, suggesting there might be a bit of an Italian flavor to his judgeship, he says, "There are a number of names my mother called me over the years I may just have to use."

Of course, we understand that Al might need work: His second wife, Katuria, gave birth to a baby last year, making Al a father once again at the age of 70. Do you have any idea what college will cost in the year 2020?