Commentary: Why is a reality show looking at Yolo County Law Enforcement?

Josh Fernandez of the Woodland Daily Democrat perhaps had the line of week in his opener to the article on a proposed reality television show that will cover Yolo County Law Enforcement. Fernandez wrote: “Either Hollywood is running out of actors or Yolo County is a breeding ground for up-and-coming thespians.” (Admit it Josh, you just wanted to use the word “thespian” in an article).

Lost in the oddity of the proposal to create a reality TV show based on Yolo County law enforcement, is the question of why would a producer choose Yolo County–a generally small and rural county–of all places to do a television show?

A small amount of research by our crack research team has revealed rather close connections between Scott M. Hervey–the prospective producer for this endeavor and Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig.

At first glance it would appear to be strange that a person whose work includes representation of rap artists and one of the “Bay Watch Babes”, would be affiliated with the perceived clean-cut persona such as Mr. Reisig.

However as it turns out Mr. Hervey and Mr. Reisig attended law school together at McGeorge Law. Hervey earning his JD in 1995 and Reisig in 1996.

The relationship goes well beyond that. Hervey was a strong supporter of Reisig’s DA candidacy.

The following was posted on Matt Rexroad’s blog on November 8, 2005:

“As a business attorney who has clients throughout the region, I understand how important West Sacramento is to the growth of the business community in greater Sacramento. However, in order for the W. Sacramento business community to grow, the overall community has to be safe. Jeff understands this. He is the clear choice for DA.”–Scott Hervey, Partner Weintraub Genshlea Chediak Law Corporation.

So now we understand how an entertainment lawyer such as Scott Hervey would bring a reality television proposal to Yolo County. He supports his old law school buddy in his run for District Attorney’s office. When his buddy wins, he proposes a reality television show that would net him millions which will at the same time present a sanitized image of Yolo County law enforcement which will in turn help Mr. Reisig’s public image. This is nepotism at its worst. Hopefully now the County Supervisors will do the right thing and reject this embarrassing proposal.

(Caption: Scott Hervey right with Jeff Reisig to his left, Ron Rohde, and Former County Supervisor Frank Siefferman, Jr in December of 2005 at the Sacramento Metro Chamber)

—Doug Paul Davis reporting

About The Author

David Greenwald is the founder, editor, and executive director of the Davis Vanguard. He founded the Vanguard in 2006. David Greenwald moved to Davis in 1996 to attend Graduate School at UC Davis in Political Science. He lives in South Davis with his wife Cecilia Escamilla Greenwald and three children.

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28 Comments

  1. Anonymous

    What an embarassment to everyone involved.

    If they made a “Nice Job, You Total D-bags” award, Reisig and Prieto would be the first recipients.

  2. Anonymous

    What an embarassment to everyone involved.

    If they made a “Nice Job, You Total D-bags” award, Reisig and Prieto would be the first recipients.

  3. Anonymous

    What an embarassment to everyone involved.

    If they made a “Nice Job, You Total D-bags” award, Reisig and Prieto would be the first recipients.

  4. Anonymous

    What an embarassment to everyone involved.

    If they made a “Nice Job, You Total D-bags” award, Reisig and Prieto would be the first recipients.

  5. Rich Rifkin

    “… he proposes a reality television show that would net him millions…”

    Millions of what? Lira?

    No one makes money in television unless they can sell their show and deliver an audience. Easier said than done.

  6. Rich Rifkin

    “… he proposes a reality television show that would net him millions…”

    Millions of what? Lira?

    No one makes money in television unless they can sell their show and deliver an audience. Easier said than done.

  7. Rich Rifkin

    “… he proposes a reality television show that would net him millions…”

    Millions of what? Lira?

    No one makes money in television unless they can sell their show and deliver an audience. Easier said than done.

  8. Rich Rifkin

    “… he proposes a reality television show that would net him millions…”

    Millions of what? Lira?

    No one makes money in television unless they can sell their show and deliver an audience. Easier said than done.

  9. Anonymous

    Look, this is just a couple of glory hogs arranging their day in the spotlight. Reisig has taken a beating by the appellate court questioning him about that injunction. He needs some positive press – even if it takes a good ol law school pal to arrange it for him. Prieto will need some heavy editing to look good. My guesss is he is the patsy for Reisig and his “producer” pal’s plan.

    They are trying to whitewash the truth so of course it will be positive only – er – about the DA.

    Personally, I think Reisig will arrange for the cops to look bad so he can look like he’s ok. He’ll need to replace a lot of folks in his office to make sure that happens, though.

    Will the judges let the TV cameras in their courts?

    Syndication, baby, that’s how you make money. Make the show controversial and it will sell. So, make the cops look bad, the community look like idiots and the DA’s th “hero” and it will sell. “Poor DA Reisig, he’s just trying to clean up that horrible gang and marijuana problem in Yoyo county with inept cops and buffoons for judges…..” (cue the music….)

  10. Anonymous

    Look, this is just a couple of glory hogs arranging their day in the spotlight. Reisig has taken a beating by the appellate court questioning him about that injunction. He needs some positive press – even if it takes a good ol law school pal to arrange it for him. Prieto will need some heavy editing to look good. My guesss is he is the patsy for Reisig and his “producer” pal’s plan.

    They are trying to whitewash the truth so of course it will be positive only – er – about the DA.

    Personally, I think Reisig will arrange for the cops to look bad so he can look like he’s ok. He’ll need to replace a lot of folks in his office to make sure that happens, though.

    Will the judges let the TV cameras in their courts?

    Syndication, baby, that’s how you make money. Make the show controversial and it will sell. So, make the cops look bad, the community look like idiots and the DA’s th “hero” and it will sell. “Poor DA Reisig, he’s just trying to clean up that horrible gang and marijuana problem in Yoyo county with inept cops and buffoons for judges…..” (cue the music….)

  11. Anonymous

    Look, this is just a couple of glory hogs arranging their day in the spotlight. Reisig has taken a beating by the appellate court questioning him about that injunction. He needs some positive press – even if it takes a good ol law school pal to arrange it for him. Prieto will need some heavy editing to look good. My guesss is he is the patsy for Reisig and his “producer” pal’s plan.

    They are trying to whitewash the truth so of course it will be positive only – er – about the DA.

    Personally, I think Reisig will arrange for the cops to look bad so he can look like he’s ok. He’ll need to replace a lot of folks in his office to make sure that happens, though.

    Will the judges let the TV cameras in their courts?

    Syndication, baby, that’s how you make money. Make the show controversial and it will sell. So, make the cops look bad, the community look like idiots and the DA’s th “hero” and it will sell. “Poor DA Reisig, he’s just trying to clean up that horrible gang and marijuana problem in Yoyo county with inept cops and buffoons for judges…..” (cue the music….)

  12. Anonymous

    Look, this is just a couple of glory hogs arranging their day in the spotlight. Reisig has taken a beating by the appellate court questioning him about that injunction. He needs some positive press – even if it takes a good ol law school pal to arrange it for him. Prieto will need some heavy editing to look good. My guesss is he is the patsy for Reisig and his “producer” pal’s plan.

    They are trying to whitewash the truth so of course it will be positive only – er – about the DA.

    Personally, I think Reisig will arrange for the cops to look bad so he can look like he’s ok. He’ll need to replace a lot of folks in his office to make sure that happens, though.

    Will the judges let the TV cameras in their courts?

    Syndication, baby, that’s how you make money. Make the show controversial and it will sell. So, make the cops look bad, the community look like idiots and the DA’s th “hero” and it will sell. “Poor DA Reisig, he’s just trying to clean up that horrible gang and marijuana problem in Yoyo county with inept cops and buffoons for judges…..” (cue the music….)

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