Blockbuster trials, over-hyped in the press, are a cornerstone of Americana. The sensationalism goes along with morning coffee and the bagel with a schmeer.

At this writing, we are awaiting the jury verdict on Michael Jackson. The jury has to decide who is the predator and who is the victim. Four months of front-page pictures and full-page articles is coming to an end.

The state of California seems to be leading the league in these charades. The O.J. Simpson case was a daily part of our lives for many months. The jury verdict stunned the nation and placed a black mark on American justice before the world.

Recently the acquittal of former actor Robert Blake raised many questions. Could celebrities in Hollywood ever be convicted of anything? Laci Peterson's murder was everywhere. It was on Fox News all evening and splashed over every newspaper in the morning. Maybe the convicted murderer Scott Peterson's good looks had something to do with the overabundant news coverage. Winona Ryder's trial for shoplifting was also overblown. Include also the Colorado trial of Mr. Kobe Bryant.

Here in the Empire State we are not completely innocent of these charges. The Martha Stewart trial for just telling an "itty-bitty lie" to the Feds caused a media blitz. If I never see that blonde lady strutting down the Federal Courthouse steps in high fashion wearing a chinchilla boa, it will be too soon for me. The Tyco defendants Dennis Kozlowki and Mark Swartz are awaiting the jury verdict high drama on Wall Street. Mr. Koslowski managed to get a hung jury in his first trial, when one very stubborn Park Avenue matron was set in her unusual ways.

Soon the Enron perpetrators will have their day in court. Ken Lay et al will keep the front pages in business. Celebrities such as John Gotti have spawned some celebrity attorneys such as Bruce Cuttler and Ron Kuby. We should also mention Mark Geragos and the late Johnny Cochrane. The Hamptons brought us Danny Pelosi in the brutal murder of Ted Ammon for early morning reading.

That poor confused little "runaway bride," Jennifer Wilbanks, is now being crucified before our very eyes.

It is all a three-ring circus, but we can't avoid it. Our curiosity has been piqued and we must hear the story until its sad ending.

Newspapers are being sold and so it will continue.

I have no solution! Do you?