Tom O'Riordan had been a Court Officer for the City of New York for six years leading up to the June of 2000 when he answered an ad posted by the producers of Judge Hatchett. The ad called for a real life court officer to carry out the duties of court officer for the show. Officer O'Riordan was chosen for the job and the interview below gives a glimpse into how his life was changed dramatically.

INTERVIEW WITH COURT OFFICER TOM O'RIORDAN

Is it true your ending up on the show started out as a fluke?
Yeah, I overheard my friends Kevin and Dave talking all hush hush in the hallway about the casting call. I hadn't seen the flyer, so I had no idea. They were all going together, so I went with them. The joke around the courthouse was that all the pretty boys were going and O'Riordan.

Did you ever think you might get this job?
No. I am the last guy to expect something like this to happen. On the way down to meet the producers, we made a pact that if one of us got it, we'd take the others out to a big dinner. So at the time I was thinking I was going to have a nice dinner at Sparks on one of these guys.

What were you doing when you got that first call? What went through your mind that instant?
I was sick with Bronchitis; it was the week of my birthday. The executive producer called. But I thought it was my friend George playing a joke on me - he can be very convincing. But then the executive producer started whipping out names and numbers, saying this lawyer would call me, and so and so would call me. Then I realized it wasn't a joke. And I felt like throwing up. I walked around with my hands on top of my head until I calmed down.

Would you say this is a dream come true?
No. Because I never dreamed anything like this could happen!

And what do your friends and family think about all this?
They are all extremely happy and excited for me. My mom was speechless when I told her.

And your friends down at Family Court?
Super supportive. Each morning they ask me what happened on the show the day before, and I say, "you gotta watch the show, we want the ratings!'"

Now that you are on TV, how has your life changed? What is your typical week like now?
I'm really busy. I get up at 4:30 and get home by 8:30 at night. And I still workout three times a week with friends. If I'm not in court I'm at the show. And now I never have enough time to eat. I'm always hungry! I like to eat every two hours or so.

How long have you been a court officer?
I've been a court officer for six years. I started at Brooklyn Family Court out of the academy, and now I'm in Manhattan Family Court.

And you received an award right?
I received the Medal of Commendation

For?
Above and beyond the call of duty. Another Officer was taking a serious beating. And I intervened.

What is the best and worst thing about being a court officer in real life?
It's an honest living. I'm also able to help people off the street make their way through the court system. And then the people I work with are great; some of them I can call friends for life. And how many jobs or people can you say that about?

The worst thing about Family Court is that we see too many sad cases. A lot of child abuse, a lot of broken families and lots of suffering. And not everything can be solved by the court.

How do you like working with Judge Hatchett?
I've worked with over fifty judges, and I can honestly say Judge Hatchett is an exceptional judge. I can tell she really cares and wants to help. And she is very supportive of me. She makes me feel comfortable here. She helps bring out the best in me.

Is doing the show fun?
Yeah, it's a scream.