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James Curtis likes wearing a judge's robe. In fact, on a recent episode of "Curtis Court" (3 p.m. weekdays, Channel 5), he used it to put a noisy plaintiff in her place. ("Who's got the garment?" he demanded to know. "You do," she said sheepishly.) Well, sorry, America, but "The Honorable James Curtis," as the press packet refers to him, only plays a judge on TV. He's actually a former prosecutor and talk-show guest recruited by the syndication arm of CBS for this latest "Judge Judy" knockoff. "Curtis Court" operates like most daytime talk shows: Opposing sides are brought in and told not to let the other person complete a sentence. "Surprise guests" are ushered into the "courtroom" and offer "testimony" that just gets everyone even more riled up. And the "judge" is supposed to sit there, look cool, sternly lecture each side from time to time and then read a decision that he wrote (no doubt with help from his "legal aides"). "Study Hall" would've been a better title for this show. The participants act like bratty teens, and Curtis has about as much authority here as a substitute teacher. I guess it's not just about who has the garment. @ART CAPTION:James 'Curtis Court' Curtis @ART:Photo (color) >>>