Brockovich finding new causes

In the movie that made her a household name three years ago, when Erin Brockovich talked, people listened. Will they do the same now that she is the host of a reality-based TV series?

As in the film, probably not without a fight. “Final Justice” premieres tonight at 8 on Lifetime, a time slot and channel that don’t pack the same punch as the rollout of a motion picture starring one of Hollywood’s most bankable actresses.

Based on the first episode, it’s not such a bad idea for this show to start in a relatively humble spot.

The real Brockovich, whose investigation into the pollution of a California town’s water supply was dramatized in the film, presents the tales of three women who won battles against injustice:

Susan Wilson discovers that a neighbor is surreptitiously videotaping her in her shower and bedroom. When she goes to the police, she learns that the taping is not illegal under Louisiana law. Wilson persuades legislators in 1999 to make such an act punishable.

After the rape and murder of her daughter in 1994, Carol Sievers of Virginia is devastated as authorities search in vain for a suspect. DNA evidence eventually pinpoints the killer -- a man already serving time for rape -- prompting her to fight to expand databanks containing DNA profiles of criminals.

The death of Autumn Skeen’s son in an SUV accident in 1996 leads her to find out why he was killed, even though she had obeyed a law allowing children 4 years old and 40 pounds to wear regular seat belts. Skeen lobbies Washington state lawmakers to create stricter seat belt measures.

As uplifting as the stories are, and as sympathetic as Brockovich is, the show has plenty of rough edges. Dramatic music punctuates the interviewees’ every word -- it’s almost as if the producers don’t trust the subjects alone to grip viewers. In addition, Brockovich is not yet skilled enough as a narrator to carry an hourlong show.

Visually, real-life photos and footage are combined with reenactments, and it would often help to have the latter clearly labeled as such.

The series’ slickest element, however, has to be the theme song, co-written and sung by country crooner Wynonna, who concludes: “If I listen to the voice inside, I know it’s gonna be all right.”