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Before the 9th season, the show used an original tune for its music. The theme music used for the 7th and 8th seasons, were much like that of the music used for all of the seasons prior to those, only played with different [[instrument]]s. During the 4th, 5th, and 6th seasons, the theme music began with an [[explosion]]-like sound. The [[music]] itself, was a booming tune, descriptive of [[drum]]s. As that sounded, there was a [[computer animated]] approaching scene towards a [[courthouse]], up until that scene entered into the courthouse. From there, several shots of Sheindlin presiding over different cases were displayed, moving from one side to the other. Those shots developed into the courthouse [[symbol]] that represents her program (that symbol is always displayed inside the [[letter]] [[D]], in ''Judy''), by the end of the [[theme music]]. Before that, the scenes were that of the courthouse symbol that represents her program, over a green background. Shots of Sheindlin, presiding over different cases, flew into the scene, and moved into each of the square-shaped designs of the courthouse, correspondingly.
Before the 9th season, the show used an original tune for its music. The theme music used for the 7th and 8th seasons, were much like that of the music used for all of the seasons prior to those, only played with different [[instrument]]s. During the 4th, 5th, and 6th seasons, the theme music began with an [[explosion]]-like sound. The [[music]] itself, was a booming tune, descriptive of [[drum]]s. As that sounded, there was a [[computer animated]] approaching scene towards a [[courthouse]], up until that scene entered into the courthouse. From there, several shots of Sheindlin presiding over different cases were displayed, moving from one side to the other. Those shots developed into the courthouse [[symbol]] that represents her program (that symbol is always displayed inside the [[letter]] [[D]], in ''Judy''), by the end of the [[theme music]]. Before that, the scenes were that of the courthouse symbol that represents her program, over a green background. Shots of Sheindlin, presiding over different cases, flew into the scene, and moved into each of the square-shaped designs of the courthouse, correspondingly.


The colors that represent the show, have altered several times over the years. The first couple seasons of Judge Judy, were represented by the colors, [[sea green]] and [[saffron (color)|saffron]]. [[Blue]] and saffron represented the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th seasons. An array of many bright colors, along with blue and saffron represented the 8th season. Since the 9th season, the various graphics and [[computer-generated imagery]], on the show, have been [[burgundy (color)|burgundy]] and saffron. As of the 12th season, [[prussian blue]] has been added to the show's [[color scheme]] for the opening previews of each episode.
The colors that represent the show, have altered several times over the years. The first couple seasons of Judge Judy, were represented by the colors, [[sea green]] and [[saffron (color)|saffron]]. [[Blue]] and saffron represented the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th seasons. An array of many bright colors, along with blue and saffron represented the 8th season. Since the 9th season, the various graphics and [[computer-generated imagery]], on the show, have been [[falu red]] and saffron. As of the 12th season, [[prussian blue]] has been added to the show's [[color scheme]] for the opening previews of each episode.


Before every [[commercial break]], a preview of the upcoming moments of the case that's in session and often, the following case on the episode are shown. During this preview, a tune with a [[violin]]-like sound, accompanied with abrupt, booming noises is played, and has been used since the show's 9th season. Upon returning from the first 2 commercial breaks, Jerry Bishop's voice-over commentary is heard, stating: ''"Real cases! real people! Judge Judy!"'', followed by a small recap of the case that's in session. Upon returning from the third and final commercial break, his voice-over is heard again, providing the show's number and [[website]], for people to submit cases. There are usually two cases presented on each show, but less frequently there will be a single long case, three shorter ones, or even four shorter ones. After each case, the plaintiff and defendant express their feelings about the case to the camera.
Before every [[commercial break]], a preview of the upcoming moments of the case that's in session and often, the following case on the episode are shown. During this preview, a tune with a [[violin]]-like sound, accompanied with abrupt, booming noises is played, and has been used since the show's 9th season. Upon returning from the first 2 commercial breaks, Jerry Bishop's voice-over commentary is heard, stating: ''"Real cases! real people! Judge Judy!"'', followed by a small recap of the case that's in session. Upon returning from the third and final commercial break, his voice-over is heard again, providing the show's number and [[website]], for people to submit cases. There are usually two cases presented on each show, but less frequently there will be a single long case, three shorter ones, or even four shorter ones. After each case, the plaintiff and defendant express their feelings about the case to the camera.

Revision as of 06:16, 15 October 2007

Judge Judy
File:JudgeJudyshow sign.JPG
StarringJudith Sheindlin
Petri Hawkins-Byrd
Jerry Bishop
Country of origin United States
Production
Running time30 minutes
Original release
NetworkSyndicated
ReleaseSeptember 16,1996 –
present
For the person off screen, see Judith Sheindlin.

Judge Judy is an American syndicated reality-based "court," or "syndi-court" show, featuring former family court judge Judith Sheindlin, arbitrating over small claims cases. The show premiered on September 16th 1996, and brought back the television courtroom genre after several years of being off the air. Despite its long string of judicial challengers over the years, Judge Judy's brought in the highest ratings out of all the courtroom dramas. [1] In addition, it's remained the top-rated court show since its series premiere. [2] As of 2007, Judith Sheindlin's top-rated courtroom series has been nominated 10 times for Daytime Emmy Awards. [3] In late 2004, during its 9th season, Judge Judy was renewed through 2009/2010. Judge Judy's 12th season premiered on Monday, September 10, 2007. The following day, the show's first DVD, entitled Justice Served, was released. [4] [5] The program has earned Sheindlin a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame which she was awarded in February of 2006. [6]


About Judith Sheindlin

Because of her straightforwardness of expression and impatience in making litigants get to the point, to keep them from wasting time on irrelevant and unimportant details, Judith Sheindlin is well-known as a no-nonsense jurist. Combining those qualities with her swift handling of many of the matters brought up throughout the course of each proceeding, Judge Judy is touted as, "A show where justice is dispensed at the speed of light." [7]

Disbelieving many of the questionable affirmations of the parties that appear before her, lying is the main problem that the incredulous Judith Sheindlin has with both litigants and their witnesses. In fact, one of her most popular catchphrases is, "Baloney!", and she's also convinced that, "If something doesn't make sense, it's not true."

Much to the frustration of some litigants, Sheindlin is a very adamant judge. Once she makes decisions and reaches positions, litigants are usually unable to persuade her to reconsider and change her mind. Despite this, there are litigants who won't keep quiet even while it seems as if they're about to win the case. Because of this, they often reveal information that helps the opposing party's position. In these cases, Sheindlin is known to change her mind.

Of all her characteristics, Judge Judy's noted most for her courtroom toughness. One example of this is her invectiveness, as Sheindlin puts the parties in their places, often by spending a good portion of the case trying to humiliate and degrade these litigants. During these moments, Judge Judy remains sternly aggressive and loud in her behavior, and refers to this treatment with such comments as, "I'm not finished torturing you yet!" As another example, Judge Judy's highly irascible towards the parties that appear before her. This is mainly displayed in her startling explosions at even the slightest irritations. As a third example, Judge Judy's also known to behave in threatening ways. For instance, she's known to make such remarks as, "Sir, you want to say something to me? You sure you want to say something to me?" and "You mess around with me young lady, I'll wipe the floor with you. We follow each other?" In fact, the show's tagline is Justice with an Attitude [8] Judith Sheindlin is raspy-voiced with a New York accent. She's often likened to three other celebrities notorious for being less than courteous towards their guests. They are Simon Cowell [9], Anne Robinson [10], and radio personality, Dr. Laura. [11]

In contrast to her typically gruff and scathing nature towards adults and teens, Judge Judy is kind and sweet towards very young children involved in cases. She even has a small elevated area, connected directly to the side of her bench, where she has small children come, to talk to her in a friendly one-on-one fashion. Sheindlin also has Byrd escort young children outside of her courtroom when she feels anything inappropriate for the them is about to take place. As soon as the children are gone, Sheindlin comes down on parents for even bringing these children to court and involving them in their legal disputes. These are particularly divorced parents who are suing each other and have brought their children along as witnesses. Sheindlin has stated that her judicial philosophy is sending a message to people to take responsibility for their own actions. [12]

About the show

File:JudgeJudyOlder Look.JPG
Older look

Though the title of the court show is Judge Judy, it's also become a nickname for Judith Sheindlin, who has become better known as Judge Judy. The show was created when Judy Sheindlin's reputation for being one of the toughest family court judges in the country became the topic of a Los Angeles Times article, in February of 1993. The piece caught the attention of 60 Minutes, leading to a segment on the show, which brought her national recognition. This led to her being approached by producers to preside over her own courtroom drama. The title of her show was originally going to be "Hot Bench," however, she was unhappy with that name and convinced her television producers to change the title. [13] Randy Douthit and Peter Brennan are the show's executive producers. [14]

The Judge Judy court show has changed very little from season to season. The show's music and graphics are the only thing that has changed repeatedly, over its past twelve years. The 9th season (2004-2005) is one of the few seasons in which the show made a major alteration; the Judge Judy intro had been changed drastically. Symphony No. 5 (Beethoven) became the show's theme music. For its scenes, Judge Judy is shown in a different courtroom from her own, approaching the camera, followed by folding her arms and smiling at the camera. This is followed by showing various scenes of her, seemingly presiding over different cases, as well.

In addition, there was another alteration made to the show's intro that season; each show begins with a short, often exaggerated preview of the case. This is followed by its theme music, with voice-over artist, Jerry Bishop, making the statements: You are about to enter the courtroom of Judge Judith Sheindlin. The people are real... the cases are real... the rulings are final. This is Judge Judy. However, the sentence, this is her courtroom, originally stated after the sentence, the rulings are final, was eliminated from the show's intro by the show's 9th season, as well.

Before the 9th season, the show used an original tune for its music. The theme music used for the 7th and 8th seasons, were much like that of the music used for all of the seasons prior to those, only played with different instruments. During the 4th, 5th, and 6th seasons, the theme music began with an explosion-like sound. The music itself, was a booming tune, descriptive of drums. As that sounded, there was a computer animated approaching scene towards a courthouse, up until that scene entered into the courthouse. From there, several shots of Sheindlin presiding over different cases were displayed, moving from one side to the other. Those shots developed into the courthouse symbol that represents her program (that symbol is always displayed inside the letter D, in Judy), by the end of the theme music. Before that, the scenes were that of the courthouse symbol that represents her program, over a green background. Shots of Sheindlin, presiding over different cases, flew into the scene, and moved into each of the square-shaped designs of the courthouse, correspondingly.

The colors that represent the show, have altered several times over the years. The first couple seasons of Judge Judy, were represented by the colors, sea green and saffron. Blue and saffron represented the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th seasons. An array of many bright colors, along with blue and saffron represented the 8th season. Since the 9th season, the various graphics and computer-generated imagery, on the show, have been falu red and saffron. As of the 12th season, prussian blue has been added to the show's color scheme for the opening previews of each episode.

Before every commercial break, a preview of the upcoming moments of the case that's in session and often, the following case on the episode are shown. During this preview, a tune with a violin-like sound, accompanied with abrupt, booming noises is played, and has been used since the show's 9th season. Upon returning from the first 2 commercial breaks, Jerry Bishop's voice-over commentary is heard, stating: "Real cases! real people! Judge Judy!", followed by a small recap of the case that's in session. Upon returning from the third and final commercial break, his voice-over is heard again, providing the show's number and website, for people to submit cases. There are usually two cases presented on each show, but less frequently there will be a single long case, three shorter ones, or even four shorter ones. After each case, the plaintiff and defendant express their feelings about the case to the camera.

Structure

Because Judge Judy's audience members are actually paid extras, tickets to the show are unavailable. [15] However, arrangements can sometimes be made with the production staff to allow fans of the show into the audience without payment. All the extras are instructed to laugh on cue. Extras are told to look like they're having conversations with each other before and after each case, so the bailiff may announce, "Order! All rise." [16] The litigants that appear before Judge Judy have actually sued each other, however, and Sheindlin actually presides over their case. Either people will submit cases to the show, via their website, by the show's number, or producers will research court files from all over the country, to find cases that they think will be appropriate and entertaining for the show. [17]

People who work for the show call both parties and ask them questions about their case, to make sure it's suitable for Judge Judy. If the parties agree to be on the show and sign a waiver, agreeing that arbitration in Sheindlin's court is final, and cannot be pursued elsewhere, unless she dismisses the lawsuit without prejudice, their case will air on Judge Judy. [18] The award limit on Judge Judy, as on most syndi-court shows (and most small claims courts in U.S.), is $5,000. The award for each judgment is paid by the producers of the show, from a fund reserved for each case. About 40 percent of the cases are money judgments, while 60 percent are dismissed. [19]

Both the plaintiff and the defendant receive $100 for their appearance, as well as $35 a day, paid to them by the show. The litigant's stay lasts the number of days that Sheindlin tapes the show, which is usually three days. [20] [21] In addition, the travel & hotel expenses of the litigants and their witnesses are covered by the show. If there's an exchange of property, Ms. Sheindlin signs an order and a sheriff or marshal, sees to it that that property is exchanged. [22] There are no lawyers present and participants defend themselves on Judge Judy, as is standard in a small claims court. Sheindlin sees only a half-page complaint and a defense response prior to the taping of the cases, sometimes only moments before. [23] Most of the cases, without any deleted footage to meet the time constraints of the show, are usually anywhere from 12 to 35 minutes. [24] [25]

Tapings & Airings

3 days every other week (2 weeks a month), Sheindlin and her producers tape the court show. [26] They knock out 10-12 cases for each day they tape the show. 10 cases is a week's worth of episodes. Anywhere from 30 to 36 cases are filmed over the three days they tape per week. [27] However, Sheindlin and her producers only tape 5 cases per day and 2 days per week from April to July. [28] [29] The show has 52 taping days a year. For each season, some 570 claims are brought to the set to be presided over by Judge Judy. [30] This means, approximately 6,270 claims have been brought to Judy Sheindlin's Hollywood set, as of the end of its 11th season (2006-2007). Cases are taped all throughout the year for the most part, except when Sheindlin and her producers break from mid July (only taping one week in July) and all through August. According to members of the show, the reason why is because people are more interested in taking vacations than in filing lawsuits around that time. [31]

Altogether, there are 260 new episodes per season of Judge Judy. As of the end of the 11th season (2006-2007), the Judge Judy court show has had a total of 2,860 new episodes. It's not hard to believe, seeing as how there's at least one new episode for every weekday, with the exception of a few hiatuses during most of the summer and a couple holidays. [32] The cases are all prerecorded for editing purposes and will usually air, one or two months after being taped. [33] While the cases taped in March end the seasons, the cases taped through April, May, June, and July, start out each season in September and last all through the middle of October. [34]

Throughout the very beginning of each season, 2 new Judge Judy episodes air per day. After 2 weeks, it shortens down to 1 new airing a day, followed by a repeat afterwards. There are also various other moments throughout the year, where 2 new episodes are shown for 2 weeks or so. This includes January, when the show returns from its short winter hiatus. Unlike most television shows, Judge Judy does not air its season finale in April or May. Rather, it will air its last few new episodes sporadically over the summer months, with many repeats in between, and its season finale taking place some time in August.

Location

The Judge Judy set is right next to the Judge Joe Brown set, in the same studios. Both of the judges work with Big Ticket Entertainment. [35] Many people tend to believe the taping of Judge Judy takes place in New York City. This misconception is mainly due to the show's various images of that area, shown upon returning from commercial breaks. This misconception, also may be due to the words, "State of New York", continually moving across the burgundy letterboxes, during the previews, just before commercial breaks (since the 9th season). Those images are only shown because Judith Sheindlin was a judge for 25 years in New York City, working as a prosecutor and dealing with juvenile delinquents, before retiring to do the court show. [36] Cases are actually taped inside of the Tribune's production studios, on Sunset Boulevard, in Los Angeles, California. [37] Every other week, the 5 foot 2 Judith Sheindlin, flies out on her private jet, to spend Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in Los Angeles, California, to tape her show. Owning three homes, Sheindlin either flies out to Hollywood, from her home in New York City, Greenwich, Connecticut, or Naples, Florida. [38]

As of late August 2007, it has been reported that the historic, former Warner Brothers studio, on Sunset Boulevard has been put up for sale. It's the site currently owned by KTLA-TV, Tribune Entertainment, and Tribune Studios. The television shows currently filmed at this production facility are, Hannah Montana, Judge Joe Brown, and Judge Judy. Because other studios and historic properties, in the same neighborhood as the Tribune studios, recently sold for millions, investors are racing to try to make just as much. No price has been set as of yet, for the massive, block-size property. After the sale, it is expected that KTLA will remain at the location, as a tenant, but may only do so, for an indefinite period of time. Once that time runs out, "Judge Judy," "Judge Joe Brown" and "Hannah Montana" will all be evicted from the property. However, the station is likely to go elsewhere to update its facilities in the future. [39] [40] [41]

Set design

File:JudySheindlin.jpg
Current look

Judge Judy has one of the smallest televised courtrooms. The only changes made to the Judge Judy set were all mostly made in the early seasons of the show. The wooding that takes up most of the courtroom was a lighter brown in the beginning of the series, the wall behind Judge Judy didn't always have the shiny surface it has now, with the dark brown and black colors (it used to be plain light brown), the fake window display along the sides of the courtroom has gone from displaying designs, to going plain and only showing whiteness, to displaying a scene of fake buildings, the carpeting was light pink in the beginning of the series, and the podiums were different. Altogether, Sheindlin has had 4 different chairs throughout the show's existence. She had 3 smaller chairs before she got her current chair. Her very first chair was persian indigo and her 2nd chair was hunter green with diagonal square designs. Sheindlin's 3rd chair was similar to her current chair, only with a lower back behind her shoulders. Though they were all executive office chairs, they didn't look like it, due to their low backs. They were replaced early on by the traditional, executive chair she's been sitting in for the majority of the show's existence. [42] The chair is button-tufted, with a high back, and thick padding. It's a wine-red leather chair.

The most recent alteration made to her courtroom was in the show's seventh season, when a different book display was added toward the entrance. During the 7th season (2002-2003), there were a few changes made to the area, just outside of the courtroom, where litigants express their feelings about the case to the camera.

All of the colors in Judge Judy's courtroom are mainly dark brown colors. The carpeting in her courtoom is bright red. Although, there are microphones on each of the podiums that the litigants use to set things on, they're never used. Also, on each podium is a pitcher of water and a stack of cups for each of the litigants. Litigants enter by way of the swinging doors in the aisle.

Two flags are positioned approximately 10 feet behind Judge Judy. There's an American Flag on the left side and the Flag of New York on the right side. The reason for the New York State Flag, is because New York is where Ms. Sheindlin was a family court judge for 25 years. [43] [44]

TV show ratings

According to Judy's producer, Randy Douthit, court shows are lucky to get any ratings at all. [45] Judge Judy went on the air in September and, by the end of October, was averaging only a 1.5 rating, putting her in the mid-rank of the 159 syndicated shows on the air. At the time, it was never expected that her show's ratings could ever compete with shows like, Wheel of Fortune, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and The Rosie O'Donnell Show. [46] According to Sheindlin's biography, producers of her show were disappointed that the show was barely on the radar screen. However, it didn't take long for Judge Judy to pick up momentum, as the show rose to a 2.1 rating by the end of that first season. By the end of her 2nd season (1997-1998), she'd already risen into the 4 ranges, as stated in her biography video.

Judge Judy's ratings more than doubled to 5.6, during her 3rd season (1998-1999), as her court show really began to take off. This led to the creation of Judge Mills Lane (lasting four seasons) and Judge Joe Brown (into its tenth season as of 2007). In fact, it was due to her impressive ratings that year that The People's Court producers decided to replace Ed Koch with Judge Judy's husband, Jerry Sheindlin. However, he only lasted 2 years on The People's Court, from 1999 to 2001, before being replaced by Marilyn Milian. [47]

During her 4th season (1999-2000), Judy's ratings exploded, peaking at a 9.3 rating, just as Judge Mathis was created, and Divorce Court was revived; both court shows, having made it to their 9th seasons as of the 2007-2008 season. Because of Judge Judy's success, the court show aired at better time periods. At that point, Sheindlin's show was even surpassing the Oprah Winfrey Show (King World Productions which launched Oprah is a corporate sibling of Judge Judys distibutor, CBS Paramount Television). Not only was Judge Judy reported as the top-rated court show, but the top-rated daytime TV show at that point. [48].

However, for the next four years from the 2000-2001 season to the 2002-2003 season, the ratings for Judge Judy declined. Sheindlin finally reversed this downward turn when she rebounded from 7.1 ratings to 7.5 ratings during her eighth season (2003-2004), just behind Oprah that season. Of the seven running court shows during 2004-2005, most of them earned a 3.63. All of them, that is, except for Judge Judy, who pulled in a 7.8 rating that season (her 9th season). During her 10th season (2005-2006), Judge Judy averaged a 4.8 rating, still leading the judicial genre. [49] Court show ratings for the 2006-2007 season: Judge Judy averaged 4.6 rating; Judge Joe Brown averaged a 2.9 rating; People’s Court averaged a 2.7; Judge Mathis averaged a 2.4; Divorce Court averaged a 2.0; Judge Alex averaged 1.9; Judge Hatchett averaged a 1.5; rookies--Cristina's Court averaged a 1.4, and Judge Maria Lopez came in last, averaging a 1.0 rating. [50]

It was reported in late September of 2007, that The Oprah Winfrey Show's first new season episodes were struggling against Judge Judy's. It came as a surprise since the court show was being blown out by Oprah in the May "sweeps", by an average of more than 50,000 homes per show. However, on September 19th, 2007, Oprah averaged a 4.5, while Judge Judy averaged a 4.4. The following week, on September 26th, 2007, it was reported that Oprah again averaged 4.5 while Sheindlin averaged a 4.6, which brought the court show from 4th to 3rd place, among the top 10 syndicated programs. [51] [52]

Judge Judy is reportedly watched by 10 million people daily. [53] Judge Judy's daytime audience is composed of 75% women and 25% men. [54] The success of the Judge Judy courtroom series, has to do with teamwork on the part of Sheindlin and her producers. Judge Judy and producer, Randy Douthit, realize they have some disadvantages to their talk show competitors, who can spice up during sweeps. For instance, there can always be a visit from big-name guests, such as the cast of Dreamgirls, on The Oprah Winfrey Show. However, the courtroom shows do not have such options. Thusly, Sheindlin and Douthit will pick and choose between the types of cases. For example, they've chosen cases involving relationships that they thought would entertain more so than other types of cases. [55]

Salary

It was reported in 2005 that Judge Judy earned $30 million per year. During the beginning of her ninth season, in October of 2004, she signed an extra four-year, $100 million contract. The signing of this contract has made her one of the highest paid women in television history, with the highest being Oprah Winfrey who earns $250 million. [56] [57] [58] Because of her 100 million dollar contract, Sheindlin's net worth is $95 million. [59]

Sheindlin had considered retiring from her show once she'd reached her 10th season in syndication, which was in 2005-2006. However, Sheindlin signed a four-year contract in late 2004, and stated her reasons for doing so: "I'm certainly not tired, I'm not bored, and I'm not burned out. If I said goodbye after 10 years, because the public said 'Enough', I would have been fine. I think the public is still interested. And I hope I'll be smart enough to know, at the end of four years, to say whether it's time to go." [60]

Since then, Sheindlin has had discussions about how much longer she wants to do the show. Sheindlin has stated that she's attached to her court show but still doesn't know what she will do after that time. Her producers, on the other hand, want her for another 10 years, believing the court show could work for that much longer. However, Sheindlin has stated that she wants to end the show before it gets stale. [61]

Judge Judy commented on Larry King Live that she doesn't intend to use her power as a successful TV personality to force the producers of her syndicated TV show to tape from New York. Taping from New York would make it easier for Sheindlin, as it's one of the cities in which she resides. However, Sheindlin explains, "There are so many people attached to my program, who I rely on, who live out there. They have young children. They have homes. They have family. It's easier for one person to make that trip every other week or so, than it is to uproot those people." [62].

Courtroom Expectations

Judge Judy has expectations out of litigants that enter her courtroom. One expectation is that they show up to her courtroom prepared. She likes it when they have all their necessary evidence and information with them. Sheindlin expects people to come to her courtroom dressed appropriately. This is mainly noted when women come into her courtroom revealing too much skin. She often tells them to put something warmer on, such as a sweater, over such clothing as tank tops.

Judge Judy expects witnesses to keep quiet, and will irascibly snap at them if they try to involve themselves in the case when she doesn't direct them to. Sheindlin expects witnesses to speak while standing up. Sheindlin also expects the use of, "Yes!" and No!, and not the usages, "Mm-hm!", "Mm-mm!", or "Yea!" Sheindlin looks for her litigants to speak up and speak clearly, when talking to her, as well.

Another expectation is that the claims brought before her aren't nonsense claims. For example, one of Sheindlin's biggest pet peeves are former lovers who expect her to go through long lists of minor belongings and property that they want to be compensated for because the other took that property. Oftentimes, there are situations such as a lawsuit between two former lovers, who had a live-in relationship, and now, one of the ex-lovers, is suing for their share of the groceries, their contribution to the gas they both used, etc. Another example are cases about women allowing men to take advantage of them, by allowing men to use their credit card. Another case Sheindlin expects not to come across, are ones about women continually loaning out money to men when they never receive anything back for it, with the expectations of being compensated. Sheindlin often expresses her irritation with such claims.

Petri Hawkins-Byrd

File:JudyJustice.JPG
Judge Judy on the bench, alongside Petri Hawkins

Like all court shows, Judge Judy has two stars. By Sheindlin's side, is Petri Hawkins Byrd (born November, 1957), the show's bailiff. On the show, Sheindlin usually refers to him as, "Byrd", or sometimes "Officer Byrd".

Byrd is a native of Brooklyn, New York. He attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice and received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 1989. While attending college, Byrd worked as a court officer in the Brooklyn Family Court system. In 1986, he was transferred to the Manhattan Family Court system, where he worked on a rotating basis with all the judges, including Judge Judy. "I was never bored in her courtroom," muses Byrd. "Her get-to-the-point style didn't always sit well with the litigants, and there were times she was definitely glad to have me around."

In 1990, Byrd relocated to San Mateo, California, and became a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal. In 1993, Byrd accepted an offer to work as a student counselor at Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, CA.[63] Because of his imitations of her, Byrd was one baliff that had always stuck out to Judge Judy. When he found out she would be getting her own court show, Byrd sent Judge Judy a congratulatory letter, that jokingly read, “If you ever need a bailiff, I still look good in uniform.” To his surprise, Sheindlin accepted. [64]

His main role on Judge Judy is introducing the cases, sending things to Sheindlin that need to be given to her by the litigants, sending things to the litigants that need to be given to them by Sheindlin, and giving the parties permission to leave, followed by escorting them all out once the case is over. Next to this, viewers are always informed of the case number the show is airing, as Byrd reveals the the number to Judge Judy just before each session. However, Hawkins is also helpful in many other ways. For example, whenever Judge Judy needs the Kelley Blue Book, Byrd always gets it for her, and looks up the needed automobile value. Mr. Hawkins also provides Judge Judy information on subjects she doesn't know much about, such as math, the internet, and sports.

Other than the occasional laugh at the outrageousness of some of the litigants, Byrd is very serious. Sheindlin once commented, "Even Byrd can't keep a straight face." Standing at 6'4 and weighing 240 pounds, he's always able to see that litigants obey Judge Judy when she's unable to control them by herself. He's the self-professed "world's richest baliff", but refuses to reveal his salary. [65] Byrd and his family now reside in Elk Grove, CA.

While Judge Judy is hearing cases, Byrd is often looking down at a clipboard. Though made to look like he's going over case files or court-related information, he's actually occupying his time with crossword puzzles. [66] When asked if he would want to come before Judge Judy in court, Byrd answered, "Hell, no." He added, laughing, "And I don't advise any of my friends to do so. Not if they want to maintain their love of the judicial system."[67]

When a news program went behind the scenes of Judge Judy, it was revealed that the show originally wanted an actor to take on the role of Judge Judy's bailiff. However, Judge Judy rejected that suggestion, letting producers know that wasn't going to work. Almost certain the court show wouldn't last more than six months, her producers just decided to give Sheindlin what she wanted and allowed Byrd to be her bailiff. [68]

Trademarks

  • One of Sheindlin's most common habits is eyeing litigants, just over the top of her slightly lowered reading glasses.
  • Sheindlin dislikes her litigants to hesitate before answering a question. This is mainly seen when a litigant says, "Um" or "Uh", to which Sheindlin almost always replies, "Um is not an answer", or "Uh is not an answer."
  • Judge Judy says, "listen to me!" and "I'm speaking", in nearly every episode. ("Pay attention to me!" was formerly said just as frequently by her, but has been used less in recent seasons)
  • Sheindlin often asks older adults whether or not they're employed. If she finds out they're unemployed, she gets on their case about it. As for younger adults, Sheindlin expects them to be employed or at least involved in some type of college education to further themselves. Sheindlin becomes particularly annoyed with people who are on Workman's compensation who shouldn't be and gives these litigants a piece of her mind.
  • Unlike a lot of television judges, Sheindlin never uses a gavel.
  • Unlike most of the television jurists, Judge Judy doesn't always respond kindly to feedback from the audience. Oftentimes, the audience's laughter or making of any sounds throughout the hearing, will irritate Judy enough to order them all to be quiet.
  • Sheindlin occasionally makes references to other TV personalities. For example, she's commented, "You want a therapist? go on Dr. Phil", "This is not Oprah", "Judge Hatchett is a terrific gal--great friend of mine--she likes to help people--I don't." She's also made many references to Jay Leno and the jaywalking segment on The Tonight Show. Sheindlin once even told a litigant that if she continued to do something wrong, that she'd end up in jail right next Paris Hilton, causing her entire courtroom audience to laugh.

DVD & Youtube

The Judge Judy: Justice Served DVD provides no cases from the early seasons and barely any from the middle seasons. Rather, it shows random cases from a variety of recent seasons. Most of the cases are from seasons 8 and 9. The oldest cases on the DVD are 2 from the 6th season, while the rest are much newer. The DVD does not show the cases in the format, in which they appeared on television. Rather, it shows cases with its current theme song and format.

Fans of Judge Judy are now able to view earlier seasons of the court show on Youtube. Recently, a large number of cases from various early seasons of the Judge Judy court show were added to Youtube. The shows are in the format in which they first aired on television. Of the long list of episodes, the first one is entitled Judge Judy 1/P1, followed by Judge Judy 1/P2, Judge Judy 1/P3, and so on. The list goes on through Judge Judy 11/P1, Judge Judy 25/P1, and further.

Criticisms

  • One of Sheindlin's critics is Joseph Wapner, who was the first star of the courtroom shows. He presided over The People's Court, from 1981 to 1993. On November 26th, 2002, Joseph Wapner criticized Judge Judy's courtroom behavior, stating, "She is not portraying a judge as I view a judge should act. Judge Judy is discourteous, and she's abrasive. She's not slightly insulting. She's insulting in capital letters." Judge Judy replied through her publicist, stating, "I refuse to engage in similar mud slinging. I don't know where or by whom Judge Wapner was raised. But my parents taught me when you don't have something nice to say about someone, say nothing. Clearly, Judge Wapner was absent on the day that lesson was taught." Since then, Wapner has stated, "She is a disgrace to the profession. She does things I don't think a judge should do. She tells people to shut up. She's rude. She's arrogant. She demeans people. If she does this on purpose, then that's even worse. Judges need to observe certain standards of conduct. She just doesn't do it and I resent that. The public is apt to gain the impression that this is how actual judges conduct themselves. It says "judge" on the nameplate on the bench and she's wearing a robe." [69]
  • Some of the litigants that have appeared before Judge Judy, have criticized her entire show as being deceptive, claiming the producers tell them what to say before entering, how they'll be awarded the money they've sued for, regardless if they win or lose, and how Sheindlin lies when she yells, "pay her", since no one actually pays anything. They've claimed that Sheindlin and her producers are only interested in ratings. [70] [71]
  • While the cases on Judge Judy are actual small-claims court cases the show is not a court of law, but rather an arbitration, and all parties must sign contracts agreeing to arbitration under Sheindlin. Even this status has been disputed: in Doo Wop Shoppe Ltd. v. Ralph Edwards, syndi-court justice was determined not to be an actual form of arbitration because a third party pays the cost of the judgment. This decision was subsequently overturned.[72]

In practice, rulings on the show have been overturned. The American Bar Association notes that:

B.M. v. D.L., the Family Court of Kings County, New York, overturned part of a Judge Judy decision. The parties had appeared in front of Judge Judy over a dispute involving personal property. However, Judge Judy made a decision involving child custody and visitation. The court overturned the custody and visitation part of her decision on two grounds. First, it was a matter that was not covered by the agreement to arbitrate. Second, as a matter of public policy, an arbitrator could not decide child custody and visitation rights. Considering that Judy had been a judge in New York’s family court, it is particularly ironic that she decided to overstep her arbitral authority on this particular issue.

Broadcasts

Judge Judy is broadcast in many English-speaking countries.

  • In most of the USA, Judge Judy airs minimum twice each weekday. Stations vary by market.
  • In Canada, Judge Judy airs daily on the Global television network; occasionally, the judge even hears cases brought by Canadian litigants.
  • In the UK, ITV2 airs three episodes twice a day during weekdays, with network announcers often affectionately referring to her simply as "the Judge".
  • In Australia, Judge Judy shows every weekday on Network Ten, and is one of the highest rating daytime programs on commercial television. [73]
  • In Sweden "Judys domstol" (Judy's court) airs on Monday-Friday on TV4 Plus.
  • It also airs on TV3 in New Zealand and is popular daytime viewing.

Additionally, the show has been airing in the Middle East on One TV, a satellite channel operating from Dubai, UAE.

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