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{{Short description|American reality court show}}
{{otheruses4|the television series|the individual|Judith Sheindlin}}
{{About|the court show|the eponymous judge of the show|Judy Sheindlin|the Tyler, the Creator song|Judge Judy (song)}}
{{infobox television |
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}}
| show_name = Judge Judy
{{Infobox television
| image = ]
| image = JudgeJudyshow sign.png
| format = Reality court show
| genre = ]
| runtime = 22 minutes approx. (excluding commercials)
| creator = Kaye Switzer<br>Sandi Spreckman
| creator =
| director = Randy Douthit<ref name=directorexecutive>{{cite press release
| starring = ]<br />]
| title = Judge Judy Sheindlin, Host of Daytime's #1 Rated Show "Judge Judy," Signs Multiyear Deal Through 2017
| country = {{USA}}
| url = http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2013/04/08/judge-judy-sheindlin-host-of-daytimes-number-1-rated-show-judge-judy-signs-multiyear-deal-through-2017-421113/20130408cbs02/
| network = ]
| work = The Futon Critic
| slogan = "Real Cases Real People Judge Judy"
| access-date = November 28, 2014
| first_aired = ],]
| date = April 8, 2013
| last_aired = present
}}</ref>
|}}
| presenter = {{Plain list|
'''''Judge Judy''''' is an ] reality-based court show, featuring former ] ], ], ] over ] cases. The series is in first-run ] and distributed by ], originally by ], ] and ]. <ref></ref> It premièred on ], ], and brought back the television courtroom ] after a few years of being off the air. Despite its long string of judicial challengers over the years, Judge Judy has brought in the highest ratings out of all the courtroom dramas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA488910.html|title=www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA488910.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> In addition, it has remained the most watched court show since its ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harmelin.com/images/pdf/hmr/Fall2007Prev.pdf|title=www.harmelin.com/images/pdf/hmr/Fall2007Prev.pdf<!--INSERT TITLE-->|format=PDF}}</ref> As of ], Judith Sheindlin's top-rated courtroom series has been ] ten times for ]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sys-con.com/read/414339.htm|title=www.sys-con.com/read/414339.htm<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> On ], ], during its tenth season, Judge Judy was renewed through the 2009-10 season (the show's fourteenth).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch.aspx?id=judge_judy|title=www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch.aspx?id=judge_judy<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> In ] of ], the renewal of Judge Judy was extended through the 2011-12 season (the show's sixteenth). <ref></ref> Judge Judy's twelfth season ] on Monday, ], ]. The following day, the show's first ] entitled ''Justice Served'' was released.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=759242&sourceType=3|title=www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=759242&sourceType=3<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809908460/info|title=movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809908460/info<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> The program earned Judy a star on the ], which she was awarded in February of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://alumni.american.edu/content.cfm?id=113|title=alumni.american.edu/content.cfm?id=113<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref>
*Judge ]
*Bailiff ]
}}
| narrated = ]<br>]<ref name=latimes/><br>Steve Kamer
| theme_music_composer = Fred Lapides<br>Bill Bodine<br>Non-Stop Music Productions
| opentheme = ] by ] (seasons 9–25)
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 25
| num_episodes = 6,280
| executive_producer = Randy Douthit<ref name=directorexecutive/>
| camera = ]
| runtime = 22 minutes
| company = <!--
-->]<br><!--
-->] (] Primetime Special)
| first_aired = {{Start date|1996|9|16}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2021|7|23}}
| image_size =
| channel = ]
| related = '']'' (Sheindlin as judge)<br>'']'' (Byrd as bailiff, produced by Sheindlin)
}}


'''''Judge Judy''''' is an American ] presided over by former ] Family Court Judge ].<ref>{{cite web |last=Strauss |first=Robert |url=http://articles.philly.com/1996-12-05/entertainment/25641815_1_judge-judy-s-sheindlin-crack-babies-judge-wapner |title=In Her TC Courtroom, 'Judge Judy' Makes Case For Personal Responsibility |publisher=Philadelphia Inquirer |date=May 3, 2011 |access-date=May 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222722/http://articles.philly.com/1996-12-05/entertainment/25641815_1_judge-judy-s-sheindlin-crack-babies-judge-wapner |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The show featured Sheindlin as she adjudicated real-life ] disputes within a simulated courtroom set.<ref name="DinesHumez2011">{{cite book|last1=Dines|first1=Gail|last2=Humez|first2=Jean M.|title=Gender, Race, and Class in Media: A Critical Reader|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kNu3KMA73nwC&pg=PA491|access-date=March 7, 2014|year=2011|publisher=Sage Publications|isbn=9781412974417|page=491|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629090447/http://books.google.com/books?id=kNu3KMA73nwC&pg=PA491|archive-date=June 29, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to the proceedings, all involved parties signed ] contracts agreeing to Sheindlin's ruling. The show aired in ]. As it was during its active years in production, it continues to be distributed by ] in syndication, now in reruns that still draw notably high ratings.<ref name="Judge Judy rerun ratings update">{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/syndication-ratings-even-in-repeats-judge-judy-prevails|title=Syndication Ratings: Even in Repeats, 'Judge Judy' Prevails|access-date=October 13, 2022|work=Broadcasting & Cable|last=Albiniak|first=Paige|date=August 30, 2022|location=United States}}</ref><ref name="Judge Judy post-series production">{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/syndication-ratings-judge-judy-doesnt-even-need-to-be-in-production-to-lead|title=Syndication Ratings: 'Judge Judy' Doesn't Even Need To Be in Production to Lead|access-date=November 7, 2022|work=Broadcasting & Cable|last=Albiniak|first=Paige|date=November 2, 2022|location=United States}}</ref>
== Court show background ==
===Overview===
The show's creation stemmed from ]'s reputation as one of the most outspoken family court judges in the country, becoming the topic of a '']'' article in February of ]. The piece caught the attention of '']'', leading to a segment about Sheindlin on the show, which brought her national recognition. This led to her being approached by television producers, who asked her to preside over her own courtroom drama. The title of her show was originally going to be "Hot Bench." Unhappy with that title, however, Sheindlin convinced her ]s to change it. Though the title of the show is ''Judge Judy'', it's also become a nickname for Judith Sheindlin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/04/28/60II/main551386.shtml|title=www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/04/28/60II/main551386.shtml<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> Judy Sheindlin became the first television judge to have her name as part of the title of her court show. Randy Douthit and Timothy Regler are the show's ]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://university.imdb.com/title/tt0617144/fullcredits|title=university.imdb.com/title/tt0617144/fullcredits<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref>


The series premiered on September 16, 1996, and concluded on July 23, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Why Judy Sheindlin 'wasn't teary' saying goodbye to 'Judge Judy,' what to know about her new show|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/why-judy-sheindlin-wasnt-teary-120042449.html|access-date=2021-06-20|website=Yahoo}}</ref> The court show ended with its 25th season after Sheindlin and CBS renewed their contract for the final time in 2017.<ref name="THR">{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/judge-judy-sells-her-library-back-cbs-massive-deal-1027667/|title=Judge Judy Sells Her Library Back to CBS in Massive Deal|access-date=August 1, 2021|work=]|last=Lacey|first=Rose|date=Aug 8, 2017|location=United States}}</ref> During its run in new episodes, the show did not release airings in the order they were taped. Thus the final filmed case of the series aired on June 8, 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-judge-judy-is-taking-her-gavel-from-broadcast-tv-to-streaming-11622647643|title=Why Judge Judy Is Taking Her Gavel From Broadcast TV to Streaming|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=June 2, 2021|access-date=June 5, 2021|last1=Jurgensen|first1=John}}</ref> While later seasons of the show are currently airing in syndication, the first three seasons are on ]'s "Courtroom" channel and their "Judge Judy" channel.<ref name="cordcuttersnews">{{cite news|url=https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/pluto-tv-adds-three-new-channels-to-its-lineup/|title=Pluto TV Adds Three New Channels to Its Lineup|work=Cordcuttersnews|last=Barnes|first=Jess|date=June 1, 2021|location=United States}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=2022-07-11 |title=Pluto TV Launches Free Streaming Channels For 'Judge Judy', 'Let's Make A Deal'; 'Wheel Of Fortune', 'Jeopardy' To Follow August 1 |url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/pluto-tv-adds-judge-judy-streaming-channel-wheel-of-fortune-jeopardy-1235061482/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
At the beginning of each court proceeding, Sheindlin gives a summary of the case and questions the parties regarding dates, times, locations, and other matters involved in the lawsuit. After summarizing the claim, the response of the defendant, and the counter-claim, if there is one, Sheindlin generally holds a discussion with the plaintiff first. Throughout the whole case, she goes back and forth between interacting with the plaintiff and interacting with the defendant. Instead of having the parties present all of the facts they want Sheindlin to consider, Judy ]s both litigants throughout the whole case and only allows direct answers to her questions. Not always moving ahead to her next question immediately, Sheindlin sometimes expresses her feelings and opinions about the speaker’s answers. This, at times, leads to arguments between her and the litigants. No one is allowed to speak out of turn, including the witnesses of the litigants and the audience members. Sheindlin often seeks evidence, such as police reports, to determine the veracity of the allegations. After feeling she has received all the necessary answers, Sheindlin expresses her views on the case and renders the judgment by awarding damages to the plaintiff or ] the case altogether. The same applies to the defendant if they've filed a counterclaim. Sheindlin occasionally deviates from this format. For instance, instead of holding a discussion with the plaintiff first, she holds a discussion with the defendant first.


] in 2012]]
In the first two ]s, a preview of the upcoming case is shown. When the show returns from the first two commercial breaks, it airs Jerry Bishop's voice-over, ''"Real cases! Real people! Judge Judy!"'', followed by a recap of the current case. After the third commercial break, the voice-over is heard again, providing the show's number and the ] to submit cases. There are usually two cases on each show, but less frequently there will be a single long case, three shorter ones, or even four shorter ones. At the end of a case, the plaintiff and the defendant express their feelings about the case.


''Judge Judy'' had an impact on courtroom programming, reviving the genre as a whole.<ref name="Yahoo">{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/matt-buckler-judge-judy-boss-150200029.html|title=Matt Buckler: 'Judge Judy' was the boss -- and a star|access-date=July 22, 2021|work=]|last=Buckler|first=Matt|date=July 22, 2021|location=United States}}</ref> It was the highest ]-rated court show for the entirety of its 25-year run in original episodes, also frequently ranking as highest-rated television broadcast in daytime television and syndication. Of the court shows with a single series run (without on-and-off production from cancellation turned series revivals/recasting), ''Judge Judy'' had the most seasons. The series also won three ]; earned Sheindlin a '']'' recognition for longest serving television arbitrator; and originated many courtroom programming trends, from use of ] show titles to ] ]s.
===Structure===
Because the ''Judge Judy'' show wants to make sure they have a full ], their audience members are all paid ] and tickets are not offered for the show. ]s working for the show book members of their union to be audience members for the court show (the point of joining these unions is being booked as audience members for any television shows that will provide payment for it).<ref>http://www.myfoxla.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=4939545&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/users/Nezello/profile.php|title=www.tv.com/users/Nezello/profile.php<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> However, arrangements can sometimes be made with Sheindlin's production staff to allow fans of the show into the audience. Once all the cases are through, all of the audience members receive payment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvtix.com/show.php?eventID=70&free-tickets=Judge+Judy|title=www.tvtix.com/show.php?eventID=70&free-tickets=Judge+Judy<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/users/Nezello/profile.php|title=www.tv.com/users/Nezello/profile.php<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> The extras must be dressed ]. Extras are also instructed to appear as if they're having discussions with each other, before and after each case, so the bailiff may make such announcements as "Order! All rise."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldwidescam.info/enivaontrial3.htm|title=www.worldwidescam.info/enivaontrial3.htm<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> As far as the court cases are concerned however, what is seen on Judge Judy is neither staged or scripted. The plaintiffs have actually ]d the defendants and that very case is heard and decided upon by Judith Sheindlin. The court show acquires cases by people submitting claims into them via their ] or ]. Producers of ''Judge Judy'' also research court files from all over the country to find cases that they think are appropriate and entertaining for the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/lpop/tv/realjudges-alpha.html|title=tarlton.law.utexas.edu/lpop/tv/realjudges-alpha.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref>


Two court spin-offs have been generated from ''Judge Judy'': '']'', starring Sheindlin as judge;<ref name="People">{{cite news|url=https://people.com/tv/judge-judy-sheindlin-returns-to-court-judy-justice-fall-premiere-date/|title=Judge Judy Returns to Court This Fall in New Series Judy Justice: 'Court Is Back in Session'|access-date=September 9, 2021|work=]|last=Jackson|first=Dory|date=September 9, 2021|location=United States}}</ref><ref name="HollywoodReporter">{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/judge-judy-sheindlin-streaming-series-judy-justice-1235010390/|title=Judge Judy Sheindlin Reveals Details About Streaming Series 'Judy Justice'|access-date=September 9, 2021|work=]|last=O'Connell|first=Mikey|date=September 9, 2021|location=United States}}</ref> and '']'', featuring ] as bailiff. Like ''Judy Justice'', ''Tribunal Justice'' is created by Sheindlin and streamed on ].<ref name="Sheindlin brings back Byrd">{{cite news|url=https://popculture.com/streaming/news/judge-judy-bailiff-petri-hawkins-byrd-lands-new-job-hot-bench-judges/|title='Judge Judy' Bailiff Petri Hawkins-Byrd Lands New Bailiff Job With Another Pair of TV Judges|access-date=May 12, 2022|work=Popculture News|last=Levine|first=Daniel|date=April 28, 2022|location=United States}}</ref>
The producers' employees 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 ], agreeing that ] in Sheindlin's court is final and cannot be pursued elsewhere (unless she dismisses the lawsuit ]), their case will air on Judge Judy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abanet.org/dispute/essay/syndicourtjustice.pdf|title=www.abanet.org/dispute/essay/syndicourtjustice.pdf<!--INSERT TITLE-->|format=PDF}}</ref> 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 forty percent of the cases are money judgments, while sixty percent are ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0002/18/lkl.00.html|title=transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0002/18/lkl.00.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref>


{{TOC limit|3}}
Both the ] and the ] receive ]100 for their appearance as well as $35 a day, paid to them by the show. The litigant's stay lasts for the number of days that the show does taping for that week, which is two or three days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sptimes.com/News/040101/Northoftampa/Judge_Judy_defuses_sp.shtml|title=www.sptimes.com/News/040101/Northoftampa/Judge_Judy_defuses_sp.shtml<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/users/Nezello/profile.php|title=www.tv.com/users/Nezello/profile.php<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> In addition, the travel and hotel expenses of the litigants and their ]es are covered by the show. If there is an exchange of property, Ms. Sheindlin signs an order and a ] or ] oversees the exchange.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0002/18/lkl.00.html|title=transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0002/18/lkl.00.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> There are no ]s 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6253696.html|title=www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6253696.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> Most of the cases, without any footage deleted to meet the time constraints of the show, usually last anywhere from twelve to forty-five minutes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0005/08/lkl.00.html|title=transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0005/08/lkl.00.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0007/11/lkl.00.html|publisher=CNN.com Transcripts|title="Larry King Live
Judge Judy Discusses How to 'Keep It Simple'"|accessdate=2007-11-12}}</ref>


==Background==
The success of the Judge Judy courtroom series is attributed to teamwork of its crew. The staff realized that it may not be exciting enough for a TV drama to deal with small claims cases of ordinary persons. A show like Oprah Winfrey can feature a guest appearance of celebrities. Courtroom dramas do not have such an option available, but Judge Judy nonetheless took ideas from its competitors and often addresses disputes involving human relationships, for example, a usual topic in popular talk shows.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6253696.html?display=Special+Report|title=www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6253696.html?display=Special+Report<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref>


===Recordings and airings=== ===Origins and development===
After ] was released from '']'' on May 21, 1993, Sheindlin called up the program's producers, ] and ], and offered to do the show in his place. The receptionist who answered the phone responded "Are you crazy, lady?" before directly hanging up on Sheindlin.<ref name="Next6">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/judy-judy-judy-107744|title=Judy Judy Judy |date=September 3, 2005|website=NextTV|access-date=June 25, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007225104/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/157970-Judy_Judy_Judy.php |archive-date=October 7, 2012}}</ref> Earlier that same year in February 1993, a '']'' article on Sheindlin's reputation as one of the toughest family court judges in the country,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-02-14-vw-307-story.html|title=Law and Disorder Tart, tough-talking Judge Judith Sheindlin "presides" the dysfunctional & then unknown to the media "Manhattan's family court" |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=February 14, 1993 |access-date=March 1, 2020|first=Josh |last=Getlin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110908043940/http://articles.latimes.com/1993-02-14/news/vw-307_1_family-court |archive-date=September 8, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="wdrb">{{cite web |url=http://www.wdrb.com/story/19955833/behind-the-scenes-with-judge-judy |title=Behind the Scenes with Judge Judy|date=October 30, 2012 |publisher= WDRB 41 Louisville |access-date=December 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017034423/http://www.wdrb.com/story/19955833/behind-the-scenes-with-judge-judy |archive-date=October 17, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> written by Josh Getlin (inspired by his wife, Heidi, both of whom Sheindlin credits with her stardom<ref name="latimes">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2021-06-08/judge-judy-final-episode-cbs-imdb-tv-amazon|title=The improbable true story of Judge Judy and the reporter who made her a star|access-date=June 9, 2021|work=]|last=Getlin|first=Josh|date=June 8, 2021|location=United States}}</ref>) caught the attention of '']'', which aired a segment on her on October 24, 1993.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4539460n |title=10/24/93: Law and Disorder – 60 Minutes |publisher=CBS News |date=October 24, 1993 |access-date=December 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208094828/http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4539460n |archive-date=February 8, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> The segment brought her national recognition, and days later from its airing, led to Sheindlin receiving an offer from a literary agent to write her first book.<ref name="contactanycelebrity">{{cite news|url=https://contactanycelebrity.com/cac/how-judge-judy-got-famous/|title=How Judge Judy Got Famous|access-date=May 18, 2022|work=Contactanycelebrity|location=United States}}</ref> Sheindlin accepted the offer, writing ''Don't Pee On My Leg and Tell Me It's Raining'', published on February 7, 1996.<ref name="Don't Pee on My Leg">{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6GUlEAAAQBAJ&dq=February+7,+1996+Don%27t+pee+on+my+leg+and+tell+me+its+raining&pg=RA1-PA7|title=Glitter Every Day: 365 Quotes from Women I Love (Page 7)|access-date=June 9, 2021|work=]|last=Cohen|first=Andy|date=November 2, 2021|location=United States|isbn=9781250832405 }}</ref> Its publisher, ], expressed disapproval of her book title, claiming no one would promote it under that kind of name. Sheindlin stood her ground on the use of the title and ended up selling 216,709 copies.<ref name="contactanycelebrity"/>
Three days every other week (two weeks a month), Sheindlin and her producers tape the court show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/04/28/60II/main551386.shtml|title=www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/04/28/60II/main551386.shtml<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> They usually produce ten to twelve cases for each day they tape the show. A week's worth of episodes consists of approximately ten cases. Anywhere from thirty to thirty-six cases are filmed over the three days they tape per week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacmag.com/media/Sacramento-Magazine/February-2004/Personality-Petri-Hawkins-Byrd/|title=www.sacmag.com/media/Sacramento-Magazine/February-2004/Personality-Petri-Hawkins-Byrd/<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> However, Sheindlin and her producers sometimes only tape five cases per day and two days per week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0007/11/lkl.00.html|title=transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0007/11/lkl.00.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA488910.html|title=www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA488910.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> The show has fifty-two taping days a year. For each season, some 650 claims are brought to the set to be presided over by Judge Judy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA488910.html|title=www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA488910.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> This means approximately 7,800 claims have been brought to Judy Sheindlin's ] set, as of the end of its eleventh season (2006-07).


In March 1995, two ] (before that, former ''People's Court'' producers) from a talent agency that was later entitled "Rebel Entertainment", Kaye Switzer and Sandi Spreckman, asked Sheindlin if she would like to preside over her own courtroom series. Sheindlin eventually accepted,<ref name="Patten">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/01/judge-judy-lawsuit-breach-of-contract-cbs-1202266773/|title=Judge Judy & CBS Sued Again Over Profits For Syndication's Biggest Court Show|first=Dominic|last=Patten|date=January 22, 2018|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123050008/https://deadline.com/2018/01/judge-judy-lawsuit-breach-of-contract-cbs-1202266773/|archive-date=January 23, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nydailynews">{{cite news|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/da-judge-judy-sheindlin-new-courtroom-tv-set-cases-real-article-1.744504|title=HERE COMES DA JUDGE JUDY SHEINDLIN'S NEW COURTROOM IS A TV SET, BUT HER CASES ARE REAL|access-date=June 15, 2021|work=]|last=O'haire|first=Patricia|date=September 22, 1996|location=United States}}</ref><ref name="emmytvlegends1">{{cite web |url=http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/judith-sheindlin |title=Judith Sheindlin Interview|publisher= Archive of American Television |access-date=December 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118062543/http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/judith-sheindlin |archive-date=January 18, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the "Rebel" talent agency used a pilot episode to pitch to then-] president Larry Lyttle in 1995.<ref name="Portsmouth Daily Times">{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AMJQAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA21&article_id=3004,4101150|title=Loeb Achieves Favorable Ruling for CBS in Contract Dispute over "Judge Judy" TV Show|access-date=August 21, 2021|work=]|last=Lawlor|first=Julia|date=February 4, 1996|location=United States}}</ref><ref name="loeb">{{cite news|url=https://www.loeb.com/en/newsevents/news/2021/08/loeb-achieves-favorable-ruling-for-cbs|title=Loeb Achieves Favorable Ruling for CBS in Contract Dispute over "Judge Judy" TV Show|access-date=August 21, 2021|work=Loeb|date=August 6, 2021|location=United States}}</ref><ref name="Encyclopedia of Television Law Shows">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g6oJBAAAQBAJ&dq=judge+judy+larry+lyttle&pg=PA140|title=Judge Judy|access-date=August 21, 2021|work=Encycclopedia of Television Law Shows|last=Erickson|first=Hal|date=2009|publisher=McFarland|location=United States|isbn=9780786438280}}</ref> Switzer, Spreckman, along with Rebel Entertainment Owner Richard Lawrence ] CBS and Sheindlin numerous times over allegedly owed profit shares for their part in commencing the program and introducing the two parties.<ref name="Nextb">{{cite news |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/judy-judy-judy-107744 |title=Judge Judy marks 10 years on TV bench |access-date=August 18, 2021 |work=] |last=Benson |first=Jim |date=Sep 2, 2005}}</ref><ref name="Patten"/>
For the most part, cases are taped all throughout the year except for two breaks Sheindlin and all of the members of her show have for the year. One of the two breaks includes an extra week off in December, as the show is only taped one week out of that month because of the ] ]. The other break is from mid-July (only taping one week in July) and all through August. According to members of the show, the reason for this break is because people are more interested in taking vacations than in filing lawsuits around that time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6253696.html?display=Special+Report|title=www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6253696.html?display=Special+Report<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref>


Sheindlin originally desired the show title to be "Hot Bench",<ref name="cbsnews1">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/judge-judy/ |title=Judge Judy |publisher=CBS News |date=February 11, 2009 |access-date=December 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213065159/http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500164_162-551386.h |archive-date=February 13, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/shows/judge-judy |title=Judge Judy &#124; Archive of American Television |publisher=Emmytvlegends.org |access-date=December 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023035153/http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/shows/judge-judy |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the network and various news publications even promoted it as ''Hot Bench'' for some time prior to débuting,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/9512194705/big-ticket-sets-hot-bench |title=Big Ticket sets 'Hot Bench'|publisher=Connection.ebscohost.com |work=Hollywood Reporter |date=December 1995 |access-date=December 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203050016/http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/9512194705/big-ticket-sets-hot-bench |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> but Big Ticket Television ultimately decided on "Judge Judy".<ref name="cbsnews.com">{{cite news |author=Rebecca Leung |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/judge-judy/ |title=Judge Judy, Safer Interviews Judge Judy |publisher=CBS News |date=December 10, 2003 |access-date=July 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091202081317/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/04/28/60II/main551386.shtml |archive-date=December 2, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> The ''Hot Bench'' title was eventually used by Sheindlin, however, for a different court show ] (2014–present), which does not feature Sheindlin herself, but rather a panel of judges she cast for the series.
Altogether, there are 260 new ]s per season of Judge Judy. It's not hard to believe, seeing as how there is at least one new episode for every weekday, with the exception of a few ]es during most of the summer and a couple of holidays.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/02-97/02-02-97/e06li214.htm|title=archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/02-97/02-02-97/e06li214.htm<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> The cases are all pre-recorded for ] purposes and will usually air one to three months after being taped. The cases are mixed up and not shown in order of when they were filmed. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.johnlydon.com/oldnews5.html|title=www.johnlydon.com/oldnews5.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> While the cases taped in March end the seasons, the cases taped throughout April, May, June, and July start out each season in September and last through the beginning of November.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.connpost.com/ci_6941559?source=most_viewed|title=www.connpost.com/ci_6941559?source=most_viewed<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref>


], referred to on the program simply as Byrd or Officer Byrd, was the ] on ''Judge Judy'' for the show's entire 25-season run, making him the longest-serving bailiff in court television history.<ref name="OneWorldInformation">{{cite news|url=https://oneworldinformation.com/petri-hawkins-byrd/|title=Petri Hawkins-Byrd Bio, Age, Family, Wife, Kids, Annulment, Judge Judy, Net worth|access-date=October 4, 2021|work=One World Information|date=February 16, 2021|location=United States}}</ref> Byrd's professional relationship with Sheindlin predates ''Judge Judy'' as he was her bailiff throughout her career in the Manhattan family court system. When Byrd found out about Sheindlin's show, he sent her a congratulatory letter, stating, "If you ever need a bailiff, I still look good in uniform."<ref name="nypost">{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2020/09/12/lucky-letter-landed-judge-judys-bailiff-a-career-in-hollywood/|title=Lucky letter landed Judge Judy's bailiff a career in Hollywood|publisher=New York Post|date=2020-09-12|access-date=2020-10-02}}</ref> She phoned Byrd at his home in California to accept his offer, and he ended up replacing the unaired pilot episode bailiff.<ref name="nypost" /> Sheindlin has stated that the show's producers desired different individuals for the role of bailiff, but she refused.
Throughout the very beginning of each season, two new Judge Judy episodes air per day. After two weeks, it shortens down to one new airing a day, followed by a repeat afterwards. There are also various other moments throughout the year where two new episodes are shown for a few weeks. This includes January, when the show returns from its short winter hiatus. Unlike most ]s, Judge Judy does not air its ] in April or May. Rather, it will air its last few new episodes sporadically over the ] months, with many repeats in between, and its season finale taking place some time in August.


Sheindlin has revealed that from the start, she only envisioned her courtroom program lasting 2 to 3 seasons, rationalizing that most TV ventures fail.<ref name="etonline.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.etonline.com/media/videos/judge-judy-talks-ending-her-famous-courtroom-show-after-quarter-of-a-century-exclusive|title=Judge Judy Talks Ending Her Famous Courtroom Show After 'Quarter of a Century' (Exclusive)|access-date=June 6, 2021|work=]|last=Smith|first=Rachel|date=May 28, 2021|location=United States}}</ref> Sheindlin appeared again on ''60 Minutes'' on April 30, 2003. During the interview, Sheindlin stated:
<blockquote>I have a contract with the company to do the program through the 2006 season. At that point, we will have produced this program for 10 years. Right now, I would be satisfied with a good 10-year run. I think that would really be phenomenal. It would be lovely if we could end on a high note and for me to say "10 years and I still had people watching and I had a second career that was a blast."<ref name="cbsnews1"/></blockquote>

On September 14, 2015, Sheindlin began celebrating her 20th season anniversary presiding on ''Judge Judy''. The program is the first in the court show genre to make it to 20 seasons without cancellation, as well as the first to make it to this extent under one arbitrator. Three years later by September 2018, the '']'' court show entered its 20th season and became the second and only other court show to accomplish this feat. Sheindlin's distinction as television's longest-serving judge or arbitrator won her a place in the '']'' on September 14, 2015.<ref name="etonline">{{cite web |url=http://www.etonline.com/media/video/judge_judy_sets_a_guinness_world_record-171890/ |title=Judge Judy Sets a Guinness World Record! |publisher=etonline |date=September 14, 2015 |access-date=September 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926035657/http://www.etonline.com/media/video/judge_judy_sets_a_guinness_world_record-171890/ |archive-date=September 26, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Judge Judy'' completed its series run at 25 seasons. In honor of the 25th and final season of the program, Josh Getlin published another article on Sheindlin. The ''Los Angeles Times'' article, published on June 8, 2021 (the same day as the airing of the final filmed case), shared background details about the 1993 article that catapulted Sheindlin's television career and his relationship with Sheindlin.<ref name="latimes"/>

===On-air format===
Each episode of ''Judge Judy'' begins with a ] ] of the main case, sensationalizing various moments of the case with brief ] accompanied with dramatic music, voice-over commentary, graphics, etc. This is followed by the show's ] music video. At the beginning of each court proceeding, information regarding who is suing whom and what for is revealed by ] commentary. When Sheindlin made her entrance, the courtroom audience was brought to order and instructed to rise by Byrd. He then informed Sheindlin of the ] on the court calendar in the midst of providing Sheindlin a file of legal statements about the case, and directing audience members to be seated.

Sheindlin typically began each case by summarizing the disputed matters brought before her. This was followed by preliminary questioning of the parties as to dates, times, locations, and other scene-setting facts before addressing the crux of the lawsuit. Governing the discourse throughout the cases, Sheindlin typically allowed only brief portions of each of the testimonies; having read the parties' sworn statements before the taping, she was quick to reply, impose her spiel, and disallow responses that were not concise or which interrupted her.<ref name="Asimow2009">{{cite book|last=Asimow|first=Michael|title=Lawyers in Your Living Room!: Law on Television|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5PtngkJi6PQC&pg=PA300|access-date=March 7, 2014|year=2009|publisher=American Bar Association|isbn=9781604423280|page=300|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629090431/http://books.google.com/books?id=5PtngkJi6PQC&pg=PA300|archive-date=June 29, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Less frequently, Sheindlin allowed one or both of the opposing litigants to recount the entirety of their testimony. During the proceedings, Sheindlin coerced the parties to adhere to her strict management:<ref name="Thought Catalog"/> participants were not allowed to tuck hands in pockets,<ref name="New York Times Judge Judy">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/14/weekinreview/don-t-you-sass-me-mr-micro-smartypants.html|title=Don't You Sass Me, Mr. Micro-Smartypants!|access-date=January 15, 2022|work=]|last=Macgregor|first=Jeff|date=November 14, 1999|location=United States}}</ref> drink water (unless they ask first), fold arms,<ref name="Watchlist">{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=neEREAAAQBAJ&dq=Judge+Judy+uncross+your+arms&pg=PT360|title=Watchlist|access-date=January 15, 2022|work=Catapult|last=Hurt|first=Bryan|date=January 1, 2015|location=United States|isbn=9781936787425 }}</ref> chew gum,<ref name="New York Times Judge Judy"/> appear for court dressed at all revealingly or casually,<ref name="themix">{{cite news|url=https://www.themix.net/2018/05/judge-judy-woman-cleavage/|title=Judge Judy Brings Down The Hammer When A Woman Shows Too Much Cleavage In Court|access-date=August 7, 2021|work=The Mix|last=Perri|first=Erin|date=May 11, 2018|location=United States}}</ref><ref name="LivingMagazine">{{cite news|url=https://www.livingmgz.com/glamour/the-crazy-cases-that-only-judge-judy-can-settle/34.html?br_t=ch|title=The Crazy Cases that Only Judge Judy Can Settle|access-date=August 7, 2021|work=LivingMagazine|location=United States}}</ref> speak out of turn,<ref name="The Sound of Us">{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fGlGmvpfbhsC&dq=judge+judy+no+speaking+out+of+turn&pg=PT74|title=Watchlist|access-date=January 15, 2022|work=Berkley Books, New York|last=Willis|first=Sarah|date=January 1, 2005|location=United States|isbn=9781440625299}}</ref> hesitate in answering questions,<ref name="Moneywise">{{cite news|url=https://moneywise.com/life/entertainment/financial-lessons-from-judge-judy|title=Financial Lessons That You Learn Watching Judge Judy|last=Gotshalk|first=Neve|date=January 21, 2020|location=United States}}</ref> offer statements of ],<ref name="universityofaltonmaddox">{{cite news|url=http://universityofaltonmaddox.com/site/judge-judy-and-the-hearsay-rule/|title="Judge Judy" and the "Hearsay Rule"|date=March 15, 2015|location=United States}}</ref> assert to the knowledge and thoughts of others, and had to maintain ] with Sheindlin while relaying testimony, among other things.<ref name="TheDeseretNews">{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9sERAAAAIBAJ&q=Judge+Judy&pg=PA18|title=In this people's court, only one opinion counts|date=April 1, 1997|location=United States}}</ref> If Sheindlin deemed that children were not needed to testify, she directed Byrd to escort them out of the courtroom at the outset of the proceedings. If children testified, occasionally teens as well, Sheindlin would have them sit on the witness stand next to her, which Byrd typically stood in front of.

Like most modern court shows, cases on ''Judge Judy'' imitated ] cases in which ] (non-]) were heard and ruled on. Typically Sheindlin handled cases among former lovers, disputing neighbors, couples, or family and friend relations.<ref name="google">{{cite book|last1=Dines|first1=Gail|last2=Humez|first2=Jean M.|title=Gender, Race, and Class in Media: A Critical Reader|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kNu3KMA73nwC&pg=PA487|access-date=March 7, 2014|year=2011|publisher=SAGE Publications|isbn=9781412974417|page=487}}</ref> Disputes generally revolved around issues such as broken engagements, unpaid personal ]s, ]es, ] from other litigants or their pets, minor ]s (e.g., ]s, carpet stains, etc.), the fate of jointly purchased ], and rightful ownership of property.<ref name="google"/> As is standard practice in small claims court and most reality court shows alike, ''Judge Judy'' proceedings operated in the form of a ] (as opposed to its more common counterpart, the ]). Moreover, lawyers were not present, and litigants had to represent themselves.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.benchtrial.net/ |title=Bench Trial |publisher=Bench Trial |access-date=December 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910104322/http://www.benchtrial.net/ |archive-date=September 10, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Generally each show presented two cases, but infrequently, an episode would present a single long case, three shorter ones, or even four shorter ones.

After expressing her views of the circumstances and behaviors of the litigants with regards to their testimonies, Sheindlin rendered the judgment either by finding for the plaintiff (typically by stating, "Judgement for the plaintiff in the amount of ''x'' dollars," and a closing exclamation, such as "That's all," "We're done," or "Goodbye!"), or by dismissing the case specifically ] or ]. After she ruled and exited the courtroom, Byrd was heard stating: "Parties are excused. You may step out," after which he escorted the litigants out of the courtroom. Any ]s filed were handled similarly.

At the end of each case, there was typically a ]–breaking segment during which litigants, and sometimes their witnesses, expressed their feelings regarding the case directly to broadcast viewers. Sometimes, however, these segments were omitted, especially after cases involving resentful litigants, too upset over the circumstances to remain in the studio and provide comments.<ref name="google2">{{cite book|last=Asimow|first=Michael|title=Lawyers in Your Living Room!: Law on Television|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5PtngkJi6PQC&pg=PA303|access-date=March 7, 2014|year=2009|publisher=American Bar Association|isbn=9781604423280|page=303|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629090345/http://books.google.com/books?id=5PtngkJi6PQC&pg=PA303|archive-date=June 29, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Inside details and inner workings===
The producers of ''Judge Judy'' hired ] from an audience service who composed the entire studio. Paid audience members were easier to control due to contracts and employment. Producers also looked for a certain demographic of individuals and sat them strategically throughout their audience. Most of these paid extras were aspiring actors.<ref name="wdrb"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/mvx3yb/inside-the-secret-not-so-glamorous-life-of-paid-audience-members-on-tv-shows-818 |title=Inside the Secret, Not-So-Glamorous Lives of Paid Audience Members on TV Shows |date=August 19, 2015 |access-date=January 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113204509/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/mvx3yb/inside-the-secret-not-so-glamorous-life-of-paid-audience-members-on-tv-shows-818 |archive-date=January 13, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Though tickets were not offered for the show, arrangements could sometimes be made with Sheindlin's production staff to allow fans of the show into the audience. The extras could not dress casually, and no logos or brand names could be visible on their clothing. Extras were also instructed to appear as if they were having discussions with each other before and after each case, so Byrd made such announcements as "Order! All rise."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldwidescam.info/enivaontrial3.htm |title=The Case of the Bad Vibe – Day Three |publisher=Worldwidescam.info |access-date=July 22, 2009 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722012023/http://www.worldwidescam.info/enivaontrial3.htm |archive-date=July 22, 2011 }}</ref>

To acquire cases, the show generally used one of the following three options:
* Its 60 to 65 researchers, spread out across the country, entered small claims courts and photocopied numerous cases. These photocopied cases were then sent to ''Judge Judy'' producers, who reviewed them all in search of lawsuits they believed made for good television. According to the show's producers, only 3% of the photocopied cases were worthy enough for television.<ref name="wdrb"/>
* Its telephone number posting/announcement presented on each episode where interested individuals could call in with lawsuits.
* Its website whereby lawsuits could be written out and submitted to the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/lpop/tv/realjudges-alpha.html |title=Reality Courtroom Series |publisher=Tarlton.law.utexas.edu |access-date=July 22, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090717062506/http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/lpop/tv/realjudges-alpha.html |archive-date=July 17, 2009 }}</ref>

After one of these three processes, if the producers were interested, their employees would then call both parties and ask them questions relating to their lawsuit, making sure they were suitable for ''Judge Judy''. If the parties agreed to be on the show and signed an arbitration contract, agreeing that ] in Sheindlin's court was final and couldn't be pursued elsewhere (unless Sheindlin dismissed the lawsuit ]), their case would air on ''Judge Judy''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Syndi-Court Justice: Judge Judy and Exploitation of Arbitration|url=http://www.abanet.org/dispute/essay/syndicourtjustice.pdf|work=American Bar Association|access-date=May 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007134503/http://www.abanet.org/dispute/essay/syndicourtjustice.pdf|archive-date=October 7, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

The award limit on ''Judge Judy'', as on most "syndi-court" shows (and most small claims courts in the U.S.), was $5,000. The award for each judgment was paid by the producers of the show from a fund reserved for the purpose.<ref name="americanbar">{{cite web|url=http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/migrated/dispute/essay/syndicourtjustice.authcheckdam.pdf|date=November 30, 2004|title=Syndi-Court Justice: Judge Judy and Exploitation of Arbitration|access-date=September 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230184245/http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/migrated/dispute/essay/syndicourtjustice.authcheckdam.pdf|archive-date=December 30, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Sheindlin ruled by either A.) issuing a ] of a specific dollar amount (not always in the full amount of what is requested and rarely if ever more than what was requested even if she believed complainants were deserving of more) or B.) by dismissing the lawsuit altogether. When ruled on in these manners, cases couldn't be refiled or retried elsewhere. However, if Sheindlin specifically dismissed the lawsuit "]", that lawsuit could be refiled and retried in another forum. In some instances, Sheindlin deliberately dismissed cases without prejudice to allow complainants to bring their case in an actual court of law, making the defendants financially accountable as opposed to the show. In such cases, Sheindlin had expressed particular aversion to the defendants in question.<ref name="oocities1">{{cite web |url=http://www.oocities.org/entertalkmentsite/judgejudy.html |title=judgejudy |publisher=Oocities.org |access-date=January 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002305/http://www.oocities.org/entertalkmentsite/judgejudy.html |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Further, Sheindlin dismissed cases without prejudice when she suspected both the plaintiff(s) and defendant(s) of conspiring together to gain monetary rewards from the program.<ref name="oocities1"/>

Both the ](s) and the ](s) also received an appearance fee. The appearance fee amount had varied between different litigants of the show: certain litigants had reported receiving a $500 appearance fee while others had reported receiving $100, and others $250.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://troubleshooterjudd.com/judge-judy-a-real-court-2/ |title=Judge Judy, a Real Court? |publisher=troubleshooterjudd.com |access-date=January 12, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525202438/http://troubleshooterjudd.com/judge-judy-a-real-court-2/ |archive-date=May 25, 2015 }}</ref><ref name="sptimes1">{{cite web |url=http://www.sptimes.com/News/040101/Northoftampa/Judge_Judy_defuses_sp.shtml |title=Northoftampa: Judge Judy defuses spat between men |publisher=Sptimes.com |access-date=January 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203084212/http://www.sptimes.com/News/040101/Northoftampa/Judge_Judy_defuses_sp.shtml |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition to the appearance fee amount, reportedly (at least some) litigants were paid $35 a day by the show.<ref name="sptimes1"/> The litigants' stay lasted for the number of days that the show did taping for that week, which was two or three days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/66631/12-admissible-facts-about-judge-judy|title=Taping|date=October 21, 2017|publisher=MentalFloss|access-date=October 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025004344/http://mentalfloss.com/article/66631/12-admissible-facts-about-judge-judy|archive-date=October 25, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, the ] (or other means of travel) and hotel expenses of the litigants and their ]es were covered by the show, and the experience was generally treated as an all-expense-paid vacation outside of the actual court case.<ref name="sptimes1"/> If there was an exchange of property, Sheindlin signed an order, and a ] or ] oversaw the exchange.<ref name="transcripts.cnn.com">{{cite news |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0002/18/lkl.00.html |title=Larry King Live: Judge Judy Lays Down the Law |publisher=CNN.com |date=February 18, 2000 |access-date=July 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918070846/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0002/18/lkl.00.html |archive-date=September 18, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sheindlin saw only a half-page complaint and a defense response before the taping of the cases, sometimes only moments before.<ref name="Next6"/> Most of the cases, not including any footage deleted to meet the time constraints of the show, usually lasted anywhere from twelve to forty-five minutes.<ref name="cnn1">{{cite news |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0005/08/lkl.00.html |title=CNN Transcript – Larry King Live: Judge Mills Lane, Judge Joe Brown and Judge Greg Mathis Lay Down the Law on Daytime TV? – May 8, 2000 |publisher=Transcripts.cnn.com |date=May 8, 2000 |access-date=July 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315084903/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0005/08/lkl.00.html |archive-date=March 15, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0007/11/lkl.00.html|publisher=CNN.com Transcripts|title=Larry King Live Judge Judy Discusses How to 'Keep It Simple'|access-date=November 12, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319070922/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0007/11/lkl.00.html|archive-date=March 19, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Judge Judy'', like most court programs, was inexpensive to produce and thus created considerable income. A budget for a week's worth of ''Judge Judy'' episodes was half the cost of a single network sitcom episode.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RXQNIs12SzQC&q=judge+judy+half+the+cost&pg=PA141 |title=Encyclopedia of Television Law Shows: Factual and Fictional Series About ... |via= Google Books |access-date=December 16, 2012|isbn=978-0786454525|year=2009|last1=Erickson |first1=Hal |publisher=McFarland }}</ref>

===Recordings and airings===
Three days every other week (two weeks a month), Sheindlin and her producers taped the court show.<ref name="cbsnews.com"/> They usually produced ten to twelve cases for each day they taped the show. This made for about a week's worth of episodes, all done within one day. Anywhere from thirty to thirty-six cases were taped over three days during the week. Sheindlin appeared as a guest on '']'' on September 13, 2011. When asked by Kimmel how many days a month she works, Sheindlin replied, "Five days."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/06/judge-judy-makes-865000-each-day-she-works/352149/|title=5 days|date=June 24, 2011|publisher=The Atlantic|access-date=October 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107005438/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/06/judge-judy-makes-865000-each-day-she-works/352149/|archive-date=November 7, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Sheindlin and her producers sometimes taped only five cases per day and two days per week.<ref name="Next">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/behind-scenes-execs-who-make-hits-105348 |title=Behind the Scenes With the Execs Who Make the Hits |magazine=NextTV |date=December 20, 2004 |access-date=June 25, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917130912/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA488910.html |archive-date=September 17, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0007/11/lkl.00.html |title=CNN Transcript – Larry King Live: Judge Judy Discusses How to 'Keep It Simple' – July 11, 2000 |publisher=CNN|date=July 11, 2000 |access-date=July 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428174737/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0007/11/lkl.00.html |archive-date=April 28, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> The show had fifty-two taping days a year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/judge-judy-sheindlin-makes-123000-day-roughly-45m-salary-110m-net-worth-70-year-old-850791 |title=Judge Judy Sheindlin Makes $123,000 A Day, Roughly $45M Salary And $110M Net Worth For 70-Year-Old |date=October 22, 2012 |work=International Business Times|access-date=December 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231013008/http://www.ibtimes.com/judge-judy-sheindlin-makes-123000-day-roughly-45m-salary-110m-net-worth-70-year-old-850791 |archive-date=December 31, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> For each season, some 650 claims were brought to the set to be "presided" over by Judge Judy.<ref name="Next"/> This means approximately 16,250 claims had been brought to Judy Sheindlin's ] set by the show's completion.

For the most part, cases were taped throughout the year except for two breaks Sheindlin and all of the staff members of her show had for the year. One of the two breaks included an extra week off in December, as the show was only taped one week out of that month because of the holidays. The other break was from mid-July (only taping one week in July) and all through August. According to members of the show, the reason for this break was that people were more interested in taking vacations than in filing lawsuits around that time.<ref name="Next6"/> When the seasons premiered in September, only episodes perceived as the best by program staff of the ones taped before Sheindlin's break were selected to start the season. Thus, the first few weeks (the first week in particular) would consist of what the show felt to be its best episodes. In Sheindlin's words, "It's like drinking wine. You don't serve the really good bottle of wine third."<ref name=StarTribune.com>{{cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/taste/274307451.html |title=Her 19th season beginning, Judge Judy offering fans a free book |newspaper=Star Tribune|date=September 8, 2014 |access-date=September 8, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908202534/http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/taste/274307451.html |archive-date=September 8, 2014 }}</ref>

Altogether, there were 260 new episodes each season. There was at least one new episode for every weekday, except a few ] during most of the summer, a couple of holidays, and in the latter seasons of the show, early spring as well (much of March and April).<ref name="archive.southcoasttoday.com">{{cite web |url=http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/02-97/02-02-97/e06li214.htm |title=Judge judy courts tv: 2/2/97 |publisher=South Coast Today |access-date=July 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131213057/http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/02-97/02-02-97/e06li214.htm |archive-date=January 31, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> The cases were all pre-recorded for ] purposes and would usually air one to three months after being taped. The cases were mixed up and not shown in order of when they were recorded.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.johnlydon.com/oldnews5.html |title=Archived news from the OLD John-Lydon.Com site |publisher=Johnlydon.com |access-date=July 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081114224238/http://www.johnlydon.com/oldnews5.html |archive-date=November 14, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> While the cases taped in March (sometimes April) ended the seasons, the cases taped throughout April, May, June, and July started each season in September and lasted through October.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.connpost.com/ci_6941559?source=most_viewed |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016064424/http://www.connpost.com/ci_6941559?source=most_viewed |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 16, 2007 |title=Stratford in-laws to face 'Judge Judy'|publisher=The Connecticut Post|date=March 10, 2006 |access-date=July 22, 2009}}</ref>
Throughout the very beginning of each season, two new ''Judge Judy'' episodes aired per day. After two weeks, this was reduced to one new airing a day, followed by a repeat. There were also various other moments throughout the year where two new episodes were shown for a few weeks. This had sometimes included January when the show returned from its winter hiatus. Two new episodes were also shown daily during the "]" months of November, February, and May. Unlike other television programs, the ''Judge Judy'' ] did not air in April or May; rather, it aired in June, July, August, or sometimes even very early September just before the following season. When the season finale was extended to July, August, or September, most of the summer episodes preceding it were repeats with new episodes that were few and far in between.

Two DVDs, featuring "memorable cases", were released by the show: the first in 2007, "Judge Judy: Justice Served," and the second in 2008, "Judge Judy: Second To None."<ref name="cbspressexpress1">{{cite web |url= https://www.viacomcbspressexpress.com/cbs-television-distribution/releases/view?id=19499 |title= JUDGE JUDY, THE NATIONS #1 COURTROOM SERIES, KICKS OFF 13TH SEASON AS THE ONLY SHOW IN FIRST-RUN SYNDICATION TO BE UP IN RATINGS YEAR-TO-YEAR|publisher=ViacomCBS Press Express|date=September 4, 2008|access-date=June 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203040803/http://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-television-distribution/releases/print?id=19499 |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Location=== ===Location===
] is where "Judge Judy" was taped for its entire series run (though only partially during COVID-19 season 25)]]
The Judge Judy set is directly beside the ] set, in the same studios. Both of the judges work with ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0005/08/lkl.00.html|title=transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0005/08/lkl.00.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> Sheindlin and Judge Joe also alternate between the weeks that they work on their court shows, as Judge Joe Brown is filmed during the two weeks out of the month that Sheindlin is off.
For its entire 25-season run, ''Judge Judy'' taped at the ] on ] in ], ].<ref name="tvtix.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.tvtix.com/show.php?eventID=70&free-tickets=Judge+Judy |title=Judge Judy Free TV tickets |publisher=TV Tix |access-date=July 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015232255/http://tvtix.com/show.php?eventID=70&free-tickets=Judge+Judy |archive-date=October 15, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> In alternating weeks, Sheindlin, who owns a home in New York among other cities/states, flew out on her private jet to tape her show, typically Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.<ref name="cbsnews.com"/>

From 2014 through the conclusion of ''Judge Judy'' in 2021, the show's courtroom set was located directly beside the set of the courtroom series Sheindlin created and produces, ''].'' ''Hot Bench'' remains in production at the Sunset Bronson Studios. Previous to that, the space directly beside Sheindlin's set was used for the courtroom series '']'', only for the 2013–14 television season (that court show's 1st season).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/69678/paternity-court-clearances-hit-92 |title='Paternity Court' Clearances Hit 92% |date=August 13, 2013 |publisher=TV NewsCheck|access-date=August 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203020106/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/69678/paternity-court-clearances-hit-92 |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Prior to that, the space was used for ''Judge Judy''{{'}}s sister show '']'' until ''Judge Joe Brown''{{'}}s 2013 cancellation. Like ''Judge Judy'', ''Judge Joe Brown'' was also produced by ].<ref name="cnn1"/> The two shows alternated taping weeks.

Despite the show being taped primarily in California, it displayed various images of ] during the incoming ]s (audio and visuals shown returning from commercial breaks), including New York subways, parks, monuments, etc. In addition, the words "State of New York" and "Family Court" (Sheindlin was previously a New York family court judge in addition to being a native of New York)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/judge-judy-sheindlin/person/422220/biography.html |title=Judge Judy Sheindlin Biographypublisher=TV.com<! |access-date=July 22, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090409063055/http://www.tv.com/judge-judy-sheindlin/person/422220/biography.html |archive-date=April 9, 2009 }}</ref> scrolled back and forth within the ]-like graphics that appeared during the show's outgoing and incoming commercial bumpers, lasting from season 9 through 25. The set also featured a ] (positioned across from an ]) situated behind Judge Judy Sheindlin's chair.

==Program remodeling and restyling updates==
Over the show's 25-year existence, it saw very few restyling updates from season to season, that is, outside of seasons 1, 2, 9, and 25 (season 25 due to ]).<ref name="broadcastingcable5"/> Outside of initial seasons and the final season, most modifications to the program had been done in minute detail, such as to the show's bookshelf display seen near the courtroom entrance. Aesthetically, the show's ], graphics, and color scheme were the only aspects that had changed repeatedly throughout its lifespan.<ref name="broadcastingcable4">{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/101967-Judgment_Day.php |title=Judgment Day|date=July 5, 2004|website=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=December 16, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203015325/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/101967-Judgment_Day.php |archive-date=December 3, 2013 }}</ref>

===Original format, seasons 1 through 8===
], and specifically its initial episodes, took a strikingly contrasting presentation from the latter seasons of the show. The courtroom set design and stage props vastly differed from what would become commonplace for the court show. The first episodes of season 1 also used music composed by Fred Lapides: a piano-based melody for the ] and ]. This theme music was never to be used again outside of the early stages of season 1 in 1996. The show's season 1 voice-over artist ] was heard narrating this intro theme, stating: "This is Judge Judy. Real people—in real cases—in real conflict. She was a real judge with over 15 years of courtroom experience."<ref name="Judge Judy title sequence video">{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7I28Av2D0Q|title=Judge Judy Intros Logos (1996-2021) Season 1-25 History (*EVEN MORE SUPER UPDATED VERSION*)|access-date=October 22, 2022|work=]|date=April 1, 2022|location=United States}}</ref><ref name="plutotv">{{cite news|url=https://pluto.tv/live-tv/pluto-tv-courtroom|title=pluto courtroom|access-date=June 7, 2021|work=Plutotv|date=June 1, 2021|location=United States}}</ref>

After numerous episodes towards the beginning of season one, the show's theme music was completely revamped to a ] drum-like, ] composed by Bill Bodine. Integrated into the modified theme music, the narration during the title sequence was also updated with Michael Stull announcing, "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 her courtroom. This is Judge Judy." This narration lasted through season 8 of the program, though Jerry Bishop took over the narration by season 2.<ref name="Judge Judy title sequence video"/>

When the show switched to the melody composed by Bill Bodine in season 1, the opening music video was updated to motioning scenes of Sheindlin from the bench, gesticulating as though presiding over cases. These motioning images moved freely until colliding with an image of the ''Judge Judy'' courthouse logo, emphasized by a striking ]-like sound effect. The background scene for this title sequence music video was originally depicted in navy blue for a short portion of season 1 before switching to a sea green that same season through the 4th season.<ref name="Judge Judy title sequence video"/>

In season 4, the entire courtroom set was redesigned while retaining the sea green and saffron graphics and intro.

By seasons 5 through 8, the title sequence commenced with an approaching scene towards a ] ] display up until that scene entered the courthouse. From there, several shots of Sheindlin ] from her bench—as though presiding over various cases—were displayed in motion. These motioning images eventually developed into the courthouse logo that represents the program (the logo is always displayed within the ] "D" in "Judy") by the end of this opening music video.<ref name="Judge Judy title sequence video"/> The graphics were also changed to blue and saffron along with this change.<ref name="Judge Judy title sequence video"/>

In the seventh season, while the theme song remained, the instrumentals were updated. In addition, the font for the short closing credits and litigants font was updated but the long closing credits retained the original font. By the eighth season, the font was completely changed and the returning from commercial break scenes were replaced with New York City scenes.<ref name="Judge Judy title sequence video"/>

Strikingly atypical to most of the show's run, the first few seasons saw litigators and their witnesses readily speaking out of turn, bickering between each other and taking to misbehaviors without Sheindlin exacting the strict measures for which later became a staple of the program.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}

===Season 9===
The ninth season (2004–05) was one of the few seasons in which the show underwent major remodeling when music for the show's opening, closing, and to/from commercial portions were modified. A remixed version of a melody from ] ] was then adopted as the show's title sequence and closing music. This arrangement was composed by Non-Stop Music Productions. During the program's outgoing ]s (short portions of the program that took each episode to a commercial break, in the case of this program, adding previews of the remainder of the case or cases to be featured in the episode) a dramatic ]-like melody sounded in contrast to the Beethoven remix. When the program resumed with its incoming commercial bumper, the Beethoven remix once again played. Additionally, solemn violin-like striking tones sounded directly following Sheindlin's final ] of each episode, lasting from season 9 through the remainder of the show's run.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/ae/articles/0415fifth0415.html?&wired |title=Beethoven's beloved Fifth transcends pop culture |publisher=AZ Central |date=April 15, 2007 |access-date=March 13, 2014 |archive-date=January 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119191000/https://help.azcentral.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The graphics also began showing up in ].

The intro was also changed for the ninth season as well. For its scenes, the ] statue is shown followed by a split screen of Sheindlin and the ] (over a blue background) followed by Sheindlin approaching the camera folding her arms and smiling. This is followed by shots of her presiding over different cases (which are shown in the scales of the Lady Justice statue in cubes).

For much of the series outside of the initial episodes, the opening music video consisted of voice-over artist Jerry Bishop stating: "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''."<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YX_daEhlnbsC&q=you+are+about+to+enter+the+courtroom |title=Terrace_6477-7 – Vincent Terrace |isbn=9780786486410 |access-date=January 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103131250/http://books.google.com/books?id=YX_daEhlnbsC&dq=you+are+about+to+enter+the+courtroom+of+judge+judith&q=you+are+about+to+enter+the+courtroom |archive-date=January 3, 2014 |url-status=live |last1=Terrace |first1=Vincent |date=January 10, 2014 |publisher=McFarland }}</ref> Originally between the statements "The rulings are final" and "This is Judge Judy" was the statement, "This is her courtroom."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://yankeepotroast.org/underrated/2010/03/judge-judy.html |title=Judge Judy – Underrated |publisher=Yankeepotroast.org |date=March 4, 2010 |access-date=January 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019055152/http://yankeepotroast.org/underrated/2010/03/judge-judy.html |archive-date=October 19, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> This line was dropped in 2004 when season 9 began.

===Seasons 10 through 23===
Beginning in September 2012, the show made a switch to high definition with its 17th season. The bumpers between commercials are also in HD, although most on-screen graphics such as plaintiff and defendant descriptions are framed to fit a ].<ref name="Next3">{{cite web|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/sunset-bronson-studios-deploys-new-sony-hd-cameras-49368|title=Sunset Bronson Studios Deploys New Sony HD Cameras|date=July 2, 2012|publisher=NextTV |access-date=June 25, 2020|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712040308/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/486630-Sunset_Bronson_Studios_Deploys_New_Sony_HD_Cameras.php |archive-date=July 12, 2012 }}</ref>

Late into the show's 23rd season, Sheindlin drastically altered her hairstyle by abandoning the ] hairdo that she had sported since the show's beginnings; she replaced that with a new style created from her hair pulled back and bounded by a clip-on ] at the back of her head. Her new hairstyle sparked widespread attention, and considerable negative reviews from viewers (media spectators alike) to the point that the show's Facebook moderator admonished posters that negative commentary about the clip-on bun would be deleted.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/20/magazine/judge-judy-tv.html |title=Judge Judy Is Still Judging You |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 20, 2019 |access-date=June 28, 2019}}</ref>

Her bailiff, Petri Hawkins-Byrd, admitted to a preference for the original hairdo. Asked about the change in hairstyle, Sheindlin described the former as "a lot of goop and teasing and product and fussing around by somebody else. This is so much easier. And as each hour in every day we have becomes more precious, the less you want to spend time patshkeing over the way you look."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://outsider.com/news/entertainment/judge-judy-changed-her-iconic-hairstyle-heres-why-tv-icon-wanted-switch-up/ |title='Judge Judy' Changed Her Iconic Hairstyle: Here's Why the TV Icon Says She Wanted to Switch It Up |newspaper=The Outsider |date=May 14, 2021 |access-date=June 17, 2021}}</ref>

===COVID-19, seasons 24 and 25===
In March 2020, the ] caused the 24th season production of ''Judge Judy'' to end prematurely at only 199 episodes, 61 episodes fewer than the show's typical season number of 260.

When ''Judge Judy'' returned for season 25, its final season, a multitude of COVID-19 precautionary measures were in place, vastly distinguishing this season of the show from previous seasons. Sheindlin presided remotely from New York;<ref name="Entertainment Weekly">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/judge-judy-bailiff-petri-hawkins-byrd-judy-justice/|title=Judge Judy bailiff on surprise absence: 'She didn't ask me' to be on the new show|access-date=October 9, 2021|magazine=]|last=Rice|first=Lynette|date=October 8, 2021|location=United States}}</ref> producers built a partial makeshift set there for her, with a different set design behind her and a larger, darker executive chair. Byrd and the litigants (and witnesses, if any) participated from the Los Angeles studio, now devoid of audience members. Sheindlin interacted with the litigants through a live Internet link. Because Byrd could not physically convey evidence between her and the litigants, evidence was scanned with a ] at the litigant lecterns, allowing Sheindlin to view it remotely.<ref name="The Wall Street Journal">{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-judge-judy-is-taking-her-gavel-from-broadcast-tv-to-streaming-11622647643|title=Why Judge Judy Is Taking Her Gavel From Broadcast TV to Streaming|access-date=June 5, 2021|work=]|last=Jurgensen|first=John|date=June 2, 2021|location=United States}}</ref><ref name="ABC News">{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/petri-hawkins-byrd-deliberates-life-judge-judy-74483367|title=Petri Hawkins Byrd deliberates on life after 'Judge Judy'|access-date=June 5, 2021|work=]|last=Hamilton|first=Gary|date=December 1, 2020|location=United States}}</ref> In addition, litigant afterthoughts following the case were shared at the podiums, instead of in the hallway set used pre-COVID.

Steve Kamer took over as voice-over announcer for the 25th season after Jerry Bishop's death on April 21, 2020.

==Episodes==
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="1" rowspan="2" |Season
! rowspan="2" |Episodes
! colspan="2" |Originally aired
|-
!First aired
!Last aired
|-
!]
|220
|September 16, 1996
|September 5, 1997
|-
!2
|205
|September 8, 1997
|July 6, 1998
|-
!3
|260
|September 14, 1998
|September 10, 1999
|-
!4
|233
|September 13, 1999
|August 25, 2000
|-
!5
|261
|September 11, 2000
|August 17, 2001
|-
! colspan="1" |6
|260
| colspan="1" |September 10, 2001
|August 23, 2002
|-
! colspan="1" |7
|260
| colspan="1" |September 9, 2002
|August 21, 2003
|-
! colspan="1" |8
|261
| colspan="1" |September 8, 2003
|August 19, 2004
|-
! colspan="1" |9
|260
| colspan="1" |September 13, 2004
|August 18, 2005
|-
! colspan="1" |10
|260
| colspan="1" |September 12, 2005
|August 24, 2006
|-
! colspan="1" |11
|261
| colspan="1" |September 11, 2006
|July 13, 2007
|-
! colspan="1" |12
|260
| colspan="1" |September 10, 2007
|July 4, 2008
|-
! colspan="1" |13
|260
| colspan="1" |September 8, 2008
|July 10, 2009
|-
! colspan="1" |14
|260
| colspan="1" |September 14, 2009
|June 17, 2010
|-
! colspan="1" |15
|260
| colspan="1" |September 13, 2010
|June 17, 2011
|-
! colspan="1" |16
|260
| colspan="1" |September 12, 2011
|June 15, 2012
|-
! colspan="1" |17
|260
| colspan="1" |September 10, 2012
|June 28, 2013
|-
! colspan="1" |18
|260
| colspan="1" |September 9, 2013
|July 4, 2014
|-
! colspan="1" |19
|260
| colspan="1" |September 8, 2014
|September 11, 2015
|-
! colspan="1" |20
|260
| colspan="1" |September 14, 2015
|September 9, 2016
|-
! colspan="1" |21
|260
| colspan="1" |September 12, 2016
|September 8, 2017
|-
! colspan="1" |22
|260
| colspan="1" |September 11, 2017
|September 7, 2018
|-
! colspan="1" |23
|260
| colspan="1" |September 10, 2018
|September 6, 2019
|-
! colspan="1" |24
|199
| colspan="1" |September 9, 2019
|June 9, 2020
|-
! colspan="1" |25
|200
| colspan="1" |September 14, 2020
|July 23, 2021
|}

===Series pilot and finale, final taped case===
On May 21, 2021, Sheindlin was asked by '']'' what she recalled of her unaired ''Judge Judy'' pilot episode, used to sell the series to Big Ticket Television. Sheindlin responded by expressing great disfavor of the pilot episode, indicating that ''Judge Judy'' producers only set up fictionalized cases and steered her to dramatized reactions and behaviors. This ultimately ended up in Sheindlin's production team sending only bits and pieces of the pilot to CBS for approval of the show's broadcast. During the interview, Sheindlin recounted:

<blockquote>I remember that somebody then was trying to fit me into a sort of ] (mold). They had seen the ''60 minutes'' , and they thought the approach that they saw in ''60 minutes'' could be almost a caricature, and I'm not a caricature of that person, I am that person. So the cases that they brought to me to do the pilot were not genuine, and I couldn't react to things that weren't genuine. Because when I'm trying to figure out the truth of a case, and there really is no truth, I can't work. So they took little snippets of the pilot and created a sizzle reel, along with ''60 Minutes'' tape and sold that."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2021/05/21/judge-judy-judy-sheindlin-ends-tv-show-salary-amazon-imdb/5146783001/ |title=Why Judy Sheindlin 'wasn't teary' saying goodbye to 'Judge Judy,' what to know about her new show|publisher=Usatoday|date=May 21, 2012|access-date=June 6, 2021}}</ref></blockquote>

Sheindlin taped the final case of the series on April 15, 2021. The case, described by media spectators as mundane, saw a ] suing his customer over unpaid work.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/improbable-true-story-judge-judy-120011400.html |title=The improbable true story of Judge Judy and the reporter who made her a star|publisher=Yahoo|date=June 8, 2021|access-date=June 16, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://jezebel.com/goodbye-to-judge-judy-who-said-goodbye-without-saying-1847062338 |title=Goodbye to Judge Judy, Who Said Goodbye Without Saying Goodbye|publisher=Jezebel|date=June 9, 2021|access-date=June 16, 2021}}</ref> In this final taped case of the series, Sheindlin also made no farewell remarks nor gave any attention to it being the series' close. While this final filmed case (episode 179 of season 25, "Judge Judy Makes a Call!/Mother vs. Son"<ref name="IMDb">{{cite news|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14797938/|title=Judge Judy Judge Judy Makes a Call!/Mother vs. Son|access-date=September 20, 2021|work=IMDb|location=United States}}</ref>) aired on June 8, 2021, cases taped before that point continued to air for the first time through the series finale episode,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2021/05/21/judge-judy-judy-sheindlin-ends-tv-show-salary-amazon-imdb/5146783001/|title=Why Judy Sheindlin 'wasn't teary' saying goodbye to 'Judge Judy,' what to know about her new show|website=]|date=May 21, 2021|access-date=June 14, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://jezebel.com/goodbye-to-judge-judy-who-said-goodbye-without-saying-1847062338|title=Goodbye to Judge Judy, Who Said Goodbye Without Saying Goodbye|date=June 9, 2021|access-date=June 15, 2021}}</ref> which aired on July 23, 2021 (episode 200 of season 25, "Architecture Barter Gone Bad").<ref name="betaseries">{{cite news|url=https://www.betaseries.com/en/episode/judge-judy/s25e200|title=Judge Judy Architecture Barter Gone Bad!|access-date=September 20, 2021|work=Betaseries|location=United States}}</ref> Worthy to note, only one detail made Sheindlin's final filmed case of the series on June 8 stand out among other episodes since it was not featured in the series finale episode: that is a glittery, bee-shaped clip that Sheindlin wore in her hair. Sheindlin explained that this was a wink to her '' Judge Judy'' fans and a nod to her Queen Bee production company at the end of a 25-year reign over daytime television.

Sheindlin addressed that never once throughout 25 years of filming her courtroom series did her appeal for the job wane. "I was as enthusiastic and rigorous in the last case that I taped as I was at the beginning," Sheindlin pointed out. On her final day of taping, Sheindlin was not in low spirits. Rather, she was reflective on her tenure on the show as "a job well done", with excitement about her new spin-off series, ''Judy Justice''. Of her thoughts on ending the program, Sheindlin added:

<blockquote>I think that one of the reasons why I wasn't teary is because I wasn't going into a vast unknown. I wasn't going to do a ]. I was gonna be doing exactly what I was doing, exactly what I do, but in a different format.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-judge-judy-is-taking-her-gavel-from-broadcast-tv-to-streaming-11622647643 |title=Why Judge Judy Is Taking Her Gavel From Broadcast TV to Streaming|publisher=Thewallstreetjournal|date=June 2, 2021|access-date=June 6, 2021}}</ref></blockquote>

===''Judge Judy Primetime''===
On May 20, 2014, ] aired a one-hour special called ''Judge Judy Primetime'' which aired at 8&nbsp;p.m. ET/PT. The special was a combination of reshown clips from the 1993 ''60 Minutes Special'' on Sheindlin, as well as a few never before seen cases. The special marked ''Judge Judy''{{'}}s first airing in ], a landmark for court shows which are typically limited to daytime or late night hours.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/judge-judy-gets-primetime-special-700239 |title=Judge Judy Gets Primetime Special on CBS |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=April 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609152359/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/judge-judy-gets-primetime-special-700239 |archive-date=June 9, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Greg Braxton |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-judge-judy-cbs-prime-time-special-20140430-story.html#axzz30PgqsN3F |title=Judge Judy goes to night court in new CBS prime-time special |work=Los Angeles Times |date=April 30, 2014 |access-date=April 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140501175453/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-judge-judy-cbs-prime-time-special-20140430,0,6322917.story#axzz30PgqsN3F |archive-date=May 1, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> It brought in 5.66&nbsp;million viewers, enough to make it the night's top-rated show on CBS. In addition, the special came in just behind '']'', which brought in 6.61&nbsp;million viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/tuesday-ratings-the-voice-dwts-judge-judy-primetime-idol-supernatural-32623/|title=Ratings: The Voice, DWTS, Judge Judy Primetime, Idol, Supernatural|date=May 21, 2014|work=tvseriesfinale.com}}</ref>

===Contrived case===
At least one case in the series was allegedly contrived by the litigants just to receive monetary payment from the program.

In April 2013, former litigants from a 2010 airing of the show revealed they ] together in fabricating a lawsuit in which the logical outcome would be to grant payment to the plaintiff. The operation, devised by musicians Kate Levitt and Jonathan Coward, was successful: Sheindlin awarded the plaintiff (Levitt) $1,000. The litigants involved also walked away with an appearance fee of $250 each and an all-expense-paid vacation to Hollywood, California. In reality, all the litigants in question—plaintiffs and defendants alike—were friends who split the earnings up among each other. It was also reported that the show's producers were suspicious of the scam all along, but chose to look the other way. The lawsuit was over the fictitious death of a cat as a result of a television crushing it.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/these-guys-made-up-a-fake-case-to-get-on-judge-judy|title=These Guys Made Up a Fake Case to Get on 'Judge Judy'|date=April 24, 2014|magazine=]|access-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925190535/http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/these-guys-made-up-a-fake-case-to-get-on-judge-judy|archive-date=September 25, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

==''Judge Judy'' in external media==

=== ''Curb Your Enthusiasm'' ===
Sheindlin and her program appeared on the November 26, 2017, broadcast of '']'', presiding over a ] court case with ] as the plaintiff who unsuccessfully sued the previous owner of his house over custody of a sick ficus plant she left behind when she moved out, but later stole back. The pseudo-Judge Judy case assumed the appearance of an actual case from Sheindlin's program, taking place from the show's courtroom set with trademarked voice-over briefs, theme music, and audience response.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/judge-judy-makes-hilarious-guest-appearance-on-curb-your-enthusiasm |title=Judge Judy makes hilarious guest appearance on 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' |publisher=Fox News|date=November 27, 2017 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130024921/http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/11/27/judge-judy-makes-hilarious-guest-appearance-on-curb-your-enthusiasm.html |archive-date=November 30, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== ''CHiPs '99'' ===
Sheindlin appeared as herself, presiding judge on her ''Judge Judy'' courtroom program in the 1998 American made-for-television crime drama film, '']''. Leading up to her ], Officer Francis (Frank) Llewelyn Poncherello "Ponch" (played by ]) twists the arm of Captain Jonathan Baker (played by ]) into appearing on her television courtroom program. Uneasy about the idea of humiliating himself on national television, Baker acquiesces and ends up suing Nyeman (played by Googy Gress). The case saw Baker accusing Nyeman of failure to practice proper dog-walking etiquette, Nyeman was accused of allowing his dog to poop on his private property resulting in financial damage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.themoviescene.co.uk/reviews/chips-99/chips-99.html |title=CHiPs '99 (1998)|publisher=Themoviescene|access-date=June 6, 2021}}</ref>

==''Judge Judy'' show cast==
===Judge Judy===
{{Main|Judy Sheindlin}}

]]]
Judge Judy Sheindlin was born on October 21, 1942, in ], to ] parents Murray and Ethel Blum.

Sheindlin had gained a reputation for although sporting a "grannyish" ], having a deceivingly tough judicial approach, both in the Manhattan family court and her simulated televised courtroom.<ref name="nymag">{{cite news|url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/columns/image/3382/|title=Punchin' Judy|access-date=June 9, 2021|work=]|last=Lippert|first=Barbara|date=June 15, 1998|location=United States}}</ref> Sheindlin also became widely known for her ] fact-finding process that limited litigants to concise and relevant statements,<ref name="nymag"/> ] for litigants to move things along quickly, and forthright interjections that cut through the parties' attempts at arguments and excuse-making with her.<ref name="nymag"/> In line with these attributes, her program had been touted as "a show where justice is dispensed at the speed of light."

Strict in her management of the proceedings,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kNu3KMA73nwC&q=Judge+Judy+strict&pg=PA491 |title=Gender, Race, and Class in Media: A Critical Reader
|via=Google Books |isbn=9781412974417 |access-date=December 16, 2012|last1=Dines |first1=Gail |last2=Humez |first2=Jean M. |year=2011 }}</ref> Sheindlin coerced precise compliance with her many courtroom rules and expectations.<ref name="Thought Catalog"/> To that end, Sheindlin was especially sudden with scolding and punishing what she perceived as insolence, disobedience, misbehavior or even annoyance.

As a result of her crusty disposition,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aoltv.com/2011/05/31/judge-judy-rules-in-case-of-stolen-jewelry-video/ |title=Judge Judy Rules in Case of Stolen Jewelry (VIDEO) |publisher=HuffPost TV |date=May 31, 2011 |access-date=December 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130118013257/http://www.aoltv.com/2011/05/31/judge-judy-rules-in-case-of-stolen-jewelry-video/ |archive-date=January 18, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> volatile temper,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RXQNIs12SzQC&q=judge+judy+volcanic+outbursts&pg=PA140 |title=Encyclopedia of Television Law Shows: Factual and Fictional Series About ...|via= Google Books |date=September 16, 1996 |access-date=December 16, 2012|isbn=0786454520|last1=Erickson |first1=Hal |publisher=McFarland }}</ref> and cheeky treatment,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VtqITT0PaxkC&q=judge+judy+sassy&pg=PA69 |title=The New Why Teams Don't Work: What Went Wrong and How to Make It Right |via= Google Books |date= September 1, 2000|access-date=December 16, 2012|isbn=1609943694|last1=Robbins |first1=Harvey |last2=Finley |first2=Michael |publisher=Berrett-Koehler Publishers }}</ref> ]s such as "Justice with an Attitude" had been used to characterize the program.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allsands.com/potluck2/potluck2/judgejudyjusti_uam_gn.htm |title=Judge Judy-Justice With An Attitude |publisher=All Sands |access-date=January 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203030051/http://www.allsands.com/potluck2/potluck2/judgejudyjusti_uam_gn.htm |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Sheindlin became known for her regular catchphrases on the program, which became known as "Judyisms".<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111091015/http://www.theinsideronline.com/tags/judge-judy.html|date=November 11, 2007}}</ref> Some she most commonly used are:
* "The answer is either 'yes' or 'no'".<ref name="Thought Catalog">{{cite news|url=https://patch.com/minnesota/stmichael/st-michael-ex-couple-appear-on-judge-judy|title=St. Michael Couple, Now Split, Takes Troubles to 'Judge Judy'|work=Thought Catalog|last=Helal|first=Liala|date=August 23, 2011|location=United States}}</ref>
* "'Um/Uh is not an answer," or "Uh-huh/uh-uh is not an answer," or "Yep/nope is not an answer".<ref name="Patch.com">{{cite news|url=https://thoughtcatalog.com/cary-odell/2011/08/judge-judy-has-lost-her-mind/|title=Has Judge Judy Lost Her Mind?|access-date=October 18, 2021|work=]|last=O'Dell|first=Cary|date=December 6, 2012|location=United States}}</ref>
* "Shoulda', woulda', coulda'".<ref name="Thought Catalog"/>
* "I don't give a rat's what you disagree with, sir!"<ref name="Sacramento Magazine">{{cite news|url=https://www.sacmag.com/ow/petri-hawkins-byrd/|title=Petri Hawkins Byrd|access-date=October 17, 2021|work=]|last=Dunteman|first=Dayna|date=November 7, 2006|location=United States|archive-date=October 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017064211/https://www.sacmag.com/ow/petri-hawkins-byrd/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* "That's baloney!"<ref name="WSJ">{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-judge-judy-is-taking-her-gavel-from-broadcast-tv-to-streaming-11622647643|title=Why Judge Judy Is Taking Her Gavel From Broadcast TV to Streaming|work=]|last=Jurgensen|first=John|date=June 2, 2021|location=United States}}</ref>
* "Clearly, you are not wrapped too tight."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0605/13/lkl.01.html |title=Larry King Live Interview With Judge Judy|publisher=CNNN |date=May 13, 2006 |access-date=March 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404055626/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0605/13/lkl.01.html |archive-date=April 4, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* "That's a whole lot of ']'".<ref>{{cite news |author=Clay Thompson |url=https://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/20110811clay0811-who-shot-john.html |title=Who shot John? Nobody seems to know for certain |newspaper=AZ Central |date=August 11, 2011 |access-date=May 18, 2013 |archive-date=January 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119191059/https://help.azcentral.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* "If you tell the truth, you don't have to have a good memory."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crawford |first=Percy Lovell |date=2023-03-24 |title=All Rise: Petri Hawkins Byrd Recalls His Time As Bailiff Byrd On 'Judge Judy' |url=https://www.zenger.news/2023/03/24/all-rise-petri-hawkins-byrd-recalls-his-time-as-bailiff-byrd-on-judge-judy/ |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=Zenger News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=America |first=Good Morning |title=Judge Judy shares life advice from over 50 years on the bench |url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/judge-judy-shares-life-advice-50-years-bench-91729419 |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=Good Morning America |language=en}}</ref>

Sheindlin used the position of television arbitrator to impart guidance, direction, and life lessons not only to her litigants but her television viewing public at large. An example of guidance often stressed by Sheindlin was to be independent through employment, especially to not live off the government ] or other people directly where oppression from or friction with the provider may eventuate. In the former, Sheindlin could often be quoted as stating, "No, you aren't supporting yourself. Byrd and I are supporting you."<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4_W19oHGzZQC&q=Judge+Judy++marriage+traditional&pg=PA233|title=Reality TV: Remaking Television Culture |via= Google Books |isbn=9780814764275 |access-date=January 12, 2013 |last1=Murray |first1=Susan |last2=Ouellette |first2=Laurie |date=April 2004 |publisher=NYU Press }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5PtngkJi6PQC&q=uses+her+position+television+lessons&pg=PA304 |title=Lawyers in Your Living Room!: Law on Television |via= Google Books |date=September 30, 2009 |isbn=9781604423280 |access-date=January 12, 2013 |last1=Asimow |first1=Michael |publisher=American Bar Association }}</ref> Sheindlin had stated that the main message she wanted viewers to take away from her program is that people must take responsibility for their actions and do the right thing.<ref name="archive.southcoasttoday.com"/><ref>Judge Judy Sheindlin – Keep It Simple, Stupid – Harper Collins (2000), pg. 87.</ref>

===Bailiff Byrd===
{{Main|Petri Hawkins-Byrd}}
Petri Adonis Byrd was born on November 29, 1957, in the ] neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Byrd had his middle name legally changed to "Hawkins" when he joined the ''Judge Judy'' program as a salute to his late mother, whose maiden name was also Hawkins.<ref name="Sacramento Magazine"/> In the program, Sheindlin referred to him simply as "Byrd," or less frequently "Officer Byrd."<ref name="Sacramento Magazine"/>

Byrd took on the role of Sheindlin's courtroom bailiff.<ref name="Counton2News">{{cite news|url=https://www.counton2.com/news/national-news/amy-schumer-sits-in-for-judge-judy/|title=Amy Schumer sits in for 'Judge Judy'|access-date=October 17, 2021|work=CountOn2|last=Cabbagestalk|first=Shawn|date=May 11, 2017|location=United States}}</ref> His main duties in the program consisted of introducing the cases by calling the parties forward and swearing them in, delivering evidence back and forth, and excusing the parties once the case was complete.<ref name="Hamilton"/> Full of ]s, Byrd point-blankly disagreed with and corrected Sheindlin in moments when she bounced questions off him for his agreement. He was also noted for his preoccupation with ]s during the proceedings.<ref name="Hamilton">{{Cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Gary Gerard |date=December 1, 2020 |title=Petri Hawkins Byrd deliberates on life after 'Judge Judy' |work=] |url=https://apnews.com/article/judith-sheindlin-coronavirus-pandemic-courts-2d51bce24dc2f644353368a8aa333605 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201181533/https://apnews.com/article/judith-sheindlin-coronavirus-pandemic-courts-2d51bce24dc2f644353368a8aa333605/ |archive-date=December 1, 2020}}</ref> In addition, Byrd routinely delivered evidence to Sheindlin while having his head and eye contact directed away from her.<ref name="Award Ceremony Snub of Bailiff Byrd">{{cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/petri-hawkins-byrd-judge-judy-snubbed-emmys-2021-11|title='Judge Judy' bailiff Petri Hawkins Byrd said he wasn't asked to present the judge with her Lifetime Achievement Award: 'When you talk about slight, that gives you an idea'|access-date=November 9, 2021|work=]|last=Einbinder|first=Nicole|date=November 5, 2021|location=United States}}</ref> A staple of the program, Sheindlin relied on Byrd's ] and ] knowledge base, with Byrd frequently having to interject in areas to which she struggled: ], ], ], current ]s and vernacular, etc.<ref name="Hamilton"/>

Sheindlin often comically incorporated Byrd amid her critiques and reprimands of litigants, such as by sharing with the parties Byrd's disapproving thoughts of them or expanding upon case details, specifically for the benefit of Byrd's understanding, without any actual communication at all from Byrd about said litigants or details. Sheindlin has stated "We're like two old married people who have reached an accord. I can rely on to be my protector. We don't have to exchange words—he knows what I'm thinking. People who watch us sense we have a history, and that is very important."<ref name="latimes1">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2012-apr-15-la-ca-judge-judy-20120415-story.html|title='Byrd' and 'Judge Judy': It's a bond that's secure|access-date=October 3, 2021|work=]|last=Braxton|first=Greg|date=April 15, 2012|location=United States}}</ref> Byrd described Sheindlin as "Blunt, witty, and sharp as a tack." However, when asked if he'd like to appear as a litigant before her, he answered candidly (laughing), "Hell no. And I don't advise any of my friends to do so. Not if they want to maintain their love of the judicial system."<ref name="The Spokesman-Review">{{cite news|url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2006/feb/17/playing-judge-and-judy/|title=Playing judge and Judy|access-date=October 17, 2021|agency=]|last=Elber|first=Lynn|date=February 17, 2006|location=United States}}</ref>

Byrd has been described by the '']'' as "the ] to the ]."<ref name="Hamilton"/>

==Salary, raise non-negotiation, and contract renewals==
By 1999, Sheindlin began earning salaries reflective of her court show's success. For every roughly three years from that point forward, Sheindlin handed over her salary wishes to CBS management representatives in a sealed envelope during contract renewals. She communicated her wishes as nonnegotiable, that otherwise she would take her talents elsewhere and produce the program herself.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/a31193785/judy-sheindlin-net-worth/ |title=What Is Judy Sheindlin's Net Worth? Here's How the 'Judge Judy' Star Made Her Fortune |access-date=June 15, 2021|last=Keegan |first=Kayla |year=2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/judge-judy-apos-court-testimony-163806283.html |title=Judge Judy's Court Testimony Is Basically an Episode of "Judge Judy" |access-date=June 16, 2021|last=Dibdin |first=Emma |year=2017 }}</ref>

In early 2000 during the show's 4th season, Sheindlin's annual salary from ''Judge Judy'' was reported as $7.8 million.<ref name="Reader's Digest Association">{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E9InAQAAIAAJ&q=Judge+Judy+salary|title=Order in the court?|access-date=August 5, 2021|work=]|last=Rice|first=Luanne|date=Jan 1, 2000|location=United States}}</ref> In January 2003 during the 7th season, Sheindlin's annual salary was increased to $25 million when she signed a contract to preside over ''Judge Judy'' through its 10th season (2005–06). For the first time, she was put in the top pay ranks for TV performers.<ref name="Star-News">{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HVtIAAAAIBAJ&q=Judge+Judy+25+million&pg=PA15|title=Judge Judy gets paid; Koppel thanks staff|access-date=Jan 4, 2003|work=]|date=Feb 15, 2006|location=United States}}</ref> In September 2005, just before Sheindlin's 10th season anniversary, it was reported that her contract was extended 2 seasons further, promising the program through its 12th season (2007–08). As part of the deal, Sheindlin's annual salary would be increased to $30 million for the then-upcoming 2 seasons.<ref name="Next"/><ref name="Pittsburgh Post-Gazette">{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yqskAAAAIBAJ&q=Judge+Judy+30+million&pg=PA14|title=Judge Judy marks 10 years on TV bench|access-date=August 5, 2021|work=]|last=Elber|first=Lynn|date=Feb 15, 2006|location=United States}}</ref> In January 2008 (during show's 12th season), Sheindlin's annual salary was increased to $45 million when her contract was renewed through the 2013-14 television season (its 17th season).<ref name="Metropolitan News-Enterprise">{{cite news|url=http://www.metnews.com/articles/2021/JudgeJudy_080321.htm|title=Court of Appeal: CBS Didn't Cheat Talent Agency Out of 'Judge Judy' Profits|access-date=August 19, 2021|work=]|date=Aug 3, 2021|location=United States}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/judge-judy-warming-bench-article-1.339990|title=Judge Judy will keep warming bench|website=]|date=January 29, 2008 |language=en|access-date=July 31, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/judge-judy-producers-beat-lawsuit-over-stars-47-million-pay|title='Judge Judy' Producers Beat Lawsuit Over Star's $47 Million Pay|website=BloombergLaw|language=en|access-date=July 31, 2021}}</ref>

Her next contract renewal, in May 2011 (during the show's 15th season), saw her program extended to the 2014-15 television season (the show's 19th) and Sheindlin's ''Judge Judy'' salary increase to its peak of $47 million.<ref name="NickiSwift">{{cite news|url=https://www.nickiswift.com/191862/the-real-reason-judge-judy-is-ending/|title=How Judge Judy Really Makes Her Money|access-date=August 1, 2021|work=Nicki Swift|last=Roe|first=Bernadette|date=Apr 11, 2021|location=United States}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/judge-judy-renewed-2017_n_3037437|title='Judge Judy' Renewed Through 2017|date=April 8, 2013|language=en|access-date=July 31, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/judith-sheindlin-continue-judge-judy-2020-article-1.2135372|title=Judith Sheindlin extends CBS contract to continue 'Judge Judy' through 2020 |website=] |date=March 3, 2015 |language=en|access-date=July 31, 2021}}</ref> Producing vast sums of wealth for CBS, Sheindlin's courtroom series brought in $230 million in advertising in 2012 alone.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/people/the-insanely-large-paychecks-of-19-tv-personalities/slidelist/46245735.cms#slideid=46245762 |title=The insanely large paychecks of 19 TV personalities |access-date=August 1, 2021|date=July 26, 2021 }}</ref> Sheindlin's $47&nbsp;million per year ''Judge Judy'' salary translated into just over $900,000 per workday (she worked 52 days per year), reportedly making her ] in 2013 and 2014.<ref>{{cite web |author=Lindsay Lowe |url=https://parade.com/217711/linzlowe/happy-birthday-judge-judy-5-things-you-didnt-know-about-judy-sheindlin/ |title=Happy Birthday, Judge Judy! 5 Things You Didn't Know About Judy Sheindlin |publisher=Parade|date=March 14, 2012 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024005852/http://www.parade.com/217711/linzlowe/happy-birthday-judge-judy-5-things-you-didnt-know-about-judy-sheindlin/ |archive-date=October 24, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.eveningtribune.com/article/20140910/BUSINESS/309109971?template=ampart |title=The Insanely Large Paychecks Of 19 TV Personalities |access-date=August 1, 2021|last=Acuna |first=Kirsten |date=Sep 10, 2014 }}</ref>

Sheindlin's next ''Judge Judy'' contract renewal signing with CBS transpired in March 2015 during the 19th season of her program. As part of the annual $47 million contract deal, Sheindlin was furnished ownership of the entire ''Judge Judy'' episode library (including all past and then future episodes) in exchange for extending the program to its 24th season.<ref name="NickiSwift"/> The renewal also included a ] for CBS with Sheindlin's television production company, Queen Bee Productions (which produces syndicated courtroom series ''Hot Bench''), allowing CBS to have first viewing exposure to any material that her production company engineered.<ref name="CNNBusiness">{{cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/03/02/media/judge-judy-deal/index.html|title='Judge Judy' extends contract with CBS until 2020|access-date=August 1, 2021|work=]|last=Pallota|first=Frank|date=Mar 2, 2015|location=United States}}</ref>

Sheindlin's final contract renewal signing with CBS was in August 2017 (late in the show's 21st season), extending the show for one additional season to its 25th.<ref name="THR"/> The terms of the agreement also included Sheindlin's submission of the ''Judge Judy'' episode library back to CBS, which has allegedly furnished Sheindlin with an additional annual income of $100 million. The move allows CBS to replay the show (at the time, as many as 5,200 episodes) without limitations on any platform they choose. Before Sheindlin's alleged contractual sell of the episode library back to CBS, she reportedly had her team shop the episode library around the entertainment industry for a much higher amount, as much as $200 million annually.<ref name="NickiSwift"/>

'']'' named Sheindlin the highest paid host in November 2018 stemming from her $47&nbsp;million per year ''Judge Judy'' salary combined with the annual income from her ''Judge Judy'' episode library.<ref name="Forbes">{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2018/11/26/the-worlds-highest-paid-tv-hosts-2018-judge-judy-presides-with-147-million/?sh=e282c0648d67|title=The World's Highest-Paid TV Hosts 2018: Judge Judy Presides With $147 Million|access-date=August 1, 2021|work=]|last=Berg|first=Madeline|date=Nov 6, 2018|location=United States}}</ref> In 2018, Sheindlin earned $147&nbsp;million between the $100&nbsp;million from the alleged sale of the present and then future episode library of her show to CBS, in addition to her $47&nbsp;million arbitration handling salary.<ref name="Forbes"/> In 2020 and 2021, Sheindlin's net worth was reportedly $440 million and $460 million, respectively.<ref name="Business insider">{{cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/judge-judy-sheindlin-net-worth-how-she-made-her-money-2020-3|title=Judge Judy's show is ending after 25 years. Here's how one of the highest-paid personalities in TV history makes and spends her $440 million fortune|access-date=August 1, 2021|work=]|last=Borden|first=Taylor|date=Mar 4, 2020|location=United States}}</ref><ref name="People Magazine and Judy Justice">{{cite news|url=https://people.com/tv/judge-judy-amazing-story-behind-460-million-dollar-fortune/|title=Judge Judy: Her New Show — and the Amazing Story Behind Her $460 Million Fortune|access-date=January 8, 2022|work=]|last=Strohm|first=Emily|date=November 3, 2021|location=United States}}</ref>

==Reception==

===Nielsen ratings by seasons for series original run (1996–2021)===
'''1996–1998'''

When ''Judge Judy'' launched in September 1996, it went on the air with little media attention and publicity.<ref name="Yahoo"/> By the end of October of that year, the show was averaging only a 1.5 rating, putting it in the mid-rank of the 159 syndicated shows on the air. At that time, it was never expected that the show's ] would ever compete with highly successful daytime TV shows of that era, such as '']'', '']'' and '']''.<ref name="archive.southcoasttoday.com"/> According to '']''{{'}}s documentary film on Sheindlin, "Judge Judy: Sitting in Judgment" (aired February 21, 2000),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/detail/tv-show.aspx?tvobjectid=191411&more=ucepisodelist&episodeid=2321878 |title=Biography Episode Guide 2000 – Judge Judy: Sitting in Judgement |publisher=TV Guide |access-date=March 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114140752/http://www.tvguide.com/detail/tv-show.aspx?tvobjectid=191411&more=ucepisodelist&episodeid=2321878 |archive-date=November 14, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> producers of ''Judge Judy'' were disappointed that the show was barely making it on the radar. However, it did not take long for the court show to pick up momentum as ''Judge Judy'' rose to a 2.1 rating by the end of that first season. By the starting point of her 2nd season, it was observed that Sheindlin's guest presence at public venues had already generated avid recognition and fanfare, her reaction characterized as "overwhelmed by her success, as if it was something she didn't expect."<ref name="Yahoo"/> Season 2 (1997–98) of the program saw the court show already rise into the 4 ratings ranges, averaging a 4.3.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |url=https://variety.com/1998/tv/news/oprah-still-queen-1117480561/ |title=Oprah still queen |magazine=Variety |date=September 17, 1998 |access-date=February 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203053249/http://variety.com/1998/tv/news/oprah-still-queen-1117480561/ |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The 3rd season (1998–99) of ''Judge Judy'' was the show's first season as the highest-rated program in daytime television, having surpassed the highly rated ''Jerry Springer Show'' and even then daytime powerhouse ''The Oprah Winfrey Show'' for the first time<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Jerome |first=Jim |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20129340,00.html |title=Chamber Made|magazine=People.com |date=September 27, 1999 |access-date=February 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330103444/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20129340,00.html |archive-date=March 30, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> (] which launched Oprah was folded into ] in 2007, which distributed ''Judge Judy''): the program's ratings more than doubled to a 5.6 for that season, marking ''Judge Judy'' as an early success.<ref name="Next6"/>

It was due, in part, to this early success that daytime television began to feature more court programming, such as a revival of '']'' that re-debuted in fall 1997. In 1999, ''Judge Judy'' moved from ] to ], which also distributed her stablemate ''Judge Joe Brown'' and eventually '']''. Many other former judges were given their own court shows in syndication due in large part to Sheindlin's popularity. Examples include ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and many others. In addition, the series helped to spawn various ]. These include the reality-based revival of '']'', which was originally presided over by ] (1999–2006), ] (2006–2020), ] (2020-2022), and currently helmed by ]; the short-lived '']'', capturing various high-profile attorneys arguing cases for litigants in front of ]; '']'', which took litigation outside of the courtroom; '']'', featuring an all-celebrity jury hearing cases presided over by ]; etc. Furthermore, ''Judge Judy''{{'}}s rise in popularity enabled several non-real life judges to preside over courts, such as ], ], and ].

Also, partly due to Judge Judy's popularity, the producers of ''The People's Court'' decided to replace ] with Judy's husband, ], as their presiding judge during ''The People's Court''{{'}}s present incarnation 3rd season/overall series 15th season (1999–2000). This meant that husband and wife would be either part of the same afternoon lineup or competing for ratings against each other. The experiment, however, did not last long as midway through ''The People's Court{{'}}s'' 4th season (2000–01), Jerry was replaced by the show's current judge, ].<ref name="Next6"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Gunther |first=Marc |url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1999/05/10/259540/index.htm |title=The Little Judge Who Kicked Oprah's Butt DAYTIME TELEVISION'S HOTTEST PROPERTY |publisher=CNN |date=May 10, 1999 |access-date=July 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118203323/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1999/05/10/259540/index.htm |archive-date=January 18, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>

'''1999–2006'''

For its 4th season (1999–2000), Judy's ratings exploded to its highest for its 25 season lifespan, peaking at a 9.3 rating. At this point, Sheindlin's courtroom series was still more than ever the highest rated program in daytime. It was also at this point that ''Judge Judy'' held a record of increasing its ratings for each successive season since its debut. Because of the program's success, ''Judge Judy'' began airing at better time periods.<ref name="Next6"/>

It was by the show's 5th season (2000–01) that ''Judy's'' streak of growing in ratings from season to season since its debut had ceased. However, the court show still remained the highest-rated program in daytime that season with a 5.6 rating.<ref name="broadcastingcable4"/> By the 6th season (2001–02), Judy was no longer the highest-rated program in daytime, beaten out by ''The Oprah Winfrey Show''. The court show averaged a 5.0 rating that season.<ref name="broadcastingcable4"/> Likewise, for her 7th season (2002–03), she also averaged a 5.0.<ref name="broadcastingcable4"/> For her 8th season (2003–04), Sheindlin finally reversed the season-to-season downward turn in her ratings by averaging a 7.1.<ref name="Next6"/> Of the seven running court shows during the 2004–05 season, most of them earned a 3.63 rating; however, ''Judge Judy'' remained court genre leader with a 7.5 ratings score for that season (the show's 9th).<ref name="Next6"/> For her 10th season (2005–06), ''Judge Judy'' averaged a 4.8 rating.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6431604.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720160917/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/108425-In_Crowded_Court_Judy_Rules.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 20, 2012 |title=In Crowded Court, 'Judy' Rules |date=April 9, 2007 |publisher=Broadcasting & Cable |access-date=July 22, 2009 }}</ref> ''Judge Judy'' averaged 4.6 rating for her 11th season (2006–07). Meanwhile, other programs in the genre were trailing Sheindlin from a vast distance: ''Judge Joe Brown'' averaged a 2.9 rating; ''The 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—'']'' averaged a 1.4, and '']'' came in last, averaging a 1.0 rating.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 28, 2007 |url=http://www.weneedtostop.com/2007/07/judge_joe_brown_is_right_behin.html |title=Judge Joe Brown Is Right Behind Judge Judy|publisher=We Need To STOP! |access-date=July 22, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220045925/http://www.weneedtostop.com/2007/07/judge_joe_brown_is_right_behin.html |archive-date=December 20, 2007 }}</ref>

'''2007–2012'''

For its 12th season (2007–08), ''Judge Judy'' averaged a 4.8 rating (4.8 HH AA%/7.4 HH GAA% rating) and 9.9&nbsp;million average daily viewers.<ref name="cbspressexpress1"/> ''Judy'' was the only first-run syndication program to increase in ratings for that season from the previous, leading CBS to immediately extend her contract through the 2012–13 season.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Bicq46AON7IC&q=judge+judy+2013&pg=PA74 |title=Beyond Prime Time: Television Programming in the Post-Network Era|via=Google Books |isbn=9780203884508 |access-date=March 7, 2013 |last1=Lotz |first1=Amanda D. |date=June 10, 2009 |publisher=Taylor & Francis }}</ref> For its 13th season (2008–09), the show averaged a 4.2 rating (4.2 HH AA%/6.5 HH GAA% rating) and 9.02&nbsp;million average daily viewers.<ref name="Futon">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/ratings/2010/09/20/judge-judy-kicks-off-15th-season-as-the-number-1-daytime-show-in-syndication-570011/20100920cbs03/#YTgqvvS8izf3HrZ4.99 |title=Ratings – "Judge Judy" Kicks Off 15th Season as the #1 Daytime Show in Syndication |publisher=The Futon Critic|date=September 16, 1996 |access-date=January 12, 2013}}</ref> Its 14th season (2009–10) marked the first season in nearly a decade since the 2000–01 season that any daytime television program had been able to surpass ''The Oprah Winfrey Show''{{'}}s ratings (''Judge Judy'' is also the show in question that during the 2000–01 television season surpassed ''The Oprah Winfrey Show'' in daytime TV ratings): Judy broke Winfrey's near decade-long streak with a 4.4 rating (4.4 HH AA%/6.9 HH GAA% rating) and 9.6&nbsp;million average daily viewers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.viacomcbspressexpress.com/cbs-television-distribution/releases/view?id=26389&shared|title=JUDGE JUDY KICKS OFF 15TH SEASON AS THE #1 DAYTIME SHOW IN SYNDICATION|publisher=ViacomCBS Press Express |date=September 20, 2010|access-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203031214/http://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-television-distribution/releases/view?id=26389&shared |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was also at that point that Sheindlin's courtroom series became the highest rated show in all of daytime television programming.<ref name="Futon"/> ''Judy'' secured this title in its 15th season (2010–11) as the program remained ahead of ''Oprah'' in her final season and the highest-rated daytime television offering, averaging a 5.11 rating<ref name="Queen">{{cite web|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/syndication-ratings-judge-judy-queen-syndie-season-63915 |title=Syndication Ratings: 'Judge Judy' Is Queen of Syndie Season|date=September 5, 2012|publisher=NextTV |access-date=June 25, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204225102/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/tv-ratings/syndication-ratings-judge-judy-queen-syndie-season/63915 |archive-date=December 4, 2013 }}</ref> and 9.6&nbsp;million viewers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.viacomcbspressexpress.com/cbs-television-distribution/releases/view?id=29145 |title=JUDGE JUDY" KICKS OFF 16TH SEASON AS THE #1 SHOW IN SYNDICATION IN DAYTIME AND EARLY FRINGE |publisher=ViacomCBS Press Express |access-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203031704/http://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-television-distribution/releases/view?id=29145 |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> During this season, ''Judy'' also became the highest rated show in first-run syndication.<ref name="tvnewscheck1">{{cite web |url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/70194/syndie-season-ends-with-judy-no-1 |title=Syndie Season Ends With 'Judy' No. 1 |publisher=TV NewsCheck|date=August 25, 2013 |access-date=September 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203014750/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/70194/syndie-season-ends-with-judy-no-1 |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Late that same season in May 2011, as a result of continued high ratings, CBS again extended Sheindlin's contract, this time through the 2014–15 season (the show's 19th).<ref>{{cite web |last=Bierly |first=Mandi |url= https://ew.com/article/2011/05/02/judge-judy-renewed-2015/|title='Judge Judy' renewed through 2015|publisher=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=May 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101155145/http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/05/02/judge-judy-renewed-2015/ |archive-date=November 1, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the first post-Oprah television season, the court show continued its reign as the most dominant show in daytime and also became the top-rated show in all of syndication, its 16th season (2011–12) racking up a 7.0 rating and 9.29&nbsp;million average daily viewers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.viacomcbspressexpress.com/cbs-television-distribution/releases/view?id=32856 |title= "JUDGE JUDY" IS THE #1 SHOW IN SYNDICATION AS IT KICKS OFF ITS 17TH SEASON|publisher=ViacomCBS Press Express |access-date= June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203030859/http://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-television-distribution/releases/view?id=32856 |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> As the top-rated show in all of syndication at this point, Sheindlin defeated first-run syndication programs and ] programs (] episodes of programs off their original network).<ref name="Queen"/> The title of overall syndication leader was previously held by off-network syndicated program '']'' (2010–11) and before that, first-run syndicated program '']'' (2009–10).<ref>{{cite web |author=TV |url=https://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/2010-11-season-glance-lower-network-ratings-mid-season-success-two-and-half-men-still-strong |title=2010–11 Report: 'Two and a Half Men' Still Strong; Network Ratings Still Sliding|publisher=The Wrap|access-date=February 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121223052456/http://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/2010-11-season-glance-lower-network-ratings-mid-season-success-two-and-half-men-still-strong |archive-date=December 23, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statista.com/statistics/189638/ratings-of-popular-syndicated-programs-on-us-television-2009-10/ |title=• U.S. television ratings: top 10 syndicated programs in season 2009/10 &#124; Statistic |publisher=Statista.com |access-date=February 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424163157/http://www.statista.com/statistics/189638/ratings-of-popular-syndicated-programs-on-us-television-2009-10/ |archive-date=April 24, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Judge Judy''{{'}}s ratings boost in its 16th season and late into the show's 15th season was at least partly due to ] change in methodology, in April 2011. This variation benefits programs that air multiple, differing episodes a day. The updated method is totalling ratings points through adding all viewings for each daily episode–even if one of those viewings come from an individual already counted in as having watched another of the show's daily episodes. For example, as ''Judge Judy'' airs two different episodes per day, two ratings points are counted for every one person who has watched both the first and second daily airings. This is as opposed to one person's viewing of the two daily episodes amounting to only one ratings point. Prior to the convert, the latest method was only used in GAA numbers, while the previous method was used in average audience measure. Some court shows air in one hour blocks and thus do not benefit at all from the updated method.<ref name="Queen"/> Worth noting, however, is that shows airing multiple daily episodes may not directly benefit monetarily as the rating system that local stations use to sell to advertisers is based upon the prior method.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/exclusive-judge-joe-brown-star-ctd-explore-split-114192 |title=Exclusive: 'Judge Joe Brown' Star, CTD Explore Split|date=February 27, 2013|publisher=NextTV |access-date=June 25, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303175536/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/492073-Exclusive_Judge_Joe_Brown_Star_CTD_Explore_Split.php |archive-date=March 3, 2013 }}</ref>

'''2012–2016'''

For its 17th season (2012–13), ''Judge Judy'' once again pulled in a 7.0 household rating.<ref name="tvnewscheck1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/syndication-ratings-syndie-seasons-end-phil-judy-et-wheel-big-bang-top-123972|title=Syndication Ratings: At Syndie Season's End, 'Phil,' 'Judy,' 'ET,' 'Wheel,' 'Big Bang' on Top|date=September 4, 2013|publisher=NextTV |access-date=June 25, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908075852/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/495309-Syndication_Ratings_At_Syndie_Season_s_End_Phil_Judy_ET_Wheel_Big_Bang_on_Top.php |archive-date=September 8, 2013 }}</ref> The series delivered 9.63&nbsp;million average daily viewers that season, growing by +32,000 viewers over the prior season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.viacomcbspressexpress.com/cbs-television-distribution/releases/view?id=36509 |title= "JUDGE JUDY" IS THE #1 FIRST-RUN SHOW IN SYNDICATION AS IT KICKS OFF ITS 18TH SEASON |publisher=ViacomCBS Press Express |access-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927103042/http://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-television-distribution/releases/view?id=36509 |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite this, ''Judy'' lost its 1st place spot as the ratings leader in all of syndication that season, descending to 2nd place, only a tad behind '']'' (off-network syndicate) which took home a 7.1 for that season. Still and all, this was the 3rd season in a row that ''Judy'' earned the title of ratings leader in all of first-run syndication.<ref name="tvnewscheck1"/> Moreover, this was the 4th consecutive season that ''Judy'' was the ratings leader in all of daytime television programming.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/491610-Syndication_Ratings_Magazine_Shows_Get_Golden_Globes_Bump.php |title=Syndication Ratings: Magazine Shows Get Golden Globes Bump|publisher=Broadcasting & Cable |date=January 30, 2013 |access-date=January 31, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929050645/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/491610-Syndication_Ratings_Magazine_Shows_Get_Golden_Globes_Bump.php |archive-date=September 29, 2013 }}</ref> For the 18th season (2013–14), Judy rose to a 7.2 household rating and brought in 9.94&nbsp;million viewers, gaining 8% over its prior season. Also for this season, the show reclaimed the title as highest rated program in all of daytime (5th consecutive time, 8th time overall) and all of syndication (3rd time).<ref name="Broacasting & Cable10">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/syndication-ratings-judge-judy-years-top-show-while-dr-phil-leads-talk-133634|title=Syndication Ratings: 'Judge Judy' Year's Top Show, While 'Dr. Phil' Leads Talk |website=NextTV |date=September 3, 2014 |access-date=June 25, 2020 |first=Paige |last=Albiniak |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907122739/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/syndication-and-distribution/syndication-ratings-judge-judy-years-top-show-while-dr-phil-leads-talk/133634 |archive-date=September 7, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=MediaPost>{{cite web |url=http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/233493/syndie-shows-improve-performance.html |title=Syndie Shows Improve Performance |publisher=MediaPost |date=September 3, 2014 |access-date=September 7, 2014 |first=Wayne |last=Friedman |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907122813/http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/233493/syndie-shows-improve-performance.html |archive-date=September 7, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> The show's 19th season (2014–15) pulled in a 7.0 household rating and remained the highest rated program in both daytime television as well as all of syndication.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/syndication-ratings-dr-phil-finishes-season-top-talker-fourth-consecutive-year-143815|title=Syndication Ratings: 'Dr. Phil' Finishes Season as Top Talker for Fourth Consecutive Year|publisher=NextTV|date=September 1, 2015|access-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907010007/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/distribution/syndication-ratings-dr-phil-finishes-season-top-talker-fourth-consecutive-year/143815|archive-date=September 7, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The 20th season (2015–16) was Judy's 3rd consecutive year as syndication's top strip, the court show averaging a 7.0 full-season household rating.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/syndication-ratings-season-concludes-judge-judy-leads-all-first-run-series-seventh-straight-year-159362|title= Syndication Ratings: As Season Concludes, 'Judge Judy' Leads All First-Run Series for Seventh Straight Year|publisher=NextTV|date=September 7, 2016|access-date=June 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918145918/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/distribution/syndication-ratings-season-concludes-judge-judy-leads-all-first-run-series-seventh-straight-year/159362|archive-date=September 18, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

'''2017–2021'''

For its 21st season (2016–17), ''Judge Judy'' trounced all of its competitors in daytime and all of syndication. The court show scored a 6.8 household rating for its 21st season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/weekly-ratings/syndicated-tv-ratings-aug-21-27-2017/|title=Syndicated TV ratings: 'Judge Judy' wraps four years at No. 1|publisher=tvbythenumbers|date=September 7, 2017|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907205546/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/weekly-ratings/syndicated-tv-ratings-aug-21-27-2017/|archive-date=September 7, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/107030/verdicts-in-judge-judy-tops-in-201617|title=Verdict's In: 'Judge Judy' Tops In|publisher=Tvnewscheck|date=September 6, 2017|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910041337/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/107030/verdicts-in-judge-judy-tops-in-201617|archive-date=September 10, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> For the 22nd season (2017–18), ''Judy'' attained a 6.9 live plus same day household average, well ahead of anything else in syndication. It marked the show's 5th straight year as the leader in all of syndication ratings and the 9th straight year as the leader in first-run syndication ratings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/syndication-ratings-judge-judy-wraps-season-on-top|title=Syndication Ratings: 'Judge Judy' Wraps Season on Top|publisher=NextTV|date=August 21, 2018|access-date=June 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904084816/https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/syndication-ratings-judge-judy-wraps-season-on-top|archive-date=September 4, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
For the 23rd season (2018–19), it was reported by Nielsen that ''Judy'' topped first-run syndication ratings for the 10th straight year with 6.8 household rating.<ref name="TheWrap">{{cite news|url=https://www.thewrap.com/judge-judy-tops-syndication-ratings-for-10th-straight-year/|title='Judge Judy' Tops Syndication Ratings for 10th Straight Year|access-date=April 10, 2020|work=]|last=Baysinger|first=Tim|date=August 27, 2019|location=United States}}</ref> According to Nielsen's ratings, the court show finished out its penultimate season (2019–20) at the top of first-run syndication for an 11th straight year, ''Judy'' taking home a 6.2 household rating. The program's closest competitors were '']'' at 6.1, ''Jeopardy!'' at 6.0, and ''Wheel of Fortune'' at 5.8.<ref name="TheWrap News">{{cite news|url=https://www.thewrap.com/judge-judy-tops-2019-20-syndication-ratings-finishes-1st-for-11th-year-in-a-row/|title='Judge Judy' Tops 2019-20 Syndication Ratings, Finishes 1st for 11th Year in a Row|access-date=June 5, 2021|work=]|last=Nakamura|first=Reid|date=September 1, 2020|location=United States}}</ref> Going out on top for its 25th anniversary, ''Judge Judy'' boasted its 12th year as top Nielsen rated program in first-run syndication,<ref name="Bossmagazine">{{cite news|url=https://thebossmagazine.com/randy-douthit-shares-lessons-learned-from-judge-judy/|title=Randy Douthit Shares Lessons Learned From Judge Judy|access-date=February 4, 2022|work=Boss Magazine|last=Flynn|first=Matthew|date=February 3, 2022|location=United States}}</ref> ending its run with an estimated 7.8 million viewers for that final season (2020–21).<ref name="The Wall Street Journal"/> ''Judge Judy'' also lasted its entire 25 year first-run as the highest Nielsen rated court show, outperforming all other courtroom series broadcasts and by vast margins.<ref name="Top court show 25 years">{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/syndication-ratings-judge-judy-tops-court-shows-daytime-programs|title=Syndication Ratings: 'Judge Judy' Tops Court Shows, Daytime Programs|access-date=October 29, 2022|work=Broadcasting & Cable|last=Walsten|first=Jessika|date=June 22, 2021|location=United States}}</ref>

===Pioneering effect, longevity and accolades===
''Judge Judy'', which premiered on September 16, 1996, reportedly revitalized the court show genre.<ref name="umaryland1">{{cite web|url=http://digitalcommons.law.umaryland.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1566&context=fac_pubs|title=Judging the Judges – Daytime Television's Reality Court Bench|publisher=digitalcommons.law.umaryland.edu|access-date=September 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823230951/http://digitalcommons.law.umaryland.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1566&context=fac_pubs|archive-date=August 23, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Acclaiming the program's impacts on courtroom television programming, Daytime Emmy Awards Senior Vice President and Executive Producer David Michaels was quoted as stating, "Daytime television wouldn't be what it is today without Judy Sheindlin. Judge Judy redefined and reinvigorated the courtroom format propelling the genre to new heights."<ref name="List article on Judge Judy">{{cite web|url=https://www.thelist.com/713512/judy-justice-season-2-release-date-cast-and-new-details/|title=Judy Justice Season 2: Details We Know So Far|access-date=February 5, 2022|work=]|last=Keogh|first=Joey|date=January 21, 2022|location=United States}}</ref> Only two other arbitration-based reality court shows preceded it, '']'' (its first 12-season incarnation ] in 1993 from low ratings) and '']'' (lasting only the 1994–95 season, short-lived from low ratings).<ref name="umaryland1"/> Sheindlin has been credited with introducing the "tough" adjudicating approach into the judicial genre, which has led to several imitators.<ref name="MurrayOuellette2008">{{cite book|last1=Murray|first1=Susan|last2=Ouellette|first2=Laurie|title=Reality TV: Remaking 01|date=April 2004|publisher=NYU Press|isbn=9780814764275|page=227}}</ref>

The only two court shows that outnumber ''Judge Judy''{{'}}s seasons, ''The People's Court'' and '']'', have both built longevity on series cancellations/revival reincarnations and multitudes of judge-role recasting moves (in its pre-1999 form, the latter program was scripted via court transcripts of past proceedings). Thus Sheindlin's span as a television jurist or arbitrator has lasted longer than any other—a distinction that earned her a place in the '']'' in September 2015. With no cancellations or temporary endings in its series run, ''Judge Judy'' also had the longest-lasting individual production life of any court show during its entire run.<ref name="ChunKeenan2004">{{cite book|last1=Chun|first1=Wendy Hui Kyong|last2=Keenan|first2=Thomas|title=New Media, Old Media: A History and Theory Reader|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Da6nJoa_9nQC&pg=PA151|access-date=March 7, 2014|date=June 1, 2004|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=9780203643839|page=151|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629090422/http://books.google.com/books?id=Da6nJoa_9nQC&pg=PA151|archive-date=June 29, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Erickson2009">{{cite book|last=Erickson|first=Hal|title=Encyclopedia of Television Law Shows: Factual and Fictional Series About Judges, Lawyers and the Courtroom, 1948–2008|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RXQNIs12SzQC|access-date=March 7, 2014|date=September 15, 2009|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9780786454525|page=85|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629090444/http://books.google.com/books?id=RXQNIs12SzQC|archive-date=June 29, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> With ''Judge Judy'' off the air, ''The People's Court''{{'}}s current/2nd production incarnation now boasts the longest single production continuance of any court show, having reached 26 seasons by the 2022-23 television year—though having gone through 3 judges during this 26 year production incarnation.

Starring on ''Judge Judy'' earned Sheindlin a star on the ] in February 2006,<ref>{{cite web |website=Hollywood.com |access-date=December 24, 2008 |url=http://www.hollywood.com/photo_gallery/Judge_Judy_Sheindlin_Hollywood_Walk_of_Fame_Ceremony/3525341# |title=Judge Judy Sheindlin Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony Photo Gallery}}</ref> the Gracie Allen Tribute Award from the ] in 2006,<ref name="Naples News">{{cite news|url=https://archive.naplesnews.com/community/take-two-too-much-art-judge-judy-honored-thoughts-on-superman-ep-406171955-333231051.html/|title=Take Two: Too much art; Judge Judy honored; thoughts on 'Superman'|access-date=August 1, 2021|work=Naples News|last=Farmer|first=Don|date=July 5, 2006|location=United States}}</ref> induction into '']''{{'}}s ] in October 2012,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/battle-survive-top-113460 |title=The Battle to 'Survive' at the Top|date=August 13, 2012|website=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=NextTV|access-date=April 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203074626/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/488448-The_Battle_to_Survive_at_the_Top.php |archive-date=December 3, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/judge-judy-katie-couric_n_2123114 |title=Judge Judy on Future: 'Every Stage In Your Life Has A New Adventure' |work=HuffPost |date=November 13, 2012 |access-date=April 7, 2022}}</ref> election as vice president of the ] in April 2013,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/judge-judy-honoured-by-ucd-society-1.1355090 |title=Judge Judy honoured by UCD society|date=April 9, 2013 |newspaper=The Irish Times |access-date=May 5, 2013}}</ref> and given the Mary Pickford Award by the Hollywood Chamber Community Foundation at the 2014 Heroes of Hollywood.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nbclosangeles.com/contact-us/community/Heroes-of-Hollywood--266830821.html |title=Heroes of Hollywood Honors Judge Judy Sheindlin |website=] |date=July 11, 2014 |access-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>

By 2011, Sheindlin's series had been nominated for 14 consecutive years for the ] without ever winning. While part of that 14 years had the court show categorized into other television genre categories by the Emmys, it also includes failures to win once the ] category was introduced in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/nightlinedailyline/2010/05/toughtalking-oprah-competititor-judge-judy.html |title=Allumination Filmworks Is Proud to Release the First DVD From Everyone's Favorite No–Nonsense Judge&nbsp;– Judge Judy Sheindlin |website=Sys-con.com |access-date=July 22, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontheredcarpet.com/Daytime-Emmys-2011:-Full-list-of-nominees/8125012 |title=Daytime Emmys 2011 nominations: See full list&nbsp;– 06/17/2011 &#124; Entertainment News from |website=OnTheRedCarpet|access-date=December 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819003504/http://www.ontheredcarpet.com/Daytime-Emmys-2011:-Full-list-of-nominees/8125012 |archive-date=August 19, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> By 2012, an article from the '']'' reported that ''Judge Judy'' was ]bed by the award show in having never won and not even being nominated into the Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Emmy category that year—despite ''Judy''{{'}}s status as highest ] court show for its entire series run.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2012/05/10/emmys-snub-judge-judy-viewish-girls/ |work=] |title=Emmys snub Judge Judy, 'View'ish girls |date=May 10, 2012|access-date=April 7, 2022}}</ref> In a followup interview with '']'' on May 3, 2013, Sheindlin was questioned about the "snub" and her court show's failure to ever win up to that point, responding:

{{Blockquote|I don't know. You know, somehow it would sort of break the spell. The show has been such a tremendous success that I'm almost afraid to think about winning—because so many of those shows that did win are no longer with us. So I say to myself 'you want the Emmy or you want a job? (laughing) Which one do you want?'<ref name="etonline1">{{cite web|url=http://www.etonline.com/news/133630_Judge_Judy_on_How_Celebrities_Are_Treated_in_the_Justice_System/ |title=Judge Judy on Celebrities and the Justice System |website=Entertainment Tonight|date=April 29, 2013 |access-date=May 5, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129031501/http://www.etonline.com/news/133630_Judge_Judy_on_How_Celebrities_Are_Treated_in_the_Justice_System/ |archive-date=January 29, 2014 }}</ref>}}

On June 14, 2013, however, ''Judge Judy'' won its first Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program, having received its 15th nomination.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.enstarz.com/articles/19832/20130615/daytime-emmy-awards-2013-ellen-degeneres-show-sesame-street-judge.htm |title=Daytime Emmy Awards 2013: 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show', 'Sesame Street', 'Judge Judy' Win Awards: TV |website=Enstarz.com |date=October 22, 2012 |access-date=June 17, 2013}}</ref> The program won again in 2016<ref>{{cite web|title=The 43rd Annual Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Award Winners|url=http://cdn.emmyonline.org/day_43rd_winners_creative.pdf|publisher=emmyonline.org|accessdate=April 29, 2015|date=April 29, 2015|archive-date=August 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821184421/http://cdn.emmyonline.org/day_43rd_winners_creative.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> and 2017.<ref name="NATAS 2017">{{cite web|url=http://cdn.emmyonline.org/day_44th_nominations_v02.pdf|title=The 44th Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations|date=March 22, 2017|publisher=emmyonline.org and ]|location=]|accessdate=March 22, 2017|archive-date=May 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503025016/http://cdn.emmyonline.org/day_44th_nominations_v02.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Audience makeup===
''Judge Judy''{{'}}s daytime audience was reportedly composed of approximately seventy-five percent women and twenty-five percent men.<ref name="Next6"/> In February 2014, it was reported that Judge Judy's audience was mostly composed of older women, African Americans and ].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Buckwalter |first=Rebecca |url=https://psmag.com/news/judge-judy-national-treasure-73418 |title=Judge Judy Is a National Treasure|magazine= Pacific Standard |access-date=February 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405024547/https://psmag.com/news/judge-judy-national-treasure-73418 |archive-date=April 5, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Criticisms===
Despite her widespread acclaim, Sheindlin's behavior and treatment of the parties that have appeared before her have often been the subject of criticism. Regular viewers of the program have also been criticized as "]" for their delight in watching Sheindlin engage in her typical behaviors.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=usuCwGUdXS4C&q=judge+judy+condescending&pg=PA292 |title=Communication Ethics, Media & Popular Culture|author=Phyllis M. Japp|author2=Mark Meister|author3=Debra K.|year=2005|publisher=Peter Lang |isbn=9780820471198|access-date=January 16, 2013 }}</ref> One such example of criticism has come from the first star of arbitration-based reality court shows, ]. Wapner, who presided over ''The People's Court'' from 1981 to 1993, was a long-time critic of Sheindlin. On November 26, 2002, 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."<ref name="NYpost">{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2002/11/26/wapner-in-jab-at-judy/|title=WAPNER IN JAB AT JUDY|publisher=New York Post|access-date=2020-10-02|date=2002-11-26}}</ref>

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."<ref name="NYpost" />

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 <nowiki>'</nowiki>''judge''<nowiki>'</nowiki> on the nameplate on the bench and she's wearing a robe."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metnews.com/articles/reminiscing091103.htm |title=Judge Wapner vs. Judge Judy: What A Match That Would Have Been |publisher=Metnews.com |access-date=July 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107062839/http://www.metnews.com/articles/reminiscing091103.htm |archive-date=November 7, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sheindlin later stated, "As a young person, when I had watched ''The People's Court''. . . I said 'you know what, I could do that.' And at least as well because while Joe Wapner is a very good judge, didn't have much of a sense of humor. And I always knew from a very practical perspective that you have to marry those two things in order to be successful in entertainment."<ref name="emmytvlegends1"/>

In a November 2013 interview with ], Sheindlin was asked whether she enjoyed watching Wapner on ''The People's Court''. She replied, "Meh! Oatmeal!" Following this, King asked her what if any other television judges then did she enjoy, to which Sheindlin answered "]" of ''].''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-5wfw4Ob2M |title=Judge Judy's Favorite TV Judge &#124; Judge Judy &#124; Larry King Now – Ora TV |publisher=YouTube |date=December 5, 2013 |access-date=December 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019090640/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-5wfw4Ob2M |archive-date=October 19, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Acclaim===
In a September 2014, '']'' interview, ] of '']'' (second longest reigning court show arbitrator, three seasons behind Sheindlin during her ''Judge Judy'' series run) was asked what three other court show judges he'd most enjoy sharing a meal with. For his first choice, he answered (laughing) "Are you kidding?! It would be Judge Judy at the head of the table. Oh my goodness, that Judge Judy is something else." His second choice was Judge Marilyn Milian, and his third was Judge Mills Lane.<ref name="Rickysmileymorningshow">{{cite web |url=http://rickeysmileymorningshow.com/1550340/judge-mathis-joe-brown/ |title=Judge Mathis On Why Judge Joe Brown Isn't One Of His Favorite TV Judges |date=September 11, 2014 |access-date=September 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906054622/http://rickeysmileymorningshow.com/1550340/judge-mathis-joe-brown/ |archive-date=September 6, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>


In August 2010, rapper, singer, and songwriter ] stated that one of her favorite television programs is ''Judge Judy'' and when asked what she likes to do in her spare time, she replied that one of her favorite things to do is watch Judge Judy's show.<ref>(August 7, 2010). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802002300/http://www.billboard.com/video/nicki-minaj-live-qa-pt-6-cartoons-favorite-shows-spare-time-468852 |date=August 2, 2015 }}. ''billboard.com''. Retrieved July 24, 2015.</ref>
The show displays various images of ] upon returning from commercial breaks. The words "State of New York", continually move across the ] ]es, during the previews just before commercial breaks and upon returning from commercial breaks (since the ninth season). Judith Sheindlin was also a judge for fifteen years in New York City, before retiring to do the court show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/judge-judy-sheindlin/person/422220/biography.html|title=www.tv.com/judge-judy-sheindlin/person/422220/biography.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> Despite all this, cases are actually taped inside of The ] production studios, on ], in ], ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvtix.com/show.php?eventID=70&free-tickets=Judge+Judy|title=www.tvtix.com/show.php?eventID=70&free-tickets=Judge+Judy<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> Every other week, Sheindlin is flown out on her private jet to spend Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in Los Angeles, California, to tape her show. Owning three homes, Sheindlin is flown out to ] from either her home in ], ], or ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/04/28/60II/main551386.shtml|title=www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/04/28/60II/main551386.shtml<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref>


In February 2013, the head football coach for the ], ], was asked about the importance of truthfulness and enthusiastically remarked, "Somebody that's not truthful? That's big to me. I'm a big fan of the ''Judge Judy'' show. When you lie in Judge Judy's courtroom, it's over. Your credibility is completely lost, and you stand no chance of winning that case. So I learned that from her. It's very powerful and true. If somebody lies to you, how can you trust anything they ever say after that?"<ref name="Brinson">{{cite news|last=Brinson |first=Will |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/eye-on-football/22346116/jim-harbaugh-appearing-on-judge-judy-monday |title=Jim Harbaugh appearing on 'Judge Judy' Monday |work=CBSSports.com |access-date=June 18, 2013}}</ref><ref name="CSN Bay Area">{{cite web |url=http://www.csnbayarea.com/blog/matt-maiocco/harbaughs-verdict-judge-judy-best |title=Harbaugh's verdict: Judge Judy is the best |publisher=CSN Bay Area |date=June 4, 2013 |access-date=June 18, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608080710/http://www.csnbayarea.com/blog/matt-maiocco/harbaughs-verdict-judge-judy-best |archive-date=June 8, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jim-harbaugh-judge-judy_n_2748534 |title=Jim Harbaugh: Judge Judy Taught Me To Never Lie |publisher=HuffPost |date=February 20, 2013 |access-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227213251/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/23/jim-harbaugh-judge-judy_n_2748534.html |archive-date=February 27, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jim-harbaugh-connects-with-judge-judy-naturally-0ap1000000144149 |title=Jim Harbaugh connects with Judge Judy (naturally) |website=NFL.com |access-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224030055/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000144149/article/jim-harbaugh-connects-with-judge-judy-naturally |archive-date=February 24, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>
As of late August of 2007, it has been reported that the historic, former ] studio, on Sunset Boulevard has been put up for sale. It is the site currently owned by KTLA-TV, Tribune Entertainment, and Tribune Studios. However, the station is likely to go elsewhere to update its facilities in the future.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politicalgateway.com/news/read/99169|title=www.politicalgateway.com/news/read/99169<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynews.com/ci_6759840|title=www.dailynews.com/ci_6759840<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.movieweb.com/tv/news/96/22396.php|title=www.movieweb.com/tv/news/96/22396.php<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref>


A couple of months later, Harbaugh would even attend tapings of ''Judge Judy'' along with his father as audience members. As part of the experience, Harbaugh and his father had lunch with Sheindlin and visited with her both before and after tapings. After meeting Sheindlin and seeing cases in person, Harbaugh stated, "I've never seen Judy adjudicate one improperly. She is so smart. She is so good. I could sit there and watch those cases all day. I really could. It's fun to watch somebody that does their job well. I could watch Judge Judy do cases all day. I could watch people play football who do their job really well. People who direct traffic. I get a real kick out of watching people who direct traffic do it. I've done it for hours. I like football the most, but Judge Judy is right up there. She's the best."<ref name="Brinson"/><ref name="CSN Bay Area"/>
===Setting===
The Judge Judy show takes place in one of the smallest televised ]s. Litigants enter downstage of the courtroom by way of the swinging doors in the aisle. Currently, most of the colors in Judge Judy's ] are dark ] colors. The carpeting in her courtroom is red. Although there are ]s on each of the ]s, these microphones aren't used for anything. Two flags are positioned approximately ten feet behind Judge Judy's courtroom chair. There is an ] on Sheindlin's right side and a ] on her left side.


Brad Adgate, senior vice president of research for Horizon Media, said "''Judge Judy'' is the new Oprah of daytime TV-actually, she was beating Oprah while Oprah was still on."<ref name="broadcastingcable1">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/looking-reach-women-daytime-tv-syndication-solid-alternative-113793|title=Looking to Reach Women in Daytime TV? Syndication Is a Solid Alternative |magazine=NextTV |date=November 7, 2012 |access-date=June 25, 2020|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109172042/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/490300-Looking_to_Reach_Women_in_Daytime_TV_Syndication_Is_a_Solid_Alternative.php |archive-date=November 9, 2012 }}</ref>
===Alterations===
<!-- Deleted image removed: ] -->
In the past, the Judge Judy court show has changed very little from season to season. The show's music and graphics are the only thing that have changed repeatedly over its past twelve years. The ninth season (2004-05) is one of the few seasons in which the show made a major alteration; the Judge Judy intro had been changed drastically. A jazzed version of a theme from ] ] was adopted as the new 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.


While he was President and CEO of ], ] stated, "Over the last few decades, there have been very few shows that have achieved the remarkable success that she has. Not only has Judy sustained that success year after year, how many shows grow in their 15th or 16th year in syndication? She started as a fresh voice and she's been a remarkable presence in daytime television ever since."<ref name="broadcastingcable5">{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/hof/4236-Judge_Judith_Sheindlin.php |title=Judge Judith Sheindlin|publisher= Broadcasting & Cable|date=September 16, 1996 |access-date=January 12, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011105308/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/hof/4236-Judge_Judith_Sheindlin.php |archive-date=October 11, 2012 }}</ref>
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 ninth season.


Many regular viewers and supporters of ''Judge Judy'' had defended Sheindlin's treatment of the parties that have appeared before her by describing the parties as an "endless parade of idiots" that Sheindlin had to put up with.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zbnNjtv0LJwC&q=idiots+on+jude+judy&pg=PA59 |title=Temporarily Disconnected |via= Google Books |date=November 30, 2006 |isbn=9780595861781 |access-date=January 16, 2013 |last1=Jackson |first1=Kelly |publisher=iUniverse }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/yourlifeisnotlab0000newp |url-access=registration |page= |quote=idiots on Judge Judy. | title = Your Life is Not a Label |publisher=Future Horizons | isbn = 1885477775 | last1 = Newport | first1 = Jerry | date = September 1, 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RXQNIs12SzQC&q=idiots+on+judge+judy&pg=PA20 |title=Encyclopedia of Television Law Shows: Factual and Fictional Series About ... |via=Google Books |isbn=9780786454525 |access-date=January 16, 2013 |last1=Erickson |first1=Hal |date=October 21, 2009 |publisher=McFarland }}</ref>
Before the ninth season, the show used an original tune for their theme music. Various different versions of this original tune were used, as the song was altered every few seasons. Used as the scenes for the theme song before the ninth season, was a ] approaching scene towards a ], 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 ] that represents her program (this symbol is always displayed inside of the ] D, in ''Judy''), by the end of the ]. Before these scenes, there was a scene 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.


==Lawsuits==
The colors that represent the show have altered several times over the years. The first couple of seasons of Judge Judy were represented by the colors ] and ]. ] and saffron represented the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh seasons. An array of many bright colors, along with blue and saffron represented the eighth season. Since the ninth season, the various graphics on the show have been ] and saffron. As of the twelfth season, ] has been added to the show's ] for the opening previews of each episode.
''Judge Judy'' ] Randy Douthit had been sued numerous times by former staff members of the ''Judge Judy'' program for alleged ], discriminatory practice, mismanagement, etc., while on the job. While only two of those lawsuits went public during the course of the show's original run, many other lawsuits and allegations against Douthit ].


===Ageism lawsuit===
The only changes made to the Judge Judy set were all mostly made in the early seasons of the show, which includes: the wooding that takes up most of the courtroom was a much lighter shade of brown in the beginning of the series; the wall behind Judge Judy did not always have the shiny surface it has now, with the black and dark brown color mixture (it used to be plain 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 the current scene of fake buildings; the carpeting was light pink in the beginning of the series; there were two different podiums that were replaced by the two currently used podiums; altogether, Sheindlin has had four different chairs throughout the show's existence. She had three smaller chairs before she got her current chair. Her very first chair was ] and her second chair was ] with diagonal square designs. Sheindlin's third chair was similar to her current chair, only with a lower back behind her shoulders. Though these chairs had low backs, they were all still executive chairs. They were replaced early on by the traditional, executive chair she has been sitting in for the majority of the show's existence. The chair is button-tufted, with a high back and thick padding. It is a ] leather chair.
On November 13, 2007, the show's former associate producer Karen Needle was fired. She later sued Douthit, claiming that she was wrongfully terminated because she was too old, 64 at the time. Sheindlin was not named as a defendant. Needle, who helped book audiences for the program, stated the reason she was given for being fired was "unspecified conflict from her audience work." Needle said she began suffering from ], sometimes even resorting to lying on the ground in pain, and when she asked her bosses for a new chair, nothing was done. According to the complaint, two weeks before Needle was fired, she took off four days to assist her ailing 88-year-old mother. Needle later stated, "There is a lot of terrible stuff going on if two people file separate lawsuits (referencing Jonathan Sebastien's suit). It's a toxic situation over there. This is supposed to be Judge Judy, the voice of justice, and yet her own staff isn't treated well. What is she getting paid all that money for if her own staff is treated with such little decency?"<ref name="abcnews1"/> The case was dismissed following a jury trial on January 26, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://unicourt.com/case/ca-la22-karen-needle-vs-the-judge-judy-program-et-al-92244|title=KAREN NEEDLE VS THE JUDGE JUDY PROGRAM ET AL|date=November 13, 2007|access-date=June 16, 2021}}</ref>


===Racism termination lawsuit===
==Judge Judith Sheindlin==
On December 26, 2007, Jonathan Sebastien, a former producer of the ''Judge Judy'' show of seven years, filed a lawsuit against the production company in ] for wrongful termination. Sebastien claimed that when he proposed certain cases for the show involving black litigants, Douthit turned them down with his alleged reasons being he did not want to see any more black people; their behaviors were too ghetto and more suited for former television jurist ]; and they needed more pretty, upscale white people. Sebastien claimed that in January 2007, he objected to the alleged discrimination in a meeting and was verbally abused by Douthit. Three months later on March 30, Sebastien stated he was ] with the reason given that rating numbers were down. Sebastien claimed that the real reason he was fired was that he opposed his boss's alleged "] selection process".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tmz.com/2007/12/31/lawsuit-says-judge-judy-sends-black-packin/ |title=Lawsuit Says 'Judge Judy' Sends Blacks Packin' |publisher=] |date=December 31, 2007 |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316035631/http://www.tmz.com/2007/12/31/lawsuit-says-judge-judy-sends-black-packin/ |archive-date=March 16, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="abcnews1">{{cite web |last=Baram |first=Marcus |url=https://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=4081369&page=1 |title=Disorder in the Court? 'Judge Judy' Show Sued |publisher=] |date=January 3, 2008 |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315091639/http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/Story?id=4081369&page=1 |archive-date=March 15, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 26, 2009, Sebastian filed a request for dismissal with the courts after a settlement was offered to him by the defendant for an undisclosed amount.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://unicourt.com/case/ca-la22-jonathan-sebastien-vs-the-judge-judy-program-et-al-94391|title=JONATHAN SEBASTIEN VS THE JUDGE JUDY PROGRAM ET AL|date=December 26, 2007|access-date=June 16, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Black Enterprise"/>
<!-- Deleted image removed: ] -->


===Conspiracy/fraud allegations===
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 ]. Combining those qualities with her swift handling of many of the matters brought up throughout the course of each ], Judge Judy is touted as, ''"A show where justice is dispensed at the speed of light."''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ten.com.au/ten/1753.html|title=ten.com.au/ten/1753.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref>
In March 2013, a ] was filed against Sheindlin by Patrice Jones, the ex-wife of Douthit. Jones alleged Douthit and Sheindlin had conspired to permit Sheindlin to buy ] ] and ] owned by Jones. She said Sheindlin had paid Douthit $50,815 for the items without her knowledge to deprive her of her valuables,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/judge-judy-sued-ex-friend-china-cutlery-sets-article-1.1289099 |title=Ex-friend of Judge Judy: I'll drop lawsuit if you give back my china set |newspaper=NY Daily News |access-date=March 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317021120/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/judge-judy-sued-ex-friend-china-cutlery-sets-article-1.1289099 |archive-date=March 17, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> and she sought $514,421 from Sheindlin. The suit ended after Sheindlin returned the tableware to Douthit and Jones agreed to pay Douthit $12,500 and have the tableware handed back to her.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tmz.com/2013/03/16/judge-judy-settles-china-lawsuit-producer-dishes-flatware/ |title=Judge Judy China Lawsuit SETTLES! |date=March 16, 2013 |publisher=TMZ.com |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319103040/http://www.tmz.com/2013/03/16/judge-judy-settles-china-lawsuit-producer-dishes-flatware |archive-date=March 19, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Copyright infringement lawsuit by production against YouTube user===
Disbelieving many of the questionable affirmations of the parties that appear before her, ] is the main problem that the incredulous Judith Sheindlin has with both ] and their ]es. In fact, one of her most popular ] is ''"Baloney!"'', and she is also convinced that ''"If something doesn't make sense, it's not true."''
On October 17, 2013, Big Ticket Television and the producers of ''Judge Judy'' filed a lawsuit against Ignacio De Los Angeles for posting an episode of ''Judge Judy'' on ] and ignoring the command to remove it.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tmz.com/2013/10/17/judge-judy-lawsuit-youtube-unauthorized/ |title=Judge Judy Lawsuit – I've Been Jacked on the Internet! |date=October 17, 2013 |publisher=TMZ|access-date=October 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017202702/http://www.tmz.com/2013/10/17/judge-judy-lawsuit-youtube-unauthorized/ |archive-date=October 17, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>
{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/00010101/NEWS06/131029917/OFF-BEAT-YouTube-user-gets-legal-book-thrown-at-him-over-Judge-Judy|title=OFF BEAT: YouTube user gets legal book thrown at him over 'Judge Judy'|date=October 23, 2013 |publisher=Business Insurance|access-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927052755/http://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20131023/NEWS07/131029917|archive-date=September 27, 2017|url-status=live}}
</ref>


===Publicity rights lawsuit filed by Judge Judy Sheindlin===
Of all her characteristics, Judge Judy is noted most for her courtroom toughness and wit. One example of this is her invectiveness, as she puts the parties in their places, often accompanied with insults. Many times, Sheindlin spends a good portion of the case giving certain litigants a hard time, by treating them with much loudness and very aggressive sternness. Judge Judy also tends to be highly irascible in her behavior towards the parties that appear before her, mostly displayed in her startling explosions at them. Known to behave in browbeating ways as well, Sheindlin makes 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 ] is ''Justice with an Attitude''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070907/laf055.html?.v=77|title=biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070907/laf055.html?.v=77<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> Though Sheindlin has a sense of humor as well, it’s normally presented in combination with her gruff disposition.
On March 12, 2014, Sheindlin filed a lawsuit against ], ] John Haymond, and his firm. In the lawsuit, Sheindlin accused Haymond and his firm of using her television image without consent in advertisements that falsely suggested she endorsed him and his firm. In March 2013, Sheindlin's producer allegedly told the firm that the use of her image was not permitted, but ads continued. The lawsuit filed in ] sought more than $75,000 in damages. Sheindlin said in her statement that any money she wins through the lawsuit will go toward college scholarships through the Her Honor Mentoring Program. Sheindlin described the unauthorized use of her name as "outrageous", stating, "Mr. Haymond is a lawyer and should know better."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tmz.com/2014/03/12/judge-judy-lawsuit-lawyer/ |title=Judge Judy Sues P.I. Lawyer – You Have 'Stupid' on Your Forehead ... Stupid |publisher=TMZ |date=March 6, 2014 |access-date=March 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313032425/http://www.tmz.com/2014/03/12/judge-judy-lawsuit-lawyer/ |archive-date=March 13, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=March 12, 2014 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2014/03/12/judge-judy-files-suit-against-connecticut-lawyer/6344599/ |title=Tables turned: Judge Judy files suit against lawyer |publisher=Usatoday.com |access-date=December 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224103404/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2014/03/12/judge-judy-files-suit-against-connecticut-lawyer/6344599/ |archive-date=December 24, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.courant.com/2014-03-12/news/hc-judge-judy-haymond-lawsuit-20140312_1_judith-sheindlin-judge-judy-advertisements |title=Judge Judy Sues Local Personal-Injury Lawyer – Hartford Courant |publisher=Articles.courant.com |access-date=March 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313194838/http://articles.courant.com/2014-03-12/news/hc-judge-judy-haymond-lawsuit-20140312_1_judith-sheindlin-judge-judy-advertisements |archive-date=March 13, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Haymond later filed a countersuit for ] and ]s, alleging ] of him and his firm by Sheindlin.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/judge-judy-connecticut-lawyer-settle-lawsuit/61370/ | title=Judge Judy, Connecticut Lawyer Settle Lawsuit | date=August 8, 2014 }}</ref> Haymond insisted that local affiliates asked him to appear in ''Judge Judy'' promos to promote Sheindlin for which he obliged.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tmz.com/2014/03/13/judge-judy-lawyer-lawsuit-john-haymond-promotion/ |title=Judge Judy – P.I. Lawyer Fires Back ... I Wasn't Promoting Me, I Was Promoting You! |date=March 13, 2014 |publisher=TMZ|access-date=March 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313233722/http://www.tmz.com/2014/03/13/judge-judy-lawyer-lawsuit-john-haymond-promotion/ |archive-date=March 13, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/07/14/69464.htm|title=Hartford Attorney Fires Back at Judge Judy|publisher=Courthouse News Service|date=July 14, 2014|access-date=July 14, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714221519/http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/07/14/69464.htm|archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> On August 8, 2014, it was reported that the case between Sheindlin and Haymond settled out of court in a resolution that favored Sheindlin. Haymond will be donating money to Sheindlin's charity, Her Honor Mentoring Program.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2014/08/08/judge-judy-lawsuit-settlement-lawyer-tv-commercial/|title=Judge Judy Wins One for the Girls In Lawsuit against Lawyer|work=TMZ|date=August 8, 2014 |access-date=August 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809233906/http://www.tmz.com/2014/08/08/judge-judy-lawsuit-settlement-lawyer-tv-commercial/|archive-date=August 9, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Contract breach lawsuits by Rebel Entertainment===
Sheindlin has many ]s which are referred to as “Judyisms”.<ref>http://www.theinsideronline.com/tags/judge-judy.html</ref> Many of these Judyisms are intended to provide a lesson, such as “Beauty fades, dumb is forever.” Judge Judy has stated that the main message she wants viewers to take from her show, is that people must take responsibility for their own actions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/02-97/02-02-97/e06li214.htm|title=archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/02-97/02-02-97/e06li214.htm<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref>
On March 14, 2016, talent agency Rebel Entertainment Partners Inc. and its president, Richard Lawrence, filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against CBS Television Distribution, claiming the media giant failed to pay the agency its contractually-agreed-to share of the show's profits, totaling millions of dollars. Rebel claimed they were owed for their contributions to launching the program and introducing Sheindlin and CBS through their terminated employees Kaye Switzer and Sandi Spreckman. The lawsuit alleged that CBS hadn't paid Rebel for the past six years, claiming that the show operated at a loss primarily due to Sheindlin's annual salary boost to $45 and then $47 million. The lawsuit went on to attack Sheindlin's salary as being far too high. Rebel described it as "exorbitant" and "grossly inconsistent with customary practice in the television industry" and claimed that similarly successful talk show hosts weren't paid nearly as much. Further, Rebel claimed they were entitled to be consulted before any spin-offs of the show were produced, but were not when '']'' (another courtroom-arbitrated show) was launched by Sheindlin and her producers in 2014.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/judge-judy-center-potential-multimillion-dollar-lawsuit/story?id=37685872|title='Judge Judy' at Center of Potential Multimillion-Dollar Lawsuit|date=March 16, 2016|publisher=] |access-date=March 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316224112/http://abcnews.go.com/Business/judge-judy-center-potential-multimillion-dollar-lawsuit/story?id=37685872|archive-date=March 16, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/04/judge-judy-lawsuit-cbs-47-million-dollar-salary-les-moonves-rebel-entertainment-1201720000/|title=CBS Sued Over 'Judge Judy's $47M Salary & Profits from Syndicated Series |first=Dominic|last=Patten|date=March 14, 2016 |work=] |access-date=March 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316181138/http://deadline.com/2016/03/judge-judy-lawsuit-cbs-47-million-dollar-salary-les-moonves-rebel-entertainment-1201720000/|archive-date=March 16, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In response to the lawsuit, Sheindlin had stated:


<blockquote>The fact that Richard Lawrence is complaining about my salary is actually hilarious. I met Mr. Lawrence for 2 hours some 21 years ago. Neither I nor anyone involved in the day-to-day production of my program has heard from him in 20 years. Not a card, not a gift, not a flower, not a congratulations. Yet he has somehow received over $17,000,000 from my program. My rudimentary math translates that into $8,500,000 an hour for Mr. Lawrence. Not a bad payday. Now complaining about not getting enough money, that's real chutzpah.<ref name="auto"/></blockquote>
== Petri Hawkins-Byrd ==
<!-- Deleted image removed: ] -->
Like all court shows, Judge Judy has two stars. By Sheindlin's side is Petri Hawkins-Byrd (born November, 1957), the show's ]. On the show, Sheindlin usually refers to him as ''"Byrd",'' and sometimes ''"] Byrd".''


When Sheindlin was deposed for the case in the summer of 2016, she said "CBS had no choice but to pay me what I wanted because otherwise I could take it wherever I wanted to take it or do it myself. Their backs to the wall. They pay me the money that they do because they have no choice. They can't find another one."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2018/01/judge-judy-lawsuit-breach-of-contract-cbs-1202266773/ |title=Judge Judy & CBS Sued Again Over Profits For Syndication's Biggest Court Show |first=Dominic |last=Patten |date=January 22, 2018|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123050008/https://deadline.com/2018/01/judge-judy-lawsuit-breach-of-contract-cbs-1202266773/|archive-date=January 23, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
Like Sheindlin, Byrd is a native of ], ]. He attended ] and received his ] in ] 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 an April 2018 verdict on this case, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Joanne O'Donnell found that Sheindlin was not grossly overpaid and that her salary did not constitute a breach of contract, rather her salary is a result of the "resounding success of her program and without its namesake star would not continue". That being said, Judge O'Donnell ruled partially in Rebel's favor, agreeing that it was a breach of contract for the defendants to have failed to consult Lawrence before launching the "spin-off" series, ''Hot Bench''. Dissatisfied with being granted one part of their motion while denying the other, Bryan Freedman (Lawrence's attorney) stated that the plaintiffs intended to appeal Judge O'Donnell's verdict. Freedman was quoted as stating, "As for admitting and then ignoring Rebel's uncontroverted expert opinion evidence that frontloading the 45 million dollar salary of Ms. Sheindlin was not consistent with the United States television industry, the court committed a reversible error. That issue will be decided by the court of appeal."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/judge-judy-salary-not-unreasonable-judge-rules-1202745414/ |title=Judge Judy's $45 Million Salary Is Not Unreasonable, Says New Ruling |first=Gene |last=Maddaus |date=April 5, 2018 |work=Variety |access-date=April 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406002414/http://variety.com/2018/tv/news/judge-judy-salary-not-unreasonable-judge-rules-1202745414/#article-comments |archive-date=April 6, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 1990, Byrd relocated to San Mateo, California, and became a Special Deputy ]. In 1993, Byrd accepted an offer to work as a student counsellor at Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, CA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.judgejudy.com/Bios/bailiffbyrd.asp|title=www.judgejudy.com/Bios/bailiffbyrd.asp<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> When he found out she would be getting her own court show, Byrd sent Judge Judy a congratulatory letter that read, ''“If you ever need a bailiff, I still look good in uniform.”'' To his surprise, Sheindlin accepted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legalaffairs.org/printerfriendly.msp?id=597|title=www.legalaffairs.org/printerfriendly.msp?id=597<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref>


Although CBS attempted to come to a settlement with Rebel Entertainment in February 2020, Rebel issued a second and simultaneous lawsuit in early August 2020 that named not only ] as a defendant but Sheindlin as well. The lawsuit filing was for more than $5 million over Sheindlin's submitting the show's profitable episode library back over to CBS (] in March 2015 as part of a ''Judge Judy'' contract renewal deal), Rebel alleging this exchange as a "sell" that they never benefited financially from.<ref name="Deadline">{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/judge-judy-new-lawsuit-cbs-profits-library-sale-rebel-entertainment-1203003187/|title=Judge Judy Says She'll Eat Contract "On National TV" If It Can Be Produced In New Suit Over CBS' $95M Purchase Of Syndicated Series' Library – Update|access-date=June 12, 2021|last=Patten|first=Dominic|date=August 4, 2021|location=United States}}</ref> That same month, Sheindlin and her attorneys filed a countersuit for $22 million against Rebel Entertainment over unlawful/unfair business practices and unjust enrichment. Sheindlin promised to donate to a cancer charity any money that she won in the lawsuit. In February 2021, Judge Richard Burdge ruled that legal protocols enforced Sheindlin to name CBS as a defendant along with Rebel if she wished to pursue her countersuit. Sheindlin refused and thus her counterclaim was dismissed.<ref name="ok magazine">{{cite news|url=https://okmagazine.com/p/judge-judy-22-million-counterclaims-profits-battle-tossed-out-court/|title=Judge Judy Suffers Loss In $22 Million Counterclaims Suit — But Courtroom Drama In Profits Battle Continues|access-date=June 12, 2021|last=Schuster|first=Nikki|date=February 24, 2021|location=United States}}</ref> On June 12, 2021, it was reported that Sheindlin and her attorneys' ] to have Rebel's over $5 million lawsuit dismissed through ] (a verdict rendered early so that a case doesn't have to go to trial) was denied by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Nieto. When asked to share her thoughts about this ruling, Sheindlin remarked, "Richard Lawrence has garnered 22 plus million dollars , although I have seen him only once in an elevator since our program began 25 years ago. I look forward to a trial".<ref name="deadline">{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2021/06/judge-judy-lawsuit-loss-cbs-rebel-library-sale-1234773722/|title=Judge Judy Intent On Trial After Another Court Loss; Attempt To Quash $5M Suit Over CBS Library Sale Rejected|access-date=June 12, 2021|last=Patten|first=Dominic|date=June 11, 2021|location=United States}}</ref> In September 2022, however, another Los Angeles Superior Court judge, Kristin Escalante, granted a motion by Sheindlin and ViacomCBS to have Rebel's two-year-old, over $5 million lawsuit dismissed. Following their court loss, however, Rebel Attorney Freedman remarked on how they intend to keep ]ing failed lawsuits until Lawrence gets what he wants.<ref name="Deadline Dismissal">{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2022/09/judge-judy-lawsuit-dismissed-profits-cbs-rebel-entertainment-appeal-1235130725/#comments|title=Judge Judy & CBS Get $95M Series Library Sale Suit Dismissed; Appeal Planned By Rebel Entertainment|access-date=October 10, 2022|last=Patten|first=Dominic|date=September 29, 2022|location=United States}}</ref>
His main role on Judge Judy is introducing the cases (] the litigants and revealing the ] to Judge Judy just before each session), 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. However, Hawkins is also helpful in many other ways. For example, whenever Judge Judy needs the ], Byrd always gets it for her and looks up the needed ] value. Mr. Hawkins also provides Judge Judy information on subjects she does not know much about, such as ], the ], and ]s.


On July 30, 2021, the ] upheld Judge Joanne O'Donnell's 2018 ruling that CBS did not breach its contract with Rebel by increasing Sheindlin's salary to $45 million (and later $47 million), consequently zeroing out Rebel's earnings at around the same time in 2009. At the crux of the legal hearing was the contract agreement signed by CBS and Rebel in 1995 when Rebel sold CBS the court show. The contract that was signed outlined that CBS would compensate Rebel 5% of gross proceeds from ''Judge Judy'' for the duration of its series run, but minus production expenses. CBS contended that profit share deductions were a direct result of production expenses, that is, Sheindlin's intent to terminate employment with the network if her salary demands weren't met. Sheindlin corroborated these claims in her testimony, stating that she laid down rigid salary terms for CBS every three years otherwise ]. Accordingly, the court rejected Rebel's legal claim and granted CBS a summary judgment, finding that CBS Television Distribution properly deducted profits from Rebel Entertainment as a production expense.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/judge-judy-producers-beat-lawsuit-over-stars-47-million-pay|title='Judge Judy' Producers Beat Lawsuit Over Star's $47 Million Pay |newspaper=Bloomberg law|date=July 30, 2021 |access-date=July 31, 2021}}</ref>
He is the self-professed "world's richest baliff", but refuses to reveal his salary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legalaffairs.org/printerfriendly.msp?id=597|title=www.legalaffairs.org/printerfriendly.msp?id=597<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> Byrd and his family now reside in Elk Grove, ].


====Added contract breach lawsuit filed by ex-employees of Rebel====
While Judge Judy hears cases, Byrd is often looking down at a clipboard. Though it might appear as if he's going over case files or court-related information, Byrd is actually occupying his time with ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legalaffairs.org/printerfriendly.msp?id=597|title=www.legalaffairs.org/printerfriendly.msp?id=597<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> 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."''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11333570/|title=www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11333570/<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref>
On January 19, 2018, a breach-of-contract lawsuit—similar and loosely related to the case filed by Rebel Entertainment—was filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court against Sheindlin, CBS Corporation, CBS Studios, and Big Ticket Television by Kaye Switzer, and the trust of the now deceased Sandi Spreckman.<ref name="HR20180123">{{cite web |last1=Cullins |first1=Ashley |title='Judge Judy' Library Sale Sparks Profits Lawsuit |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/judge-judy-library-sale-sparks-profits-lawsuit-1077510 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=September 12, 2018 |date=January 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913040153/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/judge-judy-library-sale-sparks-profits-lawsuit-1077510 |archive-date=September 13, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Switzer and Spreckman are former employees of Rebel Entertainment, terminated by the employer. Switzer and Spreckman's trustee, Jay Robinson, claimed they "discovered" and introduced Sheindlin to producer Larry Little, asserting that if not for this move that there never would have been any ''Judge Judy'' and thus they were owed monetary royalties for the entirety of the court show's series run. The lawsuit also claimed that Sheindlin sold "The Judge Judy Library" (a collection of all episodes of ''Judge Judy'') to CBS Television Distribution for over $95,000,000. Switzer and the Spreckman's trustee contend that they were not paid any monetary royalties by Sheindlin, CBS, or Big Ticket related to this transaction.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/04/judge-judy-lawsuit-cbs-response-47-million-dollar-salary-les-moonves-rebel-entertainment-1201738673/|title=CBS Hits Back At 'Judge Judy' Lawsuit; Says $17M Paid To Agent "Not Entitled"|first=Dominic|last=Patten|date=April 15, 2016|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204182329/http://deadline.com/2016/04/judge-judy-lawsuit-cbs-response-47-million-dollar-salary-les-moonves-rebel-entertainment-1201738673/|archive-date=February 4, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The two women have a long history of filing lawsuits over the same matter against Sheindlin and CBS dating back to the year 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jun-03-me-36917-story.html|title=Judge Judy Takes the Stand in Producers' Lawsuit|date=June 3, 2000|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314074435/http://articles.latimes.com/2000/jun/03/local/me-36917|archive-date=March 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>


An insider claimed that Sheindlin was not concerned about the lawsuit, regards the subject of "who is owed what as just background noise", and believed that the success of her show came from nothing more than the "sweat of her brow" and the force of her personality. According to the same insider, Sheindlin said that while she "was always fond of Kaye and Sandi", the pair were terminated by Rebel Entertainment before her show ever even made it on the air and that she "never entered a contract with Kaye and Sandi personally."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.closerweekly.com/posts/judge-judy-sued-millions-152842|title=Judge Judy Thinks Lawsuit Over Her Show's Syndication Profits Is Just "Background Noise" (EXCLUSIVE)|date=January 31, 2018|work=Closeweekly|access-date=February 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204184234/http://www.closerweekly.com/posts/judge-judy-sued-millions-152842|archive-date=February 4, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
When a ] went ] of Judge Judy, it was revealed that the show originally wanted an ] to take on the role of Judge Judy's bailiff. However, Judge Judy rejected that suggestion, letting producers know that was not going to work. Almost certain the court show would not last more than six months, her producers just decided to give Sheindlin what she wanted and allowed Byrd to be her bailiff.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wcbstv.com/entertainment/local_story_046135022.html|title=wcbstv.com/entertainment/local_story_046135022.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref>


In March 2021, defendants Judith Sheindlin, Big Ticket Pictures, Her Honor, and CBS Studios petitioned the courts for a ] (an early verdict from a judge based on enough evidence gathered during ] so that a case does not have to move to trial).<ref name="Early summary judgment dismissing case">{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/judge-judy-lawsuit-victory-cbs-profits-kaye-switzer-sandi-spreckman-1234990423/#comments|title=Judge Judy & CBS Win Battle Over Profits From Sale Of Syndicated Series' Library|access-date=May 17, 2022|work=Deadline|last=Patten|first=Dominic|date=March 29, 2022|location=United States}}</ref> In February 2022, the court granted the defendants their petition for a summary judgment, effectively dismissing the case filed by plaintiffs Switzer and the trust of Spreckman. The defendants contended that the plaintiffs were unable to prove that any money was earned by Sheindlin for her submission of the ''Judge Judy'' episode library back to CBS, adding that details of the contract regarding that exchange have been kept confidential through contractual protections.<ref name="Early summary judgment dismissing case"/> To that end, in August 2017 when CBS Television Distribution President at that time, Paul Franklin, shared the news that Sheindlin submitted her ''Judge Judy'' episode library back to CBS, Franklin was quoted as describing the exchange as CBS "acquiring" the episode library as opposed to "buying" the episode library.<ref name="Word acquired used as opposed to bought">{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2017/08/cbs-acquires-judge-judy-library-rights-extends-deal-through-2021-season-25-judith-sheindlin-1202144780/|title=CBS Acquires 'Judge Judy' Library Rights; Extends Deal Through 2021|access-date=May 17, 2022|work=Deadline|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=August 8, 2017|location=United States}}</ref>
== Reception ==
=== Ratings ===
Judge Judy went on the air in September of 1996. By the end of October of that year, the show was averaging only a 1.5 rating, putting it in the midrank of the 159 syndicated shows on the air. At that time, it was never expected that the show's ] would ever compete with highly successful daytime TV shows, such as '']'', '']'', and '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/02-97/02-02-97/e06li214.htm|title=archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/02-97/02-02-97/e06li214.htm<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> According to Sheindlin's ], producers of her show were disappointed that the show was barely making it 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 the second season (1997-98), the court show had already risen into the 4 ranges, as stated in Judy Sheindlin's ] video.


==Series departure details==
Judge Judy's ratings more than doubled to 5.6 for her third season (1998-99), making her show an early success. This led to the creation of '']'' (lasting four seasons) and '']'' (into its tenth season as of 2007). In fact, it was because of her impressive ratings that year that '']'' producers decided to replace ] with Judge Judy's husband, '']''. However, he lasted only two years on ''The People's Court,'' from 1999 to 2001, before being replaced by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1999/05/10/259540/index.htm|title=money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1999/05/10/259540/index.htm<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref>
In February 2020, CBS attempted to come to a ] (despite this, there have been numerous additional failed attempts at winning lawsuits filed against Sheindlin and ViacomCBS by Rebel, even for a period after the show ran).<ref name="Deadline Dismissal"/> Less than a week after CBS's February 2020 settlement attempt with Rebel, Sheindlin announced on ''The Ellen DeGeneres Show'' that her ''Judge Judy'' series would end that following television year, 2020–21, at 25 seasons. In announcing this news, Sheindlin also shared that she would prepare to shop a new spin-off series, '']'', around to other distributors. The news of Sheindlin announcing the end of her series caught CBS off guard. Although CBS had some idea that the show would conclude at around 25 seasons, nothing was set in stone.<ref name="Variety.com">{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/judge-judy-sheindlin-judy-justice-scott-koondel-1203520868/|title=Judge Judy Sets Sights on Streaming, Cable Arena for Next Chapter With 'Judy Justice'|access-date=June 19, 2021|work=]|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|date=March 2, 2020|location=United States}}</ref> Sheindlin later signed a deal with ] to ] the new ''Judy Justice'' court show. The deal with Amazon allows Sheindlin full ownership rights over her new program and what was described as a lucrative salary—Sheindlin stated that salary negotiations were effortless because of how public her $47 million ''Judge Judy'' salary and $440 million net worth (for the year 2020) were.<ref name="popculture.com">{{cite news|url=https://popculture.com/tv-shows/news/judge-judy-scheindlin-hints-salary-new-amazon-show/|title=Judge Judy Scheindlin Hints at Salary for New Amazon Show|access-date=June 12, 2021|work=Popculture|last=Schonter|first=Allison|date=May 14, 2021|location=United States}}</ref> According to later released media reports, Sheindlin's annual ''Judy Justice'' salary is 25 million.<ref name="Flipboard">{{cite news|url=https://flipboard.com/topic/judyjustice/judge-judy-was-plagued-by-sexual-harassment-claims-drinking-on-the-job-and-ra/a-3Y5EnEbLT628YbN3xckd6A%3Aa%3A14372264-926658d65a%2Fbusinessinsider.com|title='Judge Judy' was plagued by sexual harassment claims, drinking on the job, and racism, former employees say. They worry her new $25 million Amazon streaming show will be more of the same.|access-date=January 8, 2022|work=]|last=Einbender|first=Nicole|date=Mar 4, 2020|location=United States}}</ref>


After ''Judge Judy'' completed its series run at 25 seasons, the program officially ending on July 23, 2021, Sheindlin rationalized that "25 is a good round number" to go out on top with.<ref name="etonline.com"/> In June 2021, however, Sheindlin issued public statements that her tensions with CBS and feeling disrespected by the network posed the basis for her show's end. According to reports, Sheindlin had taken exception to CBS's management of her program ever since the resignation of ] from the role as chief executive over the network in 2018, resulting from a multitude of scandals.<ref name="primetimer">{{cite news|url=https://www.primetimer.com/item/Report-Judy-Sheindlins-feud-with-CBS-led-her-to-end-Judge-Judy-after-25-years-vaSjbA|title=Judy Sheindlin's feud with CBS led her to end Judge Judy after 25 years|access-date=June 19, 2021|work=Primetimer|last=Weiss|first=Norman|date=March 2, 2020|location=United States}}</ref> In particular, Sheindlin resented CBS's ownership rights to the ''Judge Judy'' episode library, a position that allowed CBS to air numerous seasons of ''Judge Judy'' without having to pay Sheindlin as much for new episodes (at least as she had been receiving at that time, which was ]).<ref name="Yahoo.com">{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/judge-judy-return-television-granddaughter-192200536.html|title=Judge Judy will return to television with granddaughter|access-date=September 11, 2021|work=]|last=Miller|first=Matthew|date=September 9, 2021|location=United States}}</ref> Sheindlin further resented CBS's demotion of the court show '']'' in airing timeslots (a series that although does not feature Sheindlin, is produced and created by her).<ref name="insider.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.insider.com/judge-judy-cbs-bill-and-melinda-gates-divorce-2021-6|title=Judge Judy says she's going to have a 'Bill and Melinda Gates divorce' with CBS|access-date=June 12, 2021|work=]|last=Edmonds|first=Lauren|date=June 5, 2021|location=United States}}</ref>
During her fourth season (1999-00), Judy's ratings exploded, peaking at a 9.3, just as '']'' was created, and '']'' was revived; both court shows, having made it to their ninth seasons as of the 2007-08 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 (] which launched Oprah was a corporate sibling of ], which distributed ''Judge Judy''). Not only was Judge Judy reported as the top-rated court show, but the top-rated daytime TV show at this point.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/1-2-2003-32966.asp|title=www.buzzle.com/editorials/1-2-2003-32966.asp<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref>


Addressing her relationship with the network, Sheindlin commented, "We had a nice marriage. It's going to be a ] and ] divorce."<ref name="insider.com"/> In a formal press release response to Sheindlin's statements issued by CBS Ventures President Steven Locascio, he was quoted as stating, "The network has had an incredibly successful relationship with Judy over the last 25 years. It has been an honor representing her show, and just like there has never been another ], there will never be another Judge Judy."<ref name="insider.com"/>
Over the next three years, however, the ratings for Judge Judy declined. This decline started in the court show's fifth season (2000-01) and lasted through its seventh season (2002-03). Sheindlin finally reversed this downward turn when her ratings average increased to a 7.1 for her eighth season (2003-04). Of the seven running court shows during the 2004-05 season, most of them earned a 3.63 rating. All of them, that is, except for Judge Judy, which pulled in a 7.8 rating for that season (the show's ninth). For her tenth season (2005-06), Judge Judy averaged a 4.8 rating.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6431604.html|title=www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6431604.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> Court show ratings for the 2006-07 season: Judge Judy averaged 4.6 rating for her eleventh season; ''Judge Joe Brown'' averaged a 2.9 rating; ''The People’s Court'' averaged a 2.7; ''Judge Mathis'' averaged a 2.4; ''Divorce Court'' averaged a 2.0; '']'' averaged 1.9; '']'' averaged a 1.5; rookies--'']'' averaged a 1.4, and '']'' came in last, averaging a 1.0 rating.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weneedtostop.com/2007/07/judge_joe_brown_is_right_behin.html|title=www.weneedtostop.com/2007/07/judge_joe_brown_is_right_behin.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> ''Judge Judy'' producer Randy Douthit says that "they are guilty of cannibalizing each other. Most of these court shows are lucky to get above a 1 rating today."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6431604.html|title=In Crowded Court, 'Judy’ Rules|publisher='']''|accessdate=2007-11-09|date=] ]}}</ref>


==Post-series run publicity==
As of the early to mid stages of the show's twelfth season, the ratings for Judge Judy have been located in the four and five ranges. The court show averaged a 4.4 for its premiere week of September 10, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/Dayparts_update_51/Making_Whoopi_View_ratings_are_up.asp|title=www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/Dayparts_update_51/Making_Whoopi_View_ratings_are_up.asp<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> It scored the same numbers for the following week of September 16. For both weeks of September 24 and September 30, Judge Judy averaged a 4.6 rating.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:jggKfXVyB6IJ:tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/10/02/daily.9/+Judge+Judy+gained+4.6+September&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=8&gl=us|title=64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:jggKfXVyB6IJ:tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/10/02/daily.9/+Judge+Judy+gained+4.6+September&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=8&gl=us<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6486312.html|title=www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6486312.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> The court show finished out the week of October 7 with a two percent increase in its ratings, averaging a 4.7.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.yahoo.com/show/30258/news/urn:newsml:tv.mediaweek.com:20071018:ratingsboxwhatshotwhatsnot__ER:83273|title=tv.yahoo.com/show/30258/news/urn:newsml:tv.mediaweek.com:20071018:ratingsboxwhatshotwhatsnot__ER:83273<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> For the week of October 14, nearly every court show remained the same or fell in ratings except for Judge Judy, which rose two percent once again, averaging a 4.8.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6494095.html?industryid=47173|title=www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6494095.html?industryid=47173<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> The following week of October 21 ended with yet another two percent gain for the court show, as Judge Judy averaged a 4.9 rating.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6495805.html|title=www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6495805.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> The week of October 28 saw Judy's ratings up two percent more, at a 5.0.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6498155.html?industryid=47173|title=www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6498155.html?industryid=47173<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> For the week of November 4, however, Sheindlin's ratings decreased six percent, averaging a 4.7.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://production.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=232396|title=production.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=232396<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> In conjunction with the following week of November 11th, Judge Judy elevated 8%, averaging a 5.1 rating.<ref></ref> For the week of November 18th, Judge Judy's ratings lowered 2% to a 5.0.<ref></ref> For the week of November 25, Judge Judy sunk 2% again, averaging a 4.9 rating.<ref></ref> For the week of January 13, Judge Judy averaged a 5.3 rating. <ref></ref> For the week of January 27, Judge Judy averaged a 5.6 season-high rating. <ref>http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6528998.html?industryid=47173</ref>
===Fan criticism over Bailiff Byrd not returning for ''Judge Judy'' spin-off===
Sheindlin's ''Judge Judy'' spin-off, '']'', garnered significant criticism from disgruntled ''Judge Judy'' show fans and media outlets alike over ''Judge Judy'' program's ] not returning to Sheindlin's side nor having any participation.<ref name="Comicbook.com">{{cite news|url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/judge-judy-bailiff-byrd-wasnt-asked-to-be-on-new-show/|title=Judge Judy Fans Are Furious Original Bailiff Petri Hawkins Byrd Wasn't Asked To Be on New Show|access-date=October 11, 2021|work=Combicbook.com|last=Lovett|first=Jamie|date=October 10, 2021|location=United States}}</ref> According to sources close to Sheindlin's programs, the vast majority of her ''Judge Judy'' crew was invited back and treated well for the successor. Byrd, on the other hand, later revealed in October 2021 that when he finally had a discussion with Sheindlin by the time her new series was in production, she explained that he was ] due to the show's ], that they couldn't afford him. The discussion was also said to have resulted from Byrd having to call Sheindlin. Byrd expressed that he was "dismayed" and "perplexed" as no one had ever previously discussed the new series with him. In a public response to Byrd and ''Judge Judy'' fans, Sheindlin praised Byrd as "terrific", sharing that the two had a great 25-season run, but concluded that the new show required a fresh, exciting direction. Byrd ultimately expressed appreciation for the opportunities provided to him by Sheindlin, wishing her all the best with ''Judy Justice'' and stating to hold no grudges.<ref name="Award Ceremony Snub of Bailiff Byrd"/>


Byrd later added in November 2021 that he also felt snubbed by the Emmys when he was not allowed to present Sheindlin's ] to her at the ] ceremony in 2019. Byrd stated that he was seated 15 to 20 rows back while Sheindlin sat with ''Judge Judy'' Executive Producer Randy Douthit in the front rows. Questioned about the matter, Sheindlin shared that it was ] who called up the ] and requested to present her with the award because she was a big fan. According to Byrd, however, Poehler later shared with him that she was equally perplexed over his exclusion from the ceremony.<ref name="Award Ceremony Snub of Bailiff Byrd"/>
The ratings for Judge Judy have made it one of the top ten syndicated daytime television shows. As of the early to mid stages of its twelfth season, the show's rankings has fallen mostly in fourth place among daytime television shows. In relation to the 2007-08 ], Judge Judy is the only syndicated show to increase in ratings over the previous ]. <ref></ref>


On April 28, 2022, it was announced that Byrd would return to his televised bailiff duties for another courtroom series, entitled '']''. Sheindlin created the court show and produces it. Like ''Judy Justice'', ''Tribunal'' is streamed on ]. The program is presided over by now former '']'' judges, Tanya Acker and ], along with Sheindlin's son, former ] Adam Levy.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/judy-sheindlin-panel-court-show-tribunal-amazon-freevee-judge-judy-bailiff-petri-hawkins-byrd-patricia-dimango-tanya-acker-ordered-1235011842/ | title=Amazon Freevee Orders Judy Sheindlin Court Show 'Tribunal' with 'Judge Judy' Bailiff Petri Hawkins Byrd, 'Hot Bench's Patricia DiMango & Tanya Acker | date=28 April 2022 }}</ref>
Judge Judy is reportedly watched by ten million people daily.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=215607|title=tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=215607<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> Judge Judy's daytime audience is composed of approximately seventy-five percent ] and twenty-five percent ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6253696.html?display=Special+Report|title=www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6253696.html?display=Special+Report<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref>


===Toxic work environment allegations leveled at producer===
=== Criticisms ===
While Judge Judy Sheindlin is not accused of any workplace misconduct, ''Judge Judy'' and ''Judy Justice'' Executive Producer Randy Douthit has come under fire over years of lawsuits and allegations about creating a ] behind the scenes of ''Judge Judy''. Discovered were multitudes of allegations leveled at Douthit by 16 former ''Judge Judy'' producers that run the gamut, involving workplace ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref name="Black Enterprise">{{cite news|url=https://www.blackenterprise.com/report-judge-judy-producer-didnt-want-too-many-black-litigants-on-the-show/|title=REPORT: 'JUDGE JUDY' PRODUCER DIDN'T WANT TOO MANY BLACK LITIGANTS ON THE SHOW|access-date=November 7, 2021|work=]|last=Johnson|first=Jeroslyn|date=November 5, 2021|location=United States}}</ref><ref name="Businessinsider">{{cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/judge-judy-producer-litigants-too-ugly-pig-noises-accusations-2021-11|title=Top 'Judge Judy' producer once made pig noises when he found litigants unattractive and told producers he didn't want too many Black litigants, former employees claimed|access-date=November 7, 2021|work=]|last=Einbinder|first=Nicole|date=November 4, 2021|location=United States}}</ref>
One of Sheindlin's critics is ], who was the first ] of reality courtroom shows. He presided over '']'' from 1981 to 1993. On ], ], 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metnews.com/articles/reminiscing091103.htm|title=www.metnews.com/articles/reminiscing091103.htm<!--Racism in the U.S. - From Judge Judy to Everyone Else-->}}</ref>


According to the ]s made by former ''Judge Judy'' staff dating back from 2001 through the remainder of the show's run, Douthit frequently sexually harassed employees who reported to him<ref name="Sexual Harassment">{{cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/judge-judy-show-sexual-harassment-drinking-racism-accusations-2021-11|title='Judge Judy' was plagued by sexual harassment claims, drinking on the job, and racism, former employees say. They worry the new $25 million Amazon streaming show will be more of the same|access-date=November 8, 2021|work=]|last=Einbinder|first=Nicole|date=November 2, 2021|location=United States}}</ref> and reviled female litigants while ] from the ], referring to them as "too ]", "too ]", "]", uttering ], sharing of which of them he most desired to sleep with, etc. ''Judge Judy'' Producer Kurstin Haynes revealed, "He'd make comments about their weight, he'd make comments about their teeth, or if they were ]." According to ''Judge Judy'' employees, the process of proposing cases to Douthit for his approval required submitting photography of the litigants involved. Several revealed that Douthit was particularly concerned with the teeth of the show's guests, employees citing getting into "big trouble" with Douthit over the selection of such "disgusting" litigants. Throughout ''Judge Judy''{{'}}s run, all lawsuits filed against Douthit were dismissed. However, when questioned about the various allegations, court filings quote Douthit as answering, "I don't believe so. I hope not. I may have, but I hope not."<ref name="Workplace Allegations">{{cite news|url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/11/05/what-did-judge-judy-executive-producer-allegedly-do-to-litigants/|title=WHAT DID JUDGE JUDY EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ALLEGEDLY DO TO LITIGANTS?|access-date=November 7, 2021|work=HITC|last=Wilson|first=Shania|date=November 5, 2021|location=United States}}</ref><ref name="Black Enterprise"/><ref name="Businessinsider"/>
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abanet.org/dispute/essay/syndicourtjustice.pdf|title=www.abanet.org/dispute/essay/syndicourtjustice.pdf<!--INSERT TITLE-->|format=PDF}}</ref>


According to a media publicized lawsuit filed against Douthit in 2009 by former Senior Producer Jonathan Sebastien, Douthit announced, "We're not doing any more ] shows. I don't want to hear Black people arguing." Asked whether he remembered telling producers to screen out Black litigants, court filings quote Douthit as answering that he could not recall. After objecting to Douthit's behavior, Sebastien was later fired, allegedly for that reason. Sebastien later reached a ] for an undisclosed amount. In November 2021, six ''Judge Judy'' staffers confirmed Sebastien's claims, additionally alleging that this behavior from Douthit continued through season 25 in 2020-21. Douthit's lawyers have denied all charges, claiming that they emanate from disgruntled former employees, also citing Douthit as fostering a supportive, inclusive workplace.<ref name="Workplace Allegations"/><ref name="Black Enterprise"/><ref name="Businessinsider"/> Sheindlin's ] was consequently called into question, criticized over turning a blind eye to the matters and allowing Douthit as well as other allegedly problematic ''Judge Judy'' Executive Producers Amy Freisleben and Victoria Jenest to resume their roles in ''Judy Justice.''<ref name="Toxic Workplace on Judge Judy">{{cite news|url=https://www.distractify.com/p/judge-judy-toxic-workplace|title=Allegations of a Toxic Workplace Plagued 'Judge Judy' for Years|access-date=November 8, 2021|work=Distractify|last=Barilla|first=Chris|date=November 4, 2021|location=United States}}</ref> Expressing resentment over how her leadership was portrayed in ] reports, Sheindlin was quoted as stating:
Rulings on the show can be overturned and at least one has with the ] noting that: <blockquote>"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.{{Fact|date=December 2007}}</blockquote>
<blockquote>To author a piece which speculates that I 'was untouchable,' 'don't care how the show gets made,' 'that I don't trust anyone,' 'didn't like cases involving dogs, dog bites or strippers,' 'by and large didn't interact with staffers,' 'wasn't worried about the coronavirus,' is appalling and untrue.<ref name="Toxic Workplace on Judge Judy"/></blockquote>
==Judge Judy in popular culture==
She has been parodied on and actually appeared on ] (with ] acting in the Judge Judy role). She's been mentioned on network TV shows such as ] and on the ].


===Success in post–series production reruns===
She has also been parodied on Nickelodeon's program ], in a sketch that has ] playing "Judge Trudy," who hears "cases" of children being treated "unfairly" by their parents. This sketch is also known for dancing lobsters. It had also been spoofed on the Disney Channel show ] with Judge Foody. She also was parodied in ] by the character ].
In April 2022, it was computed that ''Judge Judy'' reruns have vastly outperformed ''Judy Justice'' season one (2021–22) in viewership quantities.<ref name="Judge Judy outperforms Judy Justice">{{cite news|url=https://theankler.com/p/judge-judy-v-amazon-judy-the-verdict|title=Judge Judy v. Amazon Judy: The Verdict is In!|access-date=October 25, 2022|work=The Ankler|last=Strategy Guy|first=The Entertainment|date=April 28, 2022|location=United States}}</ref> It was also reported in August 2022 that with ''Judge Judy'' out of production for over a year by this point, the court show remained one of the highest-rated programs in all of daytime television and syndication.<ref name="Judge Judy post-series production"/> Moreover, the series still dominates the court show genre as the highest-rated broadcast and by significant margins.<ref name="Judge Judy rerun ratings update"/><ref name="Judge Judy rerun ratings">{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/syndication-ratings-rookie-talkers-hold-their-own-in-face-of-hurricane-ian|title=Syndication Ratings: Rookie Talkers Hold Their Own in Face of Hurricane Ian|access-date=October 13, 2022|work=Broadcasting & Cable|last=Albiniak|first=Paige|date=October 11, 2022|location=United States}}</ref> Questioned about her concluded court show's enduring success and timelessness in reruns during a November 2022 interview, Sheindlin answered, "My mind is still blown away by the fact, that in the second year of its afterlife, Judge Judy is still number one in daytime."<ref name="Works of Judge Judy">{{cite news|url=https://nypost.com/2022/11/04/judy-sheindlin-dishes-on-starring-with-sarah-rose-on-judy-justice/|title=Judy Sheindlin dishes on starring with granddaughter Sarah Rose on 'Judy Justice'|access-date=November 5, 2022|work=]|last=Starr|first=Michael|date=November 4, 2022|location=United States}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|2}} {{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{wikiquote}} {{Wikiquote}}
* – the show's official homepage * {{Official website|http://www.judgejudy.com/}}
* {{IMDb title|0115227}}
* – a critical essay on small-claims arbitration shows, at the website of the ]
*, criticism by Irwin Kramer, ], November 10, 2003
*{{Tv.com show|id=12762|title=Judge Judy}}
*{{imdb title|id=0115227|title=Judge Judy}}
*{{imdb name|id=0370257|name=Petri Hawkins-Byrd}}


{{Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program}}
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Latest revision as of 20:09, 22 December 2024

American reality court show This article is about the court show. For the eponymous judge of the show, see Judy Sheindlin. For the Tyler, the Creator song, see Judge Judy (song).

Judge Judy
GenreArbitration-based reality court show
Created byKaye Switzer
Sandi Spreckman
Directed byRandy Douthit
Presented by
Narrated byMichael J. Stull
Jerry Bishop
Steve Kamer
Theme music composerFred Lapides
Bill Bodine
Non-Stop Music Productions
Opening themeSymphony No. 5, First movement by Ludwig van Beethoven (seasons 9–25)
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons25
No. of episodes6,280
Production
Executive producerRandy Douthit
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time22 minutes
Production companiesBig Ticket Television
Queen Bee Productions (CBS Primetime Special)
Original release
NetworkSyndication
ReleaseSeptember 16, 1996 (1996-09-16) –
July 23, 2021 (2021-07-23)
Related
Judy Justice (Sheindlin as judge)
Tribunal Justice (Byrd as bailiff, produced by Sheindlin)

Judge Judy is an American arbitration-based reality court show presided over by former Manhattan Family Court Judge Judith Sheindlin. The show featured Sheindlin as she adjudicated real-life small-claims disputes within a simulated courtroom set. Prior to the proceedings, all involved parties signed arbitration contracts agreeing to Sheindlin's ruling. The show aired in first-run syndication. As it was during its active years in production, it continues to be distributed by CBS Media Ventures in syndication, now in reruns that still draw notably high ratings.

The series premiered on September 16, 1996, and concluded on July 23, 2021. The court show ended with its 25th season after Sheindlin and CBS renewed their contract for the final time in 2017. During its run in new episodes, the show did not release airings in the order they were taped. Thus the final filmed case of the series aired on June 8, 2021. While later seasons of the show are currently airing in syndication, the first three seasons are on Pluto TV's "Courtroom" channel and their "Judge Judy" channel.

Judge Judy Sheindlin in 2012

Judge Judy had an impact on courtroom programming, reviving the genre as a whole. It was the highest Nielsen-rated court show for the entirety of its 25-year run in original episodes, also frequently ranking as highest-rated television broadcast in daytime television and syndication. Of the court shows with a single series run (without on-and-off production from cancellation turned series revivals/recasting), Judge Judy had the most seasons. The series also won three Emmy Awards; earned Sheindlin a Guinness World Records recognition for longest serving television arbitrator; and originated many courtroom programming trends, from use of eponymous show titles to cold open trailers.

Two court spin-offs have been generated from Judge Judy: Judy Justice, starring Sheindlin as judge; and Tribunal Justice, featuring Byrd as bailiff. Like Judy Justice, Tribunal Justice is created by Sheindlin and streamed on Amazon Freevee.

Background

Origins and development

After Joseph Wapner was released from The People's Court on May 21, 1993, Sheindlin called up the program's producers, Ralph Edwards-Stu Billett Productions and Warner Bros. Television, and offered to do the show in his place. The receptionist who answered the phone responded "Are you crazy, lady?" before directly hanging up on Sheindlin. Earlier that same year in February 1993, a Los Angeles Times article on Sheindlin's reputation as one of the toughest family court judges in the country, written by Josh Getlin (inspired by his wife, Heidi, both of whom Sheindlin credits with her stardom) caught the attention of 60 Minutes, which aired a segment on her on October 24, 1993. The segment brought her national recognition, and days later from its airing, led to Sheindlin receiving an offer from a literary agent to write her first book. Sheindlin accepted the offer, writing Don't Pee On My Leg and Tell Me It's Raining, published on February 7, 1996. Its publisher, HarperCollins, expressed disapproval of her book title, claiming no one would promote it under that kind of name. Sheindlin stood her ground on the use of the title and ended up selling 216,709 copies.

In March 1995, two talent scouts (before that, former People's Court producers) from a talent agency that was later entitled "Rebel Entertainment", Kaye Switzer and Sandi Spreckman, asked Sheindlin if she would like to preside over her own courtroom series. Sheindlin eventually accepted, and the "Rebel" talent agency used a pilot episode to pitch to then-Big Ticket Television president Larry Lyttle in 1995. Switzer, Spreckman, along with Rebel Entertainment Owner Richard Lawrence later sued CBS and Sheindlin numerous times over allegedly owed profit shares for their part in commencing the program and introducing the two parties.

Sheindlin originally desired the show title to be "Hot Bench", and the network and various news publications even promoted it as Hot Bench for some time prior to débuting, but Big Ticket Television ultimately decided on "Judge Judy". The Hot Bench title was eventually used by Sheindlin, however, for a different court show she later created (2014–present), which does not feature Sheindlin herself, but rather a panel of judges she cast for the series.

Petri Hawkins-Byrd, referred to on the program simply as Byrd or Officer Byrd, was the bailiff on Judge Judy for the show's entire 25-season run, making him the longest-serving bailiff in court television history. Byrd's professional relationship with Sheindlin predates Judge Judy as he was her bailiff throughout her career in the Manhattan family court system. When Byrd found out about Sheindlin's show, he sent her a congratulatory letter, stating, "If you ever need a bailiff, I still look good in uniform." She phoned Byrd at his home in California to accept his offer, and he ended up replacing the unaired pilot episode bailiff. Sheindlin has stated that the show's producers desired different individuals for the role of bailiff, but she refused.

Sheindlin has revealed that from the start, she only envisioned her courtroom program lasting 2 to 3 seasons, rationalizing that most TV ventures fail. Sheindlin appeared again on 60 Minutes on April 30, 2003. During the interview, Sheindlin stated:

I have a contract with the company to do the program through the 2006 season. At that point, we will have produced this program for 10 years. Right now, I would be satisfied with a good 10-year run. I think that would really be phenomenal. It would be lovely if we could end on a high note and for me to say "10 years and I still had people watching and I had a second career that was a blast."

On September 14, 2015, Sheindlin began celebrating her 20th season anniversary presiding on Judge Judy. The program is the first in the court show genre to make it to 20 seasons without cancellation, as well as the first to make it to this extent under one arbitrator. Three years later by September 2018, the Judge Mathis court show entered its 20th season and became the second and only other court show to accomplish this feat. Sheindlin's distinction as television's longest-serving judge or arbitrator won her a place in the Guinness World Records on September 14, 2015. Judge Judy completed its series run at 25 seasons. In honor of the 25th and final season of the program, Josh Getlin published another article on Sheindlin. The Los Angeles Times article, published on June 8, 2021 (the same day as the airing of the final filmed case), shared background details about the 1993 article that catapulted Sheindlin's television career and his relationship with Sheindlin.

On-air format

Each episode of Judge Judy begins with a cold open trailer of the main case, sensationalizing various moments of the case with brief soundbites accompanied with dramatic music, voice-over commentary, graphics, etc. This is followed by the show's title sequence music video. At the beginning of each court proceeding, information regarding who is suing whom and what for is revealed by voice-over commentary. When Sheindlin made her entrance, the courtroom audience was brought to order and instructed to rise by Byrd. He then informed Sheindlin of the docket number on the court calendar in the midst of providing Sheindlin a file of legal statements about the case, and directing audience members to be seated.

Sheindlin typically began each case by summarizing the disputed matters brought before her. This was followed by preliminary questioning of the parties as to dates, times, locations, and other scene-setting facts before addressing the crux of the lawsuit. Governing the discourse throughout the cases, Sheindlin typically allowed only brief portions of each of the testimonies; having read the parties' sworn statements before the taping, she was quick to reply, impose her spiel, and disallow responses that were not concise or which interrupted her. Less frequently, Sheindlin allowed one or both of the opposing litigants to recount the entirety of their testimony. During the proceedings, Sheindlin coerced the parties to adhere to her strict management: participants were not allowed to tuck hands in pockets, drink water (unless they ask first), fold arms, chew gum, appear for court dressed at all revealingly or casually, speak out of turn, hesitate in answering questions, offer statements of hearsay, assert to the knowledge and thoughts of others, and had to maintain eye contact with Sheindlin while relaying testimony, among other things. If Sheindlin deemed that children were not needed to testify, she directed Byrd to escort them out of the courtroom at the outset of the proceedings. If children testified, occasionally teens as well, Sheindlin would have them sit on the witness stand next to her, which Byrd typically stood in front of.

Like most modern court shows, cases on Judge Judy imitated small claims court cases in which civil trials (non-criminal cases) were heard and ruled on. Typically Sheindlin handled cases among former lovers, disputing neighbors, couples, or family and friend relations. Disputes generally revolved around issues such as broken engagements, unpaid personal loans, contract breaches, personal injuries from other litigants or their pets, minor property damages (e.g., fender benders, carpet stains, etc.), the fate of jointly purchased household appliances, and rightful ownership of property. As is standard practice in small claims court and most reality court shows alike, Judge Judy proceedings operated in the form of a bench trial (as opposed to its more common counterpart, the jury trial). Moreover, lawyers were not present, and litigants had to represent themselves. Generally each show presented two cases, but infrequently, an episode would present a single long case, three shorter ones, or even four shorter ones.

After expressing her views of the circumstances and behaviors of the litigants with regards to their testimonies, Sheindlin rendered the judgment either by finding for the plaintiff (typically by stating, "Judgement for the plaintiff in the amount of x dollars," and a closing exclamation, such as "That's all," "We're done," or "Goodbye!"), or by dismissing the case specifically with or without prejudice. After she ruled and exited the courtroom, Byrd was heard stating: "Parties are excused. You may step out," after which he escorted the litigants out of the courtroom. Any counterclaims filed were handled similarly.

At the end of each case, there was typically a fourth-wall–breaking segment during which litigants, and sometimes their witnesses, expressed their feelings regarding the case directly to broadcast viewers. Sometimes, however, these segments were omitted, especially after cases involving resentful litigants, too upset over the circumstances to remain in the studio and provide comments.

Inside details and inner workings

The producers of Judge Judy hired extras from an audience service who composed the entire studio. Paid audience members were easier to control due to contracts and employment. Producers also looked for a certain demographic of individuals and sat them strategically throughout their audience. Most of these paid extras were aspiring actors. Though tickets were not offered for the show, arrangements could sometimes be made with Sheindlin's production staff to allow fans of the show into the audience. The extras could not dress casually, and no logos or brand names could be visible on their clothing. Extras were also instructed to appear as if they were having discussions with each other before and after each case, so Byrd made such announcements as "Order! All rise."

To acquire cases, the show generally used one of the following three options:

  • Its 60 to 65 researchers, spread out across the country, entered small claims courts and photocopied numerous cases. These photocopied cases were then sent to Judge Judy producers, who reviewed them all in search of lawsuits they believed made for good television. According to the show's producers, only 3% of the photocopied cases were worthy enough for television.
  • Its telephone number posting/announcement presented on each episode where interested individuals could call in with lawsuits.
  • Its website whereby lawsuits could be written out and submitted to the show.

After one of these three processes, if the producers were interested, their employees would then call both parties and ask them questions relating to their lawsuit, making sure they were suitable for Judge Judy. If the parties agreed to be on the show and signed an arbitration contract, agreeing that arbitration in Sheindlin's court was final and couldn't be pursued elsewhere (unless Sheindlin dismissed the lawsuit without prejudice), their case would air on Judge Judy.

The award limit on Judge Judy, as on most "syndi-court" shows (and most small claims courts in the U.S.), was $5,000. The award for each judgment was paid by the producers of the show from a fund reserved for the purpose. Sheindlin ruled by either A.) issuing a verdict of a specific dollar amount (not always in the full amount of what is requested and rarely if ever more than what was requested even if she believed complainants were deserving of more) or B.) by dismissing the lawsuit altogether. When ruled on in these manners, cases couldn't be refiled or retried elsewhere. However, if Sheindlin specifically dismissed the lawsuit "without prejudice", that lawsuit could be refiled and retried in another forum. In some instances, Sheindlin deliberately dismissed cases without prejudice to allow complainants to bring their case in an actual court of law, making the defendants financially accountable as opposed to the show. In such cases, Sheindlin had expressed particular aversion to the defendants in question. Further, Sheindlin dismissed cases without prejudice when she suspected both the plaintiff(s) and defendant(s) of conspiring together to gain monetary rewards from the program.

Both the plaintiff(s) and the defendant(s) also received an appearance fee. The appearance fee amount had varied between different litigants of the show: certain litigants had reported receiving a $500 appearance fee while others had reported receiving $100, and others $250. In addition to the appearance fee amount, reportedly (at least some) litigants were paid $35 a day by the show. The litigants' stay lasted for the number of days that the show did taping for that week, which was two or three days. In addition, the airfare (or other means of travel) and hotel expenses of the litigants and their witnesses were covered by the show, and the experience was generally treated as an all-expense-paid vacation outside of the actual court case. If there was an exchange of property, Sheindlin signed an order, and a sheriff or marshal oversaw the exchange. Sheindlin saw only a half-page complaint and a defense response before the taping of the cases, sometimes only moments before. Most of the cases, not including any footage deleted to meet the time constraints of the show, usually lasted anywhere from twelve to forty-five minutes.

Judge Judy, like most court programs, was inexpensive to produce and thus created considerable income. A budget for a week's worth of Judge Judy episodes was half the cost of a single network sitcom episode.

Recordings and airings

Three days every other week (two weeks a month), Sheindlin and her producers taped the court show. They usually produced ten to twelve cases for each day they taped the show. This made for about a week's worth of episodes, all done within one day. Anywhere from thirty to thirty-six cases were taped over three days during the week. Sheindlin appeared as a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 13, 2011. When asked by Kimmel how many days a month she works, Sheindlin replied, "Five days." Sheindlin and her producers sometimes taped only five cases per day and two days per week. The show had fifty-two taping days a year. For each season, some 650 claims were brought to the set to be "presided" over by Judge Judy. This means approximately 16,250 claims had been brought to Judy Sheindlin's Hollywood set by the show's completion.

For the most part, cases were taped throughout the year except for two breaks Sheindlin and all of the staff members of her show had for the year. One of the two breaks included an extra week off in December, as the show was only taped one week out of that month because of the holidays. The other break was from mid-July (only taping one week in July) and all through August. According to members of the show, the reason for this break was that people were more interested in taking vacations than in filing lawsuits around that time. When the seasons premiered in September, only episodes perceived as the best by program staff of the ones taped before Sheindlin's break were selected to start the season. Thus, the first few weeks (the first week in particular) would consist of what the show felt to be its best episodes. In Sheindlin's words, "It's like drinking wine. You don't serve the really good bottle of wine third."

Altogether, there were 260 new episodes each season. There was at least one new episode for every weekday, except a few hiatuses during most of the summer, a couple of holidays, and in the latter seasons of the show, early spring as well (much of March and April). The cases were all pre-recorded for editing purposes and would usually air one to three months after being taped. The cases were mixed up and not shown in order of when they were recorded. While the cases taped in March (sometimes April) ended the seasons, the cases taped throughout April, May, June, and July started each season in September and lasted through October. Throughout the very beginning of each season, two new Judge Judy episodes aired per day. After two weeks, this was reduced to one new airing a day, followed by a repeat. There were also various other moments throughout the year where two new episodes were shown for a few weeks. This had sometimes included January when the show returned from its winter hiatus. Two new episodes were also shown daily during the "sweeps" months of November, February, and May. Unlike other television programs, the Judge Judy season finale did not air in April or May; rather, it aired in June, July, August, or sometimes even very early September just before the following season. When the season finale was extended to July, August, or September, most of the summer episodes preceding it were repeats with new episodes that were few and far in between.

Two DVDs, featuring "memorable cases", were released by the show: the first in 2007, "Judge Judy: Justice Served," and the second in 2008, "Judge Judy: Second To None."

Location

Sunset Bronson Studios is where "Judge Judy" was taped for its entire series run (though only partially during COVID-19 season 25)

For its entire 25-season run, Judge Judy taped at the Sunset Bronson Studios on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. In alternating weeks, Sheindlin, who owns a home in New York among other cities/states, flew out on her private jet to tape her show, typically Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

From 2014 through the conclusion of Judge Judy in 2021, the show's courtroom set was located directly beside the set of the courtroom series Sheindlin created and produces, Hot Bench. Hot Bench remains in production at the Sunset Bronson Studios. Previous to that, the space directly beside Sheindlin's set was used for the courtroom series Paternity Court, only for the 2013–14 television season (that court show's 1st season). Prior to that, the space was used for Judge Judy's sister show Judge Joe Brown until Judge Joe Brown's 2013 cancellation. Like Judge Judy, Judge Joe Brown was also produced by Big Ticket Entertainment. The two shows alternated taping weeks.

Despite the show being taped primarily in California, it displayed various images of New York City during the incoming commercial bumpers (audio and visuals shown returning from commercial breaks), including New York subways, parks, monuments, etc. In addition, the words "State of New York" and "Family Court" (Sheindlin was previously a New York family court judge in addition to being a native of New York) scrolled back and forth within the letterbox-like graphics that appeared during the show's outgoing and incoming commercial bumpers, lasting from season 9 through 25. The set also featured a New York state flag (positioned across from an American flag) situated behind Judge Judy Sheindlin's chair.

Program remodeling and restyling updates

Over the show's 25-year existence, it saw very few restyling updates from season to season, that is, outside of seasons 1, 2, 9, and 25 (season 25 due to COVID-19). Outside of initial seasons and the final season, most modifications to the program had been done in minute detail, such as to the show's bookshelf display seen near the courtroom entrance. Aesthetically, the show's theme song, graphics, and color scheme were the only aspects that had changed repeatedly throughout its lifespan.

Original format, seasons 1 through 8

Season 1, and specifically its initial episodes, took a strikingly contrasting presentation from the latter seasons of the show. The courtroom set design and stage props vastly differed from what would become commonplace for the court show. The first episodes of season 1 also used music composed by Fred Lapides: a piano-based melody for the title sequence and closing credits. This theme music was never to be used again outside of the early stages of season 1 in 1996. The show's season 1 voice-over artist Michael Stull was heard narrating this intro theme, stating: "This is Judge Judy. Real people—in real cases—in real conflict. She was a real judge with over 15 years of courtroom experience."

After numerous episodes towards the beginning of season one, the show's theme music was completely revamped to a percussive drum-like, ascending melody composed by Bill Bodine. Integrated into the modified theme music, the narration during the title sequence was also updated with Michael Stull announcing, "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 her courtroom. This is Judge Judy." This narration lasted through season 8 of the program, though Jerry Bishop took over the narration by season 2.

When the show switched to the melody composed by Bill Bodine in season 1, the opening music video was updated to motioning scenes of Sheindlin from the bench, gesticulating as though presiding over cases. These motioning images moved freely until colliding with an image of the Judge Judy courthouse logo, emphasized by a striking cymbal-like sound effect. The background scene for this title sequence music video was originally depicted in navy blue for a short portion of season 1 before switching to a sea green that same season through the 4th season.

In season 4, the entire courtroom set was redesigned while retaining the sea green and saffron graphics and intro.

By seasons 5 through 8, the title sequence commenced with an approaching scene towards a computer animated courthouse display up until that scene entered the courthouse. From there, several shots of Sheindlin gesticulating from her bench—as though presiding over various cases—were displayed in motion. These motioning images eventually developed into the courthouse logo that represents the program (the logo is always displayed within the letter "D" in "Judy") by the end of this opening music video. The graphics were also changed to blue and saffron along with this change.

In the seventh season, while the theme song remained, the instrumentals were updated. In addition, the font for the short closing credits and litigants font was updated but the long closing credits retained the original font. By the eighth season, the font was completely changed and the returning from commercial break scenes were replaced with New York City scenes.

Strikingly atypical to most of the show's run, the first few seasons saw litigators and their witnesses readily speaking out of turn, bickering between each other and taking to misbehaviors without Sheindlin exacting the strict measures for which later became a staple of the program.

Season 9

The ninth season (2004–05) was one of the few seasons in which the show underwent major remodeling when music for the show's opening, closing, and to/from commercial portions were modified. A remixed version of a melody from Beethoven's 5th Symphony was then adopted as the show's title sequence and closing music. This arrangement was composed by Non-Stop Music Productions. During the program's outgoing commercial bumpers (short portions of the program that took each episode to a commercial break, in the case of this program, adding previews of the remainder of the case or cases to be featured in the episode) a dramatic violin-like melody sounded in contrast to the Beethoven remix. When the program resumed with its incoming commercial bumper, the Beethoven remix once again played. Additionally, solemn violin-like striking tones sounded directly following Sheindlin's final verdict of each episode, lasting from season 9 through the remainder of the show's run. The graphics also began showing up in falu red.

The intro was also changed for the ninth season as well. For its scenes, the Lady Justice statue is shown followed by a split screen of Sheindlin and the Statue of Liberty (over a blue background) followed by Sheindlin approaching the camera folding her arms and smiling. This is followed by shots of her presiding over different cases (which are shown in the scales of the Lady Justice statue in cubes).

For much of the series outside of the initial episodes, the opening music video consisted of voice-over artist Jerry Bishop stating: "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." Originally between the statements "The rulings are final" and "This is Judge Judy" was the statement, "This is her courtroom." This line was dropped in 2004 when season 9 began.

Seasons 10 through 23

Beginning in September 2012, the show made a switch to high definition with its 17th season. The bumpers between commercials are also in HD, although most on-screen graphics such as plaintiff and defendant descriptions are framed to fit a 4:3 aspect ratio.

Late into the show's 23rd season, Sheindlin drastically altered her hairstyle by abandoning the bouffant hairdo that she had sported since the show's beginnings; she replaced that with a new style created from her hair pulled back and bounded by a clip-on hair bun at the back of her head. Her new hairstyle sparked widespread attention, and considerable negative reviews from viewers (media spectators alike) to the point that the show's Facebook moderator admonished posters that negative commentary about the clip-on bun would be deleted.

Her bailiff, Petri Hawkins-Byrd, admitted to a preference for the original hairdo. Asked about the change in hairstyle, Sheindlin described the former as "a lot of goop and teasing and product and fussing around by somebody else. This is so much easier. And as each hour in every day we have becomes more precious, the less you want to spend time patshkeing over the way you look."

COVID-19, seasons 24 and 25

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the 24th season production of Judge Judy to end prematurely at only 199 episodes, 61 episodes fewer than the show's typical season number of 260.

When Judge Judy returned for season 25, its final season, a multitude of COVID-19 precautionary measures were in place, vastly distinguishing this season of the show from previous seasons. Sheindlin presided remotely from New York; producers built a partial makeshift set there for her, with a different set design behind her and a larger, darker executive chair. Byrd and the litigants (and witnesses, if any) participated from the Los Angeles studio, now devoid of audience members. Sheindlin interacted with the litigants through a live Internet link. Because Byrd could not physically convey evidence between her and the litigants, evidence was scanned with a document camera at the litigant lecterns, allowing Sheindlin to view it remotely. In addition, litigant afterthoughts following the case were shared at the podiums, instead of in the hallway set used pre-COVID.

Steve Kamer took over as voice-over announcer for the 25th season after Jerry Bishop's death on April 21, 2020.

Episodes

Season Episodes Originally aired
First aired Last aired
1 220 September 16, 1996 September 5, 1997
2 205 September 8, 1997 July 6, 1998
3 260 September 14, 1998 September 10, 1999
4 233 September 13, 1999 August 25, 2000
5 261 September 11, 2000 August 17, 2001
6 260 September 10, 2001 August 23, 2002
7 260 September 9, 2002 August 21, 2003
8 261 September 8, 2003 August 19, 2004
9 260 September 13, 2004 August 18, 2005
10 260 September 12, 2005 August 24, 2006
11 261 September 11, 2006 July 13, 2007
12 260 September 10, 2007 July 4, 2008
13 260 September 8, 2008 July 10, 2009
14 260 September 14, 2009 June 17, 2010
15 260 September 13, 2010 June 17, 2011
16 260 September 12, 2011 June 15, 2012
17 260 September 10, 2012 June 28, 2013
18 260 September 9, 2013 July 4, 2014
19 260 September 8, 2014 September 11, 2015
20 260 September 14, 2015 September 9, 2016
21 260 September 12, 2016 September 8, 2017
22 260 September 11, 2017 September 7, 2018
23 260 September 10, 2018 September 6, 2019
24 199 September 9, 2019 June 9, 2020
25 200 September 14, 2020 July 23, 2021

Series pilot and finale, final taped case

On May 21, 2021, Sheindlin was asked by USA Today what she recalled of her unaired Judge Judy pilot episode, used to sell the series to Big Ticket Television. Sheindlin responded by expressing great disfavor of the pilot episode, indicating that Judge Judy producers only set up fictionalized cases and steered her to dramatized reactions and behaviors. This ultimately ended up in Sheindlin's production team sending only bits and pieces of the pilot to CBS for approval of the show's broadcast. During the interview, Sheindlin recounted:

I remember that somebody then was trying to fit me into a sort of cookie cutter (mold). They had seen the 60 minutes , and they thought the approach that they saw in 60 minutes could be almost a caricature, and I'm not a caricature of that person, I am that person. So the cases that they brought to me to do the pilot were not genuine, and I couldn't react to things that weren't genuine. Because when I'm trying to figure out the truth of a case, and there really is no truth, I can't work. So they took little snippets of the pilot and created a sizzle reel, along with 60 Minutes tape and sold that."

Sheindlin taped the final case of the series on April 15, 2021. The case, described by media spectators as mundane, saw a general contractor suing his customer over unpaid work. In this final taped case of the series, Sheindlin also made no farewell remarks nor gave any attention to it being the series' close. While this final filmed case (episode 179 of season 25, "Judge Judy Makes a Call!/Mother vs. Son") aired on June 8, 2021, cases taped before that point continued to air for the first time through the series finale episode, which aired on July 23, 2021 (episode 200 of season 25, "Architecture Barter Gone Bad"). Worthy to note, only one detail made Sheindlin's final filmed case of the series on June 8 stand out among other episodes since it was not featured in the series finale episode: that is a glittery, bee-shaped clip that Sheindlin wore in her hair. Sheindlin explained that this was a wink to her Judge Judy fans and a nod to her Queen Bee production company at the end of a 25-year reign over daytime television.

Sheindlin addressed that never once throughout 25 years of filming her courtroom series did her appeal for the job wane. "I was as enthusiastic and rigorous in the last case that I taped as I was at the beginning," Sheindlin pointed out. On her final day of taping, Sheindlin was not in low spirits. Rather, she was reflective on her tenure on the show as "a job well done", with excitement about her new spin-off series, Judy Justice. Of her thoughts on ending the program, Sheindlin added:

I think that one of the reasons why I wasn't teary is because I wasn't going into a vast unknown. I wasn't going to do a cooking show. I was gonna be doing exactly what I was doing, exactly what I do, but in a different format.

Judge Judy Primetime

On May 20, 2014, CBS aired a one-hour special called Judge Judy Primetime which aired at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The special was a combination of reshown clips from the 1993 60 Minutes Special on Sheindlin, as well as a few never before seen cases. The special marked Judge Judy's first airing in primetime, a landmark for court shows which are typically limited to daytime or late night hours. It brought in 5.66 million viewers, enough to make it the night's top-rated show on CBS. In addition, the special came in just behind American Idol, which brought in 6.61 million viewers.

Contrived case

At least one case in the series was allegedly contrived by the litigants just to receive monetary payment from the program.

In April 2013, former litigants from a 2010 airing of the show revealed they conspired together in fabricating a lawsuit in which the logical outcome would be to grant payment to the plaintiff. The operation, devised by musicians Kate Levitt and Jonathan Coward, was successful: Sheindlin awarded the plaintiff (Levitt) $1,000. The litigants involved also walked away with an appearance fee of $250 each and an all-expense-paid vacation to Hollywood, California. In reality, all the litigants in question—plaintiffs and defendants alike—were friends who split the earnings up among each other. It was also reported that the show's producers were suspicious of the scam all along, but chose to look the other way. The lawsuit was over the fictitious death of a cat as a result of a television crushing it.

Judge Judy in external media

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Sheindlin and her program appeared on the November 26, 2017, broadcast of Curb Your Enthusiasm, presiding over a sketch comedy court case with Larry David as the plaintiff who unsuccessfully sued the previous owner of his house over custody of a sick ficus plant she left behind when she moved out, but later stole back. The pseudo-Judge Judy case assumed the appearance of an actual case from Sheindlin's program, taking place from the show's courtroom set with trademarked voice-over briefs, theme music, and audience response.

CHiPs '99

Sheindlin appeared as herself, presiding judge on her Judge Judy courtroom program in the 1998 American made-for-television crime drama film, CHiPs '99. Leading up to her cameo, Officer Francis (Frank) Llewelyn Poncherello "Ponch" (played by Erik Estrada) twists the arm of Captain Jonathan Baker (played by Larry Wilcox) into appearing on her television courtroom program. Uneasy about the idea of humiliating himself on national television, Baker acquiesces and ends up suing Nyeman (played by Googy Gress). The case saw Baker accusing Nyeman of failure to practice proper dog-walking etiquette, Nyeman was accused of allowing his dog to poop on his private property resulting in financial damage.

Judge Judy show cast

Judge Judy

Main article: Judy Sheindlin
Judge Judy Sheindlin

Judge Judy Sheindlin was born on October 21, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, to German-Jewish parents Murray and Ethel Blum.

Sheindlin had gained a reputation for although sporting a "grannyish" lace collar, having a deceivingly tough judicial approach, both in the Manhattan family court and her simulated televised courtroom. Sheindlin also became widely known for her no-nonsense fact-finding process that limited litigants to concise and relevant statements, restiveness for litigants to move things along quickly, and forthright interjections that cut through the parties' attempts at arguments and excuse-making with her. In line with these attributes, her program had been touted as "a show where justice is dispensed at the speed of light."

Strict in her management of the proceedings, Sheindlin coerced precise compliance with her many courtroom rules and expectations. To that end, Sheindlin was especially sudden with scolding and punishing what she perceived as insolence, disobedience, misbehavior or even annoyance.

As a result of her crusty disposition, volatile temper, and cheeky treatment, taglines such as "Justice with an Attitude" had been used to characterize the program. Sheindlin became known for her regular catchphrases on the program, which became known as "Judyisms". Some she most commonly used are:

  • "The answer is either 'yes' or 'no'".
  • "'Um/Uh is not an answer," or "Uh-huh/uh-uh is not an answer," or "Yep/nope is not an answer".
  • "Shoulda', woulda', coulda'".
  • "I don't give a rat's what you disagree with, sir!"
  • "That's baloney!"
  • "Clearly, you are not wrapped too tight."
  • "That's a whole lot of 'who shot John'".
  • "If you tell the truth, you don't have to have a good memory."

Sheindlin used the position of television arbitrator to impart guidance, direction, and life lessons not only to her litigants but her television viewing public at large. An example of guidance often stressed by Sheindlin was to be independent through employment, especially to not live off the government where unwarranted or other people directly where oppression from or friction with the provider may eventuate. In the former, Sheindlin could often be quoted as stating, "No, you aren't supporting yourself. Byrd and I are supporting you." Sheindlin had stated that the main message she wanted viewers to take away from her program is that people must take responsibility for their actions and do the right thing.

Bailiff Byrd

Main article: Petri Hawkins-Byrd

Petri Adonis Byrd was born on November 29, 1957, in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Byrd had his middle name legally changed to "Hawkins" when he joined the Judge Judy program as a salute to his late mother, whose maiden name was also Hawkins. In the program, Sheindlin referred to him simply as "Byrd," or less frequently "Officer Byrd."

Byrd took on the role of Sheindlin's courtroom bailiff. His main duties in the program consisted of introducing the cases by calling the parties forward and swearing them in, delivering evidence back and forth, and excusing the parties once the case was complete. Full of running gags, Byrd point-blankly disagreed with and corrected Sheindlin in moments when she bounced questions off him for his agreement. He was also noted for his preoccupation with crosswords during the proceedings. In addition, Byrd routinely delivered evidence to Sheindlin while having his head and eye contact directed away from her. A staple of the program, Sheindlin relied on Byrd's sophistication and academic knowledge base, with Byrd frequently having to interject in areas to which she struggled: mathematics, new media, social media, current fads and vernacular, etc.

Sheindlin often comically incorporated Byrd amid her critiques and reprimands of litigants, such as by sharing with the parties Byrd's disapproving thoughts of them or expanding upon case details, specifically for the benefit of Byrd's understanding, without any actual communication at all from Byrd about said litigants or details. Sheindlin has stated "We're like two old married people who have reached an accord. I can rely on to be my protector. We don't have to exchange words—he knows what I'm thinking. People who watch us sense we have a history, and that is very important." Byrd described Sheindlin as "Blunt, witty, and sharp as a tack." However, when asked if he'd like to appear as a litigant before her, he answered candidly (laughing), "Hell no. And I don't advise any of my friends to do so. Not if they want to maintain their love of the judicial system."

Byrd has been described by the Los Angeles Times as "the guard dog to the pit bull."

Salary, raise non-negotiation, and contract renewals

By 1999, Sheindlin began earning salaries reflective of her court show's success. For every roughly three years from that point forward, Sheindlin handed over her salary wishes to CBS management representatives in a sealed envelope during contract renewals. She communicated her wishes as nonnegotiable, that otherwise she would take her talents elsewhere and produce the program herself.

In early 2000 during the show's 4th season, Sheindlin's annual salary from Judge Judy was reported as $7.8 million. In January 2003 during the 7th season, Sheindlin's annual salary was increased to $25 million when she signed a contract to preside over Judge Judy through its 10th season (2005–06). For the first time, she was put in the top pay ranks for TV performers. In September 2005, just before Sheindlin's 10th season anniversary, it was reported that her contract was extended 2 seasons further, promising the program through its 12th season (2007–08). As part of the deal, Sheindlin's annual salary would be increased to $30 million for the then-upcoming 2 seasons. In January 2008 (during show's 12th season), Sheindlin's annual salary was increased to $45 million when her contract was renewed through the 2013-14 television season (its 17th season).

Her next contract renewal, in May 2011 (during the show's 15th season), saw her program extended to the 2014-15 television season (the show's 19th) and Sheindlin's Judge Judy salary increase to its peak of $47 million. Producing vast sums of wealth for CBS, Sheindlin's courtroom series brought in $230 million in advertising in 2012 alone. Sheindlin's $47 million per year Judge Judy salary translated into just over $900,000 per workday (she worked 52 days per year), reportedly making her the highest paid television star in 2013 and 2014.

Sheindlin's next Judge Judy contract renewal signing with CBS transpired in March 2015 during the 19th season of her program. As part of the annual $47 million contract deal, Sheindlin was furnished ownership of the entire Judge Judy episode library (including all past and then future episodes) in exchange for extending the program to its 24th season. The renewal also included a first-look production deal for CBS with Sheindlin's television production company, Queen Bee Productions (which produces syndicated courtroom series Hot Bench), allowing CBS to have first viewing exposure to any material that her production company engineered.

Sheindlin's final contract renewal signing with CBS was in August 2017 (late in the show's 21st season), extending the show for one additional season to its 25th. The terms of the agreement also included Sheindlin's submission of the Judge Judy episode library back to CBS, which has allegedly furnished Sheindlin with an additional annual income of $100 million. The move allows CBS to replay the show (at the time, as many as 5,200 episodes) without limitations on any platform they choose. Before Sheindlin's alleged contractual sell of the episode library back to CBS, she reportedly had her team shop the episode library around the entertainment industry for a much higher amount, as much as $200 million annually.

Forbes named Sheindlin the highest paid host in November 2018 stemming from her $47 million per year Judge Judy salary combined with the annual income from her Judge Judy episode library. In 2018, Sheindlin earned $147 million between the $100 million from the alleged sale of the present and then future episode library of her show to CBS, in addition to her $47 million arbitration handling salary. In 2020 and 2021, Sheindlin's net worth was reportedly $440 million and $460 million, respectively.

Reception

Nielsen ratings by seasons for series original run (1996–2021)

1996–1998

When Judge Judy launched in September 1996, it went on the air with little media attention and publicity. By the end of October of that year, the show was averaging only a 1.5 rating, putting it in the mid-rank of the 159 syndicated shows on the air. At that time, it was never expected that the show's ratings would ever compete with highly successful daytime TV shows of that era, such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Rosie O'Donnell Show and The Jerry Springer Show. According to Biography's documentary film on Sheindlin, "Judge Judy: Sitting in Judgment" (aired February 21, 2000), producers of Judge Judy were disappointed that the show was barely making it on the radar. However, it did not take long for the court show to pick up momentum as Judge Judy rose to a 2.1 rating by the end of that first season. By the starting point of her 2nd season, it was observed that Sheindlin's guest presence at public venues had already generated avid recognition and fanfare, her reaction characterized as "overwhelmed by her success, as if it was something she didn't expect." Season 2 (1997–98) of the program saw the court show already rise into the 4 ratings ranges, averaging a 4.3.

The 3rd season (1998–99) of Judge Judy was the show's first season as the highest-rated program in daytime television, having surpassed the highly rated Jerry Springer Show and even then daytime powerhouse The Oprah Winfrey Show for the first time (King World Productions which launched Oprah was folded into CBS Television Distribution in 2007, which distributed Judge Judy): the program's ratings more than doubled to a 5.6 for that season, marking Judge Judy as an early success.

It was due, in part, to this early success that daytime television began to feature more court programming, such as a revival of The People's Court that re-debuted in fall 1997. In 1999, Judge Judy moved from Worldvision Enterprises to Paramount Domestic Television, which also distributed her stablemate Judge Joe Brown and eventually Judge Mills Lane. Many other former judges were given their own court shows in syndication due in large part to Sheindlin's popularity. Examples include Greg Mathis, Glenda Hatchett, Alex Ferrer, Maria Lopez, Karen Mills-Frances, Cristina Perez, David Young, and many others. In addition, the series helped to spawn various nontraditional court programs. These include the reality-based revival of Divorce Court, which was originally presided over by Mablean Ephriam (1999–2006), Lynn Toler (2006–2020), Faith Jenkins (2020-2022), and currently helmed by Star Jones; the short-lived Power of Attorney, capturing various high-profile attorneys arguing cases for litigants in front of Andrew Napolitano; Street Court, which took litigation outside of the courtroom; Jury Duty, featuring an all-celebrity jury hearing cases presided over by Bruce Cutler; etc. Furthermore, Judge Judy's rise in popularity enabled several non-real life judges to preside over courts, such as Nancy Grace, Larry Joe Doherty, and Gloria Allred.

Also, partly due to Judge Judy's popularity, the producers of The People's Court decided to replace Ed Koch with Judy's husband, Jerry Sheindlin, as their presiding judge during The People's Court's present incarnation 3rd season/overall series 15th season (1999–2000). This meant that husband and wife would be either part of the same afternoon lineup or competing for ratings against each other. The experiment, however, did not last long as midway through The People's Court's 4th season (2000–01), Jerry was replaced by the show's current judge, Marilyn Milian.

1999–2006

For its 4th season (1999–2000), Judy's ratings exploded to its highest for its 25 season lifespan, peaking at a 9.3 rating. At this point, Sheindlin's courtroom series was still more than ever the highest rated program in daytime. It was also at this point that Judge Judy held a record of increasing its ratings for each successive season since its debut. Because of the program's success, Judge Judy began airing at better time periods.

It was by the show's 5th season (2000–01) that Judy's streak of growing in ratings from season to season since its debut had ceased. However, the court show still remained the highest-rated program in daytime that season with a 5.6 rating. By the 6th season (2001–02), Judy was no longer the highest-rated program in daytime, beaten out by The Oprah Winfrey Show. The court show averaged a 5.0 rating that season. Likewise, for her 7th season (2002–03), she also averaged a 5.0. For her 8th season (2003–04), Sheindlin finally reversed the season-to-season downward turn in her ratings by averaging a 7.1. Of the seven running court shows during the 2004–05 season, most of them earned a 3.63 rating; however, Judge Judy remained court genre leader with a 7.5 ratings score for that season (the show's 9th). For her 10th season (2005–06), Judge Judy averaged a 4.8 rating. Judge Judy averaged 4.6 rating for her 11th season (2006–07). Meanwhile, other programs in the genre were trailing Sheindlin from a vast distance: Judge Joe Brown averaged a 2.9 rating; The 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.

2007–2012

For its 12th season (2007–08), Judge Judy averaged a 4.8 rating (4.8 HH AA%/7.4 HH GAA% rating) and 9.9 million average daily viewers. Judy was the only first-run syndication program to increase in ratings for that season from the previous, leading CBS to immediately extend her contract through the 2012–13 season. For its 13th season (2008–09), the show averaged a 4.2 rating (4.2 HH AA%/6.5 HH GAA% rating) and 9.02 million average daily viewers. Its 14th season (2009–10) marked the first season in nearly a decade since the 2000–01 season that any daytime television program had been able to surpass The Oprah Winfrey Show's ratings (Judge Judy is also the show in question that during the 2000–01 television season surpassed The Oprah Winfrey Show in daytime TV ratings): Judy broke Winfrey's near decade-long streak with a 4.4 rating (4.4 HH AA%/6.9 HH GAA% rating) and 9.6 million average daily viewers. It was also at that point that Sheindlin's courtroom series became the highest rated show in all of daytime television programming. Judy secured this title in its 15th season (2010–11) as the program remained ahead of Oprah in her final season and the highest-rated daytime television offering, averaging a 5.11 rating and 9.6 million viewers. During this season, Judy also became the highest rated show in first-run syndication. Late that same season in May 2011, as a result of continued high ratings, CBS again extended Sheindlin's contract, this time through the 2014–15 season (the show's 19th).

In the first post-Oprah television season, the court show continued its reign as the most dominant show in daytime and also became the top-rated show in all of syndication, its 16th season (2011–12) racking up a 7.0 rating and 9.29 million average daily viewers. As the top-rated show in all of syndication at this point, Sheindlin defeated first-run syndication programs and off-network syndication programs (rerun episodes of programs off their original network). The title of overall syndication leader was previously held by off-network syndicated program Two and a Half Men (2010–11) and before that, first-run syndicated program Wheel of Fortune (2009–10).

Judge Judy's ratings boost in its 16th season and late into the show's 15th season was at least partly due to Nielsen's change in methodology, in April 2011. This variation benefits programs that air multiple, differing episodes a day. The updated method is totalling ratings points through adding all viewings for each daily episode–even if one of those viewings come from an individual already counted in as having watched another of the show's daily episodes. For example, as Judge Judy airs two different episodes per day, two ratings points are counted for every one person who has watched both the first and second daily airings. This is as opposed to one person's viewing of the two daily episodes amounting to only one ratings point. Prior to the convert, the latest method was only used in GAA numbers, while the previous method was used in average audience measure. Some court shows air in one hour blocks and thus do not benefit at all from the updated method. Worth noting, however, is that shows airing multiple daily episodes may not directly benefit monetarily as the rating system that local stations use to sell to advertisers is based upon the prior method.

2012–2016

For its 17th season (2012–13), Judge Judy once again pulled in a 7.0 household rating. The series delivered 9.63 million average daily viewers that season, growing by +32,000 viewers over the prior season. Despite this, Judy lost its 1st place spot as the ratings leader in all of syndication that season, descending to 2nd place, only a tad behind The Big Bang Theory (off-network syndicate) which took home a 7.1 for that season. Still and all, this was the 3rd season in a row that Judy earned the title of ratings leader in all of first-run syndication. Moreover, this was the 4th consecutive season that Judy was the ratings leader in all of daytime television programming. For the 18th season (2013–14), Judy rose to a 7.2 household rating and brought in 9.94 million viewers, gaining 8% over its prior season. Also for this season, the show reclaimed the title as highest rated program in all of daytime (5th consecutive time, 8th time overall) and all of syndication (3rd time). The show's 19th season (2014–15) pulled in a 7.0 household rating and remained the highest rated program in both daytime television as well as all of syndication. The 20th season (2015–16) was Judy's 3rd consecutive year as syndication's top strip, the court show averaging a 7.0 full-season household rating.

2017–2021

For its 21st season (2016–17), Judge Judy trounced all of its competitors in daytime and all of syndication. The court show scored a 6.8 household rating for its 21st season. For the 22nd season (2017–18), Judy attained a 6.9 live plus same day household average, well ahead of anything else in syndication. It marked the show's 5th straight year as the leader in all of syndication ratings and the 9th straight year as the leader in first-run syndication ratings. For the 23rd season (2018–19), it was reported by Nielsen that Judy topped first-run syndication ratings for the 10th straight year with 6.8 household rating. According to Nielsen's ratings, the court show finished out its penultimate season (2019–20) at the top of first-run syndication for an 11th straight year, Judy taking home a 6.2 household rating. The program's closest competitors were Family Feud at 6.1, Jeopardy! at 6.0, and Wheel of Fortune at 5.8. Going out on top for its 25th anniversary, Judge Judy boasted its 12th year as top Nielsen rated program in first-run syndication, ending its run with an estimated 7.8 million viewers for that final season (2020–21). Judge Judy also lasted its entire 25 year first-run as the highest Nielsen rated court show, outperforming all other courtroom series broadcasts and by vast margins.

Pioneering effect, longevity and accolades

Judge Judy, which premiered on September 16, 1996, reportedly revitalized the court show genre. Acclaiming the program's impacts on courtroom television programming, Daytime Emmy Awards Senior Vice President and Executive Producer David Michaels was quoted as stating, "Daytime television wouldn't be what it is today without Judy Sheindlin. Judge Judy redefined and reinvigorated the courtroom format propelling the genre to new heights." Only two other arbitration-based reality court shows preceded it, The People's Court (its first 12-season incarnation canceled in 1993 from low ratings) and Jones & Jury (lasting only the 1994–95 season, short-lived from low ratings). Sheindlin has been credited with introducing the "tough" adjudicating approach into the judicial genre, which has led to several imitators.

The only two court shows that outnumber Judge Judy's seasons, The People's Court and Divorce Court, have both built longevity on series cancellations/revival reincarnations and multitudes of judge-role recasting moves (in its pre-1999 form, the latter program was scripted via court transcripts of past proceedings). Thus Sheindlin's span as a television jurist or arbitrator has lasted longer than any other—a distinction that earned her a place in the Guinness World Records in September 2015. With no cancellations or temporary endings in its series run, Judge Judy also had the longest-lasting individual production life of any court show during its entire run. With Judge Judy off the air, The People's Court's current/2nd production incarnation now boasts the longest single production continuance of any court show, having reached 26 seasons by the 2022-23 television year—though having gone through 3 judges during this 26 year production incarnation.

Starring on Judge Judy earned Sheindlin a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in February 2006, the Gracie Allen Tribute Award from the Alliance for Women in Media in 2006, induction into Broadcasting & Cable's Hall of Fame in October 2012, election as vice president of the UCD Law Society in April 2013, and given the Mary Pickford Award by the Hollywood Chamber Community Foundation at the 2014 Heroes of Hollywood.

By 2011, Sheindlin's series had been nominated for 14 consecutive years for the Daytime Emmy Award without ever winning. While part of that 14 years had the court show categorized into other television genre categories by the Emmys, it also includes failures to win once the Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Daytime Emmy category was introduced in 2008. By 2012, an article from the New York Post reported that Judge Judy was snubbed by the award show in having never won and not even being nominated into the Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Emmy category that year—despite Judy's status as highest Nielsen-rated court show for its entire series run. In a followup interview with Entertainment Tonight on May 3, 2013, Sheindlin was questioned about the "snub" and her court show's failure to ever win up to that point, responding:

I don't know. You know, somehow it would sort of break the spell. The show has been such a tremendous success that I'm almost afraid to think about winning—because so many of those shows that did win are no longer with us. So I say to myself 'you want the Emmy or you want a job? (laughing) Which one do you want?'

On June 14, 2013, however, Judge Judy won its first Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program, having received its 15th nomination. The program won again in 2016 and 2017.

Audience makeup

Judge Judy's daytime audience was reportedly composed of approximately seventy-five percent women and twenty-five percent men. In February 2014, it was reported that Judge Judy's audience was mostly composed of older women, African Americans and Latinos.

Criticisms

Despite her widespread acclaim, Sheindlin's behavior and treatment of the parties that have appeared before her have often been the subject of criticism. Regular viewers of the program have also been criticized as "sadistic" for their delight in watching Sheindlin engage in her typical behaviors. One such example of criticism has come from the first star of arbitration-based reality court shows, Joseph Wapner. Wapner, who presided over The People's Court from 1981 to 1993, was a long-time critic of Sheindlin. On November 26, 2002, 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."

Sheindlin later stated, "As a young person, when I had watched The People's Court. . . I said 'you know what, I could do that.' And at least as well because while Joe Wapner is a very good judge, didn't have much of a sense of humor. And I always knew from a very practical perspective that you have to marry those two things in order to be successful in entertainment."

In a November 2013 interview with Larry King, Sheindlin was asked whether she enjoyed watching Wapner on The People's Court. She replied, "Meh! Oatmeal!" Following this, King asked her what if any other television judges then did she enjoy, to which Sheindlin answered "Mills Lane" of Judge Mills Lane.

Acclaim

In a September 2014, Rickey Smiley Morning Show interview, Greg Mathis of Judge Mathis (second longest reigning court show arbitrator, three seasons behind Sheindlin during her Judge Judy series run) was asked what three other court show judges he'd most enjoy sharing a meal with. For his first choice, he answered (laughing) "Are you kidding?! It would be Judge Judy at the head of the table. Oh my goodness, that Judge Judy is something else." His second choice was Judge Marilyn Milian, and his third was Judge Mills Lane.

In August 2010, rapper, singer, and songwriter Nicki Minaj stated that one of her favorite television programs is Judge Judy and when asked what she likes to do in her spare time, she replied that one of her favorite things to do is watch Judge Judy's show.

In February 2013, the head football coach for the San Francisco 49ers, Jim Harbaugh, was asked about the importance of truthfulness and enthusiastically remarked, "Somebody that's not truthful? That's big to me. I'm a big fan of the Judge Judy show. When you lie in Judge Judy's courtroom, it's over. Your credibility is completely lost, and you stand no chance of winning that case. So I learned that from her. It's very powerful and true. If somebody lies to you, how can you trust anything they ever say after that?"

A couple of months later, Harbaugh would even attend tapings of Judge Judy along with his father as audience members. As part of the experience, Harbaugh and his father had lunch with Sheindlin and visited with her both before and after tapings. After meeting Sheindlin and seeing cases in person, Harbaugh stated, "I've never seen Judy adjudicate one improperly. She is so smart. She is so good. I could sit there and watch those cases all day. I really could. It's fun to watch somebody that does their job well. I could watch Judge Judy do cases all day. I could watch people play football who do their job really well. People who direct traffic. I get a real kick out of watching people who direct traffic do it. I've done it for hours. I like football the most, but Judge Judy is right up there. She's the best."

Brad Adgate, senior vice president of research for Horizon Media, said "Judge Judy is the new Oprah of daytime TV-actually, she was beating Oprah while Oprah was still on."

While he was President and CEO of CBS Corporation, Leslie Moonves stated, "Over the last few decades, there have been very few shows that have achieved the remarkable success that she has. Not only has Judy sustained that success year after year, how many shows grow in their 15th or 16th year in syndication? She started as a fresh voice and she's been a remarkable presence in daytime television ever since."

Many regular viewers and supporters of Judge Judy had defended Sheindlin's treatment of the parties that have appeared before her by describing the parties as an "endless parade of idiots" that Sheindlin had to put up with.

Lawsuits

Judge Judy Executive producer Randy Douthit had been sued numerous times by former staff members of the Judge Judy program for alleged wrongful termination, discriminatory practice, mismanagement, etc., while on the job. While only two of those lawsuits went public during the course of the show's original run, many other lawsuits and allegations against Douthit were brought to light following the program's conclusion.

Ageism lawsuit

On November 13, 2007, the show's former associate producer Karen Needle was fired. She later sued Douthit, claiming that she was wrongfully terminated because she was too old, 64 at the time. Sheindlin was not named as a defendant. Needle, who helped book audiences for the program, stated the reason she was given for being fired was "unspecified conflict from her audience work." Needle said she began suffering from back pain, sometimes even resorting to lying on the ground in pain, and when she asked her bosses for a new chair, nothing was done. According to the complaint, two weeks before Needle was fired, she took off four days to assist her ailing 88-year-old mother. Needle later stated, "There is a lot of terrible stuff going on if two people file separate lawsuits (referencing Jonathan Sebastien's suit). It's a toxic situation over there. This is supposed to be Judge Judy, the voice of justice, and yet her own staff isn't treated well. What is she getting paid all that money for if her own staff is treated with such little decency?" The case was dismissed following a jury trial on January 26, 2009.

Racism termination lawsuit

On December 26, 2007, Jonathan Sebastien, a former producer of the Judge Judy show of seven years, filed a lawsuit against the production company in L.A. County Superior Court for wrongful termination. Sebastien claimed that when he proposed certain cases for the show involving black litigants, Douthit turned them down with his alleged reasons being he did not want to see any more black people; their behaviors were too ghetto and more suited for former television jurist Joe Brown; and they needed more pretty, upscale white people. Sebastien claimed that in January 2007, he objected to the alleged discrimination in a meeting and was verbally abused by Douthit. Three months later on March 30, Sebastien stated he was fired with the reason given that rating numbers were down. Sebastien claimed that the real reason he was fired was that he opposed his boss's alleged "discriminatory selection process". On June 26, 2009, Sebastian filed a request for dismissal with the courts after a settlement was offered to him by the defendant for an undisclosed amount.

Conspiracy/fraud allegations

In March 2013, a lawsuit was filed against Sheindlin by Patrice Jones, the ex-wife of Douthit. Jones alleged Douthit and Sheindlin had conspired to permit Sheindlin to buy Christofle fine china and Marly cutlery owned by Jones. She said Sheindlin had paid Douthit $50,815 for the items without her knowledge to deprive her of her valuables, and she sought $514,421 from Sheindlin. The suit ended after Sheindlin returned the tableware to Douthit and Jones agreed to pay Douthit $12,500 and have the tableware handed back to her.

Copyright infringement lawsuit by production against YouTube user

On October 17, 2013, Big Ticket Television and the producers of Judge Judy filed a lawsuit against Ignacio De Los Angeles for posting an episode of Judge Judy on YouTube and ignoring the command to remove it.

Publicity rights lawsuit filed by Judge Judy Sheindlin

On March 12, 2014, Sheindlin filed a lawsuit against Hartford, Connecticut, personal injury lawyer John Haymond, and his firm. In the lawsuit, Sheindlin accused Haymond and his firm of using her television image without consent in advertisements that falsely suggested she endorsed him and his firm. In March 2013, Sheindlin's producer allegedly told the firm that the use of her image was not permitted, but ads continued. The lawsuit filed in federal court sought more than $75,000 in damages. Sheindlin said in her statement that any money she wins through the lawsuit will go toward college scholarships through the Her Honor Mentoring Program. Sheindlin described the unauthorized use of her name as "outrageous", stating, "Mr. Haymond is a lawyer and should know better." Haymond later filed a countersuit for punitive damages and attorney's fees, alleging defamation of him and his firm by Sheindlin. Haymond insisted that local affiliates asked him to appear in Judge Judy promos to promote Sheindlin for which he obliged. On August 8, 2014, it was reported that the case between Sheindlin and Haymond settled out of court in a resolution that favored Sheindlin. Haymond will be donating money to Sheindlin's charity, Her Honor Mentoring Program.

Contract breach lawsuits by Rebel Entertainment

On March 14, 2016, talent agency Rebel Entertainment Partners Inc. and its president, Richard Lawrence, filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against CBS Television Distribution, claiming the media giant failed to pay the agency its contractually-agreed-to share of the show's profits, totaling millions of dollars. Rebel claimed they were owed for their contributions to launching the program and introducing Sheindlin and CBS through their terminated employees Kaye Switzer and Sandi Spreckman. The lawsuit alleged that CBS hadn't paid Rebel for the past six years, claiming that the show operated at a loss primarily due to Sheindlin's annual salary boost to $45 and then $47 million. The lawsuit went on to attack Sheindlin's salary as being far too high. Rebel described it as "exorbitant" and "grossly inconsistent with customary practice in the television industry" and claimed that similarly successful talk show hosts weren't paid nearly as much. Further, Rebel claimed they were entitled to be consulted before any spin-offs of the show were produced, but were not when Hot Bench (another courtroom-arbitrated show) was launched by Sheindlin and her producers in 2014. In response to the lawsuit, Sheindlin had stated:

The fact that Richard Lawrence is complaining about my salary is actually hilarious. I met Mr. Lawrence for 2 hours some 21 years ago. Neither I nor anyone involved in the day-to-day production of my program has heard from him in 20 years. Not a card, not a gift, not a flower, not a congratulations. Yet he has somehow received over $17,000,000 from my program. My rudimentary math translates that into $8,500,000 an hour for Mr. Lawrence. Not a bad payday. Now complaining about not getting enough money, that's real chutzpah.

When Sheindlin was deposed for the case in the summer of 2016, she said "CBS had no choice but to pay me what I wanted because otherwise I could take it wherever I wanted to take it or do it myself. Their backs to the wall. They pay me the money that they do because they have no choice. They can't find another one."

In an April 2018 verdict on this case, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Joanne O'Donnell found that Sheindlin was not grossly overpaid and that her salary did not constitute a breach of contract, rather her salary is a result of the "resounding success of her program and without its namesake star would not continue". That being said, Judge O'Donnell ruled partially in Rebel's favor, agreeing that it was a breach of contract for the defendants to have failed to consult Lawrence before launching the "spin-off" series, Hot Bench. Dissatisfied with being granted one part of their motion while denying the other, Bryan Freedman (Lawrence's attorney) stated that the plaintiffs intended to appeal Judge O'Donnell's verdict. Freedman was quoted as stating, "As for admitting and then ignoring Rebel's uncontroverted expert opinion evidence that frontloading the 45 million dollar salary of Ms. Sheindlin was not consistent with the United States television industry, the court committed a reversible error. That issue will be decided by the court of appeal."

Although CBS attempted to come to a settlement with Rebel Entertainment in February 2020, Rebel issued a second and simultaneous lawsuit in early August 2020 that named not only ViacomCBS as a defendant but Sheindlin as well. The lawsuit filing was for more than $5 million over Sheindlin's submitting the show's profitable episode library back over to CBS (CBS previously granted Sheindlin the episode library in March 2015 as part of a Judge Judy contract renewal deal), Rebel alleging this exchange as a "sell" that they never benefited financially from. That same month, Sheindlin and her attorneys filed a countersuit for $22 million against Rebel Entertainment over unlawful/unfair business practices and unjust enrichment. Sheindlin promised to donate to a cancer charity any money that she won in the lawsuit. In February 2021, Judge Richard Burdge ruled that legal protocols enforced Sheindlin to name CBS as a defendant along with Rebel if she wished to pursue her countersuit. Sheindlin refused and thus her counterclaim was dismissed. On June 12, 2021, it was reported that Sheindlin and her attorneys' demurrer to have Rebel's over $5 million lawsuit dismissed through summary judgment (a verdict rendered early so that a case doesn't have to go to trial) was denied by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Nieto. When asked to share her thoughts about this ruling, Sheindlin remarked, "Richard Lawrence has garnered 22 plus million dollars , although I have seen him only once in an elevator since our program began 25 years ago. I look forward to a trial". In September 2022, however, another Los Angeles Superior Court judge, Kristin Escalante, granted a motion by Sheindlin and ViacomCBS to have Rebel's two-year-old, over $5 million lawsuit dismissed. Following their court loss, however, Rebel Attorney Freedman remarked on how they intend to keep appealing failed lawsuits until Lawrence gets what he wants.

On July 30, 2021, the California Courts of Appeal upheld Judge Joanne O'Donnell's 2018 ruling that CBS did not breach its contract with Rebel by increasing Sheindlin's salary to $45 million (and later $47 million), consequently zeroing out Rebel's earnings at around the same time in 2009. At the crux of the legal hearing was the contract agreement signed by CBS and Rebel in 1995 when Rebel sold CBS the court show. The contract that was signed outlined that CBS would compensate Rebel 5% of gross proceeds from Judge Judy for the duration of its series run, but minus production expenses. CBS contended that profit share deductions were a direct result of production expenses, that is, Sheindlin's intent to terminate employment with the network if her salary demands weren't met. Sheindlin corroborated these claims in her testimony, stating that she laid down rigid salary terms for CBS every three years otherwise resignation. Accordingly, the court rejected Rebel's legal claim and granted CBS a summary judgment, finding that CBS Television Distribution properly deducted profits from Rebel Entertainment as a production expense.

Added contract breach lawsuit filed by ex-employees of Rebel

On January 19, 2018, a breach-of-contract lawsuit—similar and loosely related to the case filed by Rebel Entertainment—was filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court against Sheindlin, CBS Corporation, CBS Studios, and Big Ticket Television by Kaye Switzer, and the trust of the now deceased Sandi Spreckman. Switzer and Spreckman are former employees of Rebel Entertainment, terminated by the employer. Switzer and Spreckman's trustee, Jay Robinson, claimed they "discovered" and introduced Sheindlin to producer Larry Little, asserting that if not for this move that there never would have been any Judge Judy and thus they were owed monetary royalties for the entirety of the court show's series run. The lawsuit also claimed that Sheindlin sold "The Judge Judy Library" (a collection of all episodes of Judge Judy) to CBS Television Distribution for over $95,000,000. Switzer and the Spreckman's trustee contend that they were not paid any monetary royalties by Sheindlin, CBS, or Big Ticket related to this transaction. The two women have a long history of filing lawsuits over the same matter against Sheindlin and CBS dating back to the year 2000.

An insider claimed that Sheindlin was not concerned about the lawsuit, regards the subject of "who is owed what as just background noise", and believed that the success of her show came from nothing more than the "sweat of her brow" and the force of her personality. According to the same insider, Sheindlin said that while she "was always fond of Kaye and Sandi", the pair were terminated by Rebel Entertainment before her show ever even made it on the air and that she "never entered a contract with Kaye and Sandi personally."

In March 2021, defendants Judith Sheindlin, Big Ticket Pictures, Her Honor, and CBS Studios petitioned the courts for a summary judgment (an early verdict from a judge based on enough evidence gathered during discovery so that a case does not have to move to trial). In February 2022, the court granted the defendants their petition for a summary judgment, effectively dismissing the case filed by plaintiffs Switzer and the trust of Spreckman. The defendants contended that the plaintiffs were unable to prove that any money was earned by Sheindlin for her submission of the Judge Judy episode library back to CBS, adding that details of the contract regarding that exchange have been kept confidential through contractual protections. To that end, in August 2017 when CBS Television Distribution President at that time, Paul Franklin, shared the news that Sheindlin submitted her Judge Judy episode library back to CBS, Franklin was quoted as describing the exchange as CBS "acquiring" the episode library as opposed to "buying" the episode library.

Series departure details

In February 2020, CBS attempted to come to a settlement with Rebel Entertainment (despite this, there have been numerous additional failed attempts at winning lawsuits filed against Sheindlin and ViacomCBS by Rebel, even for a period after the show ran). Less than a week after CBS's February 2020 settlement attempt with Rebel, Sheindlin announced on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that her Judge Judy series would end that following television year, 2020–21, at 25 seasons. In announcing this news, Sheindlin also shared that she would prepare to shop a new spin-off series, Judy Justice, around to other distributors. The news of Sheindlin announcing the end of her series caught CBS off guard. Although CBS had some idea that the show would conclude at around 25 seasons, nothing was set in stone. Sheindlin later signed a deal with Amazon Studios to stream the new Judy Justice court show. The deal with Amazon allows Sheindlin full ownership rights over her new program and what was described as a lucrative salary—Sheindlin stated that salary negotiations were effortless because of how public her $47 million Judge Judy salary and $440 million net worth (for the year 2020) were. According to later released media reports, Sheindlin's annual Judy Justice salary is 25 million.

After Judge Judy completed its series run at 25 seasons, the program officially ending on July 23, 2021, Sheindlin rationalized that "25 is a good round number" to go out on top with. In June 2021, however, Sheindlin issued public statements that her tensions with CBS and feeling disrespected by the network posed the basis for her show's end. According to reports, Sheindlin had taken exception to CBS's management of her program ever since the resignation of Les Moonves from the role as chief executive over the network in 2018, resulting from a multitude of scandals. In particular, Sheindlin resented CBS's ownership rights to the Judge Judy episode library, a position that allowed CBS to air numerous seasons of Judge Judy without having to pay Sheindlin as much for new episodes (at least as she had been receiving at that time, which was $47 million annually). Sheindlin further resented CBS's demotion of the court show Hot Bench in airing timeslots (a series that although does not feature Sheindlin, is produced and created by her).

Addressing her relationship with the network, Sheindlin commented, "We had a nice marriage. It's going to be a Bill and Melinda Gates divorce." In a formal press release response to Sheindlin's statements issued by CBS Ventures President Steven Locascio, he was quoted as stating, "The network has had an incredibly successful relationship with Judy over the last 25 years. It has been an honor representing her show, and just like there has never been another Oprah, there will never be another Judge Judy."

Post-series run publicity

Fan criticism over Bailiff Byrd not returning for Judge Judy spin-off

Sheindlin's Judge Judy spin-off, Judy Justice, garnered significant criticism from disgruntled Judge Judy show fans and media outlets alike over Judge Judy program's Bailiff Byrd not returning to Sheindlin's side nor having any participation. According to sources close to Sheindlin's programs, the vast majority of her Judge Judy crew was invited back and treated well for the successor. Byrd, on the other hand, later revealed in October 2021 that when he finally had a discussion with Sheindlin by the time her new series was in production, she explained that he was omitted due to the show's budget, that they couldn't afford him. The discussion was also said to have resulted from Byrd having to call Sheindlin. Byrd expressed that he was "dismayed" and "perplexed" as no one had ever previously discussed the new series with him. In a public response to Byrd and Judge Judy fans, Sheindlin praised Byrd as "terrific", sharing that the two had a great 25-season run, but concluded that the new show required a fresh, exciting direction. Byrd ultimately expressed appreciation for the opportunities provided to him by Sheindlin, wishing her all the best with Judy Justice and stating to hold no grudges.

Byrd later added in November 2021 that he also felt snubbed by the Emmys when he was not allowed to present Sheindlin's Lifetime Achievement Award to her at the Daytime Emmy ceremony in 2019. Byrd stated that he was seated 15 to 20 rows back while Sheindlin sat with Judge Judy Executive Producer Randy Douthit in the front rows. Questioned about the matter, Sheindlin shared that it was Amy Poehler who called up the Television Academy and requested to present her with the award because she was a big fan. According to Byrd, however, Poehler later shared with him that she was equally perplexed over his exclusion from the ceremony.

On April 28, 2022, it was announced that Byrd would return to his televised bailiff duties for another courtroom series, entitled Tribunal. Sheindlin created the court show and produces it. Like Judy Justice, Tribunal is streamed on Amazon Freevee. The program is presided over by now former Hot Bench judges, Tanya Acker and Patricia DiMango, along with Sheindlin's son, former district attorney Adam Levy.

Toxic work environment allegations leveled at producer

While Judge Judy Sheindlin is not accused of any workplace misconduct, Judge Judy and Judy Justice Executive Producer Randy Douthit has come under fire over years of lawsuits and allegations about creating a toxic workplace behind the scenes of Judge Judy. Discovered were multitudes of allegations leveled at Douthit by 16 former Judge Judy producers that run the gamut, involving workplace drunkenness, sexual harassment, body shaming, ageism, ableism, anti-blackness and misogyny.

According to the allegations made by former Judge Judy staff dating back from 2001 through the remainder of the show's run, Douthit frequently sexually harassed employees who reported to him and reviled female litigants while directing from the control room, referring to them as "too fat", "too ugly", "hos", uttering pig and cow vocalizations, sharing of which of them he most desired to sleep with, etc. Judge Judy Producer Kurstin Haynes revealed, "He'd make comments about their weight, he'd make comments about their teeth, or if they were disabled." According to Judge Judy employees, the process of proposing cases to Douthit for his approval required submitting photography of the litigants involved. Several revealed that Douthit was particularly concerned with the teeth of the show's guests, employees citing getting into "big trouble" with Douthit over the selection of such "disgusting" litigants. Throughout Judge Judy's run, all lawsuits filed against Douthit were dismissed. However, when questioned about the various allegations, court filings quote Douthit as answering, "I don't believe so. I hope not. I may have, but I hope not."

According to a media publicized lawsuit filed against Douthit in 2009 by former Senior Producer Jonathan Sebastien, Douthit announced, "We're not doing any more Black shows. I don't want to hear Black people arguing." Asked whether he remembered telling producers to screen out Black litigants, court filings quote Douthit as answering that he could not recall. After objecting to Douthit's behavior, Sebastien was later fired, allegedly for that reason. Sebastien later reached a settlement for an undisclosed amount. In November 2021, six Judge Judy staffers confirmed Sebastien's claims, additionally alleging that this behavior from Douthit continued through season 25 in 2020-21. Douthit's lawyers have denied all charges, claiming that they emanate from disgruntled former employees, also citing Douthit as fostering a supportive, inclusive workplace. Sheindlin's leadership was consequently called into question, criticized over turning a blind eye to the matters and allowing Douthit as well as other allegedly problematic Judge Judy Executive Producers Amy Freisleben and Victoria Jenest to resume their roles in Judy Justice. Expressing resentment over how her leadership was portrayed in media reports, Sheindlin was quoted as stating:

To author a piece which speculates that I 'was untouchable,' 'don't care how the show gets made,' 'that I don't trust anyone,' 'didn't like cases involving dogs, dog bites or strippers,' 'by and large didn't interact with staffers,' 'wasn't worried about the coronavirus,' is appalling and untrue.

Success in post–series production reruns

In April 2022, it was computed that Judge Judy reruns have vastly outperformed Judy Justice season one (2021–22) in viewership quantities. It was also reported in August 2022 that with Judge Judy out of production for over a year by this point, the court show remained one of the highest-rated programs in all of daytime television and syndication. Moreover, the series still dominates the court show genre as the highest-rated broadcast and by significant margins. Questioned about her concluded court show's enduring success and timelessness in reruns during a November 2022 interview, Sheindlin answered, "My mind is still blown away by the fact, that in the second year of its afterlife, Judge Judy is still number one in daytime."

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External links

Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program
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