Judge Judy

Judge Judy is a United States syndicated television show. It was first shown in 1996. It is the first "courtroom" show in the United States since The People's Court ended its first run in 1993. The show's tagline is, "Real cases. Real people. Judge Judy."

Related Topics:
United States - Syndicated - Television show - 1996 - The People's Court - 1993

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It features Judith Sheindlin hearing small claims court cases with an award limit of $5,000 USD. She is notorious for berating litigants for the bad choices they make in their lives. Through "cross-examination", she frequently exposes the lies the litigants tell her and makes a point of publicly humiliating them for lying in her "court". When the litigants interrupt her, she has been known to yell "I'm speaking!", something that is uttered in nearly every episode.

Related Topics:
Judith Sheindlin - Small claims court - USD - Litigant - Cross-examination

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Petri Hawkins Byrd, Judge Judy's bailiff, with his absolutely sedate composure, makes the perfect foil for the scalding Judy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Although Judge Judy operates according to the principles of the American legal system, and takes on real cases, her show isn't a court. Judge Judy acts in a more inquisitorial fashion in a manner similar to U.S. appellate courts and many international courts, as opposed to the non-interventionist manner of judges in U.S. trial courts. There are no lawyers present and participants defend themselves. It is more accurately considered a forum for binding arbitration. The people who appear on her show sign a waiver beforehand, agreeing not to pursue their matter before a real court, and instead abide by her judgment. Additionally, the producers of the show pay any judgments awarded.

Related Topics:
American - Legal system - Inquisitorial - Appellate court - Trial court - Lawyer - Arbitration - Waiver

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Judge Judy has been parodied on Saturday Night Live, with Cheri Oteri in the role of Sheindlin. Amanda Bynes also parodied Judy on The Amanda Show, in a skit called Judge Trudy. On The Simpsons she is parodied as Judge Constance Harm.

Related Topics:
Saturday Night Live - Cheri Oteri - Amanda Bynes - The Amanda Show - The Simpsons - Judge Constance Harm

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Judge Judy, with her show now in syndication, has supassed Oprah Winfrey and become the highest paid woman in television history.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Some of Judge Sheindlin's best-known catchphrases and sayings used on the show include:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• "You're full of baloney!"
• "I'm speaking, and you're not receiving."
• "Beauty fades, but Dumb lasts forever."
• "If it doesn't make sense, it's NOT TRUE!"
• "Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining."
• "On your best day you're not as good as I am on my worst day."
• "Dumb as the day is long!"
• "I?m very smart. They don?t keep me here because I?m gorgeous."
• "Your story is a lot of 'Who Shot John?'."
• "Don't be nervous, I only eat litigants on Thursdays."
• "Do you see my mouth moving? When my mouth moves, yours stops."
• "I eat morons like you for breakfast."
• "I suggest you get a job."
 
Judge Judy: See also ►