Some people are embarrassed to admit to watching lots of television. I'm not one of those people. I like television. And I watch it all the time. Enjoying the great outdoors? Not going to happen. Communing with nature? Only if nature is displayed on a large-screen plasma HDTV. Water sports? Nope. Replace my pasty complextion with the bronzing rays of the sun? Not going to happen.
Now, I'm a big fan of reality shows, and I've posted on that topic before. What I really love the most are the court shows. There are so many of them! Good grief, sometimes I wonder how I can muster the energy to leave my home in order to attend classes at college.
Back in the day you could turn on the TV at 7:00 a.m. and watch court shows until late in the afternoon. That's not the case so much anymore, and in reality I only watch one court show, Judge Judy, with any regularity. But I've seen a few minutes of some of the other shows out there, and I thought I'd share my observations with you, dear reader.
Judge Alex
Zzzz....huh? Whazzat? Oh, yeah, Judge Alex. New court show. BORING. Judge Alex Ferrer lacks in that most important of television traits, charisma. Presence. Maybe he'll get better with time. Probably not.
Eye for an Eye with Judge "Extreme" Akim
Hosted by OJ's former houseguest - Kato Kaelin, Eye for an Eye is a bizarre entry into the court TV genre. Judge Akim "Extreme" Anastopoulo wields the mighty baseball bat of justice as he tries cases to what appears to be Jerry Springer's studio audience. Litigants and defendants appear in...cages, and after hearing the case, Judge Extreme Akim yields judgments in an "eye for an eye" manner. What does that mean, exactly? Well, in the episode I saw today, some little people had a lawsuit related to dwarf tossing, so Judge Extreme Akim made the normal-sized litigants experience dwarf tossing first-hand by being, get this, tossed by really large people. I'm not sure what kind of lesson is being communicated. Also, the audience likes to chant "Extreme Akim" over and over and over. I already have a headache that I think will last all season for this show.
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Bob A. Booey
"Eye for an Eye" is one of the funniest things I've ever seen. It's only on really late at night and I've only seen it twice, but the first time I did, I thought it had to be fake, a parody, or some kind of goofy B-movie. The production qualities are weird and the presence of Kato made me think I was watching some sort of comedy sketch. The show's format and the audience comments are basically Jerry Springer meets a courtroom show.
The name "Extreme Akim" is hilarious enough but he rules in some arbitrary way just to have an excuse to come up with some weird punishment for people, like having the winner go to the plaintiff's house to smash their TV or having a "journalist" have to get beat up by women's roller derby chicks for criticizing them in a newspaper column (that one smelled like fake story with actors to me).
Kato's sadly no longer on the show by the second episode I watched. I think they cited creative differences.
That is all.
2 - DJRadiohead
I think most of these court shows are completely absurd.
I do like the fact that you are unapologetic in your love of TV, reality TV, and court TV shows. The cool thing is to bag on all of that. You at least stand out there and declare your love for it.
3 - Scott C. Smith
Yes, most of the shows are absurd. I'm fascinated by the fact that there are so many people willing to humiliate themselves before an audience of millions in order to be on television. It's an interesting social phenomenon.
4 - DJRadiohead
It is a phenomenom I referenced in my podcast .
5 - A. Mapes
I worked in the real court system for many years and never once saw any real judge act the way the so-called "judges" do on the TV court shows...these are TV shows produced for entertainament as long as the ratings stand and the sponsor bucks pour in...nothing more...the so-called judges "presiding" on the TV court shows have, in my opinion, about as much right to call themselves "judges" as the local celebrity-of-sorts who judged the baking at our local fair does.
Real courts are not about the inflated egos of phony judges in phony judicial robes going for ratings to keep a huge salary...real courts are about real human sadness and distress played out before real judges charged with the responsibilty of maintaing the law. Looking at TV court shows it is so sad how the negativities of human life have become entertainment for the curious who feed off this sort of thing.
I checked out the court TV shows and wondered what kind of fantasy world our society is slipping into when people will put themselves before a phony judge in a mock court before millions of viewers to have that 15 minutes or so of fame many in America seem to desire...to have that 15 minutes or so of fame at the oftentimes demeaning expense of having one's personal human dignity being ripped away by a TV court "judge" stroking an ego for those cherished and needed ratings.
Life in the real court system is not entertainment...it is not like what one sees on the TV court shows...real judges are in a high position of respect and responsibility and are properly addressed as "Judge" for that reason...they do not carry on the way the so-called "judges" do on TV court shows.
6 - N. Isler
Check out Judge Alex again. He has a dry wit, and is really fair, and doesn't engage in a lot of the theatrics that other "judges" do.
7 - larry
are you trying to tell us that none of the tv judges have ever presided in a court? arent senators, presidents, judges are addressed as senator, president, judge or your honar. i would rather them than court tv.
8 - Samsara
Extreme Akim is ridiculous The litigants look like low rated actors and when Akim dispenses his ridiculous justice, people simply don't seem as upset as, I think, they would be. There's an air of fakeness to this show and I don't have my finger on it yet. Hopefully another show will get this t i m e s l o t and I won't be reduced to watching it.
Judge Hatchet used to rule. Now she's moving into paternity testing and saving the girls going down the wrong path...blah blah blah. Yes, kind. Not interesting. She still has promise.
Judge Judy will always rule. She doesn't play and she's decent. She laughs and she's ascerbic and clever. She's been wrong a couple of times but even perfection is allowed to have a day once in a while. I love Judge Judy and want her to be my grandma. She might keep me straight.
Divorce Court. Must be good if you like ghetto culturalism and the fact it takes itself seriously. Makes me sick.
Judge Joe - Agree with the pre-game show format. What the heck is going on now with the buzzers? Love Judge Joe. He sees the ghettolicious and calls them on it, makes fun of it.
Judge Mathis - I like this man. He came from a hard delinquent life and made good. He's the American dream and he approaches the cases with straight talk. I just like him. He's cool.
People's Court - Love Judge Milian. Despise the format. That interviewing guy outside the courtroom is an @%&. The guy dispensing advice and taking bets on the street talks too fast and adds zero to the show. Detracts from it.
Judge Alex - Is he still on the air? I agree. No charisma and I think his comprehension was off too.
Texas Justics - It's just not funny to me. It's also too dumb/backwoods to be taken seriously. Waste of time.
Thanks for your commentary.
9 - theresa bartle
I love judge alex. he's such a hunk and has a great sense of humor and is fair and evenhanded in his rulings. He doesn't rant and rave like judge judy but can still cut you down to size with crisp decisiveness. He looks like a movie star and his speaking voice is wonderful. He is an all around winner.
10 - Max
Judge Alex is fair in his rulings. He's also pretty funny. I like the look of his courtroom. He is kind of handsome. I think the show is pretty good.
Divorce Court! I loved this show when it had just Mablean on it. Her voice just cracked me up . The show sucks now because they got a new judge and her voice is really irritating.
Judge Joe Brown. What do people see in this guy. He has thee craziest, annoying accent. I do think it's kind of funny when he wants some ratings so he starts pacing on his feet. He's the only judge I've who'll get up and start walking around like he forgot he's in a courtroom and that judge's usually sit down. Then he'll start ranting. But for the most part, his accent is just annoying. I think he is in his 10th season, so apparently he has some appeal. He's alright I guess.
Judge Mathis! I think Judge Mathis is downright funny and I love his voice. He tries to make things entertaining. I'd probably take my case into him just because I know he'd have a good time on the show and he'd make me laugh. He seems like a sweet guy and I like his show. I was actually in the audience of his show once and so I know how everything goes on it. Jerry Springer studios is directly next door to his courtroom. Wonder why we don't hear a bunch of screaming in the background on Judge Mathis.
Judge Judy. I watch this show the most. I really like Judge Judy but it's like come up with something new. She uses the same dull quotes "om speaking!" "I don't believe you!" "I don't care!" "Listen to me!" "Pay attention!" We may hear this same dull quotes shouted 40 or 50 times in one case. It gets old. I think she is dull and predictable, but I just watch to see which litigant is bold enough to put her in her place for it.
Judge Hatchet. Judge Hatchet is sweet and caring. I don't think the reviews of her are very good. She really is concerned and she is very entertaining and fair. As sweet as she is, she's been the harshest because I've seen her cuss out litigants before. Overall, I rarely watch the show but when I do I am entertained.
People's Court. I agree that that announcer out there who interviews the litigants after the case is a real jerkoff. I can't stand that guy. I don't like the whole thing on the street. I think her black baliff has a nice booty. Man, her baliff's butt makes me so gay. As for the Judge, she is pretty funny sometimes especially when she gets overly harsh. She starts getting really crazy with her movements and voices. She just starts going wacko. She is entertaining!
Christina's Court ; this new court show has to be the most boring court show of all time. The judge is sweet as hell, but it's boring as a mother. Just because you're sweet and kind, doesn't mean you belong on TV.
Connie's Court : This is probably the worst judge I've ever seen. I thought she would be cool and maybe remind me a little Judge Judy. But she just ended up sucking thee most. I've seen her make dumb mistakes and then go "oh!", and she looks confused as hell.
Texas Justice : Texas Justice sucks very bad too which why it was canceled.
Eye for an Eye : Dumb! Taking things too far!
11 - L.B. Davis
TOO ALL OF YOU WHO LIKED JUDGE MABELINE, DISLIKES JUDGE LYNN TOLER (PRESENT DIVORCE COURT) AND THINKS JUDGE HATCHET IS GETTING MONOTONOUS WITH HER TYPES OF CASES, DON'T DISRESPECT!!!! I do miss Judge Mabline too, but I like Judge Lynn Tolar also. As far as judge Hatchet is concerned its good to have a judge start getting on these young girls and boys and start making them take some responsibility for their actions (stop having all these babies everywhere). And I APPLAUD all three of them for being such positive role models for young African American women (young women period) Judge Alex has tact and he is fare, not to mention very, very easy on the eyes. Judge Mathis and Judge Joe Brown "AWSOME" i love both of their styles. Judge Judy.........I know there has got to be something people on the show could do about some of the things she says to those people. She's a B**** I don't much care for her or judge maria jokez. Oh Mel, I watch her show (Judge Hatchet) everyday and she has never cursed anyone out. Get your facts straight before you are sued for slander (lol) Eye for an Eye, that has got to be for entertainment purposes only. There is no way a judge can give the ok for the "Winner" to distroy the "losers" property and it be legal.
How do you all feel about the "Moral Court" show?
12 - Melanie
I love your take on all the court shows you listed! I chuckled all the way through reading them and agreeing with it as well! :-) I, too am a fan of Judge Judy! I had to return to work last week (after being out for the summer; teacher) and am missing these shows. I have never been much of a Soap Opera person, so the court shows are a relief to have as an option when you are hanging out at home during the day!
13 - snowflake53
the only court shows i love to watch is judge hatchett and judge milian.
14 - codywhitebaby
THE JUDGE HATCHETT SHOW IS FAKE! I HAVE SEEN 3
'DNA" SHOWS WHERE THE "MAN" WAS A LESBIAN. AND OF COURSE
ALL 3 TIMES "HE" WAS NOT THE FATHER. THIS SHOW HAS FAKE
DNA CASES.
15 - Carol
I can't believe "Judge Alex" is still on the air. Mostly, I read how "hot" he is and how "sexy" he is. That depends on taste, of course.
I don't think much of him as a judge. I don't consider him fair and I believe he makes his decisions based more on personal opinions. In my opinion, he is egotistical and pompous - much like his "very good friend", Judge Marilyn Milian.
It would not bother me one bit if his show was cancelled after this season.
16 - Jimmy Thomas
I know a guy that was on Judge Hatchett and he said it was totally made up. He said none of the events they were in court for actually happened. i asked if the "staff" knew it and he said yes. i haven't watchd the show since.
17 - TDub
When you read credits, you get some of your questions answered. Litigants on these shows are not in court -- they are in legal arbitration. The "judges" are actually just mediators. Therefore, they wield NO actual judicial power.
Real judges would never get away with the antics you see on these shows because they would find themselves before a judicial review board trying to explain their behavior... and eventually LOSE their seat on the judicial bench.
Many of these "judges" do things on their show that they cannot do purely for theatrics. Not one of them can rule on, say, child custody disputes, yet Judge Judy has done this more than once. Litigants don't have to obey those rulings, though. They ARE NOT lawful. More than a few have been overturned by real courts. In fact, real judges don't care too much for court TV shows. Hmmm... I wonder why.
Also, just like most daytime TV shows that invite real people, most of these court TV shows PAY the litigants and/or provide free accomodations in places like Chicago, NYC, and LA (where they do filming). This is why people go on TV!!!! Why else do you think they go?
On most court TV shows you don't even have to worry about losing because the winning litigant gets paid by the studio. Again, this is why people go on these shows! Heck people go on low budget talk shows for the same reasons: money and/or free accommodations in a city they've never been to before: vacation.
One of the problems that all of these daytime TV shows have is people who try to get on with fake stories and fake backgrounds. These shows have staffers who do nothing but verify the stories of the people who come on the show.
Think about it. You cook up a fake argument, go on People's Court and seemingly argue. It doesn't matter who loses. You both split the $5,000 pot (provided by the studio) 2 ways and got a free hotel room to boot. There are plenty of scammer who try to do this. And don't get me started on daytime/late night talk shows. They ALL deal with fakers everyday. They vet everyone before they go on the show (although, they aren't always successful at it).
Also, look in the "gallery" of each show. The bigger the budget, the prettier the people (especially the women - wow!). You know why? They are paid actors/models. Not all of the court TV shows actually provide tickets to the general public. Some mix it up: ticket holders and actors/models to fill in where they didn't give out enough tickets.
Now look at the money involved and you'll know why the whole system works as it does. These court TV shows collectively represent a BILLION dollar industry.
Furthermore look at the judge's earnings:
Average TV judge's earnings: $500,000 - $1 Million/year
Judge Judy's earnings: a whopping $45 Million/year (she's listed on Forbes for those who don't believe me)
18 - Zann
Has Judge Alex gone off the air? Not finding him in Chicago. He and Judge Judy are the best!
19 - JayJ
Great post TDub
I agree with you 100%
also
Judge Alex is one of the most sexist and ignorant judge on TV, just like the racist and sexist Joe Brown.
The only judge on TV that currently doesn't rule with bias is Peoples Court Judge Marilyn Milian ... we'll see how long this last tho.
20 - eej
People's Court--Judge Milian is entertaining and fair and asks the questions we would ask. Don't care for the whoever that guy that took Doug Llewelyn's spot or the TMZ guy outside with dimwitted sidewalk audience. Waiting for Douglas the bailiff to fall from that pirouette he does when the judge gets seated.
Cristina's Court--Don't agree with most of her rulings. Does the exact opposite of other judges and she has absolutely no control of rowdy litigants. Renard doesn't "comically" calm them down like other bailiffs. Also that opening with her turning around with that Emmy award is quite ballsy--wtf!
Judge Hatchett--Don't care for her too tough either. Her beefy bailiff tries to hard to get litigants to "stop talking" or "wait your turn". She did some crap shows about kids doing wrong or going down the wrong path and having them hang out with someone who miraculously makes the kids do a 180 and right themselves--all in one or two days!! Ugh!
Judge David Young--He's entertaining and throws out a gay reference of some sort on every show. Nothing wrong with that. If you have a cute animal that was injured by another beastly one, then come on this show. He'll always rule in your favor. I like Tawnya the bailiff. Almost every show has that DNA scientist from Ohio and that lie detector guy that always does that hokey pause thing before revealing his answer. Also that "there's a secret witness" ringing phone that Judge David has to answer is dopey.
Family Court with Judge Penny--Her rulings always deal with keeping the family together. She's pretty fair though. And I like her raspy voice. Her bailiff likes to stand between warring litigants.
Judge Karen--ehh, don't like this one either. It's not being renewed.
Judge Mathis--I like this one the best along with Judge Judy. He's very entertaining and has good chemistry with Doyle. His rulings are pretty fair and he can get downright angry with idiot litigants. I like how his show has three or four cases in the hour instead of one case per half hour. He kinda likes to talk about himself or goes off on a tangent.
Judge Joe Brown--He's all right. He seems to be the only judge that charges $100 administrative fees. I think he likes the sound of his voice. Don't care for the host reporting from the rafters or the audience poll. An entertaining show.
Judge Alex--His shows are OK, nothing bad and nothing to write home about. His rulings are fair. He has a lot of arrogant litigants. Victor the bailiff is good.
Judge Judy--She's up there with Judge Mathis. Her show is always entertaining, mainly because of her personality. Petri the bailiff does more work than the other bailiffs, having to walk to the back door and fetch witnesses and call litigants to the front.
Anyone know which show had the bailiff with the 'stache that sat in front of the judge reading viewers letters? Another hokey court tv moment!
21 - Zwei
I find Judge Joe Brown to be highly unfair in several of his cases, he listens to one side of the story and makes up his mind before even listening to the other side, which leaves the defendant in a no win situation anyway. Usually by drowning them out in his annoyingly monotonous accent.
Furthermore, I find him to be somewhat sexist. I can't see how so many people ignore this.
There are two particular quotes from yesterday that I wouldn't have expected even from him:
To wife: "You ma'am should have been put in check by your husband."
To husband: "Do your manly duty and get your wife in order."
There have been other comments or gestures throughout his shows that have displayed the same attitude towards women, but none as blatantly sexist as the one above.
What's even more bizarre is that the audience just clapped to it as though he was completely fair, I really don't see what people like about this guy.
Perhaps it's how they believe he "keeps it real." Most people who say this enjoy how he calls out ghetto people, which is honestly the only thing I find mildly amusing about him when I can muster up the capacity to withstand his annoying voice, as I get frequent migraines. But that's just me.
Overall, I don't care for the show whatsoever. It's so fake anyway, from that game show-esque poll system, and the in-show reporting, to the fact that the audience claps to whatever he says after he finishes one of his deafening little rants. I don't know how they stand it.
Still, I suppose something along these lines could be said about most of these "court" shows now-a-days.
Indeed, TDub made an excellent point in that post.
22 - MArc in MA
I just saw this show for the first time thie evening. I assumed it was a parody. Clearly, it is all staged. The episode I saw featured a "defendent" who was wearing a racy evening gown. Her opponent was an insurance company executive -- and we knew she was serious because she was wearing a business suit. Right there I had my suspicions -- what insurance company would agree to participate in a TV show? Especially while their investigation was still ongoing, and then agree that they would be bound by the judge's decision??? Not a chance. Next, just as the proceedings are getting underway the defendent gets a ring on her cell phone and starts talking on it, only to be scolded by the judge. Uh, right, what great timing ---- and what a convenient way to establish the character of the defendent from the get-go. And then! The judge actually solves the case for the insurance company based on the defendant's slip of the tongue. What a sleuth!
It is so bad it is good. If this show survives it will be only because it develops a cult among people who revel in its goofiness.
23 - catherine
your comments about Judge Alex Ferrer are so far from the truth. Almost 10,000 disagree with you don't you think that's a large number? You are entitled to your opinion of course that's why at the end of your comments you should add "that's my opinion." So you wouldn't be further humiliated.
24 - Alan
"Reality" shows cater to dim-witted individuals. I don't know anyone who finds todays current crop of crap TV shows stimulating. "Reality" shows are the worst thing EVER to happen to TV. They're popular with a fringe of viewers. Indeed, we're living in an age when the media is spoon feeding this rubbish to wide eyed individuals at a breakneck speed. Is America getting dumbed down? YOU BET IT IS!
25 - Ashley
Judge Alex lacks charisma? Seriously? ?? Not only.is he very attractive, he's funny & entertaining. He's the best