Who judges the judges? Well, I do. Of course, I’m talking about the television show judges. There’s a plethora of judge shows on American television these days, but the genre started out with Judge Joseph Wapner and the original The People’s Court which had its debut in 1981. I feel the show was the inspiration for the Court TV network today.
Judge Wapner had retired from the California bench and the entire concept was new and fresh in daytime television. He retired from the show in 1993 to be eventually succeeded by several judges including the ex-Mayor of New York City, Ed Koch. Now, I was a Wapner purist when Koch came aboard. I wanted Wapner’s ways. I didn’t want “How am I doing?” Koch. He wasn’t doing well on the show and never clicked with it at all, in my opinion. He was followed by Judge Jerry Sheindlin (husband of Judge Judy) and in that time, I found the show even more lackluster.
As a matter of fact, the genre itself was in a slump until Judge Judy revived it with a more brash approach to the bench in 1997. Her personality took the genre in a new direction and breathed new life into things. I don’t know how her approach worked in the actual municipal courthouse, but it was good television. Alas, it opened the door for numerous judge shows as the networks sought another cash cow courtroom. So, where do we stand today on the judge scene? Here are my quick thoughts…
Right now, I have to list Judge Judy Sheindlin as the epitome of the successful television court judge. She’s quick-witted, clever, brash, sometimes rude, usually acid-tongued, but always entertaining and well, quite judicial. She’s become a successful author, as well as a household name even for those who really don’t watch daytime courtroom fiascos. Um…cases, not fiascos, of course! Hands down, she’s had the most effect on the genre since its inception with Wapner. She took the genre a new direction, said things we’d like to say but are often too polite to do so. She’s the Simon Cowell of the television courtroom genre.
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Ruthie
I think Judge Milian is actually better than Judge Judy because Marilyn can be sharp tongued but she shows a level of compassion from the bench you don't see with Judy.
2 - Deby Zimmerman
Very interesting reading but I was wondering if you had any info regarding the Judge from "Texas Justice"? He got really aggrivating when he would let the litigants get into their shout fests and just watched. Can't say that he's missed, only wondering who got smart enough to pull the plug on him. There are a couple more new court shows on that seem to be trying to compete...the MOST rediculous being EYE for an EYE with the loser Kato Kaylin as the "host"....and a judge with a bat "Extreem Akeem"....REALLY STUPID show, about on the level of soaps... Then there's another judge, male who is also of (I think, and apologize if wrong) Puerto Rican descent. He "once was a cop, then a lawyer and now a judge" is used as his opening credits...
It seems like Judge Judy is getting harsher in her criticizism of people and MUCH harsher with her comments and name calling. She HAS the years of experience but sometimes seems to not see people for people. I am not excusing the reasons for being there only that there have been times when her harshness seemed more than too much in a case. Then there are times where Judge Hatchett seems to be too easy on some. Her "intervention" themes for some of the juviniles seems to only white-wash a problem...I mean, they co-operate for the sake of the show but very little success stories have come out of these moments. Most of the hot-headded kids who don't respect anyone don't really seem all that changed when they come back to court...it's in the eyes. They are only playing the game.
What ever happened to Mills Lane? He is another that just dropped out of sight one day.
Course for as silly or unbelievable as some of these may seem, I would rather sit and watch one or two of them than the "reality" crap on the t.v. today.
It was interesting to find your site and good reading...thank's for listening.
Deby
3 - Andy
I agree with everything you wrote. I think Judge Millian makes it look as if she is playing up to for the people too obvious. I mean, of course they are all playing up for the people but Judge Judy looks more natural when she is acidic tongue. Marilyn doesn't look as natural and really looks like she wants those TV ratings. I just love it when Judge Judy doesn't allow folks to forcrudate or interrupt her. Those to things really irritate me.
MERRIAM WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY
forcrudate (verb) : An effort to throw another off their subject matter by responding on an entirely different subject matter or responding in such a way that is inconsistent with the statements of the other
Marry's constant forcrudating indicated that she rarely ever listened to what other people had to say to her. I wish you'd stop forcrudating and give me some adequate feedback. I had to forcrudate Billy as nothing he was telling me was very important.
interrupt to break the continuity of another's sentences by breaking in with an utterance
4 - Kelly
None of the judge's allow anyone to forcrudate or interrupt as they will say shut up. But I can agree with the whole Marilyn Millian appearing to obvious. She needs to be replaced like that new Judge on FOX 6. These guys just look like they are playing up too much. Judge Judy is just a natural. And then what is with all the dissing on the black judge's. Ok, granted Brown might have theee most awkward laughable country bumpkin voice and mannerism I have ever seen but Mathis is cool and rather handsome if you ask me
5 - Kelly
Yea dude, stop attacking the black judge's especially mathis. that guy is funny and cool. Are you racist because Second of all, you didn't even mention probably the most sweetest, caring judge out of all of the judge's. Judge Hatchet. She is so sweet and caring, and says the darndest things. she wants said I will walk off this bench and kick your ass. She is so funny, but she reminds me of Oprah as she really gets involved in the cases and cares about people. Judge Millian smiles a lot and stuff which is cool but she doesn't look very convincing. Anyway, speaking of forcrudating, Can Someone Tell Me How To Create My Own Website? :)
6 - Kavya Lee
Please update this blog to include remarks about Judge Maria Lopez - I have to wonder what the network was thinking hiring someone so lacklustre as Lopez. She seems to have very little concern for justice according to the law, rules with her heart and her heart is irrational as is some of her behavior on the bench. Her raspy voice is grating and you know she's just gotta be a chain smoker off camera. She pretends to be shocked and amazed at imbecilic stories, laughs at inappropriate behavior and does not really seem to have absolute control over her domain.
7 - Cathy
What is there to really say about Maria Lopez? She'll be cancelled after this season, her first season, and nobody will remember her so why should we waste are breath? Yea, the network made an idiotic decision. The season premier of this episode should have been it's series finale. It seems like they'll alow any bum on the bench nowadays.
8 - Cathy
THEY MADE SOME TERRIBLE NEW COURT SHOWS THIS SEASON! LET'S START OUT WITH THE WORST
MARIA LOPEZ
Wow! I just started watching this show this week, and I stopped watching it this week too. Her porblem is she looks slow and confused. Not to be mean. But, she really looks like she doesn't know what is going on and because of it, looks scared to talk. She's irrational because she is so confused and doesn't really understand anything. I think the network might have chosen her because they thought she was different which is true. But she is different in a really bad way. She's probably the worst court show out right now. I remember when she says, "WELL, WHY AREN'T YOU SUING FOR MORE IF IT COSTS THIS MUCH. THAT DOESN'T EVEN MAKE SENSE!" Litigant : "Uuuh! That's the maximum amount of money your court will give it's litigants!" Maria Lopez : "I see!" I mean, come on. Cancel the show.
Judge Christine (Also New Court Show) She is basically Judeg Hatchet. There is already a kind compassionate Judge. She needs to go too. Judge Hatchet has more personality than her anyway. Judge Christine is nice and sweet, but she's just so boring and lacks personality. She doesn't look as confused as Maria Lopez but this show needs to go too. I get so bored watching her.
Divorce Court (New Judge) I once enjoyed Divorce Court. Judge Mablean had me cracking up with her eccentric, funny voice and funny jokes and reactions. However, yet another dumb decision. The FOX network got rid of her because they had a disagreement over the way her hair looked. Ridiculous! What is even worse, is they tried to get someone with a funny voice, and like Judge Maria Lopez, it's just a lady with an obnoxious voice and an annoying personality.
People's Court - Judge Marilyn Milian is cool. She is hilarious. I love her. Why doesn't she have a courtroom named after her. It's ridiculous that this Lopez and christina get there names, but not Judge Marilyn. Oh well
Judge Judy - I like her. However, basically the most of the show is her yelling since whenever the litigant tries to say anything, she goes "om speaking!" It gets tiresome after awhile hearing all the yelling and no response from the litigants. But she has been the longest running judge. And come up with some new sayings, woman. How many times do we have to hear "I'm speaking" and "listen to me"!
Judge Alex - He doesn't play up to the camera like the rest of them do. He is funny and fair, but not better than Judge Marilyn. He deserves a show though unlike all the new court shows.
Judge Mathis - This guy cracks me up. I like him!
Eye for an Eye - wtf
Judge Trudy - she was da bomb, and had angry lobsters on her show on Nickelodian.
9 - Craig
Judge Maria Lopez s - u - c - k - s
10 - Jean Williams
Judge Mathis is the MAN. Judge Joe Brown is too COOL.. and the BEST is Judge Mablean. I wish some other network would give her a show. FOX really missed the boat on her firing. She WAS Divorce Court and the new lady has a horrible voice and is not at all charismatic. I dont watch Divorce Court anymore.
11 - Myron
WTF WHY DID THEY GET RID OF JUDGE MABLEAN? I just watched it today after hearing it from here. I'm going to complain to FOX about this. Man, I hate that new Judge that replaxed Judge Mablean. Her voice bugs the **** out of me. I listened to fingernails scratching a chalkboard in order to listen to something better. Divorce Court will be canceled now!
12 - Myron
also, yea, I agree with everyone else. I hate that Judge Maria Lopez too. I don't watch that type of junk. I don't like that kind of stuff. Judge's who don't have any charisma like Lopez sucks.
13 - Marcus
WHEN ARE G - A - Y people going to have equal rights? Quit all this bullshit about religions and christianity
14 - Rachelle
I cannot stand Judge Maria Lopez. She gets on every last nerve of mine. Please take her off the air.
15 - CYNTHIA
I LOVE JUDGE JUDY. SHE GETS RIGHT DOWN TO THE POINT. SHE'S FAIR. AND DON'T PLAY AROUND LIKE EXTREME AKEEME OR WHAT EVER THAT STUPID COURT ROOM IS CALLED WHERE THE JUDGE USING A BAT TO HAVE ORDER IN HIS COURT ROOM. AS FOR JUDGE JUDY SHE HAS CONTROL OVER HER COURT ROOM. AND SHE'S MY FAVORITE JUDGE.
THANKS.
16 - Pat
Judge Marie Lopez should find a new saying. I'm tired of OK and YOU KNOW WHAT? I counted the sayings and she said them 5 times in her verdict. Tell her to learn the English language and use it.
17 - Bob Giffin
Judge Judy, Brown, Mathis, are all pretty good. Judge Christine, Judge Millianno, and Judge Lopez I don't care for, because they sometimes supercede the law with thier feelings, and they tend to Rattle something in Spanish, then ask the Litigants, "You know what that means?"...Duh, no, judge, I don't speak Spanish, say it in English, and I would probably know what it means. This is America, I would hope all legal matters, especially in court would be conducted in English..Judge Hatchett is a Racsist, I have watched her over the years, and she will always side with a Black in a case involving a White and a Black. You don't see her to often trying such cases anymore...at least I haven't...
18 - Lynn
Judge Maria Lopez's show 9/13/07, first presenter, the younger woman that took ($1,000)and advantage of the the elderly lady-needs to be reported to the office to protective services for "harm" to the elderly. Please follow up.
19 - Martin Snytsheuvel
TV Judges are SO VERY interesting as they fill up an afternoon of BOOB tube entertainment.
What is much fun is the ability to see these Judges and their very separate personas almost back to back.
You can very clearly choose your favorites easily by using their communication skills , fairness and their actual outcomes to a menagerie of different cases. Some cases and Judge genre closely resembles that talk show host Jerry Springer. The Judge that comes to mind is Terry Hatcher and her paternity DNA cases.
My number one favorite is Judge Greg Mathis. I love his court acumen and the way he really rates the person’s character by their testimony. If they falter in their story line, WATCH OUT! He is absolutely flawless in this approach and I find it exciting and entertaining.
My next two that are so much fun to watch are long time award winning Judge Judy Sheindlin and the very sexy Cuban Judge Marilyn Milian. I love her Red four Inch high heels. I wonder if they are court issue. Judge Milian is fair and articulate and just a blast to watch.
Finally that EWWW FOX network has Cristina's Court with Judge Christina Perez is so much fun to watch as well. She looks like a chipmunk to me, cute and cuddly but very tough. Don’t underestimate her. I also think she has a great higher moral standard that appears to hold very strong in her decisions. I like that.
All the Judges I have mentioned are smart and have an independent character which I find very pleasing and fun to watch. Just fun to see how real folks have issues that sometimes have to be solved in a court of law…
20 - Chris
Milian, Sheindlin and Lopez all suck! Period. They're load, brash, annoying women!
21 - Doubtlessly
Yeah, I agree--Judge Judy is awful. She always insults the litigants, often claiming herself to be far more intelligent, far smarter than the litigants--but I see very little intelligence. And in fact, her behaviour to me seems mostly comprised of robotic, unsympathetic application of predefined rules that constitute her idea of so-called justice--and comprised also of an unhealthy quantity of arrogance, aggression and scorn.
I guess the malice, contempt and condescending attitude of the judge are what sells the show. I guess people like to see others being belittled on the TV. The same principle applies to shows like American Idol where the judges berate many of the contestants. When will viewers grow up and cease their addiction to mean-spirited garbage?
22 - Paula
I am almost addicted to court shows. I even use court shows with my 8th grade Speech class in showing them how to prepare speeches, what to say and what not to say - how to get your point across. There is a plethora of examples provided in any one of these court cases. These are my favorites 1) Judge Judy 2) Judge Mathis 3) Judge Milian 4) Judge Joe Brown 5) Judge Toler and finally 6) Judge Hatchett. The rest of them on the books can be cancelled for all I care. Judge Christine, the other woman with the deep voice and glasses on her nose, and Judge Ferer are nothing in comparison. They waste time. One point I question is this - why is it that all the 'white judges have black baliffs and all the black judges have white baliffs? Anyone see this as comical? What exactly do they do? ALso, did you all know that Judge Hatchett has a tongue ring??? Hmmmm I also don't believe for one moment that every kid that Hatchett sends away to 'see the light' comes back completely changed and a "brand new boy". Some of these issues demand more input. Sometimes I think that they think we are all stupid. The one thing I have to agree on with the court shows is that I have learned more about the legal system and laws than I ever knew before hand. I am grateful for the information I have learned becuase it really has helped me and helped others who I have come across.
23 - Chris
In my opinion,thumbs down for Lopez,Cristina and Alex.Love Mathis,Judy,Milian and Toler.
24 - Foxy Diva
I am addicted to Judge Brown and Judge Mathis. Don't watch Judge Alex because he comes on when one of my soaps is on. Judge Lopez, forget her. Her voice is irritating. Watched her show twice. That was twice too much. Judge Judy hollering and name calling - oh no. One day someone will punch her out and we'll see some real court action! People's Court is okay. Never watched Judge Christina. I miss Judge Mablean. They need to bring her back
25 - trash_tv_masher
THE ENTIRE GENRE IS IRRITAINMENT!
Has anyone ever noticed that one or both parties show an inexcusable (i.e. not due to foreign origin) command of English, barnyard manners, and/or no idea how to present his/her case in a bench trial?
It seems the selling point of these programs is the arbitrator's expression of disgust with one or both litigants for conduct that either led to the original lawsuit or, in a real courtroom, would've resulted in a contempt citation or bodily expulsion.
I think the (as yet unexplained) success of "The Jerry Springer Show" convinced the TV people that the "Litigants Behaving Badly" format would bring in Nielsen ratings.