Judge Judy (season 1)

Last updated

Judge Judy
Season 1
No. of episodes220
Release
Original networkFirst-run syndication
Original releaseSeptember 16, 1996 (1996-09-16) –
September 5, 1997 (1997-09-05)
Season chronology
Next →
Judge Judy (season 2)

The first season of arbitration-based reality court show Judge Judy aired from September 16, 1996, to September 5, 1997, and consisted of 220 episodes. The season is currently streamed on Paramount Global's Pluto TV courtroom station. [1]

Contents

Reception

Prior to the court show debuting, it had been promoted as "Hot Bench," then "Hot Bench with Judge Judy" before ultimately becoming Judge Judy. When the series launched in September 1996, it went on the air with little media attention and publicity. [2] By the end of October 1996, 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 . [3]

According to Biography 's documentary film on Sheindlin, "Judge Judy: Sitting in Judgment" (aired February 21, 2000), [4] producers of Judge Judy were disappointed that the show was barely making it on the radar. It did not take long, however, for the court show to pick up momentum as Judge Judy rose to a 2.1 rating by the end of this first season.

The series premiered as the 3rd arbitration-based reality style court show, preceded by The People's Court (at the time, in an extended hiatus from cancelation due to low ratings after 12 seasons) and Jones & Jury (lasting only the 1994–95 season, short-lived from low ratings).

Celebrity guests litigants and witnesses

In contrast to the vast majority of the show's run which did not consist of any celebrities, occasional celebrity guest litigants and witnesses were not uncommon in the court show's very early seasons. Bea Arthur, famed actress from television series Maude and The Golden Girls , appeared in season 1, episode 30 on October 25, 1996. In her appearance, Arthur served as a witness for a defendant associated with animal-rights organization PETA. [5]

Unaired Hot Bench pilot before Judge Judy began

Not to be confused with the series premiere, the show's 1995 pilot episode used to sell the program to Big Ticket by a talent agency (later known as "Rebel Entertainment Partners") [6] [7] has never aired on television.

At the time of 1995 pilot before the show's official 1996 premiere, the court show's title was "Hot Bench" before later transitioning to Judge Judy. The pilot consisted of a test actor playing the role of bailiff as opposed to Petri Hawkins-Byrd, who ended up with the court show as bailiff for its entire 25 season run. [8] This resulted from Sheindlin feeling there was a lack of chemistry between her and the pilot episode bailiff, and subsequently refusing him and other proposed actors the opportunity in favor of Byrd. Her work relationship with Byrd predates the courtroom series as he was her bailiff on a rotating basis in the Manhattan family court system from 1986 to 1989. When Byrd later sent Sheindlin a congratulatory letter in 1995, she asked if he would be her bailiff and he accepted. [9]

On May 21, 2021, Sheindlin was asked by USA Today what she recalled of her Judge Judy pilot episode. Sheindlin responded by expressing great disfavor with the pilot, indicating that Judge Judy producers only set up fictionalized cases for that episode 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 [documentary], 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." [10]

Episodes

SeasonSeason episodeSeries episodeTitleAirdateRef
111Defendant Arrested.September 16, 1996 [11]
122A dispute ends in assault.September 17, 1996
133Vandals; car repossession.September 18, 1996
144Neighbor wrecks wall; policeman's civil complaint against a speeder.September 19, 1996
155Engagement ring; dog attack.September 20, 1996
166Lovers' dispute and unpaid loan.September 23, 1996
177Spinster misused, custody case.September 24, 1996
188Vandalism. child molester.September 25, 1996
199Sex discrimination, damaged car.September 26, 1996
11010Diamond-ring dispute; roommates.September 27, 1996
11111Noisy old lady; dog bite.September 30, 1996
11212Deadbeat dad; unpaid loan.October 1, 1996
11313Difficult break-up; medical-bill suit.October 2, 1996
11414Lemon; real-estate transaction.October 3, 1996
11515Culture ClashOctober 4, 1996
11616Free-loading guests; dog kills rabbit.October 7, 1996
11717Unsettled loan agreement; daughter's tattooOctober 8, 1996
11818A faulty toy.October 9, 1996
11919Disturbing the peace; dog bites boy.October 10, 1996
12020Guests debate the legalization of drugs.October 11, 1996
12121Single mother sues her lover; airplane-ticket suit.October 14, 1996
12222TV repairman; teen's phone bill.October 15, 1996
12323Computer-dating service; married man has girlfriend buy him a carOctober 16, 1996
12424Car trade turns violent; sick dogs.October 17, 1996
12525Noisy granny; plumber cons womanOctober 18, 1996
12626Dog fight; roommates split.October 21, 1996
12727Vehicle title; restaurant sued.October 22, 1996
12828Unpaid loans.October 23, 1996
12929Estate contested; vacation expenses.October 24, 1996
13030Animal cruelty (ft. Bea Arthur as a witness).October 25, 1996
13131A damaged motorcycle; woman sues former boss.October 28, 1996
13232A damaged truck; filmmakers sue music producer.October 29, 1996
13333Business deal goes bust; racial slurs are scratched into a car.October 30, 1996
13434Woman sues ex-husband; ruined wedding photos.October 31, 1996
13535Man sues mother-in-law; an unpaid loan.November 1, 1996
13636Landlord's sexual harassment.November 4, 1996
13737Rape case.November 5, 1996
13838Breast implants.November 6, 1996
13939Fender bender; actor's compensation.November 7, 1996
14040Brawl injuries.November 8, 1996
14141Custody case.November 11, 1996
14242Car loan tiff; vacation photos.November 12, 1996
14343Harassing former boyfriend; gambling debts.November 13, 1996
14444Engagement-ring dispute; toeless dog.November 14, 1996
14545Credit-card dispute; attempted kidnapping.November 15, 1996
14646Jailbird sues girlfriend; woman sues estranged son-in-law.November 18, 1996
14747Unpaid taxes; car loan.November 19, 1996
14848Coat-check liability; manager sues musician.November 20, 1996
14949Uninsured motorist; speeding motorist.November 21, 1996
15050Vandalism; stolen refrigerator.November 22, 1996
15151Child custody; former lovers sue each other.November 25, 1996
15252Polygamy.November 26, 1996
15353Assaulted tow-truck driver; dog-custody case.November 27, 1996
15454Engagement ring; biting dog.November 28, 1996
15555Break-in; unpaid loanNovember 29, 1996
15656Baby sitter sues for back wages.December 2, 1996
15757Sexual harassment.December 3, 1996
15858Dispute over diamond; battling roommates.December 4, 1996
15959Damaged property; broken contract.December 5, 1996
16060Broken contract; Divine Brown.December 6, 1996
16161Damaged car; lovers' loans.December 9, 1996
16262Heirloom jewelry; loan suit.December 10, 1996
16363Woman sues father; brother sues brother.December 11, 1996
16464Eviction; magician sued.December 12, 1996
16565Woman resists arrest after accident; abandoned, wrecked car.December 13, 1996
16666Cosmetic samples; car quibbles.December 16, 1996
16767Couple seeks custody of grandchildren.December 17, 1996
16868Loans for wedding expenses disputed.December 18, 1996
16969Couples' separation financial dispute; high-interest loan between brothers.December 19, 1996
17070Incompatible couple; gambling losses.December 20, 1996
17171Wrecked motorcycle; woman sues former employer.December 23, 1996
17272Paternity.December 24, 1996
17373Spinster exploited; custody case.December 25, 1996
17474Defendant arrested.December 26, 1996
17575Vandals; repossessed car.December 27, 1996
17676In-laws evict woman.December 30, 1996
17777Custody dispute; money dispute ends friendship.December 31, 1996
17878Child support; teen's living expenses.January 1, 1997
17979Joy-riding teens.January 2, 1997
18080Hair salon sued; doll-maker.January 3, 1997
18181Money squabble conceals custody case.January 6, 1997
18282Baby sitters' liability.January 7, 1997
18383Vengeful former spouses.January 8, 1997
18484Woman sues her daughter; tire loan.January 9, 1997
18585BMW stalls; roommates.January 10, 1997
18686Fist fight.January 13, 1997
18787Shoplifter sues police captain.January 14, 1997
18888Bounced check.January 15, 1997
18989Unregistered vehicle; vandals.January 16, 1997
19090Courtship gifts; music promoter sued.January 17, 1997
19191Tenant sued; estranged couple's money.January 20, 1997
19292Child support; assault allegations.January 21, 1997
19393Unpaid legal fees; forged check.January 22, 1997
19494Man sues woman over gifts.January 23, 1997
19595Ex-husband sued; shipping service sued.January 24, 1997
19696Smashed vehicle.January 27, 1997
19797Stolen rent.January 28, 1997
19898Couch sold; eviction leads to theft.January 29, 1997
19999Roommates.January 30, 1997
1100100Hasty departure.January 31, 1997
1101101Woman attacked.February 3, 1997
1102102Loan disputes.February 4, 1997
1103103Room-rent deposit.February 5, 1997
1104104Vandalized house.February 6, 1997
1105105Crashed car; abusive club patron.February 7, 1997
1106106Ring traded for car.February 10, 1997
1107107Mother sues daughter.February 11, 1997
1108108Domestic-partners suit.February 12, 1997
1109109John Byner sues a theater; joint property.February 13, 1997
1110110Dental braces.February 14, 1997
1111111Litigious roommate; broken nose.February 17, 1997
1112112Abandoned lizards; estate law.February 18, 1997
1113113Friendship goes to the dogs.February 19, 1997
1114114Damaged wedding dress; nightclub owner.February 20, 1997
1115115Stolen money.February 21, 1997
1116116Truck explosion; employer sued.February 24, 1997
1117117Man vandalizes woman's car.February 25, 1997
1118118Tools; borrowed watch.February 26, 1997
1119119Noisy neighbors.February 27, 1997
1120120Rent dispute; used car.February 28, 1997
1121121Divorced couple's computer.March 3, 1997
1122122Canceled wedding.March 4, 1997
1123123Basketball fans; borrowed money.March 5, 1997
1124124“Jenny Jones” case.March 6, 1997
1125125Loaned money.March 7, 1997
1126126Divorced mail-order bride.March 10, 1997
1127127Loaned stereo; repossessed minivan.March 11, 1997
1128128Joey Buttafuoco.March 12, 1997
1129129Handyman.March 13, 1997
1130130Cap sellers.March 14, 1997
1131131Couple's credit cards; unpaid phone bills.March 18, 1997
1132132Bicycle accident.March 19, 1997
1133133Couple splits up; unpaid rent.March 20, 1997
1134134Deadly car wreck; fired employee.March 21, 1997
1135135Intrusive landlord; dating service.March 25, 1997
1136136Cactus custody; separated pair.March 26, 1997
1137137Giver/taker; heirloom silver.March 27, 1997
1138138Freeloader son; mother's grief.March 28, 1997
1139139Birthday car.March 31, 1997
1140140Return of tools; money dispute.April 1, 1997
1141141Dancing horse business.April 2, 1997
1142142Restaurant patron; band's debts.April 3, 1997
1143143Character in question; bus business.April 4, 1997
1144144Dog prints; con-man lover.April 7, 1997
1145145Pilfering lover.April 22, 1997
1146146Discrimination; litigious lovers.April 24, 1997
1147147Memorabilia; unpaid loan.April 28, 1997
1148148Philanderer sued.April 29, 1997
1149149Chaperon's expenses; jet-ski loan.April 30, 1997
1150150Roommates' dispute; babysitter.May 2, 1997
1151151Failed romance ends apartment-sharing.May 5, 1997
1152152Teen altercation.May 6, 1997
1153153Bad relationship; dead ostrich.May 8, 1997
1154154Falsely accused; drunken-driving arrest.May 9, 1997
1155155Hotel bill; mother sues child.May 12, 1997
1156156Limousine no-show.May 14, 1997
1157157Damaged car; attacking pets.May 15, 1997
1158158Squabble; bad dye job.May 16, 1997
1159159Women fight over a man.May 19, 1997
1160160Ex-lover sued; football injury.May 21, 1997
1161161Loaned car; bail retribution.May 22, 1997
1162162Altercation; blackjack brawl.May 23, 1997
1163163Father sues son; divorced couple's debt.May 26, 1997
1164164Neutered dog; custody case.May 27, 1997
1165165Polygamy debate.May 28, 1997
1166166Dented car hood; wigmaker.May 29, 1997
1167167Invasion of privacy.May 30, 1997
1168168Root canal; wedding dress.June 2, 1997
1169169Engagement ring.June 3, 1997
1170170Computer sale.June 4, 1997
1171171Unpaid loans; dog prints in concrete.June 5, 1997
1172172Unpaid rent; account withdrawal.June 6, 1997
1173173Restaurant patron bounced; a band's debts.June 9, 1997
1174174Drunken brawl.June 10, 1997
1175175Divorce.June 11, 1997
1176176Chaperon's expenses; jet skis.June 12, 1997
1177177Cosmetic samples; car dispute.June 13, 1997
1178178Same-sex domestic partners.June 16, 1997
1179179Unpaid loans.June 17, 1997
1180180Unruly teens.June 18, 1997
1181181Traffic tickets; broken guitars.June 19, 1997
1182182Child support.June 20, 1997
1183183Unpaid loan.June 23, 1997
1184184Missing memorabilia; unpaid loan.June 24, 1997
1185185Divorce settlement.June 25, 1997
1186186Lizard sale; diamond ring.June 26, 1997
1187187Unpaid debts.June 27, 1997
1188188Wedding coordinator.June 30, 1997
1189189Car-ownership case.July 10, 1997
1190190Contested bills.July 11, 1997
1191191Lovers' suit.July 14, 1997
1192192Limo company sued.July 15, 1997
1193193Friendships end in litigation.July 16, 1997
1194194Job-injury suit; car sale.July 17, 1997
1195195Lesbian breakup.July 18, 1997
1196196Abusive boyfriend.July 28, 1997
1197197Mother-in-law sued for harassment; sailors and money.July 29, 1997
1198198Broken engagement.July 30, 1997
1199199Ex-roommate sued.July 31, 1997
1200200Drunken carousing; wigmaker.August 1, 1997
1201201Spayed Labrador; unpaid bills.August 4, 1997
1202202Storage; porno-film producer.August 5, 1997
1203203Vehicle repossession; stamp collection thrown away.August 6, 1997
1204204Cameraman hit by car.August 7, 1997
1205205Unpaid babysitter; incompatible roommates.August 8, 1997
1206206Child custody.August 11, 1997
1207207Rent dispute.August 14, 1997
1208208Old, unpaid loan; damaged car.August 18, 1997
1209209Man sues mail-order bride.August 19, 1997
1210210Shoplifting accusations; sour wine tasting.August 20, 1997
1211211Loaned-car tragedy; telemarketer.August 21, 1997
1212212Bar-room brawl.August 22, 1997
1213213Unpaid tattoo artist; unpaid saleswoman.August 26, 1997
1214214Miscarriage; ex-lovers.August 27, 1997
1215215Gunfight.August 29, 1997
1216216Sexual-harassment suit.September 1, 1997
1217217Truck mishap; employer sued.September 2, 1997
1218218Yoga teacher.September 3, 1997
1219219Parents sue daughter.September 4, 1997
1220220BMW dispute; former lovers and money.September 5, 1997

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References

  1. ↑ Barnes, Jess (June 1, 2021). "Pluto TV Adds Three New Channels to Its Lineup". Cordcuttersnews. United States.
  2. ↑ Buckler, Matt (July 22, 2021). "Matt Buckler: 'Judge Judy' was the boss -- and a star". Yahoo . United States. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Judge judy courts tv: 2/2/97". Archive.southcoasttoday.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2010. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  4. ↑ "Biography Episode Guide 2000 – Judge Judy: Sitting in Judgement". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on November 14, 2012. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  5. ↑ Byrge, Duane (April 25, 2009). "Bea Arthur dies at 86". Next Episode. United States. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  6. ↑ Patten, Dominic (January 22, 2018). "Judge Judy & CBS Sued Again Over Profits For Syndication's Biggest Court Show". deadline.com. Archived from the original on January 23, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  7. ↑ O'haire, Patricia (September 22, 1996). "HERE COMES DA JUDGE JUDY SHEINDLIN'S NEW COURTROOM IS A TV SET, BUT HER CASES ARE REAL". New York Daily News . United States. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  8. ↑ Dunteman, Dayna (February 2004). "Petri Hawkins Byrd". Sacramento Magazine . Archived from the original on August 13, 2009. Retrieved December 10, 2009.
  9. ↑ Dunteman, Dayna (February 2004). "Petri Hawkins Byrd". Sacramento Magazine . Archived from the original on August 13, 2009. Retrieved December 10, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Why Judy Sheindlin 'wasn't teary' saying goodbye to 'Judge Judy,' what to know about her new show". Usatoday. May 21, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Judge Judy Season 1 - Episodes Guide and Summaries". Next Episode. United States. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
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