Suing Someone? Do It on TV!
The country is full of small claims cases. Mutual enmity between these parties often causes discord in the court room. With today’s focus on reality TV, broadcast court shows have become quite popular. Many channels host shows in which a real judge decides on small claims cases for real people with real issues. This also means they have real drama. Turn on your pixel box and enjoy the antics of cranky judges, defiant defendants, and woebegone plaintiffs.
Judge Judy
Judge Judy is the very rich, but very cranky judge on this hit FOX daytime show. Judith Shiendlin was once a family court judge and now she’s a TV maven. Worth millions, she uses her tough persona to maintain her courtroom. She takes crap from no one, including the live audience. She requires everyone to act appropriately and dress properly as well. And when she gets going on somebody-watch out!
The People’s Court
The People’s Court was the earliest of the popular court shows. Originally hosted by Judge Joseph Wapner (today it is hosted by Marilyn Milian) the show first aired on September 14th, 1981. The show features oxymoronic or humorous case names. The show’s makers find cases by studying the court records for small claims cases in California. The courtroom however, is not a real court. It is a binding arbitration agreement. The producers have to get parties to agree to this arrangement and drop their real cases. As with most courtroom shows today, whoever loses doesn’t pay. The show pays the damages and pays both parties an appearance fee.
TV today is full of courtroom drama. If you want reality TV though, view a small claims court show. Usually on in the day, these shows are found on a variety of channels and feature real plaintiffs and defendants.
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