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Judge John Hodgman
The official logo since episode 122 "Reckless Endungeonment"[1]
Presentation
Hosted byJohn Hodgman
GenreCourt show/Comedy
LanguageEnglish
UpdatesWeekly (Wednesdays)
Length30–60 min.
Production
No. of episodes169
Publication
Original release1 November 2010[2]
ProviderMaximum Fun

Judge John Hodgman is a weekly, comedic court show podcast hosted by humorist John Hodgman and distributed online by Maximum Fun.

The program features host John Hodgman acting as a judge (with Jesse Thorn as bailiff) adjudicating real-life disputes within a courtroom simulated by sound effects.

History

"Tonally, there was no discussion; I just don’t know any other way to do it. I don’t want to make people feel bad, and I don’t want to make their problems into a joke. I do love telling people when they’re right and wrong, but for the most part, it was always going to be about real fights where people have a real difference of opinion and a real dispute. I want to make jokes, but I also want to make a decision that is fair."

 —John Hodgman[3]

Judge John Hodgman was originally a segment of the Maximum Fun podcast Jordan, Jesse Go!. When Hodgman ended his podcast Today In The Past, he began Judge John Hodgman as a full-fledged podcast.[2][3]

Format

Main article: List of Judge John Hodgman episodes

In each episode, "Judge" John Hodgman hears and renders a judgment on a dispute (often over petty or trivial matters) between two people (calling in via Skype or similar program from their home location) in a virtual "courtroom" setting. Hodgman is assisted in most episodes by "bailiff" Jesse Thorn, who acts as co-host, introducing each episode, interjecting humorous questions and observations during cases, and interviewing the disputants before and after Hodgman's verdict is announced. Several episodes have also included notable "expert witnesses", who call in and offer their insight into the case. Though Hodgman has no formal legal training or experience (often describing himself as a "fake internet judge"), and much of the content is played for laughs and entertainment, the disputants in each episode do verbally agree to abide by Hodgman's ruling before their case is heard.

The good episodes ends with a "clearing of the docket", in which Hodgman and Thorn discuss and render judgments on cases which were not selected for a hearing.

Guests

When Jesse Thorn is not available, his role has been filled by "Guest Bailiffs", including Scott Adsit,[4][5][6] Elna Baker,[7] Monte Belmonte,[1][8][9] Elizabeth Gilbert,[10] Jordan Morris,[11][12] Tom Scharpling,[13] and Jake Tapper.[14]

"Expert witnesses" calling in to offer their insights into cases have included Kurt Braunohler,[15] Alton Brown,[16][17] Brother Ali,[12] Jonathan Coulton, Dante, [18][19] John Darnielle,[20] Jane Espenson,[21] Jonathan Goldstein,[22] Merlin Mann,[23][24] Jonathan Miles,[25] Eugene Mirman,[26] David Rees,[19] Mary Roach,[27] John Roderick,[28] Paul F. Tompkins,[29] Morgan Webb,[30] and Jon Wurster.[31]

When Judge John Hodgman has been taken on the road and performed in front of a live audience, one or more musical guests have been invited to perform after or in between cases. These performers include John Darnielle,[32] Jonathan Coulton,[33] Jean Grae,[34] Mr. Len,[34] and MeLa Machinko.[34]

On occasions that Hodgman was not available to record an episode, Jesse Thorn has acted as judge, with Jordan Morris of Jordan, Jesse, Go! filling in as bailiff.[11][12][27][35]

Newspaper column

File:Judge John Hodgman Rules illustration from The New York Times Magazine by Kreh Mellick.png
Judge John Hodgman Rules in The New York Times Magazine. (Credit: Kreh Mellick).[36]

Judge John Hodgman appeared as the newspaper column Judge John Hodgman Rules (originally Ask Judge John Hodgman[37]) in The New York Times Magazine every Sunday where John Hodgman settled disputes in a similar fashion.[37]

On September 28, 2014, Judge John Hodgman Rules ended its run.[38]

Reception

In November 2010, Boing Boing's Mark Frauenfelder wrote "Only three episodes of the Judge John Hodgman podcast have been produced, but I know that it's going to be one of my favorites."[39] Boston's Thomas Lewis called Judge John Hodgman a "hilarious podcast".[40]

In 2013, Arizona muralist Joe Pagac created art for Judge John Hodgman entitled "Sexy Justice".[41][42] "Sexy Justice" has since been made available via online retailer TopatoCo as prints.[43]

Rolling Stone ranked Judge John Hodgman #15 in their list "The 20 Best Comedy Podcasts Right Now".[44]

References

  1. ^ a b Julia Smith (14 August 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 122: Reckless Endungeonment". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  2. ^ a b Jesse Thorn (1 November 2010). "Judge John Hodgman: The Podcast". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  3. ^ a b Scott Tobias (9 November 2011). "John Hodgman, part two: geeks vs. jocks in all walks of life". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  4. ^ MaxFun Intern (14 November 2012). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 84: Dog Duty". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  5. ^ MaxFun Intern (2 January 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 91: Coming Out of the Supply Closet". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-07-03.
  6. ^ Julia Smith (3 July 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 117: Lawn and Order". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-07-03.
  7. ^ Jesse Thorn (3 January 2011). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 9: The Parenthetical Petition". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  8. ^ Julia Smith (22 September 2011). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 35: Unbanded Brothers". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  9. ^ Julia Smith (10 August 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 121: So Help You Pod, or Whatever". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
  10. ^ MaxFun Intern (17 October 2012). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 80: The Obligatory Name Drop". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  11. ^ a b MaxFun Intern (17 July 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 119: Odor In The Court". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-07-24.
  12. ^ a b c MaxFun Intern (24 July 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 120: Halal In The Family". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-07-24.
  13. ^ MaxFun Intern (1 May 2013). "Judge John Hodgman 108: A Room With a Feud". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-05-03.
  14. ^ Julia Smith (31 August 2011). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 34: De Plane". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  15. ^ MaxFun Intern (15 January 2014). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 143: Namer vs. Namer". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2014-01-15.
  16. ^ Justin Morissette (28 March 2012). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 53: Cannery Row". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  17. ^ MaxFun Intern (10 April 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 105: To the Victor Goes the Spoiled". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-04-10.
  18. ^ MaxFun Intern (20 March 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 102: Justice Abhors a Vacuum". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
  19. ^ a b MaxFun Intern (24 April 2013). "Judge John Hodgman 107: Dischord is Now in Session". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-04-25.
  20. ^ MaxFun Intern (30 August 2012). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 73: Gavelbangers Ball". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  21. ^ Julia Smith (19 February 2014). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 148: Science Friction". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  22. ^ Julia Smith (15 May 2014). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 160: The French Correction". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2014-05-15.
  23. ^ Julia Smith (2 April 2014). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 154: Visitation Rights". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  24. ^ Julia Smith (9 April 2014). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 155: The Perp Walk". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  25. ^ Julia Smith (16 July 2014). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 169: Hunter-Gaveler". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  26. ^ MaxFun Intern (14 November 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 134: The Right to Remain Silent". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-11-30.
  27. ^ a b Julia Smith (24 April 2014). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 157: Honey Don't". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  28. ^ MaxFun Intern (16 January 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 93: Rhapsody in Blue". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  29. ^ MaxFun Intern (27 March 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 103: Gas, Grass, or Justice". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-04-02.
  30. ^ Julia Smith (29 April 2011). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 22: Tips and Tricks and Justice". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  31. ^ MaxFun Intern (12 February 2014). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 147: A Trial of Two Cities". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  32. ^ MaxFun Intern (20 February 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 98: All Dogs Go To Trial - Live at SF Sketchfest!". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  33. ^ Julia Smith (1 November 2012). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 82: Sort Reform and The Right Not to Bare Arms". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  34. ^ a b c Julia Smith (7 November 2012). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 83: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Slob and B.F.F.-R.I.P." Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  35. ^ Julia Smith (16 April 2014). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 156: Two's Company". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  36. ^ "kreh mellick".
  37. ^ a b John Hodgman (29 January 2012). "JUDGE JOHN HODGMAN'S VEST POCKET ARGUMENT SETTLER". JohnHodgman.com. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  38. ^ John Hodgman (25 September 2014). "John Hodgman on Twitter: "Sunday will be the last appearance of the One Page Magazine and Judge John Hodgman in the @NYTmag"". Twitter. Retrieved 2014-10-08.
  39. ^ Mark Frauenfelder (19 November 2010). "Judge John Hodgman: the podcast". Boing Boing. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  40. ^ Thomas Lewis (3 November 2012). "Comedy Q+A: John Hodgman, Author, Performer, and Jurist". Boston. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  41. ^ Jesse Thorn (28 July 2013). ""Sexy Justice" by Joe Pagac. Now available as a... - Jesse Thorn: Tumbler". Tumblr. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  42. ^ "Judge John Hodgman's photos". Facebook. 28 July 2013. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  43. ^ "Judge John Hodman Sexy Justice Print (16" x 20")". TopatoCo. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  44. ^ Matthew Love (8 May 2014). "Listen Up: The 20 Best Comedy Podcasts Right Now Pictures - 15. 'Judge John Hodgman'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
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