Judge John Hodgman
Presentation
Hosted byJohn Hodgman, Jesse Thorn
GenreCourt show/Comedy
LanguageEnglish
UpdatesWeekly (Wednesdays)
Length30–60 min.
Production
No. of episodes603 (as of 2023)
Publication
Original releaseNovember 1, 2010 (2010-11-01)
ProviderMaximum Fun

Judge John Hodgman is a weekly, comedic court show podcast hosted by John Hodgman and Jesse Thorn. The show is distributed online by Maximum Fun.[1]

The program features host John Hodgman acting as a judge (with Jesse Thorn as bailiff) adjudicating real-life disputes within a fictional courtroom setting. The cases answer low-stakes questions like, "Should the kitchen sink's built-in dispenser be filled with dish soap or hand soap?" and "Can you stop family members from using your childhood nickname?"[2]

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.[1][3] The podcast launched in November 2010, and released its 500th episode in January 2021.[1]

Format

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's co-host most episodes is "bailiff" Jesse Thorn, who introduces each episode, interjects humorous questions and observations during cases, and interviews 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 dispensing "fake internet justice"), 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 NPR show All Things Considered reported, "The show is a vehicle for comedy, but Hodgman and Thorn both say the podcast has an earnest side, too. Jokes aside, they say, Hodgman really does take the job of fake internet judge seriously. 'The best Judge John Hodgman cases,' Thorn says, 'are always about the relationship between the litigants.'"[2]

There are also separate episodes in which Hodgman and Thorn "clear the docket", discussing and ruling on cases which were not selected for a full hearing.

Guests

Live taping of Judge John Hodgman with guest baliff John Roderick

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,[8][9][10] Elizabeth Gilbert,[11] Jean Grae,[12] Jordan Morris,[13][14] Tom Scharpling,[15] and Jake Tapper.[16] "Expert witnesses" calling in to offer their insights into cases have included Kurt Braunohler,[17] Alton Brown,[18][19] Brother Ali,[14] Jonathan Coulton, Dante,[20][21] John Darnielle,[22] Jane Espenson,[23] Jonathan Goldstein,[24] Jonathan Miles,[25] Eugene Mirman,[26] David Rees,[21] 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] John Vanderslice,[35] 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.[13][14][27][36]

Episodes

In January 2021, the podcast released its 500th episode.[37]

Year Episodes Originally Released
First Released Last released Distributor
2010 8 November 1, 2010 December 20, 2010 Maximum Fun
2011 38 January 3, 2011 December 22, 2011
2012 44 January 4, 2012 December 26, 2012
2013 50 January 2, 2013 December 24, 2013
2014 51 January 1, 2014 December 31, 2014
2015 51 January 7, 2015 December 30, 2015
2016 51 January 7, 2016 December 28, 2016
2017 51 January 4, 2017 December 27, 2017
2018 51 January 3, 2018 December 20, 2018
2019 51 January 2, 2019 December 18, 2019
2020 49 January 2, 2020 TBA
Special 4 January 13, 2011 November 3, 2017

Special episodes

Judge John Hodgman: Maritime Edition

In January 2011,[38] two cases involving participants on the Jonathan Coulton Cruise Crazy were adjudicated by Judge John Hodgman and posted on YouTube.[39]

No. Episode Title Guest Bailiff Dispute Release Date
1 "Crazy Gravy" None The merits of brown gravy versus white gravy January 13, 2011[40]
2 "Christmas Music Ruling" David Rees When should seasonal or Christmas music be played? January 13, 2011[40]

Bonus episodes

No. Episode Title Guest Bailiff Dispute ReDate
1 "Livin' that CALI415 Life" Docket episode centered around car-related questions, featuring comedian Rhea Butcher April 29, 2016[41]
2 "Jesse Thorn Interviews John Hodgman" Rebroadcast from Thorn's program "Bullseye". November 3, 2017[42]

Newspaper column

Since October 2015, Judge John Hodgman has appeared as a newspaper column in The New York Times Magazine every Sunday, in which Hodgman settles disputes in a similar fashion.[43] Topics range from appropriate household toilet paper quotas[44] to the proper way to wear a wedding band.[45][46]

Live Show

Judge John Hodgman has held live recordings on numerous occasions in the US and UK. In the U.S. the show has been held in venues ranging from 1000-1400 seats, including Boston's Wilbur Theatre,[47] San Francisco's Castro Theatre,[48] Seattle's Neptune Theatre[49] and Brooklyn's Murmrr Theatre.[50] In September 2017 two shows were held live at the London Podcast Festival at Kings Place, London, England.[51]

Reception

Judge John Hodgman has received critical praise in the media, from outlets including Rolling Stone,[52] NPR's All Things Considered,[2] HuffPost,[53] Vox,[54] Splendry,[55] BoingBoing[56] and Boston Magazine.[57]

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."[56] Boston's Thomas Lewis called Judge John Hodgman a "hilarious podcast".[57] A 2017 review on Splendry wrote, "Yes, these are silly disputes. And while there is much laughter, there is also much wisdom. I have found myself laughing uproariously and nodding thoughtfully in the same episode."[55]

In 2013, Arizona muralist Joe Pagac created art for Judge John Hodgman entitled "Sexy Justice".[58][59] "Sexy Justice" has since been made available via online retailer TopatoCo as prints.[60]

In 2014, Rolling Stone ranked Judge John Hodgman #15 in their list "The 20 Best Comedy Podcasts Right Now".[52]

Judge John Hodgman won the 2020 Webby Award for Comedy in the category Podcasts.[61]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Jesse Thorn (November 1, 2010). "Judge John Hodgman: The Podcast". Maximum Fun. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 NPR Staff (November 30, 2013). "In the world of podcast, Judge John Hodgman Rules". All Things Considered on National Public Radio. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Scott Tobias (November 9, 2011). "John Hodgman, part two: geeks vs. jocks in all walks of life". The A.V. Club. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  4. ↑ MaxFun Intern (November 14, 2012). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 84: Dog Duty". Maximum Fun. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  5. ↑ MaxFun Intern (January 2, 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 91: Coming Out of the Supply Closet". Maximum Fun. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  6. ↑ Julia Smith (July 3, 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 117: Lawn and Order". Maximum Fun. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  7. ↑ Jesse Thorn (January 3, 2011). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 9: The Parenthetical Petition". Maximum Fun. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  8. ↑ Julia Smith (August 14, 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 122: Reckless Endungeonment". Maximum Fun. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  9. ↑ Julia Smith (September 22, 2011). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 35: Unbanded Brothers". Maximum Fun. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  10. ↑ Julia Smith (August 10, 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 121: So Help You Pod, or Whatever". Maximum Fun. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  11. ↑ MaxFun Intern (October 17, 2012). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 80: The Obligatory Name Drop". Maximum Fun. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Judge John Hodgman Episode 208: Sunrise Upset". Maximum Fund. April 29, 2015. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  13. 1 2 MaxFun Intern (July 17, 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 119: Odor In The Court". Maximum Fun. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  14. 1 2 3 MaxFun Intern (July 24, 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 120: Halal In The Family". Maximum Fun. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  15. ↑ MaxFun Intern (May 1, 2013). "Judge John Hodgman 108: A Room With a Feud". Maximum Fun. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  16. ↑ Julia Smith (August 31, 2011). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 34: De Plane". Maximum Fun. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  17. ↑ MaxFun Intern (January 15, 2014). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 143: Namer vs. Namer". Maximum Fun. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  18. ↑ Justin Morissette (March 28, 2012). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 53: Cannery Row". Maximum Fun. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  19. ↑ MaxFun Intern (April 10, 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 105: To the Victor Goes the Spoiled". Maximum Fun. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
  20. ↑ MaxFun Intern (March 20, 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 102: Justice Abhors a Vacuum". Maximum Fun. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  21. 1 2 MaxFun Intern (April 24, 2013). "Judge John Hodgman 107: Dischord is Now in Session". Maximum Fun. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  22. ↑ MaxFun Intern (August 30, 2012). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 73: Gavelbangers Ball". Maximum Fun. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  23. ↑ Julia Smith (February 19, 2014). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 148: Science Friction". Maximum Fun. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  24. ↑ Julia Smith (May 15, 2014). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 160: The French Correction". Maximum Fun. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  25. ↑ Julia Smith (July 16, 2014). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 169: Hunter-Gaveler". Maximum Fun. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  26. ↑ MaxFun Intern (November 14, 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 134: The Right to Remain Silent". Maximum Fun. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  27. 1 2 Julia Smith (April 24, 2014). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 157: Honey Don't". Maximum Fun. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  28. ↑ MaxFun Intern (January 16, 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 93: Rhapsody in Blue". Maximum Fun. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  29. ↑ MaxFun Intern (March 27, 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 103: Gas, Grass, or Justice". Maximum Fun. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  30. ↑ Julia Smith (April 29, 2011). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 22: Tips and Tricks and Justice". Maximum Fun. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  31. ↑ MaxFun Intern (February 12, 2014). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 147: A Trial of Two Cities". Maximum Fun. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  32. ↑ MaxFun Intern (February 20, 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 98: All Dogs Go To Trial - Live at SF Sketchfest!". Maximum Fun. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
  33. ↑ Julia Smith (November 1, 2012). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 82: Sort Reform and The Right Not to Bare Arms". Maximum Fun. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  34. 1 2 3 Julia Smith (November 7, 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 January 14, 2013.
  35. ↑ "Episode 198: Spit Decision, Live from SF Sketchfest". February 18, 2015.
  36. ↑ Julia Smith (April 16, 2014). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 156: Two's Company". Maximum Fun. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Episode 500: You Can't Stop Justice". Maximum Fun. January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  38. ↑ "The Entertainment - JoCo Cruise Crazy". JoCo Cruise Crazy. July 16, 2010. Archived from the original on July 16, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  39. ↑ "Judge John Hodgman: Maritime Edition". Maximum Fun. January 13, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  40. 1 2 "Judge John Hodgman: Maritime Edition | Maximum Fun". www.maximumfun.org. January 13, 2011. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  41. ↑ "Sponsored Bonus Episode: Livin' That CALI415 Life | Maximum Fun". maximumfun.org. April 29, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  42. ↑ "Judge John Hodgman Special Bonus Episode: Jesse Thorn Interviews John Hodgman | Maximum Fun". www.maximumfun.org. November 3, 2017. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  43. ↑ John Hodgman (January 29, 2012). "JUDGE JOHN HODGMAN'S VEST POCKET ARGUMENT SETTLER". JohnHodgman.com. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  44. ↑ Hodgman, John (December 30, 2015). "Judge John Hodgman on toilet paper quotas". The New York Times. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  45. ↑ Hodgman, John (November 17, 2019). "Judge John Hodgman on the proper way to wear a wedding band". The New York Times. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  46. ↑ "Judge John Hodgman Weekly Column". The New York Times. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  47. ↑ "Judge John Hodgman Live in Boston, MA". Maximum Fun. December 3, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  48. ↑ "Judge John Hodgman Live at Sketchfest 2020". Maximum Fun. February 8, 2020.
  49. ↑ "Judge John Hodgman | Podcasts". Maximum Fun. February 28, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  50. ↑ "Judge John Hodgman at the Murmrr Theatre". Murmrr.com. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  51. ↑ "Judge John Hodgman". Kings Place. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  52. 1 2 Matthew Love (May 8, 2014). "Listen Up: The 20 Best Comedy Podcasts Right Now Pictures - 15. 'Judge John Hodgman'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  53. ↑ Hershon, Marc (July 25, 204). "Podcast Review: Judge John Hodgman". Huff Post. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  54. ↑ "Judge John Hodgman Reviewed". Vox Electrico. May 27, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  55. 1 2 "Podcast Recommendation: Judge John Hodgman". Splendry. February 26, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  56. 1 2 Mark Frauenfelder (November 19, 2010). "Judge John Hodgman: the podcast". Boing Boing. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  57. 1 2 Thomas Lewis (November 3, 2012). "Comedy Q+A: John Hodgman, Author, Performer, and Jurist". Boston. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  58. ↑ Jesse Thorn (July 28, 2013). ""Sexy Justice" by Joe Pagac. Now available as a... - Jesse Thorn: Tumbler". Tumblr. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  59. ↑ "Judge John Hodgman's photos". Facebook. July 28, 2013. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  60. ↑ "Judge John Hodman Sexy Justice Print (16" x 20")". TopatoCo. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  61. ↑ Kastrenakes, Jacob (May 20, 2020). "Here are all the winners of the 2020 Webby Awards". The Verge. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
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