Back in August of 2010, singer, songwriter, and rapper, Nicki Minaj admitted to an obsession with Judge Judy.
She told the public she spent much of her free time watching the program.
A War Of Words
Wapner would not let her more famous counterpart have the last word. It didn’t stop there though, “She is a disgrace to the profession. She does things I don’t think a judge should do. She tells people to shut up. She’s rude. She’s arrogant. She demeans people. If she does this on purpose, then that’s even worse. Judges need to observe certain standards of conduct. She just doesn’t do it and I resent that.
The public is apt to gain the impression that this is how actual judges conduct themselves. It says ‘judge’ on the nameplate on the bench and she’s wearing a robe," Wapner said.
Stranger Than Fiction
There's no way to make up the cases you see on Judge Judy's TV show because they are all read. More than 60 researches scour lawsuits from across the globe, from small claims courts from across the country. The Freedom of Information Act has made it possible for all the researchers to photocopy cases they think will play well on television. These copies are then sent off to producers.
3% of the cases suggested go on to be contacted by the show to see if they may be interested in skipping a civil court hearing, and instead take a free trip to L.A. along with $850 for their appearance and $40 per day during filming.
Tell The Truth, And Nothing But The Truth
How does the Judge tell if anyone in her courtroom is lying to her? It's no secret. The judge herself stated, When you can’t look at me in the eye and tell me the story, that means you’re lying.”
This is something all the plaintiffs who come before her should know in advance. As Judy herself says when calling someone out on TV, "baloney."
Jealousy
Joseph Wapner, the original judge on "The People's Court," for over 10 years between 1981 and 1993, has for years criticized the success Judy has found. Wapner criticized Judy's show openly in 2002, saying publicly, “She is not portraying a judge as I view a judge should act.
Judge Judy is discourteous, and she’s abrasive. She’s not slightly insulting. She’s insulting in capital letters.”