Judge Judy is a reality court show based on arbitration, led by retired Manhattan Family Court Judge Judith Sheindlin. The program showcases Sheindlin resolving real small claims cases in a courtroom-like setting. Participants must agree to arbitration under Sheindlin by signing contracts. The show is distributed by CBS Television Distribution and airs in first-run syndication.
Debuting on September 16, 1996, Judge Judy is credited with rejuvenating the court show genre. Before its arrival, only two similar shows existed: The People’s Court and Jones and Jury. Sheindlin is known for her “tough” approach to adjudication, which has inspired many imitators. While The People’s Court and Divorce Court have surpassed Judge Judy in terms of seasons, they have done so through various iterations and different judges, making Sheindlin the longest-serving television arbiter.
By 2011, Judge Judy had been nominated for Daytime Emmy Awards for 14 consecutive years without a win. However, on June 14, 2013, the show received its first Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program on its 15th nomination, marking it as the first long-standing, highly-rated court show to achieve this honor.
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