Judge John Hodgman

History

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

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'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.'"

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

When Jesse Thorn is not available, his role has been filled by "Guest Bailiffs", including Scott Adsit, Elna Baker, Monte Belmonte, Elizabeth Gilbert, Jean Grae, Jordan Morris, Tom Scharpling, and Jake Tapper. "Expert witnesses" calling in to offer their insights into cases have included Kurt Braunohler, Alton Brown, Brother Ali, Jonathan Coulton, Dante, John Darnielle, Jane Espenson, Jonathan Goldstein, Jonathan Miles, Eugene Mirman, David Rees, Mary Roach, John Roderick, Paul F. Tompkins, Morgan Webb, and Jon Wurster.

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, Jonathan Coulton, Jean Grae, Mr. Len, John Vanderslice, and MeLa Machinko.

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.

Episodes

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

Special episodes

Judge John Hodgman: Maritime Edition

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

Bonus episodes

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. Topics range from appropriate household toilet paper quotas to the proper way to wear a wedding band.

Live Show

Judge John Hodgman has held live recordings on numerous occasions in Canada, 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, San Francisco's Castro Theatre, Seattle's Neptune Theatre and Brooklyn's Murmrr Theatre. In September 2017 two shows were held live at the London Podcast Festival at Kings Place, London, England.

Reception

Judge John Hodgman has received critical praise in the media, from outlets including Rolling Stone, NPR's All Things Considered, HuffPost, Vox, Splendry, BoingBoing and Boston Magazine.

In November 2010, Boing Boings 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." Boston's Thomas Lewis called Judge John Hodgman a "hilarious podcast". 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."

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

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

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

References

References

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