About
"If you're going to try to make a fool of the justice system by not following the rules, by flaunting its orders, by not abiding by the laws of the place where you live, there is a consequence. I am your consequence."
In her two-hour interview, Judge Judith Sheindlin discusses in detail her transition from being a New York Family Court judge (where she was known as "America's toughest judge") to becoming a phenomenal television success as "Judge Judy." She chronicles her rise to notoriety, which peaked when she was featured on 60 Minutes. From that appearance, she soon was offered the opportunity to bring her "no excuses" judicial philosophy to the small screen. Judge Sheindlin talks about Judge Judy's flawed pilot and how the show found its footing early on. She also discusses her courtroom demeanor (including her famous "Judy-isms") and talks about the production details of the show. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interview on December 1, 2009 in Beverly Hills, CA.
Highlights
Judith Sheindlin on being a "truth machine" on Judge Judy
Judith Sheindlin on her appearance on 60 Minutes and why she agreed to do the piece
Judith Sheindlin on her court room set on Judge Judy, and on making it as much like a "real" court as possible
Judith Sheindlin on the catchphrases, or "Judy-isms" of Judge Judy
Judith Sheindlin on being called "Judge Judy"
Judith Sheindlin on watching The People's Court and knowing she could do better, by using humor
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On her early life and influences; on growing up watching Milton Berle's Texaco Star Theater, and on meeting Berle years later; on her childhood fantasy of becoming a star
On learning comedic timing from her father and from a family friend; on watching The People's Court and knowing she could do better, by using humor; on her education, and on her first marriage
On becoming a prosecutor for Family Court in New York City; on being a "law and order girl" and how to apply flexibility in law, within parameters, and on unacceptable behavior; on her reputation as a tough family court judge
On getting across the message that the justice system means business; on the most frustrating aspect of being a family court judge; on her trademark lace collar
On her appearance on 60 Minutes and why she agreed to do the piece; on how the show Judge Judy came about and her opinion of televising the courtroom; on the pilot of Judge Judy and the difficulties in filming a real courtroom
On wanting to name her show Hot Bench or Judy Justice; on the name Judge Judy; on dealing with the business-end of her show, Judge Judy
Chapter 2
On adjusting to to being a judge on television on Judge Judy; on her court room set on Judge Judy, and on making it as much like a "real" court as possible; on her producers, Timothy Regler and Randy Douthit, and on the production of the show
On not changing her ways as a judge when she started on Judge Judy, and on the impact the show has had; on a typical production day on Judge Judy; on how Judge Judy operates as an arbitration rather than a court of law
On being a "truth machine" on Judge Judy; on the catchphrases, or "Judy-isms" of Judge Judy; on Judge Judy's impact on young people, and on her impartiality
On standing by the decisions she makes on Judge Judy; on dealing with the fame that resulted from Judge Judy; on Judge Judy being nominated for Emmy Awards
On her contract negotiations to continue doing Judge Judy; on other court shows, and on the longevity of Judge Judy; on the cases on the show
On the impact Judge Judy has had on society; on the power of television; on playing herself on various shows
On Law & Order; on career achievements and regrets; on advice to an aspiring daytime television personality
On why she is successful; on how she would like to be remembered
Shows
60 Minutes
Judith Sheindlin on her appearance on 60 Minutes and why she agreed to do the piece
Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)
Judith Sheindlin on Judge Judy being nominated for Emmys
Judge Judy
Judith Sheindlin on how Judge Judy came about, and her opinion of televising the courtroom
Judith Sheindlin on the pilot of Judge Judy, not being an actress, and the difficulties in filming a real courtroom
Judith Sheindlin on wanting to name her show Hot Bench or Judy Justice
Judith Sheindlin on her trademark lace collar
Judith Sheindlin on being called "Judge Judy"
Judith Sheindlin on dealing with the business-end of her show Judge Judy
Judith Sheindlin on adjusting to to being a judge on television on Judge Judy
Judith Sheindlin on her court room set on Judge Judy, and on making it as much like a "real" court as possible
Judith Sheindlin on her producers, Timothy Regler and Randy Douthit, and on the production of Judge Judy
Judith Sheindlin on not changing her ways as a judge when she started on Judge Judy, and on the impact the show has had
Judith Sheindlin on a typical production day on Judge Judy
Judith Sheindlin on how Judge Judy operates as an arbitration rather than a court of law
Judith Sheindlin on being a "truth machine" on Judge Judy
Judith Sheindlin on the catchphrases, or "Judy-isms" of Judge Judy
Judith Sheindlin on Judge Judy's impact on young people, and on her impartiality
Judith Sheindlin on standing by the decisions she makes on Judge Judy
Judith Sheindlin on the litigants on Judge Judy
Judith Sheindlin on dealing with the fame that resulted from Judge Judy
Judith Sheindlin on Judge Judy being nominated for Emmy Awards
Judith Sheindlin on her contract negotiations to continue doing Judge Judy
Judith Sheindlin on other court shows, and on the longevity of Judge Judy
Judith Sheindlin on the cases on Judge Judy
Judith Sheindlin on the impact Judge Judy has had on society
Judith Sheindlin on playing herself on various shows
Law & Order
Judith Sheindlin on Law & Order
People's Court, The
Judith Sheindlin on watching The People's Court and knowing she could do better, by using humor
Judith Sheindlin on her husband, Harry Sheindlin, taking over as judge on The People's Court
Texaco Star Theater
Judith Sheindlin on growing up watching Milton Berle's Texaco Star Theater, and on meeting Berle years later
Topics
Advice
Judith Sheindlin on advice to an aspiring daytime television personality
Characters & Catchphrases
Judith Sheindlin on the catchphrases, or "Judy-isms" of Judge Judy
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Judith Sheindlin on learning comedic timing from her father and from a family friend
Emmy Awards
Judith Sheindlin on Judge Judy being nominated for Emmys
Fame and Celebrity
Judith Sheindlin on dealing with the fame that resulted from Judge Judy
Pivotal Career Moments
Judith Sheindlin on learning comedic timing from her father and from a family friend
Pop Culture
Judith Sheindlin on being called "Judge Judy"
Judith Sheindlin on her trademark lace collar
Judith Sheindlin on the catchphrases, or "Judy-isms" of Judge Judy
Judith Sheindlin on dealing with the fame that resulted from Judge Judy
Television Industry
Judith Sheindlin on the power of television
Judith Sheindlin on advice to an aspiring daytime television personality
Professions
Hosts
Judith Sheindlin on her court room set on Judge Judy, and on making it as much like a "real" court as possible
Judith Sheindlin on not changing her ways as a judge when she started on Judge Judy, and on the impact the show has had
Judith Sheindlin on advice to an aspiring daytime television personality
Television Judge
Judith Sheindlin on her court room set on Judge Judy, and on making it as much like a "real" court as possible
Judith Sheindlin on not changing her ways as a judge when she started on Judge Judy, and on the impact the show has had
Judith Sheindlin on advice to an aspiring daytime television personality
Genres
Comedy Series
Judith Sheindlin on growing up watching Milton Berle's Texaco Star Theater, and on meeting Berle years later
Legal Dramas
Judith Sheindlin on Law & Order
News and Documentary
Judith Sheindlin on her appearance on 60 Minutes and why she agreed to do the piece
Reality TV
Judith Sheindlin on watching The People's Court and knowing she could do better, by using humor
Judith Sheindlin on Judge Judy
Judith Sheindlin on Judge Judy
People
Milton Berle
Judith Sheindlin on growing up watching Milton Berle's Texaco Star Theater, and on meeting Berle years later