Have your real-life disputes settled in Fake Internet Court! Despite no legal background, Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn are the arbiters of justice that you need. No case is too big or too small. They judge them all!
Is a hot dog a sandwich? When does a collection become a hoard? Is it ever ok to flush soup down a toilet? Only one can decide! Submit your dispute at maximumfun.org/jjho!
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Emily and Otto have a dispute about gift-giving - when is it required? Otto works long shifts in a remote location and says it's difficult to find time to buy traditional presents. Emily still wants him to recognize holidays and birthdays. Can the Judge resolve their problem at present? --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !...
Chad and Elizabeth like to challenge each other to the occasional friendly weight loss competition. But they differ on how to measure the losing winner. Can Judge Hodgman weigh the options? --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !
A couple is split beween two coasts! Dan wants to move back to his home turf of Western Massachusetts, Jen wants to move to sunny LA. Guest bailiffed by Monte Belmonte! --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !
A couple disagrees on how to implement a response to tornado warnings near their home. --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !
Ryan and Dan are role-playing friends with a disagreement - Ryan says Dan's risky gameplay is making it less fun for everyone. --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !
Aaron wants to move his beloved refurbished egg pod chair into the home he shares with his wife, Kara. Kara objects to the outsized piece of furniture and says it needs to stay in storage until the time and place are right. Who's right? Who's wrong. Only one man can decide. --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !...
Stephanie brings the case against her boyfriend, Dan. Her religious beliefs bar her from eating pork or keeping it in their shared home; she'd like Dan to follow the same restriction. He says that when he's away from the home, he'd like to be able to eat what he wants. Who is right? This week, with guest Judge Jesse Thorn and guest Bailiff Jordan Morris. --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Ju...
Andrea says her boyfriend Christopher doesn't shower or change his clothes often enough. Christopher says it's his aesthetic, he doesn't smell, and he's happy the way he is! This episode with Jesse Thorn on the Judge's bench! --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !
Marcelo brings the case against his girlfriend, Sam. When Sam takes off early from a night out, Marcelo would like her to take a cab home. Sam thinks he's not respecting her ability to walk home smartly and safely. Who's right? Who's wrong? --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !
Jumi brings the case against her husband, Josh. Josh thinks they need a riding mower to tame their front and backyards. Jumi says the idea is absurd and impractical. Who's right? Who's wrong? Only one man can decide. --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !
Erin brings the case against her friend Ezra. Ezra hosts a "Bad Movie Night" at his house for their friends to watch movies, eat, and hang out. It's a popular event, but Erin says that Ezra could make the night way more fun if he just took a few of her suggestions. Who is right? --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !...
John brings the case against his girlfriend, Emily. She has a number of tattoos and wants her next tattooed piece to be on her wrist. John wants Emily to reconsider the tattoo's placement. Can the Judge resolve an issue that's needled them both? --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !
The plaintiff, Melissa, wants her boyfriend Henry to participate in an obstacle course event with her best friends so they can share a bonding experience. Henry objects on numerous fronts! --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !
Paul brings the case against his friend Jeremy. Paul likes to wear jerseys and hats from his favorite team to sporting events, even when that team isn't playing in the game. Jeremy says that wearing the gear isn't in good taste. Who is right? --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !
Meg and Tony share a one-bathroom house in Portland. Should Meg be allowed a chamber pot for emergency situations? Only Judge John Hodgman can decide. --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !
Should allergy-prone Mike get allergy shots so his family can indulge their love of fuzzy wuzzy pets? --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !
What is the appropriate porch furniture of the day? Judge John Hodgman decides. --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !
Chris brings the case against his sister-in-law, Jenna. For many years, their extended family has had kids and adults tables at holiday gatherings. Chris thinks that since the kids are all grown up, they should abandon the kids table. Jenna thinks the table should retain its sovereignty. Who's right? Who's wrong? Only one man can decide. --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !...
This week, with guest bailiff TOM SCHARPLING of The Best Show on WFMU. Should this couple attempt an unorthodox living arrangement? --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !
Andrea and Scott bring their dispute before the Judge: must singalongs be conducted with careful attention to pitch and key? Expert witnesses Jonathan Coulton and David Rees weigh in. --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !
Steve says he's been the acting team captain of his local trivia team, and wants to make it official! His teammate Claire begs to differ. Can the Judge resolve this trivial dispute? --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !
With Expert Witness Alton Brown! Natalie brings the case against her husband Hugo. She wants to throw food away when she decides it's spoiled or too old. Hugo hates waste, and is aghast that Natalie throws away moldy but "perfectly usable" items. Who is right? Who is wrong? --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !...
Aldo brings the case against his partner Sean. They decided to plan trips for each other's birthdays, but make each destination a surprise. But the secrecy is making Aldo anxious, and now he wants to know where they're going! Should Sean reveal their itinerary, or must Aldo wait for his birthday surprise? This week, with Bailiff Jesse Thorn and Monte Belmonte! --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a mon...
Ruthie brings the case against her boyfriend Chris. Chris promised to get his driver's license years ago, but he's still in the passenger's seat. --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !
Friends quarrel over a borrowed (and broken) shop vac and its more expensive replacement. --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !
Is hipster a dirty word? We'll find out. --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !
Is Jason a book hoarder, keeping unread books from being used and loved? Or will he work his way, steadily and surely, through the stacks? --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !
Sisters Becca and Jessica present their case to Judge John Hodgman regarding their Jewish identity. Becca, despite a Catholic upbringing, feels "part Jewish" due to her father's heritage and cultural identification, while Jessica staunchly objects, arguing it's an unearned claim without religious practice. Expert witness Rabbi Michael Unterberg provides insight into Jewish definitions of peoplehood, culture, and conversion, helping the Judge navigate the complexities of personal identity, heritage, and cultural appropriation in a humorous yet thoughtful deliberation.
Coming to you live and direct from SF Sketchfest! Brianne, Zach and their dog Shilo go to trial. Plus a musical performance from John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats and live snap judgments! --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !
Andrea brings the case against her friend Joe -- she claims he's taking a minimalist lifestyle to an extreme degree. Must Joe acquire some creature comforts? --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here !