What was Judy’s reputation before she ended up on television? She was still considered one of the toughest family court judges in the country. Who said so? The Los Angeles Times. It was Josh Getlin, a reporter for the LA Times, who wrote the article that jump-started Judy’s rise in the entertainment world.
The article Getlin wrote about Judge Judy Sheindlin was read by producers at 60 minutes. The television news magazine aired a story in 1993 that highlighted the New York judge and her tough talk.
The Whole Library
As the show continued Judge Judy wrote two more books for her adult viewers. The titles are in the Judge's own witty voice. One was called, "Beauty Fades, Dumb is Forever" and "Keep It Simple Stupid: You're Smarter Thank You Look."
The books are supposed to be just as witty as their titles. I bet you will read both in the Judge's own voice, that's quite a thing to have in your hear.
It's All In The Advertising
In 2012 alone the Judge Judy program took in $230 million in advertising money.
The star herself is not the only one making money; she has been very profitable for her network as well.
Fake It 'Til You Make It
In April 0f 2013 some litigants who had first appeared on the program in 2010 revealed that the lawsuit they had brought before the court had been falsified. They organized the case so that the award had to go to the plaintiff. The pair were musicians, Kate Levitt and Jonathan Coward. Judge Judy did see in favor of the plaintiff and awarded Levitt $1,250. Along with their $250 appearance fees and their free trip to Hollywood.
The Musicians, friends in real life, split the award equally. It seems the producers knew of the fakery but let it all come to pass despite this knowledge.
Sustained Success
CBE President and CEO Leslie Moonves spoke highly of the Judge Judy program, “Over the last few decades, there have been very few shows that have achieved the remarkable success that she has.
Not only has Judy sustained that success year after year, how many shows grow in their 15th or 16th year in syndication? She started as a fresh voice and she’s been a remarkable presence in daytime television ever since.”