In January of 2018 Judge Mathis claimed in an interview that Judge Judy benefited from white female privilege for all her success. Mathis cannot claim the same. He said in particular, During a January 2018 interview, “I tried to be like Judge Judy. And she was mean all the time. And then ultimately [my] producers said, ‘Well, no, an older white woman can talk to white folks like that, but a young black man can’t.’ So I learned that lesson early on.
White folks love to see black people sing and dance and crack jokes. They do not want you to be too serious and political.”
In Production
Before arriving on set, Judge Sheindlin does not go unprepared! Producers will FedEx the sworn statements and all relevant information on each upcoming case to her home. She familiarizes herself with some details to provide background, but not enough information so that the case doesn’t seem “fresh” when she first questions the litigants during filming.
She doesn't want to seem stale when she begins her questioning during production.
Other Cash
Defendants and Plaintiffs both receive appearance fees for being on the show, so no one goes home empty handed, no matter who wins the case. The appearance fee can vary and has been rumored to be anything from $100 to $500.
They also get paid per day they appear on the show, usually reported between $35 and $440.
Imitated But Never Duplicated
The People's Court, Divorce Court, they've all come and gone, trying to be Judge Judy and more, but no one has ever been able to keep up. Judy has outlived all her imitators. Judge Judy now holds the Guinness World Record for longest running television show in the court genre.
It doesn't look like anyone is likely to take that crown away for a long time.
Do You Swear
Jim Harbaugh, former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, was asked his opinion on truthfulness and its importance. His response was specific. “Somebody that’s not truthful? That’s big to me. I’m a big fan of the “Judge Judy” show. When you lie in Judge Judy’s courtroom, it’s over. Your credibility is completely lost, and you stand no chance of winning that case. So I learned that from her.
It’s very powerful and true. If somebody lies to you, how can you trust anything they ever say after that?” Everyone is aware of the famous television judge and her own wise words.