Judge Judy, aka Judith Sheindlin, is a real-life judge who graced the TV airwaves on CBS's Judge Judy for nearly 25 years. I have enjoyed watching the judge for years and always get a good laugh at how abrasiveness and straight-talking Judy is. She always seemed to get away with lashing out, even at defendants you could (impolitely) refer to as 'riff-raff.' It's hard to believe that the wise-cracking red-headed justice is now 79-years-old--yet she stands up to the test of time. 

Amazon was savvy to pick up the judge's new program. The streaming service spent $11 billion dollars on programming last year, which translates to 41 percent more than it spent in 2020.  As awful and challenging as the pandemic has been, it's given a big boost to streaming services-- a  guilty pleasure of sorts to many of us spending more time at home--replacing network TV or a night out to the movies. 

The replacement show, Justice Judy, will have a larger cast and up the award from five to ten thousand dollars for litigants. Amazon hopes that Justice Judy will generate higher ratings than the broadcast syndication version did. 

The latest cast includes Judy's 24-year-old granddaughter Sarah Rose, a law school student, who will play the courtroom clerk. At the end of each episode, Judy and Sarah Rose will be filmed discussing the case the judge adjudicated. Her granddaughter observed that Judy wanted to get a 'younger perspective,' but I think the judge is incredibly up-to-date on issues and knows just how to talk to wiseass defendants. I will never forget when Judy quipped, "I eat liars for breakfast," in response to a not so forthright defendant.

In a New York Times interview, Judge Sheidlin told Brooks Barnes, “I’m unafraid to call out irresponsible, un-American behavior. If we settle for mediocrity, we get what we deserve.” Well-stated and not stated enough!

I'm very disappointed that Baliff Petrie Hawkins-Byrd, known as 'Byrd' will not back be on Justice Judy. Byrd was with Judy for 25 years. He was a calming presence and an asset to the program. I was surprised that the judge did not bring Byrd with her--so loyal and a perfect foil to her bombastic personality. According to Byrd, he simply was not asked to return. Sadly, Byrd had been caring for his wife, show producer Makita Bond-Byrd, who was preparing for brain surgery. This might have played a role, although only insiders know. There were rumors that the decision was based on salary expectations, but the point is, Byrd was not asked to return or given the option to accept lower wages. The new bailiff is Kevin Rosco, who has provided security for the judge. 

Judge Judy said, "Byrd is terrific and we had a great 25-year run." But she added the show is going in a new direction. Justice Judy premieres  Monday on IMDb TV.