The People's Court

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Show Summary

  • Returning Series
The People's Court - a throwback to 1950s syndicated courtroom fare such as Traffic Court and The Stand Accused - was set in a small-claims court. The litigants had both agreed to bring their grievances to a California small-claims court, where retired Superior Court Judge Joseph A. Wapner heard the cases. The plaintiffs could file a claim for up to $1,500, while the defendants sometimes filed a countersuit if they felt they were due compensation. While most cases were run-of-the-mill complaints over poor service, broken contracts, ownership rights and malfunctioning merchandise, others had odd twists. For instance:''''* The overweight stripper who was not paid because the bachelor party-goers thought she was unattractive. During the arguments, she reveals she had gone at the request of her friend, the bride-to-be who found out about the party.''''* The mother who refused to pay a clown after he came to a birthday party dressed as a towering purple monster (he was supposed to play a Smurf); the clown ended up terrifying the party-goers.''''* The woman who requested a male friend make good on a verbal contract to pay half of the cost of her daughter's abortion, when she thought he was the father. He had backed out when he was sterile.''''* A woman who sued the owner of a pitbull after he jumped on the hood of his car. The pitbull's owner claimed she struck the dog and requested payment for the dog's injuries; and even suspected the resulting damage to the car was from a prior accident.''''And the list of odd cases went on.''''Each litigant (who, as the announcer reminded viewers each day, were not actors) stated his case before Joseph A. Wapner . After he was through asking questions, he retreated to his chambers before rendering his decision. More than once, he refused to support either side.''Each litigant was then interviewed by the courtroom reporter (originally Doug Llewelyn from 1981-1993); sometimes, he gave the results of how courtroom spectators would have decided the case.''Usually two cases were heard per show, though some longer cases took up the entire 30 minutes. If time permitted, Wapner fielded questions from the gallery; or legal expert Harvey Levin gave advice on handling that episode's legal scenario (i.e., confronting a car dealer about a car suspected to be a lemon). Each episode ended with Llewelyn admonishing viewers with some variation of the age old advice: "When you get mad, don't take the law into your own hands ... take 'em to court!"''The original version of The People's Court ran for 12 years. When The People's Court returned to syndicated TV in 1997, the show expanded to 60 minutes, with Judge Ed Koch (the former New York City mayor) now presiding. Koch lasted until 1999, when Judge Jerry Scheindlin took over in 1999. Judge Marilyn Milian has presided since 2001. The format of the revised The People's Court was essentially similar, except the small claim's court limit was upped to $5,000. Sometimes, the interviewers also asked spectators on-camera their thoughts of a case before the judge's verdict was announced.''''Related Shows ''The People's Court UK Carol Smillie is set to present a new UK version of the People's Court for ITV1's new daytime line-up titled itv DAY.moreless
8.0
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Episode Guide

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S 2 :  Ep 9
S 2 :  Ep 8
S 2 :  Ep 7
S 2 :  Ep 6
S 2 :  Ep 5

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Fan Reviews (22)

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  • fun and lite!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By MollyShlezing, Yesterday Report Abuse
    I love this show.... well I really like watching Judge Marilyn Milian. for so many reasons !!!
    A. the sense she has in her. B. its impotent to let people no about human action. not just what the law. C. the between the lines is whats really FUNNY some times.
    I think people this days are missing a lot of common sense. and she tells it to them in their face!
    To top it up - the judge learn t philology and she uses it. and that's what I am in to.
    I think that for any tape of job with people you will do best with knowing and USING philology. to yes I kind of admirer the Judge.
    oh how did I forget! the Judge is so normal... married and has children. so she shore knows what life is really like... so happy she is still on the show.moreless

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    0 0

  • The People's Court has problems, but it is still an ok show.

    6.0
    "Fair"
    By TRGS-4, May 24, 2010 Report Abuse
    This program does have more problems than some of the other shows. I have observered that the judge does not always make good decisions on some of the cases. An example would be when a tree cutting business charge a man $400.00 for cutting down six branchs. The judge aggreed that this was a fair price to charge. I had a very similar experience when a company came to cut down trees at my house. The only difference is that we were not cheated by the company. We got eight trees cut down for under $400.00 each. This showed me that she obvisouly does not aways excersize good judgement. But she does not do this often, so it is not too bad. She also gets angry sometimes at the plantiff and the defendents. Other then this, the show is good. These are only minor problems that van be fixed.moreless

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    1 1

  • I WAS a fan of the show. I liked the judge and the law associated with the program. Untill now I watched it every day. My complaint is simple. Mrs. Marilyn Minata and Mr. Harvey Levin need to keep their Incorrect opinions to theirselves!!!moreless

    2.7
    "Terrible"
    By sydhoney00, Mar 13, 2008 Report Abuse
    "Pit Bulls" or American Staffordshire Terriers as their canine name. Are NOT vicious, mean dogs. Harvel stated on one show during his comment section "He believed they have an extra cromosome in them that makes them vicious dogs" That is the biggest load of BULL, flat out IGNORANT and wrong opinion. Mrs. Minata stated today 5/3/07, because some stupid plaintiff who's boyfriend named their Stafforshire "Danger" that confirmed what Marilyn says shes been stating before about them being dangerous>> ALL CRAP !!
    I have worked in an animal hospitial and am a student in college studing Zoology.. I am 100% positive that there is no x-tra chromosome nor are they just born vicious!! It is the ignorant owners who need to feel tough that aquire these tough, muscular built dogs. All breeds of dogs need training and proper care. Actually if anyone is curious Chows, Cocker Spaniels, Jack Russels, and German Shepherds are in the top slots of frequency of dogs that bite. You dont here about them because they dont do as much damage and have not been you can say "labeled and contiually attacked" as a breed. I have been bit twice in my life different dogs both german shepherds do I hate them , No! I believe there owners did not train them correctally or they were not leashed. The insecure, stupid owners are to blame not the breed.!I have 2 children,2cats,a mini dauchsand, and a bearded dragon all of wich my Stafforshire Terrier Loves!!He is so smart and kind and gentle and knows more than 10 silent and verbal tricks. This is not a breed of terror. Any who say otherwise show their lack of knowledge on any breed!!! Shame on the Peoples Court they should stick to law and drama thats why they have a show!moreless

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    1 3

  • A great court show

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By brad21ohio, Sep 20, 2007 Report Abuse
    I really like The People's Court. Judge Milian is a fair and balanced judge, who obviously doesn't appreciate being lied to. She's assertive and in control, without being over-the-top mean like Judge Judy. Of course there are many judge shows on tv right now (too many in most people's opinion) but this one is probably my favorite. The litigants are just as entertaining as the judge most of the time, without even meaning to be. Harvey Levin, the street interviewer is a bit of a know-it-all, I think he's better suited to TMZ than a court show. My only problem is the jerk in the hall! Get rid of him!moreless

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    1 0

  • Judge Milian hears and decides small claims cases, while interjecting a healthy dose of attitude.

    7.5
    "Good"
    By cherrytree34, Sep 06, 2007 Report Abuse
    People from all over the country come to the People's Court to have their small claims cases heard by an arbiter, Judge Milian. Milian is a no-nonsense judge, who demands respect from the people in her courtroom and is merciless when catching someone in a lie. She is both kind and explosive, depending on what the situation requires. The show is particularly interesting because Judge Milian often introduces aspects of the law and explains them to the audience. She provides legal information in order to back up her decisions and leaves little room for people to disagree with her. The show also incorporates opinions from people watching on the street, as well as opinions from the plaintiff and defendant following Milian's ruling.

    The best part is that usually either the plaintiff or the defendant is lying, so it is always fun to try to figure out who is lying and who is being honest.moreless

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    2 0
 

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