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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... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes803Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RelationshipsComedySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Judge John Hodgman

Latest Episodes

KLAXON! KLAXON! It's the MaxFunDrive!  The best time of year for you to become a Maximum Fun member! Memberships start at just $5 a month, which gives you access to our entire library of bonus content. Our special MFD bonus episode this year is "Judg... more

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It's MaxFunDrive. And here, for the first time, we give you an exclusive look (well, listen) at the craft of podcasting: presenting Casters on Casters.

Jesse Thorn and Judge John Hodgman know a thing or two about podcasting, and in this very importa... more

It's time to clear the docket! Is your husband allowed to text you during the workday? Is your sister lying about a honeydew allergy? What is the correct number of lamps? All this and much more, including the best diss we ever heard yelled at a parad... more

Stephanie brings the case against her husband, Lee. They live in one half of a duplex. It’s a side-by-side, two-family home in New Orleans that’s been in Lee’s family since the 70s. The other side is used by Lee’s mother and other relatives. Stephani... more

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Key Facts

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Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jennifer Marmor
Contributor/guest co-host appearing on Membo Mailbag
Episode: TEASER: Members Only Mailbag March 2026
Monet X Change
Drag performer and public figure introduced as a guest on the show
Monet X Change (Drag performer)
Episode: Body-ody-ody of Evidence
Cat the Mime
Professional mime hired for a unique courtroom demonstration
Episode: The Fight to Remain Silent
Michael Ian Black
Podcaster and actor
Mike And Tom Eat Snacks
Episode: Snack Judgment with Michael Ian Black & Tom Cavanagh
Tom Cavanagh
Podcaster and actor
Mike And Tom Eat Snacks
Episode: Snack Judgment with Michael Ian Black & Tom Cavanagh
Samantha Couture
Conservator and Preservation Librarian at the Massachusetts Historical Society
Massachusetts Historical Society
Episode: An Undigested Bit of Beef LIVE in Brookline
Nick Offerman
Actor, author, and woodworking enthusiast
Offerman Woodshop
Episode: There Will Be French Toast With Nick Offerman
Kenji López-Alt
Chief culinary advisor at Serious Eats and bestselling author
Serious Eats
Episode: Comfort Feuds With Kenji López-Alt & Deb Perelman
Deb Perelman
Founder of the food blog Smitten Kitchen and bestselling cookbook author
Smitten Kitchen
Episode: Comfort Feuds With Kenji López-Alt & Deb Perelman

Hosts

John Hodgman
Host and certified judge, known for his humor and ability to resolve everyday disputes with wit. He blends comedic narrative with insightful judgments on various trivial topics.
Jesse Thorn
Bailiff and co-host, known for his comedic contributions and witty banter that complement the host's judgments. He engages with the audience and provides depth to the discussions.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 10.1k ratings
  • Always look forward to a new episode

    I listened to a little bit too much news and this podcast is the perfect antidote. I enjoy listening to all of the silliness and getting to know such a huge variety of personalities brought out by the judge and bailiff. I often find myself quoting settle law and words of wisdom of the show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Librarylady2002
    United Statesa month ago
  • Best Podcast Ever

    If you are looking for a place of great humor, creativity, and caring - you’ve arrived!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    evi.nyc
    United States3 months ago
  • Wanted to Love it

    I guess I’m an outlier, I find Jesse Thorn’s self-congratulatory monologues insufferable. I guess since he’s the boss, nobody gives him constructive criticism? I mostly like the rest of it. John Hodgeman seems overall swell.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    KHASL
    United States3 months ago
  • Great podcast but cutting off the ends of your entire back catalog in order to inject more ads is just plain gross.

    Podcast Addict
    3
    falootin
    3 months ago
  • I’ll subscribe

    When they GET RID OF JESSE!! The WORST! The Judge is hilarious and held back by this gormless half-wit [EDIT - I still listen but that insufferable CNUT laughing ludicrously at inane things is maddening. He’s meant to be mr sincere but he is the fakest human on earth. Ditch him John!!]

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    M. peetoOkie
    Australia3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many reviews express gratitude for the kindness and warmth permeating the episodes, highlighting the positive environment the hosts cultivate.
Critiques exist regarding certain elements of the show, particularly about the dynamics between the hosts, but overall, it remains beloved for its comedic resolution of familial and personal disagreements.
Listeners appreciate the blend of humor and insight, as the hosts provide relatable and often profound perspectives on trivial disputes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#172
United States/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#248
Canada/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#66
Argentina/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#132
Belgium/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#189
India/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#205
Netherlands/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Body-ody-ody of Evidence
Q: Do you remember meeting outside DragCon in 2018?
Monet doubts the 2018 street meeting happened as described by Andy, arguing that their actual connection began later on Hinge and through a documented public narrative.
The Fight to Remain Silent
Q: Walter, how do you feel about Eileen thinking that you dominate the conversation? Is it accurate?
I think that might be accurate—but I think of it in a way that I'm silence challenged, which plays into my nature.
The Fight to Remain Silent
Q: Eileen, why did you challenge Walter to be silent for three minutes?
The challenge came after he was being too talkative, and I suggested a silence challenge to see if he could hold still in conversation.
Exposition is Nine Tenths of Guffaw
Q: Holly, if I were to rule in your favor, what would you have me rule?
I would have you rule that my mom can tell any story that she wants, but as soon as she feels that type of laughter where we can't understand her, she will stop, we will laugh together until the laughter ends, and then she can continue her story, and I'm also suing for damages that we go on a family trip together.
An Undigested Bit of Beef LIVE in Brookline
Q: What is the nature of the justice you seek?
I ask for a preliminary injunction to read only parts of 'A Christmas Carol' that align with my views on efficiency.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Judge John Hodgman

What is Judge John Hodgman about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Engaging with everyday conflicts with humor and warmth, this podcast shines a light on the often trivial disputes that arise in everyday life, tackling everything from whether a hot dog qualifies as a sandwich to the complexities of pet ownership. With a unique format resembling a courtroom, listeners are treated to lighthearted debates where real-life cases are adjudicated by a non-traditional judge. The charm of the show lies not only in the amusing cases presented but also in the hosts' ability to explore deeper insights about human relationships and social norms through humor. Regular contributions from guests and a dynamic interplay between the hosts enhance the overall experience, making it intended to not only entertain but also to f... more

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To see how many followers or subscribers Judge John Hodgman has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Judge John Hodgman?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Judge John Hodgman:

1. E Pluribus Motto
2. Jordan, Jesse, GO!
3. Bullseye with Jesse Thorn
4. The Flop House
5. Stop Podcasting Yourself

How many episodes of Judge John Hodgman are there?

Judge John Hodgman launched 17 years ago and published 803 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Judge John Hodgman?

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What guests have appeared on Judge John Hodgman?

Recent guests on Judge John Hodgman include:

1. Jennifer Marmor
2. Monet X Change
3. Cat the Mime
4. Michael Ian Black
5. Tom Cavanagh
6. Samantha Couture
7. Nick Offerman
8. Kenji López-Alt

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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