Judge John Hodgman

Garrett and Kara like to play board games together. Early in their relationship, they agreed to one rule: They will not harm each other’s gameplay. This way, they can keep their game nights relaxed and friendly. Kara, a former Texan, wants to spice things up a bit by going back to a more aggressive form of play. Garrett, a conflict-avoidant midwesterner, is worried that competition will ruin their good time! Is Kara actually a sore loser, or is Garrett afraid of what might happen when he unleashes his inner beast? Our "And I'm Gay" t-shirt is STILL AVAILABLE! Don't know what that means? Listen to last week's episode, JUGGERNAUT, LEST YE BE JUDGED, and fall in love with litigants Patty and Cordelia like we did. Then buy the shirt commemorating Patty’s stunning poem, “The sky is blue / the grass is green / I love X-MEN / and I’m gay.” With gorgeous art by Sonny Ross, this shirt is available for a limited time! You have until April 3 so get over to MaxFunStore.com now! Thanks to reddit user u/Halfloaf for naming

Patty loves the X-MEN. A lot. His mom, Cordelia, says that Patty turns every conversation into an X-MEN “lore dump.” She wants him to scale back on the X-MEN chat. But he wants to be understood! Who’s right? Who’s wrong? We did it. We made a T-shirt in honor of Patty's stunning poem, "The sky is blue / the grass is green / I love X-MEN / and I'm gay." With gorgeous art by Sonny Ross, this shirt is available for a limited time! You have until April 3 to get this tee for yourself or the queer, Marvel-loving person in your life! Get it now at MaxFunStore.com! Thanks to reddit user u/Admirable_Cook_5193 for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun! Have a dispute that you can’t settle? About Sloppy Joes or any other sandwiches? No dispute is too small for the honorable Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn! Submit your cases directly to the court at: maximumfun.org/jjho Follow Judge John Hodgman on: YouTube: @judgejo

If you sent us a case about Pokémon Go in 2016, stay in line! You know the saying, "Justice delayed is justice denied." We attempt to clear the docket of some of our oldest, unanswered disputes. Should you go to a second restaurant for a separate dessert? Is it okay to want to be buried in a Fiat? Is teaching your children a secret family language fun or annoying? And, of course: should your girlfriend be ordered to come out and play Pokémon Go? If you spot yourself in these queries, PLEASE let us know how they played out, and come with us back…to the future! Have a dispute that you can’t settle? No dispute is too small for the honorable Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn! Submit your cases directly to the court at: maximumfun.org/jjho Follow Judge John Hodgman on: YouTube: @judgejohnhodgmanpod Instagram: @judgejohnhodgman TikTok: @judgejohnhodgmanpod Bluesky: @judgejohnhodgman Reddit: r/maximumfun Please consider donating to Al Otro Lado. Al Otro Lado provides legal assistance and humanitarian ai

Mike brings the case against his coworker Brooke. Brooke wants to play baseball with her colleagues in a casual, recreational setting. She would love Mike to be part of this group. But he won’t step foot on the field unless it’s a softball field. Brooke says baseball and softball are essentially the same game! Just play ball! But, Mike strongly disagrees.  For Mike's full, unedited presentation, click here. BROOKLYN! See you this weekend at the Bell House for NIGHT COURT! Get your tickets here: Friday, March 6, Saturday, March 7 Thanks to reddit user u/banjo_solo for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun! Follow Judge John Hodgman on: YouTube: @judgejohnhodgmanpod Instagram: @judgejohnhodgman TikTok: @judgejohnhodgmanpod Bluesky: @judgejohnhodgman Reddit: r/maximumfun Please consider donating to Al Otro Lado. Al Otro Lado provides legal assistance and humanitarian aid to refugees, deportees, and other migrants

How late is too late to do household projects like hanging a sheet of drywall? The J Squad discusses this and much more in this month's Members Only Mailbag episode. Never listened to our mailbag episodes? Here's what they sound like. For the full episode, check out the members-only bonus content feed! Not a member yet? You can become a member TODAY at maximumfun.org/join. Just $5 a month gets you immediate access to our full library of bonus content. Thank you to all of our members for keeping this show going! Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes, discounts on our merch, and more by joining us at: maximumfun.org/join!

Andy brings the case against his fiancé Kevin, aka World Famous Drag Queen Monét X Change. Andy says he met Monét outside of RuPaul's DragCon in New York City back in 2018. Andy was enchanted. Their first date didn’t happen for another few years. But for Andy, this meeting is a crucial part of their love story. The problem? Monét says that it NEVER HAPPENED. Who's right? BROOKLYN! Join Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn LIVE at The Bell House for NIGHT COURT (no, not that one)! Get your tickets here: Friday, March 6, Saturday, March 7 Thanks to reddit user u/IronyMaiden_ for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun! Follow Judge John Hodgman on: YouTube: @judgejohnhodgmanpod Instagram: @judgejohnhodgman TikTok: @judgejohnhodgmanpod Bluesky: @judgejohnhodgman Reddit: r/maximumfun Please consider donating to Al Otro Lado. Al Otro Lado provides legal assistance and humanitarian aid to refugees, deportees, and

Michele brings the case against her husband, Nate. Michele and Nate are living the childfree dream: three cats, two dogs, and a Subaru Baja. They have it all. But Michele wants more pets! Nate has two cars and a motorcycle. Michele says that if they are embracing vehicle maximalism, it’s only fair to embrace pet maximalism. Nate says they have enough pets for now. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? With Guest Bailiff Jean Grae!BROOKLYN! Join Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn LIVE at The Bell House for NIGHT COURT (no, not that one)! Get your tickets here: Friday, March 6, Saturday, March 7Thanks to reddit user u/Dinosaur1972 for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun!Follow Judge John Hodgman on:YouTube: @judgejohnhodgmanpodInstagram: @judgejohnhodgmanTikTok: @judgejohnhodgmanpodBluesky: @judgejohnhodgmanReddit: r/maximumfunPlease consider donating to Al Otro Lado. Al Otro Lado provides legal assistance and humanita

Stephanie wants Brandon to admit that she’s lived in 11 states, damnit, and not deny her lived experience! Brandon counters with the fact that Japan isn’t a state (valid) and that living in a state for college…doesn’t count? Who's right? Who's wrong?BROOKLYN! Join Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn LIVE at The Bell House for NIGHT COURT (no, not that one)! Get your tickets here: Friday, March 6, Saturday, March 7Thanks to reddit user u/mkbecker for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun!Follow Judge John Hodgman on:YouTube: @judgejohnhodgmanpodInstagram: @judgejohnhodgmanTikTok: @judgejohnhodgmanpodBluesky: @judgejohnhodgmanReddit: r/maximumfunPlease consider donating to Al Otro Lado. Al Otro Lado provides legal assistance and humanitarian aid to refugees, deportees, and other migrants trapped at the US-MX border. Donate at alotrolado.org/letsdosomething. Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a memb

What a time we had at SF Sketchfest! In Swift Justice, we have cases about Breathe Right Nasal Strips (not sponsored!), pie recipes, and the Court's first ever Trial By Teppanyaki! Then in Mega Justice we say, LET THEM EAT CASE. Beth and Jim have a large, strange, item in their guest room. It was an extra curricular project Jim and their daughter, Casey, made over a decade ago. He loves it. But Beth says it's time to let it go! BROOKLYN! Join Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn LIVE at The Bell House for NIGHT COURT (no, not that one)! Get your tickets here: Friday, March 6, Saturday, March 7Thanks to reddit user u/BrianSebby for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun!Follow Judge John Hodgman on:YouTube: @judgejohnhodgmanpodInstagram: @judgejohnhodgmanTikTok: @judgejohnhodgmanpodBluesky: @judgejohnhodgmanReddit: r/maximumfunPlease consider donating to Al Otro Lado. Al Otro Lado provides legal assistance and

This week, Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn tackle a dispute about Fantasy Football! Litigants (and spouses) Kristen and Tom play in the same Fantasy Football league and Tom has an issue with their last round of drafts. Kristen wanted to draft Buffalo Bills running back James Cook, but couldn’t because of their league rules, so she asked husband Tom to draft him under the condition that Tom would trade him to her at a later date. The trade happened, and Kristen won their league - so why is Tom the one bringing the case before the court? While The Big Game is coming up, we are all still way too focused on the fictional world of hockey in HEATED RIVALRY. Are you also still at the cottage? How many burgers is too many for 2 people? Do you have a beef with hockey because there's not enough YEARNING? Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Don’t forget the most romantic gift you could give your partner: A Fake Internet Court Summons! No dispute is too small for the honorable Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff

We’ve got some leftovers from the holidays. Let’s pull them out of the fridge and answer them once and for all! Is a French dip REALLY a dip? How early is too early to put up your Christmas tree? How long can you drink eggnog or wear your holiday boxers before your partner falls out of love with you? And FINALLY: are zombies the scariest monsters because they’re REAL? All this - plus an ad for Gee, Your Hair Smells Terrific! Shampoo - and more, on today’s HOLIDAY LEFTOVERS edition of Judge John Hodgman!BROOKLYN! Join Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn LIVE at The Bell House for NIGHT COURT (no, not that one)! Get your tickets here: Friday, March 6, Saturday, March 7Have a question that you can’t settle? No dispute is too small for the honorable Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn! Submit your cases directly to the court at: https://maximumfun.org/jjhoFollow Judge John Hodgman on:YouTube: @judgejohnhodgmanpodInstagram: @judgejohnhodgmanTikTok: @judgejohnhodgmanpodBluesky: @judgejohnhodgmanReddit

Annie brings the case against her friend, David. They belong to a Survivor Fantasy League of two people: Annie and David. Annie says David isn’t playing fair. He’s withholding a point that is technically hers. David, keeper of the Almighty Spreadsheet, is sticking to his guns. Is Annie abdicating responsibility for fair play, or is David being a weenie? And IS a below-ground garage actually a portal to hell? All these questions and more on this week’s episode of Judge John Hodgman. The Tribe has spoken! With Expert Witness, Relationship Coach, and two-time Survivor contestant Francesca Hogi!Francesca watched this season of Survivor just for us, so make sure to check out her book, HOW TO FIND TRUE LOVE. She's also on Instagram @DearFranny and @TrueLoveSocietyBay Area! It's not too late to get tickets for our show at San Francisco Sketchfest this weekend! We'll be at Marine's Memorial on Sunday 1/18! Tickets are moving fast so get them while you can!BROOKLYN! Join Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn LIVE

Does miming make for good podcasting? Walter thinks it might! Eileen is happy for any silence from Walter. She says he talks too much! Walter's talking can be so overwhelming for Eileen that she feels like her brain is going to explode. She challenged Walter to 3 minutes of silence, but she says he made mouth sounds. So he lost the challenge. Walter says the mouth sounds were a loophole, since he didn't actually speak. Who's right? Who's wrong? And, more importantly, what is a mime doing in the studio? We are on TikTok and YouTube! Follow us on both @judgejohnhodgmanpod! Follow us on Instagram @judgejohnhodgman!Thanks to reddit user u/Fukui_San86 for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun! Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes, discounts on our merch, and more by joining us at: maximumfun.org/join!

Happy Holidays from the JJHo team! It’s the MOST, wonderful tiiiime of the year: when Judge John Hodgman, Bailiff Jesse Thorn, and Producer Jennifer Marmor try your…favorite? Classic? UNREPEATABLE, jiggly family holiday recipes! We’ll answer all your burning questions like: is Pretzel Salad a side dish or a dessert? What does cottage cheese blended into lime jello taste like? And what REALLY happened on Anne’s grandmother’s life-changing trip to Japan? We’ll answer all those questions, plus settle your holiday disputes, in this very special Holiday Office Party, JELLO edition!San Francisco area litigants, join us LIVE at San Francisco Sketchfest on Sunday, January 18th for a very special road court episode of Judge John Hodgman. Don’t wait – get your tickets now here! Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes, discounts on our merch, and more by joining us at: maximumfun.org/join!

Are you a knuckle cracker? Or do you hate the sound? What other bodily functions make "fun" noises? The J Squad discusses this and much more in the last Members Only Mailbag of 2025! Available now in the members-only bonus feed!Not a member yet? You can become a member TODAY at maximumfun.org/join. Just $5 a month gets you immediate access to our full library of bonus content. Gift-giving season has come to a close but why not give yourself a lil treat?Thank you to all of our members for keeping this show going! Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes, discounts on our merch, and more by joining us at: maximumfun.org/join!

It's time to clear the docket and offer some SNACK JUDGMENTS! Who better to offer expertise than the best snackologists in the biz, Michael Ian Black and Tom Cavanagh of MIKE AND TOM EAT SNACKS! Should you pack road trip snacks or go wild at Buc-ee's? What is the right way to eat a Fruit Roll Up? What kind of potato chip was Jesse eating before the recording?Did you know that MIKE AND TOM EAT SNACKS is back with brand new episodes? Find it at matescast.com!San Francisco area litigants, join us LIVE at San Francisco Sketchfest on Sunday, January 18th. Don’t wait - get your tickets now here!That time of the year between the holidays and New Year’s is the perfect time to bust out your coziest goth gear - and subtly signal to your family, via hat, whether they are RIGHT or WRONG. Get all our merch, plus the smell of Pure Justice, at our store here: maxfunstore.com/collections/judge-john-hodgmanBecome a member to unlock special bonus episodes, exclusive merch, and more by joining us at maximumfun.org/join. Have a

Kate wants to adopt another elderly snake to replace their deceased pet Ember, but Wes is hesitant to open his heart again to another senior snake adoption. What is the optimal leg to pet ratio? Is it easier to give birth to something with no bones? Who is the placenta lady - should we be scared of her? More importantly, who's right? Who's wrong?It’s the holidays! Get your JJHo merch at MaxFunStore.com! Right and wrong caps, Pure Justice Smell candle, and cozy gothcozyclothes! And a ticket to see us in January at SF Sketchfest makes a LOVELY gift! Sunday, January 18 at Marines’ Memorial Theatre, on sale now!We are on TikTok and YouTube! Follow us on both @judgejohnhodgmanpod! Follow us on Instagram @judgejohnhodgman!Thanks to reddit user u/haylstorm090 for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun! Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Holly brings the case against her mother, Joelle. Joelle can’t tell a story about her day to day without cracking herself up. When she’s giggling, no one can understand what she’s saying. Joelle says talking to her daughters makes her so happy. She feels relaxed enough to let it all hang out, giggles and all. But Holly says STOP LAUGHING. She just wants to know what Joelle is talking about. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? It’s the holidays! Get your JJHo merch at MaxFunStore.com! Right and wrong caps, Pure Justice Smell candle, and cozy gothcozyclothes! And a ticket to see us in January at SF Sketchfest makes a LOVELY gift! Sunday, January 18 at Marines’ Memorial Theatre, on sale now!We are on TikTok and YouTube! Follow us on both @judgejohnhodgmanpod! Follow us on Instagram @judgejohnhodgman!Thanks to reddit user u/HarryElephante for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun!Please consider donating to Al Otro Lado. Al Otro

Experience the magic that is Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn LIVE in Brookline! In this episode of Road Court, the Judge decides how much of those tasty leftovers are worth saving, marvels at the wonders of a Bronze Hotdog (still not a sandwich!), and litigates whether an uncle who hates A Christmas Carol is, in fact, a Scrooge. Does an apple pie that is extremely close to a cheesecake deserve an award for pie, or is it stolen culinary valor?Huge thanks to Samantha Couture from the Massachusetts Historical Society! If you want to know more about that bronze hot dog, listen to this episode of the MHS' podcast The Object of History. Follow the MHS on Instagram at @mhs1791.It’s the holidays! Get your JJHo merch at MaxFunStore.com! Right and wrong caps, Pure Justice Smell candle, and cozy gothcozyclothes! And a ticket to see us in January at SF Sketchfest makes a LOVELY gift! Sunday, January 18 at Marines’ Memorial Theatre, on sale now!We are on TikTok and YouTube! Follow us on both @judgejohnhodgmanpo

Do you play Mancala? How satisfying are those little stones! The J Squad talks about Mancala, amongst MANY other topics, this month in the Members Only Mailbag. If you want to hear the full episode, it's available now in the bonus content feed for MaxFun members. Not a member? NO PROBLEM. You can become a member today at maximumfun.org/join. Just $5 a month gets you immediate access to our full library of bonus content.Thank you to all of our members for keeping this show going! Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!