Judge John Hodgman

Brothers and bandmates Jack and Jeff bring this argument over tourdates, a wedding and being the boss of the band. Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Elisabeth and Melissa are good friends and enthusiastic travelers, who often journey together on planes and in cars across the country. While their traveling styles mesh for the most part, they are divided on a hot-button issue: the correct way to de-plane once you've arrived at your destination. Elisabeth, who prefers to take the aisle seat, believes that the aisle-sitter bears some burden of judgment, and may choose to wait a reasonable amount of time before stepping into the aisle, without asking permission of his or her seatmates. Melissa, on the other hand, is frequently a window-seater, and believes that people should abide by the "row by row" rule as a general rule. WHO IS RIGHT, and WHO IS WRONG? Only Judge Hodgman can decide. Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Mike's three children were enticed to try a foreign food -- bacon-wrapped scallops -- by an offer from their father of $5. However, Mike now claims that since the boys enjoyed the food, he no longer owes them compensation. Mike's wife Ellen represents the boys in court. Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Ted brings this case against his father Paul, who has become obsessed with cows.  Ted argues that his father's cow collection and his inclination to randomly say the word cow, among other issues, indicate the need to tamp down the cow-talk.  Paul argues that his obsession is merited, because "cows are our most important animal friends." Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Matt Haughey of Metafilter and his wife Kay split household chores right down the middle, except when it comes to garbage duty.  Does the person taking out the trash have "garbage hands" that are only suitable to replace the trash bag and deal with all matters dirty?  Judge John Hodgman decides! Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Pat and Joe come before the court with a case about that famous rock band, The Beatles. Pat claims that The White Album is one of The Beatles' worst albums and has a scattered approach. Joe argues that the album benefits from its variance and is one of their best works. Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Randi and Chris were gifted Mulder and Scully action figures for Christmas, but differ on their purpose. Should they be kept in their original packaging, to retain value (and for laughs)? Or should they be freed, to re-enact X-Files episodes and general playtime? Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

When Jake listens to his favorite classical music, he finds himself conducting furiously and with abandon.  His wife Erica, an accomplished concert musician, says his flamboyant conducting makes a mockery of her life's work. Must Jake cease his carefree conducting style? Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Friends Adam and Will have a dispute about social networking.  Is it Adam's responsibility as a young adult to get with the program and join the online social networking world, or is Will pushing his own life choices on his friend? Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Jason's mom argues that whenever he passes gas, he should proffer an "excuse me" to whomever is present (according to general social etiquette).  Jason says he's an adult and as such, is allowed to do as he pleases.  Should Jason's mom butt out, or should be held to her standards? Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Jeff says his live-in girlfriend Courtney habitually hides food from him. Courtney admits that she's hidden food in the past, but only to save Jeff from his own ravenous tendencies, and that she has stopped the practice. Is Courtney a food-hoarder, or is Jeff a food-stealer? Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

College pals Corey, Tyler and Caitlyn are moving into a new apartment in the coming school year with three bedrooms: two small, one gloriously spacious. Who deserves the biggest room? Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Is it appropriate to ask a cab driver to take you through a drive-thru after a long night of drinking? Take a ride in the Justice Cab to find out. Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

In this episode, we are joined by SPECIAL GUEST and EXPERT WITNESS Morgan Webb.  John argues that using a strategy guide when playing a video game is cheating, pure and simple.  His friend Josef argues that while it provides an advantage, it's not out of line to use a guide and constitutes no cheating. Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

We have a pronunciation problem. Matt brings the case against his friend Josh, who he argues pronounces a number of words incorrectly. Affectations, shibboleths, and regionalisms: we've got it all. Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Friends (and Canadian barristers) Nick and Phil bring their fruit-based case before the Judge: which gentleman's technique for peeling a banana is correct? Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Should an endurance event enthusiast (and former couch potato) be allowed to participate in an Ironman Triathlon against the wishes of his wife? Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

  When is it appropriate to request a photo with a celebrity seen in the wild? Andrew and Britt bring this case of a Hollywood party, Stephen Colbert, and potential Facebook popularity before the judge. Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Should a father be able to compell his teenage daughter to watch classic films? Or does a 16-year-old deserve autonomy in her entertainment choices? Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Two best friends disagree on the morality of the potluck. One says it's a great opportunity for everyone to pitch in. One says it's a sign of a host who's abdicated responsibility for the party. Only one man can decide who's right. Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!