Judge John Hodgman

It's time to clear the docket! This week, we're tackling disputes about the theater, and we have two very special expert witnesses: the award-winning duo Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Bobby Lopez! Between the two of them, they've made some of the most memorable musical theater works of the modern era: Frozen, The Book of Mormon, Avenue Q and so much more. They've come by to lend their expertise to settle disputes about the ending of Pippin, post-show etiquette in community theater, and – of course – lots and lots of Sondheim.SUBSCRIBE TO THIS PODCAST in APPLE PODCASTS or the RSS FEED.

Leann brings the case against her daughter Abbie. Abbie has a collection of creepy dolls in their living room, on top of their piano. Leann thinks the dolls are TOO creepy! She wants Abbie to move them to her room. But Abbie wants them to stay where they are! Who's right?Thanks to reddit user u/Junk_Mutluck for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com!

Can you feel it? The changing of the seasons? The crispness of the air? The ever-growing magnetic pull in the back of your head that urges you toward the mythical land of western Massachusetts? That can only mean one thing: the return of the one and only Summertime Funtime Bailiff MONTE BELMONTE! He joins us to clear the docket and dispense justice on issues relating to wrapping paper, the game of Blank Slate, hometowns, and more. PLUS: A letter from the mysterious ROBIN HOOD CAMP!

It’s time to clear the docket! This week, we get what we get and we cast a wide net, dispensing justice on topics like umbrella etiquette, what to wear to a rock star birthday party, a smelly sewer museum and more! PLUS: who would win – Batman or Darth Vader?

It’s time to clear the docket! This week, we're taking on NAMING DISPUTES! Who has the naming rights to an inflatable dinosaur? What to name a mullet? And how many names of different Alpha Flight members can John and Jesse come up with?

This week’s episode was recorded live in front of an audience at the Sydney Goldstein Theater! Our first case is SCOTTISH RITE OF WAY: Nate brings the case against his partner Chan. The two live together in a building that once was a Masonic lodge. One of the rooms in their apartment has a strange door that opens onto a dark and mysterious hallway. Nate wants to investigate the hallway. Chan wants him to leave the mystery door alone!Thanks to reddit user u/acone419 for naming this week's main case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com!

It’s time to clear the docket! This week, we have a good old-fashioned GRUDGE MATCH! You wrote in with your long-festering grudges against teachers, strangers and crummy cousins, and we're dispensing some long-awaited justice!SUBSCRIBE TO THIS PODCAST in APPLE PODCASTS or the RSS FEED.

This week’s episode was recorded live in front of an audience at the Gothic Theatre in Denver! Our first case is BUY ME SUBPOENAS AND CRACKERJACK: Paul brings the case against his friend Chris. Chris has stopped believing in baseball superstitions and jinxes. He says his behavior can’t affect the outcome of a baseball game. But Paul says his friend’s carelessness has jinxed his team! PLUS: Swift Justice featuring the legendary David Gborie!Thanks to reddit user u/ScrotalMigraine for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com!

Tanya brings the case against her husband Thomas. During the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Tanya read a news story about wedding venues being booked years in advance. She asked Thomas if he wanted to get married. He said yes. Thomas interpreted that as a proposal. But Tanya says it was just a question about logistics, NOT a proposal!Thanks to reddit user u/teabiscuit54 for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com!This is the second week of this year's MaxFunDrive! Go to maximumfun.org/join to become a member, or upgrade or boost your membership, and support the Judge John Hodgman podcast. And to all of our members, both new and returning: a hearty, sincere THANK YOU from all of us at JJHO and MaxFun!

Emily brings the case against her cousin Jess. When Emily was 3, her uncle chased her around a family gathering while wearing a Mr. Peanut costume. This traumatized her! Jess was present at the event, and she still sends Emily pictures and memes of Mr. Peanut. She says it “wasn’t that bad.” Emily wants Jess to stop because she still finds it upsetting! Who's right? Who's wrong?Thanks to reddit user u/PR0T0G3N for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com!This is the first week of the MAXFUNDRIVE! Go to maximumfun.org/join to become a member, or upgrade or boost your membership, and support the Judge John Hodgman podcast. And to all of our members, both new and returning: a hearty, sincere THANK YOU from all of us at JJHO and MaxFun!

Jordan brings the case against his friend Jacob. Jordan and Jacob are both blacksmiths. Jacob has been Jordan’s apprentice for the past few years, and he says it’s time he gets a new title, like “journeyman.” Jordan says Jacob is still learning and needs more experience first! Who’s right? Who’s wrong?Thanks to reddit user u/Beejtronic for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com!

Joan brings the case against her sister, Barbara. When Joan was 8, their aunt gave her a present: a framed print of Winnie-the-Pooh. Joan hung it in the bedroom she shared with Barbara – but she left it behind when she got her own room. Now it’s 50 years later, and Barbara says the Pooh print belongs to her. Joan wants it back! Who’s right? Who’s wrong?Thanks to reddit user u/BadArtistGoodListenr for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com!

It’s time to clear the docket! This week, we’re tackling BOARD GAMES. And we get some help from a very special guest: Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and board game enthusiast David Lindsay-Abaire is here! He helps decide on issues of Monopoly house rules, the layout of the Clue board, and how to win at Life! (The board game, not, y'know, life.)David's musical KIMBERLY AKIMBO is on Broadway right now, at the Booth Theatre. Get tickets here!

This week’s episode was recorded live in front of an audience at Revolution Hall in Portland, OR! Our first case is BROCCO-LEADING THE WITNESS: Alan brings the case against his wife Christy. Alan wants to introduce broccoli into their 14-month-old daughter’s diet. Christy has a phobia of broccoli, and doesn’t want any in the house unless she’s out of town. But Alan wants to serve it to their daughter more frequently! PLUS: Swift Justice featuring the legendary Corin Tucker of Sleater-Kinney!Thanks to reddit user u/MagicApe for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com.

This week’s episode was recorded live in front of an audience at the Neptune Theater in Seattle! Our first case is PAUSE-ABLE DENIABILITY: Sam brings the case against his girlfriend, Angela. Angela and Sam used to watch a popular food-reaction video series together. One day, Sam discovered Angela watching a new episode without him. He says they had an unspoken agreement to always wait to watch new episodes together, but Angela says she did nothing wrong. PLUS: Swift Justice with Washington Supreme Court Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis!Thanks 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 maximumfun.reddit.com!

This week's episode was recorded live in front of an audience at the Wheeler Theater in Port Townsend, Washington! Our first case is BURDEN OF HOOF: Amy brings the case against her husband, Toby. Amy and Toby became “accidental farmers” when they moved back to the island where Toby grew up and bought a home that came with a tractor. Now that their kids are nearly grown, they want to spend more time sailing, but the farm is too much work! Amy wants to build lodging to hire help, but Toby says it’s not that simple! PLUS: Swift Justice with Port Townsend's Mayor David Faber!Thanks to reddit user u/IGotMyPopcorn for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com!

Elyse brings the case against her wife, Erin. Erin wants to install a bat box in their yard to help manage mosquitoes. But, Elyse is opposed. She is concerned about becoming the neighborhood’s weird bat people. Who’s right? Who’s wrong?Thanks to reddit user u/DrColossusOfRhodes for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com!

It's time to clear the docket! Tipping, packing, baby-shushing, exercise nomenclature, and much more! Plus, Kayleigh from episode 426: Blob Justice writes in with an update — and a plea for a stay of justice!

Haley brings the case against her partner, Jonathan. Haley and Jonathan have a non-existent child named Belinda. Belinda started as a joke, but has become a symbol for their future together. Now that Haley and Jonathan are thinking seriously about having an actual child, Jonathan thinks the name Belinda would be perfect. Haley disagrees! Who’s right? Who’s wrong?Thanks to reddit user u/SupersoftBday_party for naming this week's case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com!

It’s time to clear the docket! This week, we're tackling FAMILY FEUDS. Is it okay to run in Crocs? Should you serve your sister old, old honey? Is "tweets" an acceptable Scrabble word? Plus: baby names, Chex mix and frosty facial hair!