Judge Judy: Family Court vs. TV—Which Takes Fewer Tylenol?
Judge Judy, the reigning queen of courtroom television, recently opened up about her multifaceted career during an exclusive chat at the Keep Memory Alive’s The Power of Love Gala in Las Vegas. The 82-year-old media sensation reflected on her life as a family court judge versus her fame as the star of “Judge Judy,” and it’s clear she’s got some strong opinions about the two.
So, what did she spill? When it comes to fulfillment, there’s no competition—family court, with its hefty emotional stakes, reigns supreme. Sheindlin, who presided over more than 20,000 cases during her 14 years in family court, shared that it’s “probably the most worthwhile work” she’s ever done. That’s right; while TV judges deal with quirky disputes over contracts and pet custody battles that sometimes feel more scripted than serious, family court addresses real-life issues that shape the future of children and families. One could say it’s the heavyweight championship of emotional stakes.
But let’s face it, family court can be a tremendous stress-fest. For all the meaningful work, Sheindlin humorously contrasted it with her TV gig by stating, “Television judging is a lot more fun, a lot less work, and you take a lot fewer Tylenol than you do in family court.” And can we blame her? After 25 seasons of “Judge Judy,” which aired from 1996 to 2021, she developed a show that became a staple of daytime TV, raking in an audience of millions and reportedly netting $100 million when she sold her TV library to CBS in 2017.
Ever the consummate performer, Sheindlin acknowledged how much lighter her television role is: “It’s having fun every day and just deciding, sort of, fun cases that are not life-altering and also having a good time getting dressed up, having people take your picture.” So, there you have it: she’s a star who knows how to keep the drama light while still managing to make a point.
For Judy, the ability to help families out is what gets her fired up, while her TV career was about entertaining and, let’s be real, looking fabulous. As Sheindlin continues to bring her trademark no-nonsense approach to a new courtroom series, “Judy Justice,” we’ll be watching with eager anticipation—and maybe a slight headache from all the laughs.
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and People Magazine, CBS, Deadline
