Judge John Hodgman

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...

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 SNA...

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  MaxFunSt...

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...

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...

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 l...

The holiday season has officially begun. Let's celebrate with some rollicking fun with the J Squad! That's right. We are opening the Members Only Mailbag and spreading some cheer. We talk about a romantasy series that has made one of our members "feral and unwell." Plus, eating salad greens by the handful, Jesse's clothing system, changing the toilet paper roll, and much more! If you want to hear...

We are back at San Francisco Sketchfest! A case about a chest freezer, a classic Groundhog Day time loop with James and Rob from Kasper Hauser , and a dispute about Jimmy Buffett Trivia! With special Jimmy Buffett expertise from the recorded voice of a Friend of the Court who knew Jimmy Buffett! (whispers: it's Justin McElroy . Of course, it's Justin McElroy) SPOILER ALERT: If you'd like to donate...

It's time to clear the docket and Friend of the Court Nick Offerman(Parks and Recreation, Death By Lightning) is here to help! Should one bring a whole, uncut watermelon to a party? Is polyurethane better than a wood oil finish? Is walnut an overused wood? Nick helps settle these cases and much more, including the question that rocks this Court: IS KETCHUP GOOD ON FRENCH TOAST? Nick's newest book...

We are a little late getting October's Members Only Mailbag episode up, but it's here! Check your bonus feeds if you are a member. You won't want to miss this one. Did you know there is a subreddit for people who like to pee in their sinks? Why is this even a topic in the Member Mailbag? What disgusting thing was Judge Hodgman and his friend, Charles, doing in Charles' room?? The only way to find...

Genevieve brings the case against her dad, Mike. He won't let her pay for him when they go out. If Genevieve does manage to pay, Mike keeps track so he can restore the balance later. As the father, he believes he should always pay his own way. Genevieve wants to be able to pick up the tab without Mike adding the transaction to his mental ledger. Who's right?  Please consider donating to Al Otro La...

Greg and Melinda live on a sailing catamaran, but life at sea isn’t busy enough for Melinda. She wants a new hobby, and she wants that hobby to be fishing. Greg says fishing is boring and gross. He'd rather just buy fish from local vendors. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Content Warning: about 10 minutes after the first break, there is some graphic conversation involving fishing and how to kill fish pr...

Live from Seattle's Neptune Theatre: BED, BATH, AND BEGONE! Lindy is in her first year at college. Her dad, Clay, wants to redecorate her room but she says it's TOO SOON! What will become of Lindy's life-sized Oscar Isaac cutout? Plus in Swift Justice: is it ok to talk about poop at parties? Are all ketchups the same?  Please consider donating to Al Otro Lado. Al Otro Lado provides legal assistanc...

Brent brings the case against his wife, Maite. Maite likes to unwind by playing 20 Questions with Brent. But Brent doesn’t want to play the game with her anymore. He says she’s doing it wrong. Her answers are too vague. But Maite says his 20 Questions gameplay is too basic! Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Please consider donating to Al Otro Lado. Al Otro Lado provides legal assistance and humanitarian a...

This week, Tyler wants his wife, Abby, to keep all 450 of his physical movies when he dies. But, Abby isn’t a movie person and thinks his collection will be wasted on her. She thinks Tyler’s friends and family would enjoy it much more than she would. But Tyler thinks his vast selection of movies will be the best way for Abby to stay connected to him when he’s on the other side. Who’s right? Who’s...

Live from the Hollywood Theatre in Vancouver, B.C., NOM DE BROOM: Taryn brings the case against their sister, Lauren. Taryn and Lauren are both practitioners of the king of Canadian sports, which is, obviously: CURLING! Taryn owns a controversial curling broom, and they have named it in honor of Beyoncé. But Lauren hates this broom. She will not even say its name, say its name. Who’s right? Who’s...

Are you a Maximum Fun member? Check your BoCo feed because there's a new Membo Mailbag episode in there! If not, here's a preview of this month's episode. Want to hear why the J Squad is talking about cat litter? Join Maximum Fun at just $5 a month and you can hear this episode in full, along with our entire catalog of members-only bonus content. Go to maximumfun.org/join now to join us! --- Judge...

Colton brings the case against his friend, Chris, who loves to tell the same joke to his group of friends. Colton is TIRED OF IT. He says this joke comes up so much that talking to Chris gives him anxiety. But Chris says the joke is hilarious! Who’s right? Who’s wrong? With Guest Bailiff Monte Belmonte ! Please consider donating to Al Otro Lado. Al Otro Lado provides legal assistance and humanitar...

Fall is nearly here and it's time to clear the docket! This week, we are talking to beloved food writers and chefs Kenji López-Alt ( Serious Eats , The Recipe ) and Deb Perelman ( Smitten Kitchen , The Recipe ) about COMFORT FOODS! Is the "mac" in chili mac supposed to be plain noodles or mac and cheese? Is canned pumpkin as good as fresh pumpkin puree? If you make green bean casserole with fresh...

Should dream sequences be banned from fiction? Is it ok to work on needle crafts in bed? What is the human eye actually capable of seeing? Can one sit nude on the sofa? All of these cases and more fun, recorded LIVE at The State Theater in Portland, Maine on the JJHO Road Court tour! With Joel Mann and his jazz group, The Night and Day Jazz Trio! Please consider donating to Al Otro Lado. Al Otro L...

Phaea brings the case against her husband, Justin. Phaea says the 2006 James Bond movie CASINO ROYALE is a remake of the CASINO ROYALE from 1967. But Justin says Phaea is wrong! Both CASINOS ROYALE are adaptations of the Ian Fleming novel from 1953. Justin says that aside from the source material, the two movies are completely unrelated. Phaea is not just shaken. Phaea’s stirred… to prove her husb...

Is this creature an ape or no? The J Squad isn't sure. They talk about this and much more on the August Members Only Mailbag episode! If you're a member, make sure you check your bonus feed now for the full episode. If you aren't a member, it's never to late! Join for just $5 a month and get immediate access to the entire catalog of MaxFun bonus content! Just go to maximumfun.org/join . --- Judge...

Do you think you could fight a shark and win? Jessica thinks she can do it! But her friend, Natasha, says she can't! Natasha says Jessica can't even swim! Jessica doesn't think her swimming abilities matter. Who's right?  Please 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. Dona...

It's time to clear the docket, and Chuck Bryant ( Stuff You Should Know ) returns to the Court to help. Is it ok to take home keepsakes from hiking trails? What if it's a cool rock? Should moviegoers be compelled to stay for post-credits scenes? Plus Judge Hodgman and Chuck Bryant try to guess listener-submitted OBSCURE CULTURAL REFERENCES! Please consider donating to Al Otro Lado. Al Otro Lado pr...

Erin and Bill threw a dragon-themed birthday party for their 1 year old. On the day of the event, Erin was horrified to see the menu that Bill put together. Bill named the food and drink after various things dragons shed, excrete, and throw up. Bill says it was fun. But Erin doesn’t want to see another pitcher of Dragon Pee, ever again! Who's right? Who's wrong? Please consider donating to Al Otro...