Judge John Hodgman

It's a new year and it's time to clear the docket! This week, it's all about Magic: The Gathering. MTG enthusiast and Friend of the Court John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats joins us to adjudicate these cases! Huge thanks to John for joining us. Check out the Mountain Goats ' new album "Jenny From Thebes," which is out now on Merge Records. And see them on tour! Also, make sure to see US in San F...

It's the end of 2023 and the Judge John Hodgman team is having a little holiday party! Bailiff Jesse Thorn finally gets to try Pam from Seattle's famous Eggnog and Orange Soda. Pam gives us a new festive concoction to try. But not before trying some new to us recipes sent in by listeners! HAPPY NEW YEAR! --- Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes a...

Michele brings the case against her sister, Kristyn. Michele’s husband introduced a new tradition to their family’s Christmas morning. Michelle loves it. Kristyn thinks it’s silly. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Thanks to reddit user u/elouiseinmaine 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 ! SF Sketchfest ti...

Nicole brings the case against her partner, Scott. Nicole says that Scott razzes her too much because of her road trip snacking system. Scott says her messy snacks deserve to be razzed! Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Thanks to reddit user u/jackalkaboom 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 ! SF Sketchfest...

Jeff brings the case against his wife, Jen. Their home came with a very unusual appliance. When they moved in, Jen gave Jeff one year to enjoy this device before removing it from the house. The year is now up, and Jeff wants to keep it. He says that this contraption is CENTERPIECE to the living room! Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Thanks to reddit user u/mkbecker for naming this week’s case! To suggest...

Andrea brings the case against her lifelong friend Jennifer. For years they’ve had a holiday tradition of getting together to bake a gingerbread house. And for years, Andrea says that Jennifer messes it all up--WITH GINGERBREAD MISCHIEF! Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Thanks to reddit user u/JustLooking0209 for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum...

Mary brings the case against her roommate Salma. They’re both fans of the card game called PUNDERDOME. But Mary says Salma is a cheater. When they play, Salma doesn’t make puns: just jokes. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? With Expert Witness Jo Firestone (Dr. Gameshow, Ziwe)! Check out her new novel Murder and Sex Island and her new game Fruits ! Thanks to reddit user u/banjo-solo for naming this week’s...

This episode was recorded in front of a LIVE audience on the Van Freaks Roadshow! All the way from The Wilbur in Boston, we have "Order in Decor!" and Swift Justice! Plus GBH'S ANTIQUES ROADSHOW Executive Producer Marsha Bemko. And music from Laura Valk of Skout and Fenway Park's own Josh Kantor ! Like this episode? You won't want to miss THE VAN FREAKS ROADSHOW STREAMING EVENT: From the Opera Hou...

It's time to clear the docket and this week we are adjudicating CONDIMENT CRIMES! Is ketchup sweet? What foods are acceptable to eat with ketchup? Which condiment is the MAIN ONE? Condiment experts Nick Wiger and Amelia Marino from The Doughboys podcast join us to weigh in! The Van Freaks Roadshow has come to an end. But the fun's not over yet! We are excited to announce:  THE VAN FREAKS ROADSHOW...

Zack brings the case against his brother, Nick. Zack claims to have been a member of their high school track team. Nick says: IT NEVER HAPPENED! Who’s right? Who’s wrong? 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 ! Judge John Hodgman’s Van Freaks Roadshow is on!  Visit...

Happy Spooky Season! This week, Paul F. Tompkins joins Judge Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse to talk Halloween disputes. How do you pronounce Reese's Pieces? And why are the Judge, Bailiff, and Paul trapped in the studio with Spirit Halloween animatronics? And what does  Aidan from the Spirit Halloween Fan Wiki have to do with this? There's just one way to find out! Judge John Hodgman’s Van Freaks Roads...

Abby files suit against her friend, Aidan. They belong to a secret online group dedicated to complaining about other passengers on the London Underground. One major debate? Umbrellas! Aidan says bringing an umbrella on the train is unacceptable. Abby disagrees. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Thanks to reddit user u/KetchupLuv for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an...

Katherine brings the case against her husband, Lee. They like to go camping together. Katherine recently bought a new camping chair. But, Lee says they bring too much stuff. There’s no room for this chair in their car! But, Katherine thinks that they can make it work. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Thanks to reddit user u/ToLiveAndBrianLA for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future epi...

Spencer and his wife, India, say that they both tend to humanize the items in their home. But now they are paring down their belongings as they’re planning a big move. Spencer wants to get rid of a particular rug. But India doesn’t, because it has owls on it. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Thanks to reddit user u/w3H774m for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye...

This week's episode was recorded LIVE from the London Podcast Festival! First up is "Undergrounds for Dismissal." Mae likes to ride the bus. Paul likes to ride the tube. Then we hear from Tim and Belle about whether or not Belle can call herself a vegetarian if she eats an occasional steak. Finally, a case about "the best sandwich." Who's right? Who's wrong? With guests Benjamin Partridge (Beef &...

Where's the beef? ONLINE! Taylor Lorenz joins the Court this week to help clear the docket and talk about ONLINE BEEFS! Taylor is a tech journalist and author of the new book  Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet .  Judge Hodgman and Guest Bailiff Jean Grae consult Taylor on all things online: talking back within local restaurant reviews, intentional mis...

Dan brings the case against his wife, Carrie. Dan wants to build a model railroad in a small switching layout that simulates a switchyard. This type of model railroad does not move in a loop. Carrie says that a model railroad is pointless if it doesn’t move in a loop! Who's right? Who's wrong?  Thanks to reddit user u/themadjuggler for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episo...

Dave brings the case against his niece, Morgan. When Morgan was around 5 years old, she stole his special collection of red skittles. And ate them! Even now, after 24 years, Dave is still mad. He demands restitution! But Morgan says: she was just a kid. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Thanks to reddit users u/Ok-Professional-7569 & u/joftheinternet for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a f...

Michelle brings the case against her husband, Rob. Rob is restoring an old grandfather clock to make it usable as a display case. Michelle would like to display her uranium glass collection in the clock under a blacklight. But Rob thinks adding a blacklight will look tacky. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? With Guest Bailiff Monte Belmonte ! Thanks to reddit user u/TheGreyBrewer for naming this week’s ca...

Martha brings the case against her husband, Doug. Doug is a retired high school theater teacher. His last production was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Three years later, he’s still lamenting about how good the show would have been. Martha says it’s time to move on! Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Thanks to reddit user u/skeewalker for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future epis...

Howie brings the case against Mark. The two of them worked at rival summer camps. When the two camps came together for a sports festival at Howie's camp, Howie was tasked with singing a "sit down song" to corral the campers. Mark's campers sat down but Mark didn't. Howie called Mark out in song, embarrassing him in front of everyone. They have since become friends, but they say this incident color...

Jesse brings the case against her dad, Jim. They get together once a week to play Settlers of Catan. When the dice rolls start to favor Jesse, Jim accuses her of not rolling sufficiently. He then makes her use what he calls the "Cup of Shame" to ensure that the dice are rolled properly. She says there is nothing suspect about how she rolls dice, and that the Cup of Shame is unnecessary. Who’s righ...

Marya brings the case against her husband, Clark. Their family found and cared for a Spiny Elm caterpillar in their yard. When they collected neighborhood leaves to feed the caterpillar, Marya was shocked to find that Clark clipped them right off the tree. She thinks that they should have only collected leaves that had fallen on the ground. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Visit the episode page on the M...

Craig brings the case against his mother, Bettie. Bettie has had a dry cured ham hanging in her basement since the 1960s. She now wants to throw it away. But, Craig thinks that they should cook and eat it! Or, if it’s unsafe for consumption, he’d like to at least give it a proper burial. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? We are going on tour! In the UK and Europe! Visit maximumfun.org/events for more info...

Rick brings the case against his friend, Ken. During the 2019-2020 NBA season, Rick and Ken made a bet about who would be named Rookie of the Year. Ken bet in favor of Zion Williamson, and Rick bet in favor of Ja Morant. While Ja Morant was named Rookie of the Year, Ken believes that he should not be compelled to pay. He says that the pandemic caused too many complications. The bet should be voide...