Syndicated court show Hot Bench, which was created by Judge Judy Sheindlin, has been picked up for a second season. The three judges on this program are Patricia DiMango, Tanya Acker and Larry Bakman.
Here’s the press release:
CBS TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION RENEWS QUEEN BEE PRODUCTIONS’ ‘HOT BENCH’ FOR A SECOND SEASON
Court Program Created by Judge Judy Sheindlin Will Move to CBS-Owned Affiliates in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Boston, Miami and Denver on March 30, 2015
‘Hot Bench’ Ranks as the #1 New Syndicated Strip of the 2014-15 Season
LOS ANGELES – December 11, 2014 – HOT BENCH, the new syndicated court program created by Judge Judy Sheindlin, has been renewed for a second season and upgraded in five of the top 10 markets for the remainder of the season, it was announced today by CBS Television Distribution (CTD) and Queen Bee Productions.
HOT BENCH will be upgraded in seven markets on Monday, March 30, 2015, through the 2015-16 season. It will move to the following CBS-owned affiliates: WCBS, New York at 9 a.m. (#1); KCBS, Los Angeles at 2 p.m. (#2); WBBM, Chicago at 2 p.m. (#3); KTVT, Dallas at 2 p.m. (#5); WBZ, Boston at 9 a.m. (#7); WFOR, Miami at 9 a.m. (#16); and KCNC, Denver at 3 p.m. (#17).
HOT BENCH, presided over by Patricia DiMango, Tanya Acker and Larry Bakman, is the #1 new first-run syndicated strip of the season with a 1.5 HH rating and 2 million viewers (Live + SD, season to date). In the recently concluded November sweeps period, HOT BENCH averaged a 1.7 HH rating and 2.3 million viewers.
“I’m gratified that viewers have embraced HOT BENCH,” Sheindlin said. “I came up with the idea on a trip to Ireland last year with my husband and we observed a three-judge bench and found the process fascinating. I’m glad the viewers agree!”
“HOT BENCH has improved stations’ time periods across the country and in many cases has become a standout in a station’s court block,” said Joe DiSalvo, president of sales, CTD. “We’re excited to bring the show back next year.”
“HOT BENCH came out of the gate strong and kept growing,” said Hilary Estey McLoughlin, president of creative affairs, CTD. “Viewers really responded to this new twist on the court genre with multiple judges and a behind-the-scenes look at deliberations. We’re thrilled to bring more informative and entertaining cases to viewers next season.”
Created by Sheindlin, who headlines the #1 show in syndication JUDGE JUDY, HOT BENCHadds an exciting new dimension to the court genre. The program features a panel of three dynamic judges hearing court cases, arguing the merits of the case amongst themselves and coming to a verdict. Also for the first time, viewers are part of the deliberations and see cameras follow the judges into chambers where they hash out the facts and majority rules.
‘Hot Bench’ is a term used to describe a court where the judge or judges frequently interrupt lawyers’ presentations with questions, often leading to lively exchanges.
DiMango most recently was the Administrative Judge of the Supreme Court Criminal Term in Brooklyn. According to a recent New York Times front page story, she is known for her “brash style and forceful personality,” as well as her efficiency in closing old cases. She was appointed to the bench by Mayor Rudolph W. Guiliani in 1995. She graduated from St. John’s University School of Law and received her master’s degree in developmental psychology from Teacher’s College at Columbia University while teaching third grade at Public School 164 in Brooklyn.
Acker is a Los Angeles-based practicing attorney and political, social and legal commentator. She is a graduate of Yale Law School and earned her undergraduate degree at Howard University in Washington DC. Her television appearances include “Good Morning America,” “Entertainment Tonight,” “The O’Reilly Factor,” “Anderson Cooper 360,” “CNBC Reports,” “Larry King Live” and “Issues With Jane Velez Mitchell.” She has also appeared on Sky News in Great Britain and has been a contributor to the “Huffington Post.”
Bakman, who has tried more than 500 Federal and State Criminal Cases, is a member of the State Bar in California and New York. He has had a private legal practice in Los Angeles since 1983. Bakman’s practice focuses on defending clients charged with complex violations, such as conspiracy, fraud, assaults and narcotic possession and distribution. Bakman, a former Los Angeles Deputy City Attorney, is a graduate of Southwestern Law School and earned his undergraduate degree at UCLA.
HOT BENCH is executive produced by Randy Douthit, who currently serves as Executive Producer and Director of JUDGE JUDY, and Maureen FitzPatrick. The half-hour strip is produced by CBS Television Distribution and Queen Bee Productions. It is distributed by CBS Television Distribution
CBS Television Distribution is the preeminent company in television syndication. CTD produces or distributes 10 first-run series and holds the largest distributed television library at 70,000 hours strong. Among CTD’s critically-acclaimed programs are the #1 syndicated series Judge Judy; talk leader Dr. Phil; the #1 and #2 rated game shows Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!; the Emmy Award-winning talk shows Rachael Ray and The Doctors; the #1 and #2 newsmagazines Entertainment Tonight and Inside Edition, along with The Insider; freshman court show Hot Bench; and popular off-network product, including the CSI and Star Trekfranchises, Everybody Loves Raymond, Frasier, NCIS, Criminal Minds, NCIS: Los Angeles,The Good Wife, Blue Bloods, Hawaii Five-0, Hot In Cleveland and Undercover Boss. In addition, CTD handles the domestic television distribution of CBS News, CBS Films and Showtime. CTD is a unit of CBS Corp.
What do you think? Have you seen this court show? How does it compare to the others?
I love the show Hot Bench not only do you learn things but it’s funny too. I hope that show isn’t being cancelled, and Drew Barrymore won’t be on permanently. I can’t stand her I think she is crazy and a terrible performer. She’s not funny she’s just a big show off. Please keep Hot Bench on it’s a wonderful show.
Worst show on tv..they let a girl off who fought with the girl who mADE the cake, and they all thought this was funny, how sad…. I would have thrown the book at her.. and they were all laughing…. ridiculous
new judge michael corriero is terrible. instead of trying to follow the law, he wants to rule based on sympathy for the litigants. judges are not supposed to sit around hugging and singing “kumbiyah.” they should be bound by rule of law.
this wimpy judge adds nothing to the panel. judge judy, you made a bad pick this time around!
This show is entertaining, although not reflective of how courts actually operate. The ‘judges’ don’t review any details on the claims, evidence, and quash relevant testimony. I knew someone with a legal background who went on the program and saw it as a sham of the legal process. When you see a participant or witness try to speak and get shut down by a ‘judge’, it is because they are trying to add some relevant evidence or counter a lie by the other participant, but the ‘judges’ don’t really care as it just eats into their ‘showtime’. If you want… Read more »
Tanya Acker needs better wigs.
That’s mean…she looks great! Are you sure it’s wigs?
Agreed!!!!!
I started watching this show after reading how Judge Judy came upon the concept. She witnessed a court in Ireland and they use three judges. Since it is an actual method I find it most interesting and informing.
Personally I would like to see courts where more than one judge has their opinion. Majority appears to have value,
I don’t worry about personalities, o want to see their thinking and how they work together.
I am truly enjoying this show.
Yea gotta love the Brooklyn judge.
hese 3 judges are arrogant and truly justify our unjust system. Judges should only rule on behalf of the law. Not their personal “feelings” about a person. I have watched several of their shows and the verdicts are alarming to me. They have their noses in the air and talk down to people constantly. Unfortunately, there are more of these type of judges determining our fate then there should be. Our legal system is not working on ethics of right or wrong but on character and that wasn’t the purpose when it was designed so many years ago. I love… Read more »
Entertaining and also an educational show. Having been associated with Pat DiMango in the Brooklyn Supreme Court ( as a Clerk of The Court) I always enjoyed my association with this attractive and multi talented lady, and on a personal basis, I also enjoyed vacationing and other social functions with her and members of her family. Good luck Pat, you were made to order for “HOT BENCH”.
Respectfully and with admiration,
Tony Ferrantino
I just found the program last week and my husband and I have been watching it ever since. On the 5th day we noticed that the program was created by Judge Judy which is another great reason to watch the program.
I am enjoying the show very much thank you
Excellent show! It’s not racist like Mathis! Great mix of judges. Different personalities and points of view. There is never a sure thing with the verdict and no opinions are censored. If they have something to say they say it a la Judge Judy. Exceptional idea from an exceptional Judge. Good work Judy Sheindlin!
I love this show I thought it was off. Glad to know it is coming back. I have it set to record every time it comes on. Love it
I really enjoyed Hot Bench, then it was gone. I would like to know why they left? When will they return? Thank you! Will it still appear on Hawaii televisions?
I really enjoyed Hot Bench, then it was gone. I would like to know why they left? When will they return? Thank you!
When I first saw it advertise, I thought there were enough judge shows and I was sure not to watch. While visiting my mother-in-law, I caught the first episode and now I am hooked. I like the idea of three-panel judges. Judges DiMango, Acker and Bakman are fun to watch and have an interesting take on how the law works. All three talk about and abide by the law but it gets interesting to see how each of them applies the law to each case. To each of them, it is exclusive so I sometimes wonder why they vote the… Read more »
Why? People just watch anything now.