The People’s Court has been cancelled, for the second time. The current incarnation of the daytime courtroom series will end with its current 26th season.
Debuting in first-run syndication in 1981, The People’s Court was the first court show to use binding arbitration. It was presided over by former Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Joseph Wapner. With the help of Rusty Burrell as his bailiff, Wapner’s show ran for 12 seasons and 2,484 half-hour episodes.
The series was revived four years later, in 1997, with former lawyer and Mayor of New York Ed Koch as arbiter. After two years, he was succeeded by former New York State Supreme Court Judge Jerry Sheindlin (husband of Judge Judy).
Sheindlin lasted less than two seasons before being replaced by retired Florida Circuit Court Judge Marilyn Milian in 2001. Milian has been leading the series ever since and is the longest-serving judge in the show’s long history. She was the first Latina judge to host a nationally syndicated television court show.
The news of The People’s Court series cancellation comes as the result of changing and challenging conditions in the daytime syndication market. Last month, it was announced that Dr. Phil is ending after a 21-year run. Many other syndicated informational series ended in 2022, including Dr. Oz, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Good Dish, Maury, The Real, and The Wendy Williams Show.
The People’s Court is a Ralph Edwards/Stu Billett Production and Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Telepictures. It is distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.
Judge Mathis, which is also distributed by Warner Bros., has also been cancelled, after 24 seasons.
What do you think? Have you enjoyed watching The People’s Court series over the years? Will you miss seeing this program on the schedule?
Oh no, what will Harvey Levin do now?!
Covid takes another victim. I loved the People’s Court. I say I got my law degree watching The People’s Court. But the show being shot on Zoom with litigants on monitors was unwatchable. Hopefully it will be resurrected again as it was before.
And just what do they think they’re going to put in the middle of the afternoon to replace The People’s Court? Nothing I’m going to watch, that’s for sure.
I will miss seeing her, show was good.
I will miss The Peoples Court immensely. It is one of the few TV shows I watch. It ilhas been both informative and entertaining
I record The People’s Court everyday and watch it when I get home from work. I am REALLY going to miss Judge Milian. She has taught me so much through the years! I hope they change their mind!!!
The minute Judge Milian brought her husband on I stopped watching the show, didn’t even tape it. That brought the entire show down – never interested in their chit chat.
Loved the People’s Court! I didn’t enjoy it with her husband on. I record and fast forward thru that part. I think that is why the ratings slump. Will miss her!
I’m hoping that they will reconsider canceling The Peoples Court with Judge Marilyn Millian. She is so Amazing, professional, educated, and I’ve learned a lot of the justice system from her. She truly is a breath of fresh air. I will miss watching her since I’m now retired, and truly wishing they would recognize what a loss this would be!
turned into a second rate talk show with her and hubby
5 court shows come on Mon. – Fri. I do not miss Peoples Court even if I have to record it. I can’t believe it’s leaving!
I love Judge Milian. I’m retired now and discovered this show about 2 yrs ago. Please come up with another show with her. Xoxo
Judge Milian and Judge Mathis are tops both shows will be revived
I am very saddened by this news. I will miss this show so much. I have been watching since Judge Wapner. Please find a way to keep it going!!!!!
Noooooooooooooo! This is stupid! What are they putting on instead? There goes the ratings. I’m gonna cry.
I love the people’s court! Judge Milian is firm but fair. I’m really going to miss the show.
I’m hoping another network will pick up the show