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Hot Bench
Hot Bench Title card
GenreNontraditional arbitration-based reality court show
Created byJudge Judy Sheindlin
Directed byKaren J. Beck
Presented by
Narrated by
Opening themeMichael Egizi
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons10
No. of episodes1,535
Production
Executive producers
  • Randy Douthit
  • Maureen Fitzpatrick
  • James Glover
  • David Theodosopoulus
Production locationsSunset Bronson Studios
Hollywood, California
Camera setupMultiple camera
Running time30 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkSyndication
ReleaseSeptember 15, 2014 (2014-09-15) –
present

Hot Bench is an American nontraditional panel-based court show that debuted in first-run syndication on September 15, 2014. The series was conceptualized and produced for CBS Media Ventures by Judith Sheindlin of Judge Judy fame, alongside executive producers Randy Douthit, Maureen FitzPatrick, David Theodosopoulos, and co-executive producer James Glover.

Format

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The series features a panel of three judges. The panel acts as an arbitral tribunal, and as with most televised court shows, the cases are a form of binding arbitration in which the litigants forgo their actual lawsuit in favor of appearing on the program.

Personnel

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Personnel Role Seasons
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Tanya Acker Judge, co-host Main
Larry Bakman Judge, co-host Main
Patricia DiMango Judge, co-host Main
Michael Corriero Judge, co-host Main
Rachel Juarez Judge, co-host Main
Yodit Tewolde Judge, co-host Main
Sonia Montejano Bailiff Recurring

Current cast

  • Michael Corriero (seasons 3–present): Judge, co-host
  • Rachel Juarez (seasons 9–present): Judge, co-host
  • Yodit Tewolde (seasons 9–present): Judge, co-host
  • Sonia Montejano (seasons 1–present): Bailiff

Former cast

  • Larry Bakman (seasons 1–2): Judge, co-host
  • Tanya Acker (seasons 1–8): Judge, co-host
  • Patricia DiMango (seasons 1–8): Judge, co-host

Other notable cast

Background and production

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Development

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The concept was inspired by Judy's vacation to Ireland, a country which occasionally uses panels of three judges to handle one case: "When my husband Jerry and I were in Ireland recently, we visited the courts and watched a three-judge bench, which I found both fascinating and compelling." She added, "I immediately thought what a terrific and unique idea for a television program that brings the court genre to the next level. We have assembled three individuals with extremely varied backgrounds to serve as the judges. They are smart and talented, with terrific instincts and great chemistry, and are sure to create a 'hot bench'."[7]

On April 26, 2024, Hot Bench has been renewed for its eleventh and twelfth seasons through 2025–26 season.[8]

Casting

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The current panel consists of Michael Corriero, Rachel Juarez, and Yodit Tewolde, who preside over small-claims cases and then argue the merits of the case amongst themselves in the chamber room before rendering a verdict (under the format, only a majority—two of the three-panel members—need to agree on the verdict). Before them, the panel consisted of attorneys Tanya Acker and Larry Bakman, along with former Brooklyn New York Supreme Court judge Patricia DiMango.[9]

In October 2016, Bakman announced that he was leaving Hot Bench to focus on his law practice. Bakman's final episodes originally aired on October 28, 2016, and Corriero's first episode was scheduled to originally air on November 1, 2016, with series creator Judge Judy Sheindlin and her husband, former The People's Court judge Jerry Sheindlin, serving as guest judges on the Halloween 2016 original broadcasts.[10]

In the fall of 2022, DiMango and Acker were replaced on the show by Juarez and Tewolde, while Corriero assumed the chief judge position.

The bailiff is Sonia Montejano, who was also the bailiff for Judge Joe Brown from 2006 to its end in 2013.

Release

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On December 11, 2014, Hot Bench was renewed for a second season.[11] The show airs in the UK on TruTV, and in Canada on Yes TV and in syndication. The show has produced 1,535 episodes as of September 8, 2022.

Accolades

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Hot Bench has been nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards.

Association Year[a] Category Nominee(s) / Work Result Ref(s)
Daytime Emmy Awards 2017 Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program Randy Douthit, Maureen FitzPatrick, Amy Freisleben, Angela Ford, Jocelyn Jackson, Emily Michele, Arthur Thompkins, Kirk Leins, Christopher Thomas, Tanya Acker, Michael Corriero, Patricia DiMango, and James Glover Nominated [12]
2020 Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program David Theodosopoulus, Amy Freisleben, Belinda Jackson, James Glover, Debbie Alpert, Sylvia Fierro, Jeffrey Pitts, Arthur Thompkins, Gina Yates, Kirk Leins, Christopher Thomas, Tanya Acker, Michael Corriero, Particia DiMango, and Sonia Montejano Nominated [13]
2023 Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program David Theodosopoulos, James Glover, Belinda Jackson, Debbie Alpert, Sylvia Fierro, Karen J. Beck, Chris Thomas, Jennifer Chandler, Jeff Pitts, DeLeesa Rouse, Destiny Sirivong, Lois Yaffee, Gina Yates, Tanya Acker, Michael Corriero, Patricia M. Di Mango, Rachel Juarez, Yodit Tewoldeand and Sonia Montejano Nominated [14]

Notes

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  1. ^ Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

References

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  1. ^ "Amazon Freevee Orders Judy Sheindlin Court Show 'Tribunal' with 'Judge Judy' Bailiff Petri Hawkins Byrd, 'Hot Bench's Patricia DiMango & Tanya Acker". 28 April 2022.
  2. ^ "'Hot Bench' adds a third judge". 26 October 2016.
  3. ^ "Amazon Freevee Orders Judy Sheindlin Court Show 'Tribunal' with 'Judge Judy' Bailiff Petri Hawkins Byrd, 'Hot Bench's Patricia DiMango & Tanya Acker". 28 April 2022.
  4. ^ "'Hot Bench' adds a third judge". 26 October 2016.
  5. ^ "'Hot Bench' Adds 2 New Judges for Season 9". 19 October 2022.
  6. ^ "'Hot Bench' Adds 2 New Judges for Season 9". 19 October 2022.
  7. ^ Marechal, AJ (January 23, 2014). "CBS To Launch New Courtshow From Judge Judy In Fall". Variety. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  8. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 26, 2024). "'Judge Judy' Repeats & 'Hot Bench' Renewed Through 2025-26 In Syndication". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  9. ^ Yaniv, Oren (January 23, 2014). "Judge gives up gig in Brooklyn for TV show, 'Hot Bench,' produced by Judge Judy". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  10. ^ "Hot Bench" adds a third judge, New York Post, 26 October 2016
  11. ^ "'Hot Bench' Renewed for Season Two". broadcastingcable.com. 11 December 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  12. ^ Montgomery, Daniel. "2017 Daytime Emmy nominations: Full list of nominees". goldderby.com. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  13. ^ Montgomery, Daniel. "2020Daytime Emmy winners: Full list of nominees and winners in all categories". goldderby.com. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  14. ^ Fabian Brathwaite, Lester. "The Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate 50th year as General Hospital leads with 19 nominations". ew.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
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