Judge John Hodgman

Lauren loved playing the piano as a child and regrets quitting. She wants to get a piano and start playing again. But John says pianos are too big and too loud. He thinks she should get a keyboard instead. Then Lauren can play in total silence with headphones on. This makes Lauren sad! Who's right? Who's wrong?

Transcribed - Published: 23 April 2025

Daryl loves soup! But she can't make it at home because her husband hates it and won't eat it. She misses soup!

Transcribed - Published: 16 April 2025

Kalee and Nik both want their dad's cool ring in the shape of a lion's head. The problem? Their dad is still alive! Who's right? Who's wrong?

Transcribed - Published: 9 April 2025

Nick wants to help his neighbors by putting a trash pickup sign in the front window. His wife, Michele, says NO! Who’s right? With Guest Bailiff Jean Grae!

Transcribed - Published: 2 April 2025

The new episode of the Members Only Mailbag is in the members-only bonus feed! Not yet a member? Here's a taste of what you can expect from the J Squad!The new episode of the Members Only Mailbag is in the members-only bonus feed! Not yet a member? Here's a taste of what you can expect from the J Squad every month in the bonus content feed. For the entire episode, and the back catalog of ALL of our bonus episodes, join Maximum Fun at $5 a month. Your memberships are what make our show possible. They really do keep the lights on here at Maximum Fun and go towards paying the staff that puts all of your favorite shows together. We cannot make our show without our monthly members. So if you have joined Maximum Fun or upgraded your membership, we are so grateful to you. If you haven't yet, it's not too late! Check out everything you can get by becoming a member at maximumfun.org.

Transcribed - Published: 26 March 2025

There's another drop in the members-only bonus feed! Both on audio AND video! Here's a clip from Lawn and Hors D'oeuvres Live in Los Angeles!

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2025

Gaela and Cesca are identical twins. Gaela wants to pull some classic twin-switch pranks. Cesca says these types of pranks are hack! With The Sklar Brothers!

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2025

Who is the Gumby in Lauren's family? Her dad, Brian, says he is Gumby! Lauren and her mom, Cheri, say he's DEFINITELY Pokey!

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2025

It’s been a long, dark, and cold winter. Judge John Hodgman is ready for SPRING BREAK! Grab a refreshing beverage of your own and join us!

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2025

Juvenile Court is back in session with our Expert Juvenile, Scarlett Thorn! We hear cases from kids on playing video games with their podcaster dad, manga, tucked-in sweaters, Punch Buggy, and much more!

Transcribed - Published: 12 March 2025

Maya struggles with phone addiction. She installed a program on her phone to limit her screen time. But her boyfriend, Liam, says this setting is a bummer!

Transcribed - Published: 5 March 2025

Carson has a stash of reusable water bottles next to his side of the bed. Each of them has water inside. But, Carson isn’t drinking the water! Alana wants this old water to go. But Carson says that it is still drinkable! He’ll drink it…eventually! Who's right? Who's wrong?

Transcribed - Published: 26 February 2025

David leaves the door open when he lets out his husky. David's roommate, Logan, says the heat kicks on, and his room becomes a sauna! Logan believes his human comfort is more important than dog comfort! Who's right, who's wrong?

Transcribed - Published: 19 February 2025

Can unicorns have wings? Bay says, yes of course! But her dad, Michael, says NO!

Transcribed - Published: 12 February 2025

Should Eli continue to feed feral cats in her yard? Her partner, Becca, says, "NO!"

Transcribed - Published: 5 February 2025

Are guinea pigs good pets? Scarlett thinks so! They desperately want a guinea pig. But their wife, Morrigan, is opposed! She says that the couple's two dogs are more than enough pets for one home. Who's right? Who's wrong?

Transcribed - Published: 29 January 2025

Would you keep a creepy portrait of yourself as a baby? What if the painter of the portrait was a murderer? Recorded live at Sixth & I in Washington DC, Marty says, "Yes, of course!" But his wife, Sarah, wants to get rid of this creepy painting of her beloved husband. Who's right? Who's wrong? PLUS! Linda Holmes and Jean Grae return to the court to help adjudicate some Little Weirdsies!

Transcribed - Published: 22 January 2025

How many dishtowels does one need in the kitchen? What is the correct pronunciation of aluminum? And can you buy books from [redacted] if your partner is a librarian? Let's discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 15 January 2025

Can two frozen cranberry sauces with googly eyes be friends? How long should their freezer friendship last?

Transcribed - Published: 8 January 2025

Happy New Year from the J Squad! Our holiday gift to you is an episode fresh from the Members Only Mailbag!

Transcribed - Published: 1 January 2025

Should a medical doctor be responsible for diagnosing a friend's shingles in a non-clinical setting? James says no. But, Rob says yes, and he wants JUSTICE! What's more? Our litigants are James Reichmuth and Rob Baedeker from the hilarious sketch group Kasper Hauser! Plus: Feliney Conviction! Should a couple include both of their cats in their annual cat calendar? Even if one of the cats is "not hot enough?"

Transcribed - Published: 25 December 2024

Should Pete get in the nude and recreate an iconic photo for a holiday card? His wife, Anne, says ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Transcribed - Published: 18 December 2024

Are Big Murph, Night Baseball, and Under Ten real poker variants? Joe says they are beloved games in his family. Julie says they are all made up!

Transcribed - Published: 11 December 2024

Jason and Miguel are surfing buddies in San Diego, California. Jason says that Miguel’s favorite surfing spot BOGUS! Miguel says it has the TASTIEST WAVES!

Transcribed - Published: 4 December 2024

Is it ok to say “jawn” if you live outside of Philly? Popcorn: Yes or no? Judgments on all of this and MORE!

Transcribed - Published: 27 November 2024

Viola and Doug have been married for 17 years. Yet, Viola says Doug never proposed to her! Plus movie disputes with The Flop House, and more!

Transcribed - Published: 20 November 2024

Viola and Doug have been married for 17 years. Yet, Viola says Doug never proposed to her! Plus movie disputes with The Flop House, and more!

Transcribed - Published: 20 November 2024

A couple bought a summer camp! Now, they are buying a toilet for the owner’s cabin. What kind of toilet will they buy? Only one can decide!

Transcribed - Published: 13 November 2024

Is it ok to buy home decor for friends? Anna wants to help her friend, Brannon, decorate his home. Brannon says it's fine as it is!

Transcribed - Published: 6 November 2024

A cursed ceramic pineapple possesses Judge John Hodgman’s court this week! Plus guest Jamelle Bouie!

Transcribed - Published: 30 October 2024

How many dog magazines are TOO MANY dog magazines to have stacked next to the toilet? Simon brings his wife, Liz, to court to find out! Simon says that Liz's stack of veterinary medical journals next to the toilet needs to GO. She says that she is going to read them... EVENTUALLY! Who's right? Who's wrong?

Transcribed - Published: 23 October 2024

John Hodgman has a new podcast with Janet Varney! Every episode they’ll showcase a new state and explore its iconography– especially its often complicated, pretentious and Latin motto.

Transcribed - Published: 22 October 2024

Karen brings the case against her husband, Ryan. Ryan has a large piece of art that he would love to display in the living room. But Karen says it "stinks" and belongs in the dumpster. Who's right? Who's wrong?

Transcribed - Published: 16 October 2024

Liana brings the case against her boyfriend, Charlie. Charlie can't stand Liana's system for sock storage. She says that she's been storing socks just fine until he came along! Who's right? Who's wrong?

Transcribed - Published: 9 October 2024

Whose phone number should go on a cat's collar? Should WERU's Program & Operations Director Joel Mann get a pool? These disputes and more! Recorded live in Portland, Maine. With the Night & Day Jazz Trio!

Transcribed - Published: 2 October 2024

The September Members Only Mailbag is in the Maximum Fun bonus feed! In this clip, Judge John Hodgman talks about his earliest experiences with a Tesla car. Why is the J Squad talking about Teslas? The answer may surprise you!!!

Transcribed - Published: 27 September 2024

It's time to clear the docket! What is the worst way to describe eggs? Is menswear boring? Rulings on these cases and more. PLUS, Judge Hodgman's cat video dream comes true!

Transcribed - Published: 25 September 2024

Should two tree-loving North Carolinans chop down their fig trees? Should one be allowed to brush their teeth in bed? These disputes and more! Recorded on our Van Freaks Roadshow tour in Durham!

Transcribed - Published: 18 September 2024

Andrew wants to throw a birthday party for Bilbo Baggins from Lord of the Rings. His wife, Marie, says that he is welcome to throw this party. But, she won't be there! Who's right? Who's wrong?

Transcribed - Published: 11 September 2024

Should a Rolling Stones cover band be ordered to play the hit song "Start Me Up?" Aaron brings his friend and bandmate Marcus to court to try! Aaron says it's a great song that would be fun to play. Marcus says it's overplayed! Who's right? Who's wrong?

Transcribed - Published: 4 September 2024

It's the beginning of a long holiday weekend here in the United States. Here's an extra episode for your travels! We are JUST about to hit the road on the Judge John Hodgman Road Court so we thought we'd share another great one from our last tour. This one was recorded LIVE in Atlanta on the Van Freaks Roadshow. A dispute about some old speakers, a case on middle names, and some wrestlers arguing about CHILI! Plus some house music from the Chuck Bryant Trio.

Transcribed - Published: 30 August 2024

In the August Membo Mailbag, the J Squad guesses a little DC Comics trivia! Will they get the right answer? Why are they talking about DC trivia? You'll have to hear the entire episode to find out.

Transcribed - Published: 30 August 2024

Does GPS turn our brains to mush? Kris says yes! But her son, Ethan, wants her to start using it! Who's right? Who's wrong?

Transcribed - Published: 28 August 2024

The Oakland Athletics are leaving Oakland. What is an A’s fan to do? Only one can decide. And this week, Judge John Hodgman recuses himself!

Transcribed - Published: 21 August 2024

Is it ok to take your home dishes on a camping trip? Is it ethical to shop at thrift stores if you can afford to buy new items? Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn answer these disputes and more this week, as they clear the docket! PLUS some Hot Actuary Gossip!

Transcribed - Published: 14 August 2024

Is it best to watch your movie collection in alphabetical order? Should you laugh while you record home videos? What is the REAL difference between a kitchen towel and a bathroom towel? All of these disputes and more, this week recorded LIVE in Austin on the Van Freaks Roadshow! With special guest Aaron Franklin!

Transcribed - Published: 7 August 2024

Maddi hates to sleep with the door open. But her boyfriend, Matt, says he's tired of their cat screaming on either side of the closed door! Who's right? Who's wrong?

Transcribed - Published: 31 July 2024

What movies do your families watch over and over again? The J Squad talks about their heavy rotation family movies in this clip from the July Membo Mailbag!

Transcribed - Published: 26 July 2024

Would you lightly squish a pre-wrapped cookie to ensure it's worth buying? This is exactly what Cynthia wants her husband, Joel to do. But Joel refuses! Who's right? Who's wrong?

Transcribed - Published: 24 July 2024

If you found mice in your toaster, would you ever replace it? Or simply throw it away and live toaster-less for the rest of your life? Would you lick a 50-year-old cured ham? Did a Red Sox fan curse the 2000 Presidential Election? Answers to these disputes and more recorded in front of a LIVE Washington DC audience on the Van Freaks Roadshow! With Leila Dunbar of GBH's Antiques Roadshow and Griffin & Rachel McElroy of the Wonderful podcast!

Transcribed - Published: 17 July 2024