The ruling is final: Judge Mathis and The People’s Court will both end after more than two decades on air.
The daytime television staples will end this year after their 24th and 26th seasons, respectively.
According to Variety, the cancellations are the result of local stations devoting less money towards syndicated programs.
The revival of The People’s Court aired in 1997 with Ed Koch, followed by Jerry Sheindlin, husband of Judith Sheindlin, in 1999.
Marilyn Milian took over in 2001 and has served as the longest-reigning host on the series. When the series ends she will have served as host for 22 years.
Milian was also the first Latina judge to host a nationally syndicated court show.
The show won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program in 2014, 2015, 2020 and 2021.
Judge Mathis premiered in 1999 with Greg Mathis, a former judge for Michigan’s 36th District Court, hosting.
Mathis holds the title for the second-longest-reigning arbitrator in courtroom TV history. Who’s at the top?
Judge Judy, of course!
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During his time on television – he is the longest-running Black male host – Mathis heard over 13,000 cases.
The daytime show which provided plenty of entertainment throughout the years won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding News, Talk or Information Series in 2004 and a Daytime Emmy in 2018 for Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program.
“I think the main reason we can point to is my ability to relate to all the viewers and their reality, and that in many instances I have the same sensibilities as they do, as a result of having lived their reality,” Mathis said in an October 2022 interview with Parade.
“That’s what I think is the uniqueness I bring to the court genre. … Everything that comes before me I have the ability to analyze right alongside the viewers, I think that interests them.”
I was sad to hear when Judge Judy ended, but now both Judge Mathis and The People’s Court?! These shows are my guilty pleasure!
Which one was your favorite?
