Spooky Season is here! We are in chambers this week to clear the docket and it's all Halloween! We talk about costumes, trick-or-treating, scaring kids, and much more! Plus we catch up with Friend of the Court and Spirit Halloween expert, Aidan Kaye!

Brandi files suit against her husband, Greg. Greg?s birthday falls in August, but he would like to change it to October 17th. She wants to be able to celebrate on his actual date of birth! Who?s right? Who?s wrong?

Thank you to Twitter User @BenjaminAhr for naming this week?s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, follow us on Twitter for naming opportunities: @JesseThorn & @Hodgman. Or keep track using the Twitter hashtag #JJHoCaseNames.

Dan brings the case against his wife, Emily. When their kids are already in a bad mood, Dan believes this is a good time to deliver a piece of news that they may not want to hear. Emily disagrees with Dan?s method and would like him to stop doing it when she is with him. Who?s right? Who?s wrong?

Thank you to Twitter User @jack_mathews for naming this week?s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, follow us on Twitter for naming opportunities: @JesseThorn & @Hodgman. Or keep track using the Twitter hashtag #JJHoCaseNames.

Steven brings the case against his wife, Carrie. Steven wants to take a family photo for a Christmas card. But, he wants to include a total stranger in the picture and provide no information or context in the card. Carrie thinks this is a terrible idea. Who?s right? Who?s wrong?

Thank you to Twitter User @TimmKinitz for naming this week?s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, follow us on Twitter for naming opportunities: @JesseThorn & @Hodgman. Or keep track using the Twitter hashtag #JJHoCaseNames.

Alan brings the case against his wife, Tawni. Tawni has accumulated a lot of plants in their apartment. She says that some of the plants need to have grow lights in order to thrive. But, Alan does not like the lights. He would rather have plants that don?t need the lights. Who?s right? Who?s wrong?

Thank you to Twitter User @IronyMaiden for naming this week?s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, follow us on Twitter for naming opportunities: @JesseThorn & @Hodgman. Or keep track using the Twitter hashtag #JJHoCaseNames.

It?s time to clear the docket! Monte Belmonte and Joel Mann are back again to squeeze in one last summertime fun time! Disputes about oyster sauce, The Lion King, when to sing "Happy Birthday," and a sound in a song from the musical Hamilton. Plus much more!

Becky files suit against her brother, Andrew. Sixteen years ago, they had a dispute over the correct answer in a game of Trivial Pursuit. Becky says that Andrew?s answer was wrong because it was not the exact same answer on the card. Andrew says that the spirit of the answer was the same. Who?s right? Who?s wrong?

Thank you to Twitter User @AdiliciousDish for naming this week?s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, follow us on Twitter for naming opportunities: @JesseThorn & @Hodgman. Or keep track using the Twitter hashtag #JJHoCaseNames.

It's time to clear the docket! Bailiff Jesse Thorn has the week off. Monte Belmonte and Joel Mann join Judge Hodgman to dispense New England Style Justice. Hosting gatherings with your spouse, silverware sorting, maple syrup, car navigation, and sleeping with the windows open during New England winters.

Karen brings the case against her husband, Matt. Part of their property has a pasture that slopes downward. This creates a low spot that fills with a foot of water during certain times of the year. Karen calls this area the ?frog bog.? Matt wants to fill it in, but Karen wants to leave the bog alone. Who?s right? Who?s wrong?

It's time again to clear the docket. This week we are also returning to Juvenile Court! Cases from kids about embarrassing dads, pigeons, knuckle cracking, silent mode, and walking.

Louisa brings the case against their sister, Josie. Josie has a huge box she would like to paint to look like the Skeleton Cab from HALLOWEENTOWN. But Louisa wants to just get rid of the box! Who's right? Who's wrong?

Thank you to Twitter User @jack_mathews for naming this week?s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, follow us on Twitter for naming opportunities: @JesseThorn & @Hodgman. Or keep track using the Twitter hashtag #JJHoCaseNames.

Sophie brings the case against her husband, John. John would like to get a Subaru Baja. But Sophie is worried that his dream car includes a manual transmission. She doesn?t want to have to learn how to drive stick in order to drive his car! Who?s right? Who?s wrong? With Expert Witness River Butcher! 

Thank you to Twitter User @RuthieGriffith for naming this week?s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, follow us on Twitter for naming opportunities: @JesseThorn & @Hodgman. Or keep track using the Twitter hashtag #JJHoCaseNames.

It's time to clear the docket! Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn discuss the proper way to eat Lucky Charms, communal baked goods, adding berries to pancakes, ordering the same entrée as your dining partner, and proper knife placement. Plus much more!

This week's episode was recorded live in front of an audience at Lincoln Center's Summer for the City! We first hear the case, "Solstice Delayed is Solstice Denied!" Erica doesn?t change the clocks in her home or car during seasonal time changes. But her wife, Kylee, can?t live this way! Erica says that Kylee is free to change the clocks in the home, but her car is OFF LIMITS. Plus Swift Justice with Jean Grae and Open Court with a surprise special guest! 

Thank you to Twitter User @sarahchantal for naming this week?s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, follow us on Twitter for naming opportunities: @JesseThorn & @Hodgman. Or keep track using the Twitter hashtag #JJHoCaseNames.

It's time to clear the docket. This week, our vehicle expert River Butcher joins us to discuss things that go! Cars, gondolas, and funiculars!  Click here to check out Gyles' gondola dispute deck.

Make sure to watch River's new special, "A Different Kind of Dude," on Comedy Central's YouTube channel! And you can catch him on Freeform's Good Trouble!

Andrew brings the case against his wife, Marilyn. Marilyn is entering a salsa competition at her work. When Andrew noticed her browsing the internet for potential salsa recipes, he accused her of cheating. But Marilyn doesn?t see the problem. Who?s right? Who?s wrong?

Thank you to Twitter User @brackenthebox for naming this week?s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, follow us on Twitter for naming opportunities: @JesseThorn & @Hodgman. Or keep track using the Twitter hashtag #JJHoCaseNames.

It's time to clear the docket with Guest Bailiff Jean Grae! Jean and Judge Hodgman discuss beans on display, grammar correcting, Top Golf competition, wedding dress donating, and complicated pizza math!

Kate and Richard bought their house a few years ago and have been spending a lot of time fixing it up. Kate believes that a paint sprayer will solve a lot of her problems. But Richard is concerned about adding that tool to their collection. Who?s right? Who?s wrong? With Guest Bailiff Jean Grae!

Thank you to Twitter User @nyc_marmar for naming this week?s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, follow us on Twitter for naming opportunities: @JesseThorn & @Hodgman. Or keep track using the Twitter hashtag #JJHoCaseNames.

Linda Holmes (NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour), The Court's expert on Little Weirdsies, returns to help clear the weirdsiest docket we could pull together! Pajama pants, athletic shirts, feeling "sloshy" and having "minty eye," brushing teeth before coffee, and superstitions. Plus Judge Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn talk to Linda about her new book Flying Solo, available wherever books are sold!

Sabine thinks she can count to one million. Her husband, Cameron, says there's no way she can do it! Who's right? Who's wrong?

Thank you to Twitter User @lexfri for naming this week?s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, follow us on Twitter for naming opportunities: @JesseThorn & @Hodgman. Or keep track using the Twitter hashtag #JJHoCaseNames. 

Eman brings the case against his wife, Cassie. When Cassie turned 38, Eman helped her with a photoshoot. She asked him to edit the photos in photoshop for her. But when he finished the task, she decided to post the unedited version on her social media. Eman says that Cassie took advantage of his free labor! Who?s right? Who?s wrong?

Thank you to Twitter User @robt77 for naming this week?s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, follow us on Twitter for naming opportunities: @JesseThorn & @Hodgman. Or keep track using the Twitter hashtag #JJHoCaseNames.

As the school year comes to an end all around the USA, so does Prom Season. We bring in Prom and school dance expert Jordan Morris (BUBBLE, Jordan, Jesse, Go!) help us clear the docket! We talk all about prom: corsages, scorned dates, promposals, and prom conventions that are worthy of a little side-eye.

This week we are revisiting an episode deep in the archives, fan favorite MY LEGAL PONY! Nancy brings the case against her friend Becky. They are both veterinarians. Nancy lives out in the country, and owns a herd of Shetland ponies. She says the ponies act as ponies do, and are perfectly fine just as they are. Becky says Nancy?s ponies are ill-mannered. Who?s right? Who?s wrong? 

Make sure to stay tuned after the verdict for some updates on these ponies and their behavior. Click HERE to check out the evidence from this episode. Thanks to Alex Maeder for naming this week?s case! 

It's time to clear the docket! Does one eat or drink soup? Should someone tell their student they look like Judge Hodgman? We rule on these disputes and also cases about toilet etiquette, Facetiming with one's partner over a meal, and hair styles!

Huzzah! Our docket is full of Dungeons & Dragons disputes so we called upon D&D Expert Griffin McElroy (The Adventure Zone) to help us clear it!

Ann-Elizabeth files suit against her wife, Tiffany. Ann-Elizabeth says that she doesn?t cook because she finds it too overwhelming. Tiffany says that because Ann-Elizabeth is such a talented seamstress, it?s surprising that she would have trouble with cooking. To Tiffany, the skills should be transferable. But Ann-Elizabeth says that?s not how it works! Who's right? Who's wrong?

Make sure to check out Ann-Elizabeth and Tiffany's web show PHOOLE AND THE GANG for more from this delightful couple! 

Nathalie brings the case against her sister, Juliana. When they lived together last winter, they came up with a leftovers cooking challenge in order to limit their trips to the grocery store. Juliana thinks that Nathalie is too stingy with what they call ?creativity points.? But Nathalie says that the challenge is more fun when it?s harder to get points. Who's right? Who's wrong?

It's time to clear the docket! As we venture out into the world a bit more, how should we be dressing? What makes a men's sandal a "dad sandal?" If one puts sunglasses on the brim of their hat, are they still "wearing" them? Does black go with everything? Should a college graduate's partner wear a tie to the graduation? Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn talk all about these fashion and style cases, and more!

Guest Bailiff Jean Grae returns to The Court to clear the docket! Spring is here. We've got (spring) cleaning disputes, cases about flowers, and seasonal allergy related sneezing! 

Kendall brings the case against her husband, Dave. They share a New York Times Games account and cannot figure out how to play the Spelling Bee game together. Kendall wants the game to herself but Dave wants the option to play it too! Who?s right? Who?s wrong?

Thank you to Twitter User @rmvance for naming this week?s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, follow us on Twitter for naming opportunities: @JesseThorn & @Hodgman. Or keep track using the Twitter hashtag #JJHoCaseNames.

It's time to clear the docket! This week, Friend of the Court J. Kenji López-Alt joins us to talk about his new book, The Wok, and to help with cooking and food disputes! Citrus squeezers, grilled cheese, scrambled eggs, soup cooling, bread baking, and much more. Plus, Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn finally try listener Dave's recommended Grape Nuts and poached egg (aka Gregg Nuts). 

Kenji's book, The Wok, is out NOW wherever books are sold. His article on expiration dates can be found here, and his article on no knead bread baking can be found here. 

It's time to clear the docket! Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn discuss Sequim, WA, Grape Nuts and eggs, car communication features, dollops of mayo, Lord of the Rings trivia, and much more! 

Kyle files suit against his friend Brian. Sometime in college, Brian began a yearly tradition called ?I Blame Kyle Day.? Now, 12 years later, Kyle and Brian?s friend group are keeping the day going. Kyle is tired of being blamed for his friends? problems and would like Brian to put an end to it once and for all. Who's right? Who's wrong?

Thank you to Twitter User @KidsDrDave for naming this week?s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, follow us on Twitter for naming opportunities: @JesseThorn & @Hodgman. Or keep track using the Twitter hashtag #JJHoCaseNames.

Annie files suit against her husband, Jeremy. When Jeremy does the dishes, he allows the family dog to lick plates and pots before continuing the cleaning. But, Annie thinks this practice is disgusting and would like him to stop. Who?s right? Who?s wrong?

Thank you to Twitter User @bill_massey for naming this week?s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, follow us on Twitter for naming opportunities: @JesseThorn & @Hodgman. Or keep track using the Twitter hashtag #JJHoCaseNames.

Friend of the Court David Rees (Election Profit Makers, Going Deep With David Rees) joins Judge Hodgman this week to clear the docket. They talk about memory, head rubs, noisy arcade machines, and wedding gift bag contents. Plus they talk about the new season of their show DICKTOWN, premiering tomorrow Thursday 3/3 on FXX!

Elena brings the case against her husband, Jason. Jason would like to sell his soul on a blockchain. But Elena thinks that this is a terrible idea! Who's right? Who's wrong?

SPOILER ALERT: Visit MaxFunStore.com NOW and get your EPISODE JOKE REDACTED t-shirt while you can! Sales end March 9!

Thank you to Twitter Users @AmeliaEHelmfor & @PaulSieger4 for naming this week?s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, follow us on Twitter for naming opportunities: @JesseThorn & @Hodgman. Or keep track using the Twitter hashtag #JJHoCaseNames.

Sarah brings the case against her sister, Amy. Amy says that she can taste the difference between water that has come from the bathroom tap and water that has come from the kitchen tap. Sarah doesn?t believe there is any way this can be true. Who?s right? Who?s wrong? With Expert Witness Lindsay Barr, a sensory scientist and co-founder of Draught Lab!

Thank you to Twitter User @MeaghanLamothe for naming this week?s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, follow us on Twitter for naming opportunities: @JesseThorn & @Hodgman. Or keep track using the Twitter hashtag #JJHoCaseNames.

It's a special day in the Court of Judge John Hodgman! Guest Judge Oscar Thorn (age 8) joins us as we return to Juvenile Court! We clear the docket of cases involving kids and long underwear, tag, level up rules, trombone practicing, staring contest rules, paper shredding jobs, and YouTube channels. 

Katherine would like to pack for short trips in a laundry basket. But her husband, Andy, says it?s not practical! Who?s right? Who?s wrong?

It's time to clear the docket! Eye-open kissing, the John-Claude Van Damme movie HARD TARGET, tacos, walking your mom to her car at night, 20 questions, and the return of the segment JUSTICE DELAYED! Plus we say goodbye for now to the Great Lakes Beach Report!

It's time to clear the docket! Cases about lock picking, drought resistant beans, memes, toe tapping, and cut plants. 

It's time to clear the docket! Foot powders, shower plungers, winter windchimes, Blink 182, TMI at restaurants, and an update from Rudy on Big Toad Road!

This week, we are revising RASHOMOM! A Judge John Hodgman Classic that originally ran nearly ten years ago! Rebekah, her mother Denise and grandmother Gloria bring to the court a generational clash of memory ? specifically, whose memory is more reliable, an adult?s or a child?s? Denise is positive she lived next door to a grey house as a child, while Gloria insists the house exists only as a figment of her daughter?s imagination. Rebekah has played referee many times in the dispute of the Grey House Universe, but she has several issues of her own with her mother?s allegedly faulty memory. Each testimony accepted, each dispute resigned; it?s maternal sunshine of the spotless mind. In this match of memories, we turn to the man who never forgets: Judge John Hodgman!

As the Judge mentioned, check out David Rees' book HOW TO SHARPEN PENCILS. And make sure to listen to the 12/28/21 episode of ELECTION PROFIT MAKERS, "Episode 126: Florida Pizza Restaurant Infomercial," for something unexpectedly meaningful and heartfelt.

Content Warning: This episode is entirely about eating and drinking various foods. There is live consumption of an alcoholic cocktail, and accompanying discussion, from 06:00-11:04. There is also a brief description of cooking live lobsters between 01:12:25-01:12:46.

It's the last episode of 2021 and we are celebrating with a Judge John Hodgman Office Party! Inspired by a case regarding mixing eggnog and Sprite, the Judge sent a call for our audience's favorite holiday foods and drinks. Bailiff Jesse had to miss the party unfortunately, but Producer Jennifer Marmor and WERU Program Director Joel Mann join Judge Hodgman to ring in the New Year! Plus we hear some holiday greetings from Friends of the Court!

Music used in this episode:

Poppers and Prosecco Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Crinoline Dreams Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Barbara by U.S. Army Blues is licensed under a Public Domain Mark 1.0 License.

Auld Lang Syne by United States Marine Band is licensed under a Public Domain Mark 1.0 License.

Content Warning: This week's episode is about the relationship between food and feelings. While the episode is fun and friendly, this could be a subject that is sensitive to some. 

Sarah files suit against her husband, David. Sarah loves to eat in bed but has stopped doing it because David finds it disgusting. Sarah, however, misses her old source of comfort and would like to eat in bed every once in a while. Who?s right? Who?s wrong?

Follow Sarah and see her beautiful cakes on Instagram @crumbbumcupcakes! And check out Bailiff Jesse's friend Jasmine Rae's cakes on Instagram @jasmineraecakes! Thank you to Twitter User @since_you_asked & @EldoradoOmega for naming this week?s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, follow us on Twitter for naming opportunities: @JesseThorn & @Hodgman. Or keep track using the Twitter hashtag #JJHoCaseNames.

Aubrey files suit against her husband, Chris. Aubrey wants to continue a family Christmas Morning tradition involving Cream of Wheat, an almond, and luck. But, Chris, is opposed! Who's right? Who's wrong?

Thank you to Twitter User @bradywiggins for naming this week?s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, follow us on Twitter for naming opportunities: @JesseThorn & @Hodgman. Or keep track using the Twitter hashtag #JJHoCaseNames.

It's time to clear the docket! Gen X vs Zoomer text etiquette, cat names, backpack strap location, Jimmy Fallon, and jacket trades gone wrong. Plus we hear back with answers from our questions in Episode 543: The Veil of Honor!

Get your tickets now for LIVE JUSTICE at SF Sketchfest! We'll be appearing on 1/22/22 at the Sydney Goldstein Theater, ready to bring back JUSTICE to the San Francisco Bay Area! You won't want to miss it. And if you have a case for the live show, please let us know! Submit your cases, big and small, to maximumfun.org/jjho or email [email protected].

Myles files suit against his wife, Isabel. Myles says that Isabel?s graduate school work takes up too much space in the living room. But, Isabel says that her setup is the most comfortable way to do her work. The living room is her space too! Who?s right? Who?s wrong?

Thank you to Twitter User @BenjaminWalkup for naming this week?s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, follow us on Twitter for naming opportunities: @JesseThorn & @Hodgman. Or keep track using the Twitter hashtag #JJHoCaseNames.

Get your tickets for our return to San Francisco Sketchfest! We'll be bringing LIVE JUSTICE to the Bay Area on 1/22/22 at 7:30pm, at the Sydney Goldstein Theater! Tickets are available here!

Keil files suit against his brother, Aaron, over a bet they made during their childhood. The Jurassic Park tagline is, ?An Adventure 65 Million Years in the Making.? Keil contends that the film took 65 million years to make, but Aaron disagrees. Who?s right? Who?s wrong?

Thank you to Twitter User @kswizzle13 for naming this week?s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, follow us on Twitter for naming opportunities: @JesseThorn & @Hodgman. Or keep track using the Twitter hashtag #JJHoCaseNames.

It's time to clear the docket! When should one change the lint filter (aka lint screen)? Are raisins good? Should we be compelled to apologize for every fart, even if we are in a separate room from anyone who can hear it? Plus the return of THE GREAT LAKES BEACH REPORT! And much more!