A guy from my hometown in Virginia appeared on an episode of Judge Joe Brown. Allegedly, he was the videographer for his cousin’s wedding, but the video came out less than desired due to shoddy taping and the initial lack of a battery. His cousin sued him for $486.

He went to explain to my local paper that the Judge Joe Brown producers flew him and his cousin (first class, mind you) out to New York or LA (wherever they film the show) all expenses paid. They were put up in fancy hotel rooms, fed lavish dinners, taken to cultural events in the city, and were instructed to “show off” when they got to “court”.

They were told to be loud, obnoxious, and most of all, entertaining. The producers wanted over-the-top behavior which would guarantee high ratings. They couldn’t care less about the legalities of Joe’s decision, because they agreed to foot the bill for the suit anyway.

No matter the ruling, the plaintiff would get what they were asking for and the defendant would basically get a free vacation. The guy said he had a wonderful time while there and that he and his cousin were on great terms regardless of what the final cut of the episode revealed. He said that the producers of the show would edit out all of the boring legalese and basic courtroom procedures, and just leave the brash, loud, smack-talking, and of course, the tidbits of Judge Joe’s prolific opinions which make the show famous.

Just when you thought reality shows were real…..hee-hee