
Judge John Hodgman
John Hodgman's Today in the Past podcast is now The Judge John Hodgman Podcast. Have your pressing issues decided by Famous Minor Television Personality John Hodgman, Certified Judge. If you'd like John Hodgman to solve your pressing issue, simply email it, along with your phone number, to hodgman@maximumfun.org. THAT IS ALL.
Latest episodes

Aug 9, 2023 • 1h 9min
Per-roll Hearing
Jesse brings the case against her dad, Jim. They get together once a week to play Settlers of Catan. When the dice rolls start to favor Jesse, Jim accuses her of not rolling sufficiently. He then makes her use what he calls the "Cup of Shame" to ensure that the dice are rolled properly. She says there is nothing suspect about how she rolls dice, and that the Cup of Shame is unnecessary. Who’s right? Who’s wrong?Visit the episode page on the Maximum Fun website or our Instagram to check out evidence from this week's episode!Thanks to reddit user u/Colan_with_a_K for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com!Judge John Hodgman’s Van Freaks Roadshow is getting ready to hit the road! Tickets are on sale now! Visit vanfreaksroadshow.com for dates, cities, and more information!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Aug 2, 2023 • 1h 5min
Criminal Elm-ement
Marya brings the case against her husband, Clark. Their family found and cared for a Spiny Elm caterpillar in their yard. When they collected neighborhood leaves to feed the caterpillar, Marya was shocked to find that Clark clipped them right off the tree. She thinks that they should have only collected leaves that had fallen on the ground. Who’s right? Who’s wrong?Visit the episode page on the Maximum Fun website or our Instagram to check out evidence from this week's episode! Thanks to reddit user u/acone419 for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com!Judge John Hodgman's Van Freaks Roadshow is getting ready to hit the road! Tickets go on sale Friday 8/4! Visit vanfreaksroadshow.com for dates, cities, and more information!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Jul 26, 2023 • 1h 17min
Special Prosciutto-cutor
A son and his mother go to court over what to do with a dry cured ham from the 1960s. They discuss cultural references related to ham, unbox the terrifying ham, and talk about cozy home products. They explore the history and sentimental value of the ham, debate on eating it or giving it a proper burial, and touch on food contamination. They also mention their Europe tour, upcoming live shows, and a potential collaboration for a sandwich called the Judge Ham Hodgeman.

Jul 19, 2023 • 1h 9min
Full Court Press
Rick brings the case against his friend, Ken. During the 2019-2020 NBA season, Rick and Ken made a bet about who would be named Rookie of the Year. Ken bet in favor of Zion Williamson, and Rick bet in favor of Ja Morant. While Ja Morant was named Rookie of the Year, Ken believes that he should not be compelled to pay. He says that the pandemic caused too many complications. The bet should be voided. But, Rick says that Ken needs to pay up! Who’s right? Who’s wrong?Get ready for the Weird Dad Blog of the Year award! Who can beat Norman Pressman? Is it Kat's dad, Drew? To nominate a weird dad (or non-dad) and their blog (or non-blog) visit maximumfun.org/dadblogs. We will be updating the JJHo members only feed with more nominees! If you want to become a member, you can do so at maximumfun.org/join!Thanks to reddit user u/Professor__Highbrow for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Jul 12, 2023 • 1h 8min
Mandatory Sentencing Guidelines
It's time to clear the docket! This week, it's officially Summertime Funtime in the Court of Judge John Hodgman! Judge Hodgman is back in Maine at the solar-powered studios of WERU with Joel Mann. Summertime Funtime Guest Bailiff Monte Belmonte (New England Public Media) is sitting in for Jesse Thorn. And, we've got word and grammar disputes to discuss with Merriam-Webster's own Emily Brewster. Can you dance with the person what brought you? Is saying UPMOST the UTMOST in wrongness? And what sound do French dogs make? Listen for the answers to these questions and more!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Jul 5, 2023 • 60min
RERUN: Dad Nauseam
This week, we're revisiting a certified Judge John Hodgman classic: DAD NAUSEAM! Daniel brings the case against his dad, Kevin. He says Kevin overuses the same joke with service industry workers, which the rest of the family finds embarrassing. Kevin thinks it’s a funny joke that brightens people’s day. Who's right?
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Jun 28, 2023 • 1h 14min
Fight Court
William brings the case against his wife Wren. Wren is a member of an amateur boxing gym. William wants to join her gym, but Wren is concerned about him overshadowing her hobby! Who's right?Thanks to reddit user u/Ironymaiden_ for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Jun 21, 2023 • 1h 14min
The Bicycle Grief
Clare brings the case against her mother Suzanne and her stepdad David. Every summer, Clare spends a month visiting Suzanne and David at their house. Her visit always overlaps with the Tour de France. Suzanne and David watch every minute of the Tour because they don’t want to miss any of it. Clare says that’s getting in the way of them spending time with her!Thanks to reddit user u/problembearbruno for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Jun 14, 2023 • 1h 2min
The Host with the Most, with Janie Haddad Tompkins
It's time to clear the docket! This week, we're joined by Judge Hodgman's regular host in Los Angeles, Janie Haddad Tompkins. We tackle disputes about hosting, guesting, restocking larders, hostess gifts, and more!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Jun 7, 2023 • 1h 1min
Live from Los Angeles
This week’s episode was recorded live in front of an audience at the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles! Our first case is LINUS ITEM VETO. Sarah still sleeps with the tattered remains of her baby blanket. Her fiance, Go Fact Yourself co-host J. Keith van Straaten, finds it very upsetting to see and touch. He calls it “The Monster,” and he wants it out of their bed. Sarah wants to keep sleeping with it! Then, Jordan Morris joins to hear TATER TORT: Lucas calls himself “the humble son of a potato farmer.” His wife Laura says this is wrong because his father was actually a manager for a large American potato chip company!Thanks to reddit users u/Ironymaiden_ and /KillerPotato_BMW for naming this week’s cases! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com!
Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!