[1] The program features host John Hodgman acting as a judge (with Jesse Thorn as bailiff) adjudicating real-life disputes within a fictional courtroom setting.

Judge John Hodgman was originally a segment of the Maximum Fun podcast Jordan, Jesse Go!

[1] In each episode, "Judge" John Hodgman hears and renders a judgment on a dispute (often over petty or trivial matters) between two people (calling in via Skype or similar program from their home location) in a virtual "courtroom" setting.

'"[2] There are also separate episodes in which Hodgman and Thorn "clear the docket", discussing and ruling on cases which were not selected for a full hearing.

When Jesse Thorn is not available, his role has been filled by "Guest Bailiffs", including Scott Adsit,[4][5][6] Elna Baker,[7] Monte Belmonte,[8][9][10] Elizabeth Gilbert,[11] Jean Grae,[12] Jordan Morris,[13][14] Tom Scharpling,[15] and Jake Tapper.

[37] In January 2011,[38] two cases involving participants on the Jonathan Coulton Cruise Crazy were adjudicated by Judge John Hodgman and posted on YouTube.

[51] Judge John Hodgman has received critical praise in the media, from outlets including Rolling Stone,[52] NPR's All Things Considered,[2] HuffPost,[53] Vox,[54] Splendry,[55] BoingBoing[56] and Boston Magazine.

"[55] In 2013, Arizona muralist Joe Pagac created art for Judge John Hodgman entitled "Sexy Justice".