Brooklyn native ‘Judge Judy’ ruling daytime TV
Sixteen years into her career as television’s chief justice, Judy Sheindlin is as comfortable in her role as the nation appears to be with her.
“Judge Judy” is such a familiar part of daytime TV that now, in the post-Oprah Winfrey syndication world, it’s easy to overlook how dominant it is. The show averaged 10.1 million viewers each day during the third week of January, a typical week, more than the next three courtroom shows combined, the Nielsen company said.
Without her black robe with the white lace, Sheindlin can walk down a Manhattan street undisturbed on a chilly winter afternoon. Just try that with Dr. Phil, Ellen DeGeneres, Dr. Oz or Katie Couric. Each have daytime shows with an audience less than half of what “Judge Judy” draws each day.