1. “Take Responsibility for Yourself”
Judge Judy and the Neoliberal Citizen
By Laurie Oullette

2. Judge Judy
• Judge Judy debutes in 1996
• The program claims to resolve “real life” disputes between friends,
family members, neighbors, and former lovers on national
television.
• It quickly becomes a success, taking and authoritive place on
daytime schedules.
• The number one show on daytime television for the past two
seasons
• she brings her trademark wit and wisdom to the widely successful
series that takes viewers inside a television courtroom where
justice is dispensed at “lightning speed”.

3. Judy and Neoliberalism
• The Courtroom subgenre of reality television exemplifies a
“Neoliberal form of governance”, A do it yourself culture.
• Judy (and similar shows) train TV viewers to function without
state assistance or supervision.
• The show provides and underlying message seeking to
transform “the goals of authorities” into the choices and
commitment of the individual.

4. Judge Judy and Neoliberalism
These ideals of “good citizenship” include…
• Self-discipline
• Self-sufficient
• Personal responsibility
• Risk adverting individuals

5. Neoliberalism and Television Culture
ne·o·lib·er·al·ism: A political movement beginning in the 1960s that blends
traditional liberal concerns for social justice with an emphasis on economic
growth.
The main points of neo-liberalism :
1. THE RULE OF THE MARKET
2. CUTTING PUBLIC EXPENDITURE FOR SOCIAL SERVICES
3. DEREGULATION
4. PRIVATIZATION
5. ELIMINATING THE CONCEPT OF "THE PUBLIC GOOD" or "COMMUNITY“and replacing it with
"individual responsibility."

6. Neoliberalism and Television Culture
“Television (specifically reality tv) can
serve as a perfect medium to deliver
the neoliberal agenda indirectly.”
-James Hayes
“Unaided Virtues”

7. Neoliberalism and Television Culture
Books or magazines focused on self-help or self-
esteem building coincide with these neoliberal
policies.
-Barbara Cruikshank
“Revelations within”

8. Some examples of Judy and Self Help

9. As well as…

10. Even starting early with

11. Judge Judy fuses Televsion, Neoliberalism, and self help discourse.
-The Programs simulated TV courtroom is an efficient way to resovle disputes steeped in
politics of gender, class and race
-The TV viewer benefits from mistakes made by the litigants in Judge Judy’s Court room,
by recognizing the implied rules of self government.

12. The Cases are real, the Rulings are Final

13. Real?
• Court shows have been around since the 1950’s.
• Judge Judy’s “no-nonsense” approach separates it from a
growing number of imitators.
• The shows success has allowed Judy to earn a surprising $45
million a year. Well beyond the amount any “common” court
room judge would make.
• The show’s litigants come from are rounded up by show
runners. They are found in small claims court’s across the U.S.,
and receive airfare, hotel, and court fee’s to present their
cases on TV.