Judge John Hodgman

In this episode, we are joined by SPECIAL GUEST and EXPERT WITNESS Morgan Webb.  John argues that using a strategy guide when playing a video game is cheating, pure and simple.  His friend Josef argues that while it provides an advantage, it's not out of line to use a guide and constitutes no cheating.

We have a pronunciation problem. Matt brings the case against his friend Josh, who he argues pronounces a number of words incorrectly. Affectations, shibboleths, and regionalisms: we've got it all.

Friends (and Canadian barristers) Nick and Phil bring their fruit-based case before the Judge: which gentleman's technique for peeling a banana is correct?

Should an endurance event enthusiast (and former couch potato) be allowed to participate in an Ironman Triathlon against the wishes of his wife?

  When is it appropriate to request a photo with a celebrity seen in the wild? Andrew and Britt bring this case of a Hollywood party, Stephen Colbert, and potential Facebook popularity before the judge.

Should a father be able to compell his teenage daughter to watch classic films? Or does a 16-year-old deserve autonomy in her entertainment choices?

Two best friends disagree on the morality of the potluck. One says it's a great opportunity for everyone to pitch in. One says it's a sign of a host who's abdicated responsibility for the party. Only one man can decide who's right.

A group of high school kids kidnapped their youth group leader's life-size Ernie doll as a prank, but he was stolen from them before his safe return.  Can they be held responsible for Ernie's disappearance if they intended to return him?

A fiancee demands that her sweetheart shape up and dress for a promotion, plus other clothing-related disputes.

A friends' night out at a Polynesian restaurant, several Scorpion bowls and an abandoned bag of takeout are involved in this accusation of impropriety and substandard hygiene.

Sisters Carol and Michelle have a disagreement over the pronunciation of their last name, Martucci. Carol believes in the traditional Italian "Mar-too-CHEE" and Michelle thinks it honors their grandfather to pronounce the name in his preferred fashion, "Mar-too-SEE".

Brothers Evan and Michael battle it out: as a toddler, Michael stole Evans things, and gave them away at pre-school. Does Evan deserve an apology?

The manufacture of a food truck awning leads to a Portland-infused nightmare.

Recorded live on stage at The Talent Show in Brooklyn! Judge John Hodgman decides the case of a couple who disagree: do parentheses have a place in fiction?

A married couple disagrees: when should the Christmas decorations go up? That is the question. Skakespeare.

A married couple disagrees: what is a den?

A married couple disagrees: is physical attractiveness a component of romantic love?

Best friends bought a robotic giraffe together in Japan. Now, with college (and their cohabitation) over, each wants the other to have it.

Foy argues that breaking the fourth wall ruins film and theater.  His friend Matt disagrees.  Only Judge John Hodgman can decide.

Two friends dispute whether machine guns are robots.