I love this podcast and highly recommend listening to it and attending the live events when they are in your city or area. This podcast is funny, whimsical and it is the perfect way to unwind and listen to an often times insane dispute between couples, friends or family members.
This is a comedy podcast. It has dumb jokes, running gags, and frequent (too frequent?) songs sung in the style of Tom Waits. It is also a fake internet courtroom, where the cases have dire consequences (should one eat a decades old ham?). But the crux is this: this is a humane podcast about being human. It’s about being yourself by being kind to the people around you. It’s about embracing your own, and everyone’s, little weirdsies. It’s my comfort podcast.
JJHO has been one of my favorite podcasts for years. From classics like the Bat Brothers infamous dispute through ancient hams and radioactive glass, John Hodgman and Jesse Thorn are always funny, charming and delightfully human. Hodgman settled law is settled law in our household because it makes good sense and good people.
I listen to quite a few political podcasts so every week I count on John and Jesse to give me the relief of healing laughter; they never fail to deliver!
I’ve been a listener (and max fun member) for a decade. There’s not a bad show on the network, but this is one of the best. Jesse and John are a great pair.
There is not much that has been a consistent presence in my life for over a decade. This podcast is one of those things. I came for the silly squabbles and dad jokes, and stayed for the camaraderie. Every show is entertaining, genuine, and time well spent. And now Andy Zaltzman makes a special appearance?!?! The host of the only other podcast I have listened to every week for over a decade? My life is complete.
I’ve been listening since the very beginning, and never miss an episode. Always been a big fan of John’s books, TV appearances, Apple commercials, live events, and this podcast. You’ll be greatly entertained, but you’ll also learn a lot about how to be a decent human being by listening to the judge. While it’s a comedy podcast, he often reveals truths about ourselves that can be valuable life lessons.
But mostly, it’s silly and fun.
I’ve been listening since the very start. This podcast has been a standard weekly breath of comedy, compassion, friendship, and community. It kept me going through so many dark and tough times, and I have grown and evolved along with the hosts and their beloved guests and friends of the podcast.
Every Thursday when my kids have nap time, Judge John Hodgman is my companion, a reward for almost making it through another week! After listening weekly for years, this podcast is a comforting, entertaining, unmissable part of my week. From Jesse’s laugh to John’s sneaky turns of phrase to feeling less alone listening to the J Squad during the isolation of COVID, this show has been there for me. Thank you, John and Jesse! And I listen to The Santa Suit (all time fave) each Christmas season :)
One of the first podcasts I discovered way back when and still the only one I CAN’T miss. John and Jesse are great, and I especially enjoy when friends like Joel Mann, Monte Belmonte, and Jean Grae show up. Humor, wisdom, and scallops - who could ask for more!
Finding a new JJH episode in my downloads on Wednesdays is always a thrill. I hoard it until the perfect time and place for listening presents itself. Sometimes I listen to it at night with my earbuds, so I have to be careful not to laugh out loud and wake up my husband
I didn’t really know what to expect from this, but what I got was dry humor, wordplay, and a great big slice of actually well considered justice. Two parties approach Judge Hodgeman with a beef: sometimes it’s a silly one. Sometimes it’s something that’s driving friends or a married couple a little nuts.
From time to time I thought there’s no way he’s going to figure something like this out. Sometimes I’ve thought this is so ludicrous he can’t possibly take this seriously. Hodgeman always takes people seriously even if he teases them gently. After hearing both arguments and questioning both sides, he retires to consider his verdict. Within a few minutes he comes back with the justice of Solomon with his tongue firmly in cheek.
I realized I cannot use this to help me get to sleep because I end up staying up to listen to the whole podcast.
It doesn’t hurt that he loves central Maine the way I do and talks about staring into the void of the great north woods. I used to live in East Newport, which is the back of nowhere. We also used to go down to Blue Hill and that coastal area where he hangs out now, although it was not nearly as gentrified 20 years ago. We now live in Ann Arbor, another location he mentions frequently, so this shows he has wonderful taste none of that.
Give it a listen. It’s the perfect podcast to listen to when doing long drives. It has become one of my favorite podcasts.
When I need to just chill out and take a break from the crazy news I listen to this podcast. Thank you for giving me a little peace and laughter during these trying times.
Funny, smart and so much fun! I’ve been listening for years and just love this duo. I’m always laughing and trying to think of good arguments with my friends and family to bring to the court!
John and Jesse are hilarious, but they are also clearly good friends and good people who care about each other and about the people they have on the show. They get to the heart of the silly disputes by really listening and understanding people.
I always feel better about the world after I’ve listened to an episode.
It’s such a great mixture of feeling like a great hang with humorous friends and satisfying resolutions that get to the heart of the matter. The cases are often funny in their premise, very entertaining to talk about with the charming litigants, and then John Hodgman delivers very thoughtful and often hilarious verdicts that are right on target. Jesse as the Bailiff is both good natured and a bit of a wildcard, chiming in with great one liners and/or insightful comments. Plus, Jesse is a great laugher, with a soft spot for pets. The whole production team is great as well. An all around great show!
Truly makes me feel just better about the world. Thoughtful & kind, and what a wonderful friendship between Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn to be able to witness weekly! Highly recommend for pretty much anyone!
John Hodgman may be one of the weirdest dads on the planet, but when he gets to decide, other weird dads usually lose. Because it doesn’t matter if you think you have a “system” or a “better way of doing things”, if everybody in your family and circle of friends calls you the weird dad, you’re probably wrong.
Hilarious and very often heartwarming. One of the best podcasts on Maximum Fun!
John and Jesse are an unbeatable team- they make lighthearted comedy out of silly arguments between nerds of all ages. Does your spouse load the dishwasher wrong? Your dad tell lame jokes? You can’t decide what to name your new pet- the (fake) court of Judge John Hodgman is in session!
This is truly one of my favorite podcasts. While massively entertaining they also have an insightful perspective on morality and conflict. They’ve helped me on approaching conflict in my own life and I look forward to listening every week.
Judge John Hodgman and bailiff Jesse are the best! I look forward to the podcast each week. Silly disputes adjudicated with humor and thoughtful consideration — a great escape from the daily routine!
I have been using A-1 Steak sauce almost my entire life on pasta. Mixing a hot sauce like Franks and also one such as Tabasco together with A-1 on top of fresh pasta that has been boiled in properly salted water and is not too steamy. It is my favorite food in the entire world and I must now share that with you.
You gotta love the constant fun that this podcast brings. Many other podcasts I listen to to on and off but JJHO is like a Mexican coke, always good and consistent. Keep up the good work.