After 25 Memorable Seasons, Judge Judy Decides to Step Down from CBS
After an incredible 25 seasons on CBS, where she handled thousands of cases with her signature wit and no-nonsense attitude, Judge Judy Sheindlin, now 78, is ready for a well-deserved break. In a heartfelt chat with her longtime friend, columnist Cindy Adams, Judy revealed, "The perfect time is leaving on top at the 25 number." She added, "You can’t stay at the party too long." It's a bittersweet moment for fans who have grown to love her sharp tongue and legal expertise over the years.
Despite the allure of Florida sunshine and the comfort of being with her husband, Jerry Sheindlin, 86, a marriage that has lasted over 40 years, retirement isn't exactly what Judy has in mind. And that's great news for her loyal television audience. After wrapping up the final episodes of Judge Judy, scheduled to air during the 2020-2021 TV season, Judy will jump into filming her next big project—an as-yet-untitled new series. "I didn’t want to retire. I don’t have hobbies. I enjoy working," she candidly admitted.
Judge Judy's New Adventure with Amazon
For those who’ve followed her journey, it’s no surprise that Judge Judy, a Brooklyn native and once TV’s highest-paid host, is moving her courtroom to Amazon. In 2018 alone, she reportedly earned a staggering $147 million, according to Forbes. Now, she's set to bring her expertise to a wider audience through Amazon, where new episodes will be available to stream next year. "Some details are still up in the air because of the challenges posed by the pandemic," Judy explained. "But we’ll be shooting in L.A. I believe the audience can handle a little more of me, so I plan to deliver 120 episodes."
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Changes and Continuity in Her New Series
While Judy will remain the star of her next series, she's clear about one thing: "Governing by committee is not my strong suit." However, there will be some changes. With the passing of longtime Judge Judy announcer Jerry Bishop, who died in April at age 84, new faces will join the show. "[The] program, characters, the set, everything will be different," Judy shared. "But me? I'll stay the same. Always in the middle chair, wearing my robe, maybe in a different color this time—perhaps eggplant!"
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