Along with countless scripted dramas, comedies, and action shows, CBS is well known for its impressive run of unscripted programs over the last 50 years. More recent years have included major competition shows like Survivor and The Amazing Race, along with programs like Big Brother that combine competition with dramatic, in-depth looks at the interpersonal relationships between strangers. Also on that list is the long-running Judge Judy series, led by Judy Sheindlin since the show first hit the air in 1996. For 25 years, Judge Judy presided over real-life small-claims disputes in a simulated courtroom set, with all parties involved signing arbitration contracts agreeing to her rulings before the cases. After this series ended, Shiendlin continued in a similar format for Prime Video on Judy Justice, which included he granddaughter, Sarah Rose, working for her as a legal clerk. Now, after an impressive three decades of legal work on the air, which has made her a cultural icon, the time has come for Sheindlin to move in a new direction.

Appearing on Good Morning America, Judge Judy and Judy Justice host Judy Sheindlin confirmed that she will conclude her on-screen career after 30 years with Judy Justice’s series finale on Oct. 22, 2026. She will now move behind the camera into a producing role, which will include a new show called Adam’s Law, led by Sheindlin’s son, Judge Adam Levy. Sheindlin offered a statement about her son’s ascension to his new role, saying he is “ready” while joking about her own evolution with age over the years:
“First of all, he’s ready. And, you now, I’ve aged pretty well over the years. Reasonably. I look better than my grandmother did at my age, which didn’t take a lot. I’m still going to be creative. I’m still going to take the message and put it in a little bit of a different form. I’m gonna become the Benjamin Button of the court.”

CBS

Seeing Sheindlin’s on-screen run come to a close marks the end of a massive era on TV, as she presided over more than 40,000 cases in her career, both on-camera and in her real judicial career. Now, she will help usher in a new era for her son, Adam Levy, to build on what she started and take it to new heights on-air. While the series will not be quite the same without Sheindlin’s authoritative presence and sharp wit, her legacy will live on for years after she helped revive an entire genre of television over her 30-year TV career. Judge Judy and Judy Justice can both be streamed on Prime Video.

Release Date

1996 – 2021-00-00

Network

Broadcast Syndication