You Be the Judge
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You Be the Judge is a United States television game show, which aired on New York City television WCBW beginning January 4, 1946.[1] It is notable as an early example of television programming, though it was not a network series. In each episode, a real-life court case would be re-enacted, and three "amateur judges" (contestants) would make their decisions on the case. The "judge" who came closest the actual verdict would win a prize.[1]
Personnel[edit]
Ed Stasheff wrote for the program[2] and was its master of ceremonies, and John Southwell[1] and Phil Booth[2] were the directors.
Reception[edit]
A review of the show's first episode in the trade publication Billboard provided a positive outlook: " if its first showing is any criterion, [it] is a program headed for a long, successful and honorable life on television".[1] The reviewer felt, however, that the program would be improved if viewers were allowed to register their decisions in cases via telephone.[1] A subsequent review in Billboard, after the program had been on almost seven months, described it as "still a sock show, with real mental action and plenty of suspense".[2] It noted that viewers at home had been "brought in only casually" and praised the camera work that "brought the performers right into the home".[2]
Episode status[edit]
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Methods to record live television did not exist during the run of the series. As such, the series is likely lost today except possibly for still photographs.