
Many popular court shows are on TV. How can the genre improve? How about using a three-judge panel? That's the concept of "Hot Bench," created by Judge Judy Sheindlin. After hearing each case, the judges discuss it among themselves before rendering a verdict. The show's title comes from a term describing a court action in which a judge frequently interrupts lawyers with questions.

A car owner blames his mechanic for major damage to his transmission, but the mechanic says it was his racing that ruined it; the owner denies racing the car but admits to throwing a violent fit in the shop.

A hairstylist says her client refused to pay after demanding unrealistic results and resisting professional advice; the client says she only wanted twists but was pressured into damaging treatments by a stylist who kept calling for help.

A human-resources manager sues his former co-worker for unpaid loans and lost wages: he says she accused him of being a "sugar daddy" at work, which directly led to his termination.

Many popular court shows are on TV. How can the genre improve? How about using a three-judge panel? That's the concept of "Hot Bench," created by Judge Judy Sheindlin. After hearing each case, the judges discuss it among themselves before rendering a verdict. The show's title comes from a term describing a court action in which a judge frequently interrupts lawyers with questions.