
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.

The plaintiff says she lent the defendant money with the promise of repayment from the defendant's cruise gambling winnings; the defendant insists that the plaintiff owes her for hair services and accuses her of defamation.

A massage therapist says his client's review twisted an innocent question into something inappropriate; the client says his behavior crossed a line and made her uncomfortable.

After a man dies in a crash, his mother says her former friend still owed him for a job he did; the defendant says there was no contract and that she already paid what was fair.

A man says he paid six months' rent and moved in his belongings, only to be shut out and left with nothing; the homeowner denies receiving payment and claims the tenant made him uncomfortable.