Judge Judy-Created ‘Hot Bench’ to Premiere in the Fall

New offering will feature a trio of judges arguing cases among themselves

Judge Judy Sheindlin’s media empire continues to grow.

“Hot Bench,” a new syndicated show created by the celebrity TV judge, will launch in fall 2014 and has been sold in 75 percent of the country.

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The new series, which is named after a term to describe a court where a judge or judges frequently interrupt lawyers with questions, will feature a trio of judges hearing cases and arguing the merits among themselves before rendering a verdict.

Sheindlin, 71, said that she conceived of the series during a recent trip to Ireland.

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“When my husband Jerry and I were in Ireland recently, we visited the courts and watched a three judge bench, which I found both fascinating and compelling,” Sheindlin said. “I immediately thought what a terrific and unique idea for a television program that brings the court genre to the next level. We have assembled three individuals with extremely varied backgrounds to serve as the judges. They are smart and talented, with terrific instincts and great chemistry, and are sure to create a ‘hot bench.’ ”

The panel of judges is made up of New York State Supreme Court judge Patricia DiMango, and Los Angeles attorneys Tanya Acker and Larry Bakman.

“Judge Judy” executive producer and director Randy Douthit will executive produce “Hot Bench,” which will be produced and distributed by CBS Television Distribution.

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