Fox entered the daytime small-claims court show market today with Judge Alex, a 30-minute show that offers little more than similar programs. Judge Alex's good looks might keep his show alive, but there's nothing especially compelling about it.
I watched two episodes today. They contained the usual small-claims cases. There's a court bailiff who provides the appropriate smiles and laughs on cue, much like the other shows in this genre. There's an announcer who explains what's going on. There's no reporter, a la Judge Joe Brown. At the end of the cases, the plaintiffs and defendants undergo exit interviews without an on-camera interviewer, much like Judge Judy's show does with participants.
Judge Alex is Alex Ferrer, a Cuban-American who was most recently a judge in the criminal and family divisions of Florida's Eleventh Judicial Circuit, which serves Miami and Dade County. He was elected to the court at age 34 in 1995. He's also a former cop and trial attorney. He looks a bit like Tom Cruise.
In the introduction to each show, Judge Alex makes such comments as "This is my house" and "I'm giving you one last warning." It's almost a parody of the other shows. His Web site says Judge Alex "will take control of his court room by delivering a straight forward, decisive and tough brand of justice. And, in accordance with the likes of Judge Judy and Judge Mablean, Judge Alex will take advantage of the humor found in his cases."
Much of the dialogue was concerned with telling the plaintiffs and defendants to (thankfully) stop talking. "You don't tell her to shut up," Judge Alex says at one point. "I control the courtroom."
There's one difference from the other major court shows: He enters and exits the courtroom from his left, while the others do so from the right. I'm not sure what the importance is, but maybe it's a subtle effort to be different.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-01-2005 @ 7:52PM
David Roberts said...
I think Judge Alex is GREAT. He has a good sense of humor, is very fair, runs his courtroom very well, (it's not a big free for all!), and he holds people accountable. It's refreshing to see his show after seeing Judge Judy look and act like a complete whack job and some of the other judges have their shows become screaming arenas. Keep up the good work Judge Alex!
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12-15-2005 @ 1:49PM
mizsydney said...
if I were a criminal sent to prison by Judge Alex, I would be appealing like crazy to have his judgments overturned. I don't know what kind of logic this man uses, but it doesn't make a lot of sense to the viewer. there must be things happening off camera that affect his decisions or something, either that or he is horribly biased in favor of those people who are too stupid to live.
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9-14-2005 @ 11:44AM
Stephen Craig said...
Judge Alex is as entertaining as watching mos grow on a rock. Larry Joe was at least humerous and entertaining. You would be better off with a robot.
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9-26-2005 @ 3:04PM
Julia Flowers said...
It is certainly a good thing I don't believe in suing people. I would almost have to break my own rule just to be in that court room. Judge Alex is not just another pretty face, he is one major pretty face. Who cares which door he uses to enter the court room, doesn't change his looks or wit.
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10-03-2005 @ 2:09PM
Melissa said...
Tom Cruise? No...Ben Affleck. Not even so much just to look at him, but once he talks, his voice, mannerisms, humor all say Affleck to me.
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12-23-2005 @ 5:42PM
gordon bell said...
Judge alex is so nice and seems like a great guy and i think that is want makes him so very good looking.
I cant say that the show is that great or that there is anything outstanding about it, but Judge Alex makes it interresting. I just wish i had more time to watch it.
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12-23-2005 @ 5:42PM
gordon bell said...
Judge alex is so nice and seems like a great guy and i think that is want makes him so very good looking.
I cant say that the show is that great or that there is anything outstanding about it, but Judge Alex makes it interresting. I just wish i had more time to watch it.
Reply