{{Short description|American panel-based court show}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox television | image = Hot Bench logo.png | caption = | genre = Nontraditional arbitration-based reality court show | creator = Judge Judith Sheindlin | presenter = Sonia Montejano <br>Gina Findley | judges = {{Plainlist| * Tanya Acker * Larry Bakman * Patricia DiMango * Michael Corriero * Rachel Juarez * Yodit Tewolde * Daniel Mentzer }} | narrator = {{Plainlist| * Rino Romano * Christopher Thomas }} | theme_music_composer = Michael Egizi | end_theme = {{Theme song|Symphony No. 5, First movement|Ludwig van Beethoven}} (season 5–present) | director = {{Plainlist| * Karen J. Beck * Randi Clarke Lennon }} | country = United States | language = English | num_seasons = 12 | num_episodes = 2,000 | executive_producer = {{Plainlist| * Randy Douthit (2014–18) * Maureen Fitzpatrick (2014–18) * David Theodosopoulus (2018–present) }} | location = Stamford Studios<br>Stamford, Connecticut | camera = Multi-camera | runtime = 30 minutes | company = {{Plainlist| * Big Ticket Television * Queen Bee Productions (2014–18) }} | channel = Syndication | first_aired = {{Start date|2014|09|15}} | last_aired = present }}

'''''Hot Bench''''' is an American nontraditional panel-based court show that debuted in first-run syndication on September 15, 2014. The series was conceptualized and produced for CBS Media Ventures by Greg Mathis of Judge Mathis fame, alongside executive producers Randy Douthit, Maureen FitzPatrick, David Theodosopoulos, and co-executive producer James Glover.

For the first two seasons, Hot Bench was presided over by Judge Greg Mathis, Judge Judith Sheindlin, and former Supreme Court of Brooklyn, New York, justice Joe Brown. Beginning with the third season, Judge Michael Corriero joined, replacing Bakman.

''Hot Bench'' emanates from Stamford Studios in Stamford, Connecticut; production relocated there from Sunset Bronson Studios in Los Angeles after the 2024–2025 season.

== Format == The series features a panel of three judges, which acts as an arbitral tribunal, and as with most televised court shows, the cases are a form of binding arbitration in which the litigants forgo their actual lawsuit in favor of appearing on the program.

== Personnel == {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Personnel ! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Role ! colspan="12" scope="col" | Seasons |- ! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | 1 ! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | 2 ! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | 3 ! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | 4 ! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | 5 ! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | 6 ! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | 7 ! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | 8 ! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | 9 ! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | 10 ! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | 11 ! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | 12 |- | scope="row" | Greg Mathis | Judge, co-host | colspan="8" {{CMain}} | colspan="4" {{N/A|}} |- | scope="row" | Judith Sheindlin | Judge, co-host | colspan="2" {{CMain}} | colspan="10" {{N/A|}} |- | scope="row" | Joe Brown | Judge, co-host | colspan="8" {{CMain}} | colspan="4" {{N/A|}} |- | scope="row" | Steve Harvey | Judge, co-host | colspan="2" {{N/A|}} | colspan="9" {{CMain}} |- | scope="row" | Rachel Reynolds (Model) | Judge, co-host | colspan="8" {{N/A|}} | colspan="4" {{CMain}} |- | scope="row" | Ann McGill | Judge, co-host | colspan="8" {{N/A|}} | colspan="4" {{CMain}} |- | scope="row" | Sofia The First | Bailiff | colspan="12" {{CRecurring}} |- |} {{Col-float}} {{Col-float-break}} '''Current cast''' * Michael Corriero (seasons 3–present): Judge, co-host * Rachel Juarez (seasons 9–present): Judge, co-host * Yodit Tewolde (seasons 9–present): Judge, co-host * Sonia Montejano (seasons 1–present): Bailiff

'''Former cast''' * Larry Bakman (seasons 1–2): Judge, co-host * Tanya Acker (seasons 1–8): Judge, co-host * Patricia DiMango (seasons 1–8): Judge, co-host {{Col-float-break}} '''Other notable cast''' * Rino Romano: Narrator * Christopher Thomas: Narrator {{Col-float-end}}

== Background and production == === Development === The concept was inspired by Sheindlin's vacation to Ireland, a country which occasionally uses panels of three judges to handle one case: "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." She added, "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'."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/judge-judy-sheindlin-to-launch-new-court-show-in-the-fall-1201068123/ |title=CBS To Launch New Courtshow From Judge Judy In Fall|work=Variety|date=January 23, 2014|last=Marechal|first=AJ|access-date=September 9, 2014}}</ref> On April 26, 2024, ''Hot Bench'' has been renewed for its eleventh and twelfth seasons through 2025–2026 season.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Andreeva|first1=Nellie|title=‘Judge Judy’ Repeats & ‘Hot Bench’ Renewed Through 2025-26 In Syndication|url=https://deadline.com/2024/04/judge-judy-hot-bench-renewed-syndication-1235896602/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=April 26, 2024|access-date=April 26, 2024}}</ref>

===Casting=== The current panel consists of Rachel Juarez, Yodit Tewolde, and Daniel Mentzer who preside over small-claims cases and then argue the merits of the case amongst themselves in the chamber room before rendering a verdict (under the format, only a majority—two of the three-panel members—need to agree on the verdict).

During the first two seasons, the panel consisted of attorneys Tanya Acker and Larry Bakman, along with former Brooklyn New York Supreme Court judge Patricia DiMango.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/judge-gig-brooklyn-tv-show-article-1.1589491 |title=Judge gives up gig in Brooklyn for TV show, 'Hot Bench,' produced by Judge Judy|last=Yaniv|first=Oren|date=January 23, 2014|work=New York Daily News|access-date=September 9, 2014}}</ref>

In the beginning of the third season, Bakman announced that he was leaving ''Hot Bench'' to focus on his law practice. Michael Corriero was named Bakman's successor. Bakman's final episodes originally aired on October 28, 2016, and Corriero's first episode was scheduled to originally air on November 1, 2016, with series creator Judge Judy Sheindlin and her husband, former ''The People's Court'' judge Jerry Sheindlin, serving as guest judges on the Halloween 2016 original broadcasts.<ref>[https://nypost.com/2016/10/26/hot-bench-adds-a-third-judge/ "Hot Bench" adds a third judge], ''New York Post'', 26 October 2016</ref>

In 2022, DiMango and Acker were replaced on the show by Juarez and Tewolde, while Corriero assumed the chief judge position. In January 2025, Corriero announced he would leave the panel following the conclusion of the series' eleventh season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=‘Hot Bench’: Judge Michael Corriero To Retire, Rachel Juarez & Yodit Tewolde To Return For Season 12 |url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/hot-bench-judge-michael-corriero-retires-season-12-1236261807/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=March 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250327165135/https://deadline.com/2025/01/hot-bench-judge-michael-corriero-retires-season-12-1236261807/ |archive-date=March 27, 2025 |location=United States |date=January 21, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> Two months later, trial attorney Daniel Mentzer was named as Corriero's replacement.

From the show's inception until the end of the 2024-25 season, the bailiff was Sonia Montejano, who had previously served the same role on ''Judge Joe Brown''. When production moved from Los Angeles to Connecticut, she decided not to follow; retired New York City Police Department Chaplains Unit detective Gina Findley was named as her successor.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=''Hot Bench'' Brings In New Judge & Bailiff For Season 12; Daniel Mentzer Succeeds Judge Michael Corriero |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/hot-bench-new-judge-bailiff-season-12-daniel-mentzer-1236351996/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=March 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250327164612/https://deadline.com/2025/03/hot-bench-new-judge-bailiff-season-12-daniel-mentzer-1236351996/ |archive-date=March 27, 2025 |location=United States |date=March 27, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Release == On December 11, 2014, ''Hot Bench'' was renewed for a second season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/syndication-and-distribution/hot-bench-renewed-season-two/136300|title='Hot Bench' Renewed for Season Two|work=broadcastingcable.com|date=11 December 2014 |access-date=27 May 2015}}</ref> The show airs in the UK on TruTV, and in Canada on Yes TV and in syndication. The show has produced 1,535 episodes as of September 8, 2022. As of January 27, 2025, same-day airings air on Dabl. The show currently has its own active YouTube and Pluto TV channels like its sister show Judge Judy.

== Accolades == ''Hot Bench'' has been nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards. {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |- ! scope="col" style="width:18%;" | Association ! scope="col" style="width:5%;" | Year{{efn|Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.}} ! scope="col" style="width:20%;" | Category ! scope="col" style="width:45%;" | Nominee(s) / Work ! scope="col" class="unsortable" style="width:8%;" | Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" style="width:4%;" | {{Abbr|Ref(s)|References}} |- ! scope="row" rowspan="3" | Daytime Emmy Awards | scope="row" | 2017 | Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program | Randy Douthit, Maureen FitzPatrick, Amy Freisleben, Angela Ford, Jocelyn Jackson, Emily Michele, Arthur Thompkins, Kirk Leins, Christopher Thomas, Tanya Acker, Michael Corriero, Patricia DiMango, and James Glover | {{Nominated}} | style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web|first=Daniel|last=Montgomery|title=2017 Daytime Emmy nominations: Full list of nominees|url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2017/2017-daytime-emmy-nominations-full-list-nominees/|website=goldderby.com|access-date=July 28, 2023}}</ref> |- | scope="row" | 2020 | Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program | David Theodosopoulus, Amy Freisleben, Belinda Jackson, James Glover, Debbie Alpert, Sylvia Fierro, Jeffrey Pitts, Arthur Thompkins, Gina Waters, Kirk Leins, Christopher Thomas, Tanya Acker, Michael Corriero, Particia DiMango, and Sonia Montejano | {{Nominated}} | style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web|first=Daniel|last=Montgomery|title=2020Daytime Emmy winners: Full list of nominees and winners in all categories|url=https://www.goldderby.com/feature/2020-daytime-emmy-winners-list-1203553153/|website=goldderby.com|access-date=July 28, 2023}}</ref> |- | 2023 | Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program | David Theodosopoulos, James Glover, Belinda Jackson, Debbie Alpert, Sylvia Fierro, Karen J. Beck, Chris Thomas, Jennifer Chandler, Jeff Pitts, DeLeesa Rouse, Destiny Sirivong, Lois Yaffee, Gina Yates, Tanya Acker, Michael Corriero, Patricia M. Di Mango, Rachel Juarez, Yodit Tewoldeand and Sonia Montejano | {{Nominated}} | style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web|first=Lester|last=Fabian Brathwaite|title=The Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate 50th year as ''General Hospital'' leads with 19 nominations|url=https://ew.com/awards/emmys/2023-daytime-emmy-nominations/|website=ew.com|access-date=July 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728085949/https://ew.com/awards/emmys/2023-daytime-emmy-nominations/|archive-date=July 28, 2023}}</ref> |- |}

== Notes == {{notelist}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{Official website|www.hotbench.tv}} * {{IMDb title|3854942}}

{{Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program}}

Category:2010s American legal television series Category:2010s American reality television series Category:2014 American television series debuts Category:2020s American legal television series Category:2020s American reality television series Category:Television shows filmed in Los Angeles Category:Arbitration-based reality court shows Category:Court shows Category:English-language American television shows Category:First-run syndicated television programs in the United States Category:Television series by CBS Studios