TEASER: Members Only Mailbag May 2026

Dying to see Judge John Hodgman live? We have the episode for you! We’re flashing it back to our live show, ROAD COURT in Los Angeles. Join Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn for the most unhinged, off-the-cuff, wild live show - that also dispenses pure, unadulterated JUSTICE. We are excited to release this never-before-seen episode from our bonus feed to all of our listeners. NIGHT COURT is coming to the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, MA on June 11th! That’s right, New Englanders, you have a chance to experience the all-new live show from Judge John Hodgman at a venue near you. Get your tickets here: https://coolidge.org/events/judge-john-hodgman-night-court Thanks to reddit user u/zabraxuss for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun! ---Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here!

It's the Members Only May Mailbag! This month, our favorite nostalgic commercials, the correct way to organize bookshelves with a partner, go-to summer jams and so much more in the mailbag!  Not a member yet? You can become a member TODAY at maximumfun.org/join. Just $5 a month gets you immediate access to the full episode and our entire library of bonus content. And thank you to all of our members for keeping this show going! ---Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here!

Trish flushes soup down the toilet! But her friend, Marlow, wants to stop Trish from ever flushing food ever again. Trish says this is a perfectly reasonable way to dispose of soup! Who’s right? Who’s wrong? NIGHT COURT is coming to the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, MA on June 11th! Have a dispute that you can’t settle? No dispute is too small for the honorable Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn! Submit your cases directly to the court at: maximumfun.org/jjho Thanks to reddit user u/ironymaiden_ for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at maximumfun.reddit.com! ---Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here!

Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn are clearing the docket this week with guest star Rachel Reid, author of the Game Changers romance novel series that spawned the viral television sensation, HEATED RIVALRY!  Rachel joins us in passing judgement on all things romance-tok, like: what’s a better trope, friends to lovers or enemies to lovers? What’s the weirdest romance-novel trope she’s ever read? And what’s a good entry-level romance novel to convince your judgemental book group? Also, Rachel shares what it was like to “come out” as a romance novelist to her parents, her favorite young adult book series (hint: it was for kids who love responsibility), and which famous major-league hockey players have brought up HEATED RIVALRY to her in real life. Plus: a sneak preview of the next book in her Game Changers series!  NIGHT COURT is coming to the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, MA on June 11th! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun! Have a dispute that you can’t settle? No dispute is too small for the honorable Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn! Submit your cases directly to the court at: maximumfun.org/jjho ---Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here!

Ben and Grayson have a weekly movie night with their friend group. When the movie ends, the group watches odd videos they discover on the internet. This extra viewing has led both Ben and Grayson down a public television rabbit hole. Ben found the Pennsylvania public television game show THE PENNSYLVANIA GAME. He says it’s a perfect public television quiz show. But, Grayson says the game play in the Keystone State is weak. The Maine PBS show SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW MAINE is a much better game show. Who’s right? Who’s wrong?  Thanks to reddit user u/TurduckenEverest for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun! Have a dispute that you can’t settle? No dispute is too small for the honorable Judge John Hodgman and Bailiff Jesse Thorn! Submit your cases directly to the court at: maximumfun.org/jjho ---Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here!

Is giving a "bouquet of asparagus" the same as giving a bouquet of flowers? How much screen time is too much on a flight? Is quiche good? All this and more, recorded live from Revolution Hall in Portland, Oregon! If you're in LA or Brookline, catch JJHO: NIGHT COURT LIVE! Don't miss out. For LA tickets on 5/15 click here, and for Brookline tickets on 6/11 click here. Thanks to reddit user u/lovegiblet for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun!   ---Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here!

KLAXON! KLAXON! It’s the MaxFunDrive!  The best time of year for you to become a Maximum Fun member! Memberships start at just $5 a month, which gives you access to our entire library of bonus content. And for just $10 a month, you can get JJHo AD FREE! Join NOW at maximumfun.org/join! Whether you are a brand new member, current member upgrading, or longtime member at whichever level where you feel comfortable, THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO KEEP JJHO GOING! Lex brings the case against his wife, Lauren. Lauren is serious about getting her steps in - even during the frigid East Coast winter. When it’s too cold to walk outside, Lauren gets her steps inside the house. Even though there's a treadmill in their finished basement! The problem is, she’s driving Lex - AND their kids - nuts! Who’s right, and who’s wrong? It's your last chance to get all of your HEATED RIVALRIES and disputes for Rachel Reid (GAME CHANGERS, HEATED RIVALRY)! Are romance novels as valid an art form as other fiction? What is the best romantasy series? What is the WORST romantasy series? Which romantic trope is too played out? Submit all of your romance adjacent cases to maximumfun.org/jjho or email [email protected]. Thanks to reddit user u/Melvillean for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun! ---Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here!

KLAXON! KLAXON! It’s the MaxFunDrive! Join us now at maximumfun.org/joinjjho! And if you are already a member, THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO KEEP JJHO GOING! It's the middle of the MaxFunDrive! Have you heard our bonus episode for this year? The J Squad asked the audience for their favorite snacks that they might go for when they have "the munchies." What are you reaching for at the corner store at 2am? What concoctions are you putting together with whatever you can find in the pantry? Then, we tried them! Popcorn and mix-ins, Crunchie Munchies, and PEANUT BUTTER MUNCHIES! What was actually good? What was a nightmare? What was too gross even to try? The only way to listen is in the MaxFun Bonus Content feed. Already a member? Check the feed! Not a member yet? Here's a taste. For the full episode, join MaxFun now at maximumfun.org/joinjjho at just $5/month! ---Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here!

KLAXON! KLAXON! It's the MaxFunDrive!  The best time of year for you to become a Maximum Fun member! Memberships start at just $5 a month, which gives you access to our entire library of bonus content. Our special MFD bonus episode this year is "Judge John Hodgman Gets the Munchies!" We tried some of our audience's favorite, if not creative and shocking, munchies. But, if we get 350 NEW members by the end of Friday, 4/24, John, Jesse, and Jennifer will eat one munchie that was too scary for us to contemplate: A Peanut Butter and Spicy Tuna sandwich. Join us now at maximumfun.org/joinjjho! And if you are already a member, THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO KEEP JJHO GOING! Blair and Kristen love to go camping in all of Utah's national parks. Blair will only use his special canvas tent. Kristen says his tent is lovely but it's too cumbersome. She wants to add a lightweight nylon tent to the rotation. But Blair says NO to nylon! He says it’s his tent or he’s going to TAKE A HIKE! Who's right? Who's wrong? Have a dispute that you can’t settle? Are you a hockey lover, a book-tok lover, or just…a lover in general? We are gathering your most HEATED Rivalries slash disputes for a very special upcoming episode with guest Rachel Reid, author of Heated Rivalry and the book series the tv show is based on. We’ll pass judgment on everything from hockey etiquette to your favorite literary smut (said with support and affection)! Submit your cases directly to the court at: maximumfun.org/jjho ---Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here!

It's MaxFunDrive. And here, for the first time, we give you an exclusive look (well, listen) at the craft of podcasting: presenting Casters on Casters. Jesse Thorn and Judge John Hodgman know a thing or two about podcasting, and in this very important podcasting event, they reveal ALL the tricks of the trade. They're joined by podcasting veterans Stuart Wellington & Dan McCoy (The Flop House). It goes without saying these four gentlemen have a very funny, and delightful, conversation. But they also get vulnerable. What does that mean? You'll have to listen to find out! If this glamorous, in-depth journey into what makes your favorite hosts tick inspires you, support them by joining as a member at maximumfun.org/join. Edited by Marissa Flaxbart and Produced by Jennifer Marmor for Maximum Fun. ---Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here!