Judge Wapner (Johnsonverse)

Judge Wapner is an American reality court show presided by Joseph Wapner. Like his previous show, The People's Court, this show saw Wapner hear real-life small-claims cases in a simulated courtroom set, with each case bookended by introductions and interviews by court reporter Doug Llewelyn.

When The People's Court was airing its final episodes in 1993, film director Timothy Hill got together with Wapner to create a spiritual successor series, bringing him, bailiff Rusty Burrell, Llewelyn, and announcer Jack Harrell into the fold, alongside much of the same staff.

First airing in 1993, the series was critically acclaimed, winning several awards. The series ended after 20 seasons on June 21, 2013 after Wapner announced his retirement.

Background
In 1993, the producers for The People's Court, Ralph Edwards and Stu Billett, chose not to renew Wapner's contract after a twelve-season run due to the series gaining its lowest-ever ratings, something that Wapner himself had not heard about until his brother-in-law told him he read it in the San Francisco Chronicle. The series was canceled after ratings had dropped to an all-time low. Hearing about this, film director Timothy Hill collaborated with the series' court reporter, Doug Llewelyn, to create a replacement for the 1993-94 television season, bringing in much of the same staff.

Opening sequence
The opening sequence, which remained unchanged since its 1993 debut aside from the clips of various cases that changed each season, showed a clip of Wapner walking to the bench, and after a series of clips featuring Wapner and/or various litigants, the show's logo appears next to a picture of Wapner. Jack Harrell narrated a disclaimer, which was re-recorded with later announcer Phil Hartman after his death:"'Meet the honorable Joseph A. Wapner. Having served as a real judge for years, he listens to real litigants who have real cases pending in civil court. Both parties have agreed to settle their disputes right here, in his courtroom. He's Judge Wapner.'"

End
On October 1, 2012, Wapner announced his retirement from the series after 20 seasons. His last cases were taped on April 16, 2013.