Atlanta’s Judge Penny Brown Reynolds’ show over after one season
Judge Penny’s courtroom is closed — for now.
“Family Court With Judge Penny” will not be back this fall. Penny Brown Reynolds, a former state court judge for Fulton County and Atlanta resident, debuted last fall locally on the CW at 6 p.m., but after an encouraging start, her show ultimately “didn’t meet expectations,” said Tom Canedo, vice president for the station. The show this fall will be replaced at 6 p.m. with “The Bernie Mac Show” at 6 and “Everybody Hates Chris” at 6:30 p.m.
Judge Penny, in an email, said she owns part of her show and with her production company, chose to end it because she felt she wasn’t getting enough penetration into bigger stations in bigger markets.
She plans to bring the show back in the fall of 2010, though in a broader format and just call it “The Judge Penny Show.” The first year, the show focused exclusively on family problems such as child custody cases and domestic abuse.
“I would like to see more people be able to see the show and I will handle broader cases,” she wrote in the email.
Then she added, “So, for me, things couldn’t be better. I have two new books coming out soon and to be honest, anything that I do is only because I want to, not because I have to.”
Loading ...She did get nominated for a Daytime Emmy for legal program, up against “Cristina’s Court” (which was axed), “Judge Hatchett” (who is actually no longer doing new episodes), “Judge Judy” and “The People’s Court.”
There are about a dozen other judge shows, a very crowded field, said Bill Carroll, head of research at Katz Media Group, a consulting firm to TV stations. The top three are “Judge Judy,” “Judge Joe Brown” and “People’s Court.” Everybody else is clustered in the second tier.
At the same time, “judge shows are relatively inexpensive to produce,” Carroll said.
Repeats of “Family Court” will continue the next couple of months on the CW.
Here’s the story I wrote about her last year.
Here’s the video of her show taping during a minor earthquake in Los Angeles:
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54 comments Add your comment
pat
July 14th, 2009
9:19 pm
I am shocked to hear the Judge is not coming back next season. My family and I tape each show and spend family time talking about the wisdom that Judge Penny often shares. She has brougt a bright and insightful light to T.V. and made a true difference into our household. I look foward to her books and the return of her new show in 2010. We will be watching with great glee when she gets her Emmy next month.
chrystal
July 14th, 2009
9:37 pm
I met Penny and her husband years ago. I was very excited about the show and disappointed at the continued re-runs, so the cancellation comes at no surprise. In one week, you can see the same show at least twice and they were never new ones. She is a smart, bright beautiful woman and I can’t wait to watch her come with her new endeavor. I am sure the BEST is yet to come!
Matt
July 15th, 2009
2:28 am
I am very glad that Judge Penny Brown’s show won’t be back on. She wasted the tax payers money in Fulton County getting credited for work but not showing up and you want to give someone like that a television show and book deals??? What sense does that make. It just goes to show that she didn’t escape having to pay for doing Fulton County wrong.
Christopher Cook
July 15th, 2009
7:40 am
We’re not going to miss the dropping of a court show when there are too many to start with.
atl1000
July 15th, 2009
8:17 pm
We’re not going to miss the dropping of a court show when there are too many to start with.
amen to that!
Delrey
July 16th, 2009
12:50 am
My family is a HUGE fan of Judge Penny and will miss her show because most episodes were heartfelt or inspirational. We look forward to watching your new show in 2010 and seeing you on CNN’s “Reclaiming the Dream” with Soledad O’Brien on August 1. Congratulations on your Daytime Emmy nomination for your freshman season!!!
Shari Lewis
July 20th, 2009
4:45 pm
It is a shame that Judge Penny will not be returning. Her show always gave valuable advice to others. Her show should return. Judge Judy is one court show that I despise. All Judge Judy does is scream at the defendants & the plantiffs & call them stupid, idiot etc. I have never seen or heard of a decent, respectable judge speaking to others in such a crude manner. I believe she is doing this for ratings. She does not really care about the defendants or plantiffs. Judge Judy should go not Judge Penny.
Sharon
July 22nd, 2009
2:27 pm
I enjoy watching several court shows and all have different “flavors” for different audiences. What I appreciate about Judge Penny is “the compassion and mercy that justice requires.” She has insight and digs deeper into the issues behind the problems. Hers is the only show that does not stir up negativity and anger in the viewer. I was disappointed to see the reruns pop up so soon and look forward to her new series. Hopefully she will maintain her standard of compassionate rulings and not give in to any rating pressure to change.
trina
July 23rd, 2009
11:00 pm
although i’d already heard the news, i am still saddend that were losing such a quality program.
trina
July 23rd, 2009
11:09 pm
judge penny is basically what it is and what it means to be a successful black woman right now. she’s positive, bright, sincere, and quite capable. she’ll be back- bigger and bolder than ever. she’s my hero!(and i’m 30 something years old!)
MsSwain
July 24th, 2009
1:15 pm
In light of all the Judge shows, which remarkably had took over all the Talk Shows, there simply were too many. I notice that folks are very disturbed with Judge Penny leaving. To me, she’s okay but a little too ’sugary’ and that overexaggerated ‘compassion’ doesn’t come off real with me. Oh, the Black females in particular find her quite beautiful and at the same time trash Judge Kakre because of her hair, make-up, jewelry, and magenta robe. Now to be honest, I have weighed both new Judges in town and found Judge Karen to be totally rational, even, fair and very perceptive but her courtroom forum is different. I watch Judge Penny which has a more “Moral” court forum. However, both women give sound advice but one has an acceptable ‘look’ and the other does not, that is to the judgmental fools running around afraid to express their individualism to the mainstrea.
The bad part is that we are left with that loud mouth Judge Milian who jumps on folks screaming like a banchee, the inept Joe Brown with his praddling, and my Lord, do we really want those reruns of Judge Hatchett with that queaky voiced reruns shown until 2010? Guess she got the acceptable look too. Now I am not omitting Judge Mathis for I have seen him show some total injustice to folks in his courtroom and come off as partial with certain litigants. I don’t know, I just decided to leave Court Show viewing alone. Leave it to Judge Judy. She’s a big mouth but she has at least held her own on ‘Network’ TV for years and she’s old and I can accept her cantankerism. Judge Penny, an ordained Minister and an angel too? She was a bit much. Besides Fulton County says she wasn’t all that nice.
ms. kat
July 25th, 2009
6:05 pm
my dearest and most honorable judge(penny), make ur haters, naysayers, and doubters ur motivaters! god bless…
the truth
July 25th, 2009
8:43 pm
i am a proud black woman-i’m also a lady so i wont go too far. with that being said, its unfair(ms. swain) to say that black only like/luv judge penny only because she’s pretty. some of us admire her for who she is, and what she’s become, and her personal struggles. real women are able to recognize greatness. chew b4 swallowing, please.
MsSwain
July 25th, 2009
11:59 pm
Don’t get it twisted ma’m. I am always appalled at how pitiful and insecure (some) black females can be. First of all, please don’t assume that a ‘lady’ cannot have an opinion. Please also learn how to express what you aay a little better. I did not say that Judge Penny was pretty anyway. I guess that’s why some Black females are running around with these unflattering weaves and wigs – thinking that makes them more beautiful. Judge Penny is considered such a great Judge and the first thing folks attest to is how she looks, even wonders what race she is. I thought it was obvious. When folks get to critiquing Judge Karen it’s always laced with her self expression. To me, she is very attractive. It’s all a matter of opinion and I will keep mine and you’re welcome to your own and remember if the shoe fits then you wear it. I was speaking on some people. And Black females do get geeked up when they see some others with a so-called ‘pretty’ head of hair. I get the same treatment and I go out of my way to judge people from the inside out rather than outside in. I got the look already but I don’t want to be judged by it. If Judge Penny sounds a little too sugary for me it’s not for you to attempt to insult my opinion. I can tell, you’re probably one of those women that will be ‘pa-razing the lawd’ tomorrow and learn nothing from it.
the truth
July 26th, 2009
7:30 pm
ms. swain, ur opinion is ur own. the good judge is fair, genuine, and human. keep that in mind. toodles!
MsSwain
July 26th, 2009
8:28 pm
I want you to have the last word so I will let you have it. Jezebel spirits always feel that personal opinions are personal attacks to them. Why is that? Because you have no self control therefore you want to control someone else’s opinion with subtle insults. I mean you can’t do any better that what you’ve said so far? I never doubted this Judge Penny’s legal abilities, not once. So I am sure you are not quite reading what was said. Anyway, I will leave this space for you to use as your personal forum. Toodles to you but I will GIVE you the last word. Take it. I won’t be back.
the truth
July 26th, 2009
10:57 pm
the last word is ‘truth’. and boy does it hurt, huh? lol! cest la vie swine, i mean swain…
trina
July 26th, 2009
11:14 pm
congratulations to our own ‘woman of power! penny lovers unite! emmy award bound…yea!
Greta
July 26th, 2009
11:56 pm
sounds like ‘the truth’ can’t handle the truth. sounds like she pretty ruffled. ah teehee
Bob
July 27th, 2009
12:11 am
Sounds like Ms. Truth showed her real tail. All over a TV show. Look like she frustrated and need a life.
trina
July 27th, 2009
8:44 am
none of us are judges. let’s stop bashing and move on…so how’s it goin?
ms. kat
July 27th, 2009
10:57 am
judge penny is ‘da bomb!’ and boy can sing and preach!
chick b.
July 29th, 2009
10:43 pm
judge u are truly a ‘penny from heaven’. i’m so happy and proud to know you. god bless you.
trina
July 31st, 2009
10:39 pm
watch ‘reclaiming the dream’ f/judge penny, sat. aug.1st 8-10pm on cnn.
chick b.
August 1st, 2009
9:09 pm
i really luv judge penny. she ‘mothers’ anyone she feels needs it. even big kids like me. she is truly a god-send.
mrblkman
August 2nd, 2009
9:36 pm
Matt, if you believe that ONLY Judge Penny “wasted” tax dollars, I suggest check your fellow public officials records. If anything, most of them take months off at a time. Why weren’t her records compared with her fellow peers (judges)? Why didn’t they report her previous record for the years as a judge and only focus on the 2 months she miss? (I always wondered about that vague coverage)
Do know that public officials are not granted time off, vacation, nor any sick leave; how do they expect to have time off? So what is a person to do when they have family emergencies, etc?
Don’t be blinded by some of the bias media that is air.
the truth
August 3rd, 2009
1:41 pm
thank u mr. blkman! finally someone else w/sense and sensibility.(and channel2 sucks)
chick b.
August 3rd, 2009
1:52 pm
judge penny is 1 of us. she was the ‘voice’ of the reclaiming da dream broadcast. i just dont think she’d take or steal from us. she cares too much.
ms. kat
August 3rd, 2009
2:05 pm
damn! all judge penny did was do her job, gnt offered a tv show, became an ova’nite sensation, and thats makes her a crook? nancy grace did da same damn thing! hello?
Xoxo
August 13th, 2009
12:55 pm
Is anyone else bothered by the fact that this judge does not always use proper grammar? I like Judge Penny and agree with her opinions, but find it irritating that an educated woman would say something such as “you got to” rather than “you have to” or “they stated they opinion” rather than ‘they stated their opinion…” (I’m watching the show right now and she just made both of those mistakes within five minutes of each other.) Judge Penny is obviously an intelligent woman and speaks well at times, but can come across as unintelligent by making simple grammatical errors.
Barbara Herndon
August 24th, 2009
3:05 pm
I have enjoyed the opportunity of watching Judge Penny’s Family Court. I find her approach, although legal, is a rewarding truth to restore the brokenness in families. I am disappointed that she will no longer be on short-screen…for a while. I am more delighted that she is looking into the possiblities of returning to TV in a different format the latter part of 2010. I am smiling for she has brought forth that she is a Minister, too. How can I get in touch with her?
mrblkman
September 2nd, 2009
10:40 pm
Barbara, you can reach her on the site: http://www.judgepenny.com
Bob
September 4th, 2009
12:38 am
If Judge Penny is so very intelligent and ‘real women can appreciate greatness’ I recognize that clique coming from women who are not sure of their own. Strange women always say that. Greatness? She’s a TV judge for goodness sake. a cancelled one at that. Get over it, espcially ms. Truth.
trina
September 7th, 2009
9:00 pm
really, you all should stop taking ‘jabs’ at one another. um pretty sure that judge penny would’nt want this—-its just plain silly. believe me when i tell ya’ll she can take care of herself.
D'Ann Woodle
September 8th, 2009
10:37 am
I am so disappointed that Judge Penny is over. Her show offered an insight on the importance of family and dispute resolution. I have learned so much from watching. Several of her points resonated with me and I was able to apply them to my family. She is an incredible woman and role model.
Anna
September 10th, 2009
1:55 pm
I was really disappointed to see that Judge Penny’s show was cancelled. Of all the judge shows around her show was the most inspiring because it focused on building up families or repairing family issues. It provided insight on so many levels on how to resolve and handle many issues that your average families have to deal with. I really hope the show returns so that the world can continue to be enlightened by her experience and wisdom.
Dee
September 13th, 2009
5:00 pm
I loved Judge Penny. She was great at handling the cases with her knowledge of the law, tough love and understanding. Overall she seemed to be a real person and not just another celebrity judge. I am looking forward to her return in 2010.
Rachel
September 14th, 2009
12:08 pm
I hope she does come back in 2010…she was a fresh new voice of reason and a great role model for all women…she came from hard times and did not make excuses(like so many do), but made changes in her own life to be a successful person…so many times you could see the “light bulb” go on for the people involved in the cases when she broke things down to them and gave them a legal dose of tough love.
Valerie A
September 14th, 2009
1:19 pm
I absolutely adore Judge Penny. She is full of wisdom and I would schedule all my daily events around the time that her tv show would come on, simply because I hated to miss it. I am so excited that her book will be coming out soon, becuase I will definately buy it.
Valerie A
September 14th, 2009
1:21 pm
I love her show she is so full of wisdom, and I look foward to buying her book!
EL
September 14th, 2009
3:25 pm
I loved Judge Penny’s court show. I watched it because she was truthful. I listen to her because she hit on some of the situations I had to face at one time or another in my life. I admired her because she knew when to get loud and to simmer down. She brought out some very important points about looking at situations with family siblings, our own children and grandchildren. Her Godly ways were real and revealed a truths that many people could not understand. You have to be in it to understand it. Jesus died for all of us not just some of us.
Erline
September 15th, 2009
6:23 pm
I AM VERY SORRY THAT ONCE AGAIN A CLEAN SHOW WITH SOMEONE THAT CARES AND WAS NOT AFRAID TO SHOW OR SHARE LOVE WILL NOT RETURN TO TV. I WILL WAIT FOR HER RETURN 2010. SHE WAS GREAT AND VERY WISE. SHE SPOKE FROM HER HEART AND TREATED EVERYONE EQUAL. JUDGE PENNY SHOULD HAVE REMAINED ON TV. A PENNY FOR THE THOUGHT OF THE PERSON THAT MADE THIS DECISION THEY SCREWED UP.! JUDGE PENNY LISTENED AND I NOTICED THAT SHE NEVER HAD TO SCREAM AND NAME CALL SHE DID HER JOB AND MADE HER DECISION WITH LOVE AND HOW MOST OF US WERE RAISED-
WITH LOVE. MUCH LOVE AND SUCCESS TO JUDGE PENNY WHO SET A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE FOR OUR YOUTH AND ALSO HELPED ADULTS TO RETHINK AND GROW UP WTH A LITTLE TUFF LOVE ! I WILL LOOK FOR YOUR BOOKS.
GOD BLESS,
G ERLINE
ncopn
September 17th, 2009
1:12 pm
Uh, I am mostly disappointed that people always try to “judge” other folk. For all the haters, what have you done that is not so pleasing in God’s sight? I am sure you could list many. My point is, if you can’t be positive, SAY NOTHING!
toni mac
September 22nd, 2009
5:32 pm
I was totally outdone when I saw the new channel lineup and DID NOT see Judge Penny back on the air……we finally get a court show with a FAMILY BASED outlook on life…and what do you do???
you take it off to show INFO MERIALS……SAD,SAD,SAD! ! ! JUDGE PENNY, I MISS YOU!!!
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY! !!!!!!
PAT HAWKINS
October 6th, 2009
2:18 pm
Enter your comments here
I am very sorry to hear that Judge Penny will not be coming back to TV this fall. I enjoyed her program very much..She was very compassionate and understood where people were coming from with the problems they had. Also her shows did not turn into shouting matches or vulgarity which was refreshing in these days of doing and saying things for the shock value. We hope that you will be back on the air in the near future. I miss you.
Jennifer
October 16th, 2009
11:31 am
I was mad to know that judge Penny was not on the air no more.I enjoyed watching her show, because it wasnt about just getting money. She believed helping family and friends get back together. Judge Penny was a good judge so what her shows was played over and over, you can always learn something new from them. You got all these other court shows that dont care about restoring family back together they just want them to get their money and think thats what its all about. Her and Judge Hachett are some excellent judges because they care about the youth which is good becasue I m young and they information they give out to other young people I use and apply it to my everyday life.
rebirth2010
November 17th, 2009
9:50 am
GOD BLESS RICHARD BELCHER AND WSB TV, ‘CAUSE HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THEM, I WOULD’NT HAVE MET THIS DYNAMIC WOMAN OF GOD. THAT 15MINS. OF NONSENSE ENABLED ME TO SEEK HER OUT, MEET HER, GET TO KNOW HER, AND NOW SHE’S MY PASTOR, AND WILL BE BAPTIZING ME IN JAN. 2010. GOD BLESS HER. SHE HAS BEEN MY VERY OWN GOD-SEND.
Marla P. Granberry
December 1st, 2009
11:40 pm
I am sorry that Judge Penny was cancelled, but elated that she Will be back! She always handled herself as a Lady with respect not only for herself, but for all the litigants. It was truly a Blessing that she did not hide being a Minister or afraid to minister as well as judge according to the law. She has compassion, some may call it “sugary” or some may say she’s just a Judge with a TV show, and some may just be glad of just one less Judge show. However, for the Record, I for one, want to acknowledge that she cared, made a difference, and still administered the Law with unbiased opinion. I am glad that she has and showed morallity and stood up for integrity and truth without sham or apology. She never stooped to name calling, yelling, or rendering judgement because she got angry and “could” just because she’s the Judge. She cares about the Family unit and made every effort to assist those broken relationships with compassion, truth and justice. Her record of positive results is far outweighing the balances of the critics, biased opinions, and negative feedback. I would not be afraid to say that the full detailed “Truth” about the two months of her so called not working would actually reveal something other than what those who so-called exposed her would reveal. Any reporter always writes to reveal what they “only” intend to reveal. Too many people are too gullible and not willing to think past what is written to really dig deeper to discover the “Whole Truth”! They would rather take what they are spoon fed by the media as though they are actually telling and revealing the Whole TRUTH. Most of the times they are very skilled at taking out of context and using grammatical techniques to actually change what was really said or done or even “choose” to omit some very pertinent information and/or facts. So with all that said, “How YOU Doing”?! And to the person who thinks that Judge Penny didn’t know when she was using incorrect Grammer or English, she knows and knew just exactly What she was saying When she said it. She did it for the Effect to get her point EMPHATICALLY accross to the person to whom it was directed. To all those negative comments, it is very easy to criticise another, but I ask each of YOU what have you done to make the world a better place or help a neighbor or stranger in need?? If all you can do is criticise and not help with a Solution that you DO something to bring about a change for the better, you are nothing more than a hypocrit and your criticism not worth even “Toilet Paper”!!
church member
December 2nd, 2009
7:25 am
I am sorry that Judge Penny show is no longer on tv. What the world has
lost, her church will gain.
rebirth 2010
December 3rd, 2009
7:11 pm
THANK YOU JUDGE PENNY, FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE, AND FOR WHAT YOU HAVE YET TO DO. YOU AND ”PASTOR” MAKE ALL OF THE DIFFERENCE WITHIN OUR CONGREGATION, AND I FOR ONE, WILL NEVER FORGET THAT. AND YOU KNOW MY ‘LIL SAYIN’ ”AIN’T NOBODY DOIN’ IT LIKE YOU AND PASTOR”! CONTINUED BLESSINGS….