Courtroom reality shows have a decades-long history. These shows bring real-life disputes into the television world‚ providing viewers with a unique blend of small claims cases and legal education. The pioneer of the genre is The Peoples Court‚ which first premiered in 1981 with original judge Joseph Wapner. Over the years‚ other notable courtroom shows like Judge Judy and Judge Mathis have captivated audiences with their no-nonsense rulings and entertaining drama. Judged by Matt Walsh‚ endeavors to add its own little twist with Walshs signature deadpan delivery and unsparing sensibilities.Judged by Matt Walsh (season 1: episode 1)Matt Walsh is known for his Sahara-dry wit and utter contempt for willful stupidity. Fans of his long-running program‚ The Matt Walsh Show‚ appreciate his ability to reduce political propositions to their wick while dropping sardonic bombs of irony-laden contempt on those who propagate them.With his pedigree of disdain‚ it would seem as though pitting Matt against litigants of moral rectitude and intellectual potency to rival prostitute slugs is a Michelin recipe for wagyu wackiness‚ and it just might be eventually. As it stands‚ this first episode suffers from some fairly normal growing pains.The set design borrows heavily from the original Peoples Court. However‚ it feels cheap and hollow‚ lending to a justifiable air of contempt felt by the entirety of the cast and crew for those who have bafflingly agreed to have their potentially costly problems mediated by a man whose credentials peaked at the zenith of a high school diploma.Equally inadequate is the programs narrator. The performers willowy voice lacks the tonal gravitas to either command or condemn and lends to the overall slightly slapdash atmosphere.Adding to the shows inconsistent quality‚ Matts every entrance is accompanied by a cringy gag that falls flatter than a week-old rootbeer float. Unfortunately‚ all of these are hubcaps on a tractor‚ i.e.‚ unneeded distractions. The premise‚ ridiculous petitioners‚ and Matt are enough alone‚ or at least they could be. Matt is still finding his groove in this first episode of Judged by Matt Walsh.Its one thing to lay waste to policymakers and pundits who place themselves in the crosshairs or to level reality buckshot at an arrogant college student in an auditorium full of sympathetic audience members. Its completely another to eviscerate someone while looking into their eyes from 8 feet away‚ knowing that one of your goals is to compound their self-served stupidity with truth and barely restrained scorn.Unlike in his magnum opus‚ What is A Woman‚ where his stony silence drew ideological poison from the insane and inane like a witchs poultice‚ for Judged to work‚ Matt will have to channel some of his internal fire and ratchet the energy up to at least a five if he hopes to illicit the needed drama to entertain and engage on a consistent and meaningful level.That said‚ properly focused‚ Matts effortless on-the-spectrum-like demeanor has the potential to rival Judge Judys soulless and uncaring black heart when dealing with those he adjudicates. Once he gets more comfortable in the role and loses his distaste for hurting feelings as well as the Gallagher Two prop humor‚ I have no doubt that Judged by Matt Walsh will be Worth it.One final thought: if there was ever a Courtroom reality show that would benefit from a post-trial interview with the participants‚ its this one. It would provide the chance for additional humor as offended plaintiffs‚ and defendants whine about the insulting injustice that just befell them while breaking up the shows otherwise unavoidable monotony.WOKE ELEMENTSAre You Kidding?NoneThe post Judged by Matt Walsh first appeared on Worth It or Woke.