Re: The YouTube thread [2]

[azriel]

My friend sent me this, something nice to wake up to for once  

[bungobaggins]

[Pettytyrant101]

Ive never quite got my head round Judge Judy- is she a real judge- with like actual real judge powers?

[azriel]

She's American, would else do you need to know ? Keeping Eldo & Co out of the equation, Most Americans do seem to live in an alternate fantasy land    Probably expecting a camera to pop up anytime soon.

[bungobaggins]

From Wikipedia

Judge Judy is an American arbitration-based reality court show presided over by retired Manhattan Family Court Judge Judith Sheindlin.[3] The show features Sheindlin adjudicating real-life small claims disputes within a simulated courtroom set.[4] All parties involved must sign contracts, agreeing to arbitration under Sheindlin.

So she is a judge, but I think they can only do small claims stuff on the show.

[David H]

Yes, she's a real judge (retired). The program format was pioneered as People's Court with Judge Wopner, also a career judge, retired. The idea is to take real civil court cases which can't be televised for profit, and ask both parties to waive their rights to a court judgement in favor of binding arbitration (which often makes sense anyway, because it's quicker, more flexible and often cheaper.) Once you've waived your rights, you can enter into a contract to air your dirty laundry in public for profit.

As tacky as they may seem at times, these shows actually have been one of the best things for educating the public in how our legal system works.

[Pettytyrant101]

Seems very weird, and very American- we dont even televise court cases here- they are supposed to be about law and justice not entertainment.
If you want to know what goes on there that is what the public gallery in a Court Room is for.

TV wise, and performing much the same educational function as you mention David, there used to be a program on here Crown Court I think it was called, which was shot as if it was a real court and cases but they were in fact reinactments of real cases.
So you got to see how it all works without some one having their actual real life paraded for entertainment or profit.

[bungobaggins]

some one having their actual real life paraded for entertainment or profit.

But that's what Americans are best at.

[David H]

If you think America is bad, just watch a little Japanese reality TV!  
(small doses please, or your head will explode.)

[Forest Shepherd]

"Fat guy shooting gun." Rather an idiotic video, I must say.

[Forest Shepherd]

[azriel]

[bungobaggins]

http://www.alsa.org/news/media/press-releases/ice-bucket-challenge-082014.html

[Forest Shepherd]

Thanks, I had no idea what this "ice-bucket challenge" was that kept popping up places.

[Pettytyrant101]

Does it still count if you do it with buckie? And instead of pouring it over yourself, you pour it down your throat? Because if so I'm up for it!    

[chris63]

2yr old swears. lol

[azriel]

Oh bugger it ! cant get vid due to copyright claim, Fffurfff !

[chris63]

Might work now.

[azriel]

OMG ! drenching a kid, no matter how much you feel like doing it is a bit............ ?? !!
I know they shouldnt but, why does it sound cute when a child swears ?

[chris63]

F**k no's.

[azriel]

[Forest Shepherd]

I love the stock 1960s footage of the whales. The part where we see three of them underwater struck me as being strangely transcendent! Reminded me rather strongly of a Werner Herzog film actually.
It could be the time of night, me staying up until the wee hours of the morning.

Here's where I originally heard it. This clip about fighting depression showed up in front of the film The Beaver (an underrated film, in my opinion). It was endearingly adorable at the time.

Spoiler:

[bungobaggins]

[azriel]

Brilliant Bungo, & so blinking true !

[Eldorion]

That was really well edited and mixed, too.