The People's Court/Trivia


 * What Could Have Been:
 * Originally, when John Masterson devised the format in 1975, the two people he first pitched it to were Monty Hall, the host of Let's Make a Deal and Split Second, and his production partner Stefan Hatos. Both men were interested and gave Masterson a one year option to sell the show. Unfortunately, the networks weren't interested, and the option ran out.
 * Joseph Wapner almost didn't get the judge's seat, because when Ralph Edwards and Stu Billett were pitching the show to NBC, the network wanted a black comedian like Nipsey Russell or Pigmeat Markham, to preside, all the while making jokes during the proceedings. After a commercial break, he would be coached by real judge and would then give his decision.
 * Similarly, Rusty Burrell was almost passed over for the bailiff's position because Stu Billett originally wanted a "sexy girl" to be the bailiff. It was only at Joseph Wapner's insistence that Rusty got the job.