Judge Judy Sheindlin Explains Why She Avoids Watching Herself on TV

Veteran television star Judge Judy Sheindlin, 83, has explained her long-standing refusal to watch herself on screen. Sheindlin, best known for her eponymous reality courtroom series that ran for 25 seasons from 1996 to 2021, shared her reasoning in a recent interview.

"I did [watch] in the beginning," Sheindlin told People. "And then I realized that, in looking at myself, I was not only looking at the substance of what I was saying, but from a very surface position. I was looking how my face looked and how my neck looked and what my best angle was."

Sheindlin found that self-observation became a distraction, hindering her focus on the work itself. "I would think about it and say, 'You know what? Don't look up like that. Don't look down like that. Your face doesn't look good.' And I didn't want that to be part of the way I worked." She concluded that this self-critique would "interfere with the process," leading her to stop watching her own shows.

Despite her reluctance to appear on screen, Sheindlin is preparing for her next professional steps. Following the conclusion of her latest series, "Judy Justice," she indicated a desire to continue sharing her message without the demands of hair and makeup.

Her new venture involves producing a small-claims court program titled "Adam's Law," which will feature her son, Adam Levy, 58. Sheindlin expressed confidence in her son's ability to carry the show, citing his background in law and television, including work on the Prime Video series "Tribunal Justice."

"He has what it takes," Sheindlin said of Levy. "There aren't a lot of people who can carry a half hour on their own unscripted." Levy, who previously served as Putnam County, New York's district attorney, has experience in private practice and is seen by his mother as adequately seasoned for television.

Levy, who resides in Wyoming, films his series in Stamford, Connecticut. He noted that his trips to the East Coast allow him to spend time with his mother. Sheindlin believes her son is now ready for this next phase, stating, "Maybe eight years ago he wasn't ready. He's ready now."