Kids Court
Encyclopedia
Kids Court is a children's television show aired by Nickelodeon
. First airing in 1988, it was hosted by actor Paul Provenza
. It was created and executive produced by Alan Goodman
, Albie Hecht
, and Fred Seibert
; produced by Chauncey Street Productions
, a division of Fred/Alan, Inc., in New York
.
It claimed to utilize grievances made by children mailed to the studio -- each side of a grievance would be represented by a child in the audience, and at the end of their argument, children in the audience would cheer. The "Judge-o-meter", a cardboard rendering of an English judge
(with wig) with peak meter
s for "eyes", would measure the decibels of the screaming, cheering children, and the side that generated the most screaming and cheering would win the argument. The "Judge-o-meter" system would also be used to "sentence" the guilty party -- sentences would be suggested by children in the audience.
The show also had two courtroom sketch artists during the course of the show (1 appearing at a time), Nobi Nakanishi and Asha Canalos.
During commercial breaks, the show would have quick quiz questions for children, about the legal system. Kids Court was part of Nickelodeon's "Cable in the Classroom
" promotion.
At the closing credits, host Provenza would ask the child audience what they thought was unfair. He would ask the audience "Fair or Unfair?", wherein the audience would almost always shout "Unfair!" in unison.
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
. First airing in 1988, it was hosted by actor Paul Provenza
Paul Provenza
Paul Provenza is an actor, comedian and filmmaker, a self-professed skeptic currently based in Los Angeles.-Early years:...
. It was created and executive produced by Alan Goodman
Alan Goodman
Alan Goodman has played a key role in creating and launching many media brands since 1981, first in cable television and now for the internet and other platforms....
, Albie Hecht
Albie Hecht
Albie Hecht is the CEO of Worldwide Biggies, founder of Spike TV, and a former president of Nickelodeon Entertainment.Hecht oversaw the development and production of SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Blue’s Clues, and the live-action show All That at Nickelodeon...
, and Fred Seibert
Fred Seibert
Frederick "Fred" Seibert is a television and film producer and entertainment entrepreneur who owns Frederator Studios, and who has held leading positions with MTV Networks, Hanna-Barbera, and Next New Networks; he owns Frederator Studios...
; produced by Chauncey Street Productions
Frederator Studios
Frederator Studios is an independent American production company founded by Fred Seibert in 1997, with its first series launching in 1998. The studio focuses primarily on artists who write their own shorts, series, and movies...
, a division of Fred/Alan, Inc., in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
It claimed to utilize grievances made by children mailed to the studio -- each side of a grievance would be represented by a child in the audience, and at the end of their argument, children in the audience would cheer. The "Judge-o-meter", a cardboard rendering of an English judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
(with wig) with peak meter
Peak meter
A peak meter is a type of visual measuring instrument that indicates the instantaneous level of an audio signal that is passing through it...
s for "eyes", would measure the decibels of the screaming, cheering children, and the side that generated the most screaming and cheering would win the argument. The "Judge-o-meter" system would also be used to "sentence" the guilty party -- sentences would be suggested by children in the audience.
The show also had two courtroom sketch artists during the course of the show (1 appearing at a time), Nobi Nakanishi and Asha Canalos.
During commercial breaks, the show would have quick quiz questions for children, about the legal system. Kids Court was part of Nickelodeon's "Cable in the Classroom
Cable in the Classroom
Cable in the Classroom is an American organization that assists the cable television industry in providing educational content to schools. The organization was founded in 1989...
" promotion.
At the closing credits, host Provenza would ask the child audience what they thought was unfair. He would ask the audience "Fair or Unfair?", wherein the audience would almost always shout "Unfair!" in unison.