The People's Court is a television court show in which small claims court cases are heard, though what is shown is actually a binding arbitration. The People's Court (1981) was the first reality court show that did not use actors. Prior to The People's Court, popular TV courtroom shows such as Traffic Court (1957), only presented recreated or fictional cases (as did radio before that). It was not the first TV "People's Court", being preceded by People's Court of Small Claims (1959).

Originally taped in Los Angeles, it first ran in syndication from 1981 to 1993 for 2,484 ½-hour episodes. Reruns continued to air in syndication until 1994. Currently taped in New York City, it has run in its present 1-hour format since September 1997. It aired its 3,000th episode on November 16, 2000. The new version aired its 1,000th episode in 2003. Reruns of the original series are now aired on AOL's In2TV service.

When John Masterson devised a similar camera-in-court concept in 1975, he first pitched it to Monty Hall, the producer and host of the popular game show, Let's Make a Deal, and his partner, producer-writer Stefan Hatos, but the networks didn't buy it. Stu Billett then modified Masterson's idea into the present binding arbitration show concept, which did sell. The series was executive produced by Ralph Edwards, who also created and hosted the popular documentary show This Is Your Life, and Stu Billett, who later went on to create Moral Court.

Retired judge Joseph Wapner decides actual small-claims court cases in a California studio. After each case is decided, the parties are often interviewed to obtain their reactions. Written by Eric Sorensen

Former Florida prosecutor and judge Marilyn Milian decides actual small-claims court cases. Participants and onlookers are interviewed, and viewers are polled on the cases via a Web site.