system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: How do shows like Judge Judy, Judge Mathis, People's Court, etc. work? Are they real judges/cases/rulings?

I've heard someone say Judge Judy is an "arbitrator", what does that mean? Do people choose to be on the show? do they get paid?
gpt
You are correct, these individuals are acting as arbitrators, not judges in a court of law. What you see on the show is a form of alternative dispute resolution where legal conflicts between two parties are resolved outside of the court system.

The rulings are, however, legally binding and enforceable. So although these 'judges' do not represent the state or federal judicial branch of the government, they do hold the power to award judgments in favor of one or both parties. For example, if the arbitrator hears the case and determines that the 'defendant' must give his truck back to the 'plaintiff', the 'defendant' is legally bound by this demand and can be taken to court for not complying.

Typically arbitration is voluntary and mutually agreed upon (i.e. both parties agree that they should resolve their dispute on a show like Judge Judy). These television shows acquire cases by a) searching through cases submitted to small claims courts, b) setting up a phone number / hot-line for people to call in to apply for the show and talk about their case, c) setting up a website for online application submissions [which work like the telephone hot line]. 

The most interesting/entertaining cases (which are the most television-worthy) get selected by the TV show producers who try and organize arbitration by getting both parties to agree to appear on the show.

Typically individuals who agree to appear on the show are given compensation in the form of an appearance fee ($100-$500 total), a daily fee (e.g. $50 or less per day), and travel/hotel expenses may be covered as well. If either party is awarded money, the amount is typically covered by the television show. In effect, so long as you're willing to potentially face embarrassment on national (or sometimes international) TV, it's a pretty sweet deal even if you are the losing party.