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FORMAT 1957 and 1985 versions While touted as presenting real cases to television audiences, the stories from earlier versions of "Divorce Court" were fictional (although they ''were'' based on real cases). Actors portrayed the Litigant s - the Plaintiff , who initiated the divorce proceedings; the Defendant , who either sought a Reconciliation or sought a divorce decree of his/her own; and a number of Witness es, who testified on one of the litigants' behalves. Meanwhile student Attorney s would argue the cases. Each episode followed a basic formula, as follows:
Many of the stories had standard marital issues: mental and/or physical Abuse , Adultery , Desertion and other Irreconcilable Differences . As with most courtroom-based television programs through the ages (and to keep audiences interested), the stories were hardly the sort of the henpecked wife's affair with the Milkman or the husband's meddlesome mother interfering with and ultimately ruining the marriage. Rather, "Divorce Court" tended to present more sensational cases with " Shock Value ." Some examples include:
Sometimes, the judge would interview minor children involved in cases were Child Custody was an issue. "Divorce Court" was one of the first television programs to explore serious issues, including Racism , Alcohol and Drug Abuse , War , Cancer , Grief , Pornography , Gambling and Incest , to name a few. During the latter seasons of the 1985 version, some divorce proceedings were played out over multiple shows, as though it were a major criminal trial. Some litigants spent a majority of a show on the witness stand (rather than the usual five-minutes of testimony and one-minute cross-examination). The court reporters sometimes interviewed the litigants prior to each show. Current version (1999-present) The current version of "Divorce Court" is markedly different from its predecessors. For instance, real couples - who had previously filed for Divorce - argue their cases before the court; one to two cases were presented each day. Most cases involved betrayal, infidelity and trust-related issues. After both sides had presented their arguments, Judge Mablean Ephriam presented her findings. Her decision includes finding in favor of one of the litigants (or, more often than not, declaring a joint decree); and resolving issues such as Alimony and asset division. Ephriam’s decisions are legally-binding. As such, the modern version of "Divorce Court" is essentially a form of arbitration. In some instances the judge may withhold a decision to give the couple ample time to consider a reconciliation. Occasionally the show may revisit an episode where time to explore reconciliation was offered to determine if the delay remedied or worsened the marriage. The show has been renewed for an eighth season, however, Ephriam and Twentieth Television were unable to come to terms on a contract extension. Lynn Toler , a former judge in Cleveland Heights, Ohio and judge of '' Power Of Attorney '' in the series' last half season will take over next season. {Link without Title} EXTERNAL LINKS
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