25 seasons (1996-2021), making him the longest serving television court show bailiff in history. Judge Judy remained the number 1 Nielsen-rated court show for its entire series run. In addition, the court show scored highest in daytime and syndication ratings for much of its first run, and won 3 Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program. In the series, Byrd took the role of Sheindlin's typically apathetic and lightly surly courtroom bailiff—one who also did not hesitate to assume a menacing presence with litigants of whom Sheindlin needed extra reinforcement. Byrd's main role in the series constituted introducing the cases (calling the parties forward, swearing the litigants, directing the courtroom audience when to rise and be seated, delivering the docket number and handing Sheindlin the case files), delivering materials between the judge and the litigants, dismissing the parties, and escorting them out once the case was complete. Opening and closing out the proceedings, each Judge Judy case began with Byrd making the statement of "Order! All Rise!" and ended with him stating, "Parties are excused. You may step out." (this was later changed in the final season to "This case has concluded, parties are excused"). Limited in his speaking role, Byrd typically only commented when addressed by Sheindlin, supplying her with always curtly expressed nonchalance and sullennes of a lighthearted nature. He typically answered Sheindlin with simple, unadorned nonverbal expressions or exclamations. On numerous occasions over the course of the show's 25 year run, Byrd played a key role in the proceedings: he was frequently sought by Sheindlin to look up vehicle estimates from the Kelley Blue Book so that she could award the accurate judgment amount. He also contacted litigants' parole officers and performed drug tests. Byrd's menacingly stern interjections for brasher litigants typically allowed Sheindlin reinforcement—her extra measure of coercion for litigants whose behavior she had trouble controlling on her own. Byrd was also tasked with controlling emotions that ran high among the parties and preventing potential altercations between the show's guests, typically by standing in-between them and the litigant podiums during the proceedings. Sheindlin frequently directed Byrd to expel litigants from the courtroom who acted in ways that she found inappropriate. Byrd had been described by the Los Angeles Times as "the guard dog to the pit bull." The court show was full of running gags involving Byrd. Among them, Byrd preoccupied himself with crossword puzzles during