Gerald Lawson / Judge John Law

Then a nap and then some afternoon soap operas. He can finish with John Law, who tick-tocks his gavel like Coolio in the old music videos and takes no shit in his courtroom.

Billy considers watching Judge Law and describes the same distinctive gavel tick-tock.

television court-show performer Gerald Lawson using Judge John Law identity

… clapping along with the music, and the announcer intones, “Steer clear if you’re a louse, because John Law is in the house!” “All rise!” George the bailiff cries. The spectators get up, still clapping and swaying, as Judge John Law comes out of his …

The televised court-show entrance depicts Judge Law dancing to the bench and tick-tocking his gavel.

television court-show performer Gerald Lawson using Judge John Law identity

… John Law is in the house!” “All rise!” George the bailiff cries. The spectators get up, still clapping and swaying, as Judge John Law comes out of his chambers. He’s six-six (Holly knows this from People magazine, which she hides even better than her Snickers Bites) and bald as an eight-ball . . . although he’s more dark chocolate than black. He’s wearing voluminous robes that sway back and forth as he boogies his way to the bench. He grabs …

The embedded court-show scene explicitly gives Judge Law’s actual name as Gerald Lawson and establishes the repeated gavel mannerism.

television court-show performer Gerald Lawson using Judge John Law identity

He was just lying there when I came in, watching that John Law court show on TV. Christ, I wish he’d at least been wearing some pajamas, you know?” I said nothing.

The narrator identifies the John Law court show being watched on television.

television court-show performer Gerald Lawson using Judge John Law identity