Judge Judy, Is that show for real?

she's been asked this question numerous times on talk shows, and says that the show is not rehearsed, and that what she says is 100% real...however, she also said she "plays it up" a bit on the show as compared to how she is when in a regular court room setting, and that it IS because it's a tv show...but that she got the tv show in the first place because she is known for being a "tough cookie."