Here's a rundown of how the system works, typically. Your case may actually be different as I don't know the ins and outs of your particular case.
Producers and "scouts" for these shows hang around civil courts (family courts until they were barred from doing so thanks to Judge Dumbass Judy for ruling on a criminal family court hearing on her show in 1999). They'll scout out cases that are civil, and that have already been to the hearing process. Open Records will indicate who the benefit was given to and the final outcome. Before the ending hearing, the producers will scalp these cases, and convince both parties to belay their final hearing in the court room, pay their court costs at the county/municipal level and have them flown to the "court" room (which is in no way a court room), pay their airfare, hotel, food etc during their taping. Pretty awesome deal (that's why most people on these shows are ghetto white trash, or just ghetto, they didn't have money for an actual attorney or representation, and none is provided for civil litigation).
After these people are brought to the studio, they sign a document, basically signing away any right to an appeal, or appeal process. It's a one and done deal. They take pre-hearing information and rule based on that, both parties know before going in who the victor will be, and must sign notarized documentation given acceptance and awareness of the hearing. This is a legal, and binding document, about the only one that'll ever pass between parties hands while on the show. Most judges aren't even actual practicing, licensed judges any longer, they're in retired status and can't actively give ruling on cases outside of a civil litigation, basically an opinion that holds no water when it comes to the actual criminal or civil court rulings.
I've escorted plenty of scouts and producers out of the Dallas County courthouse, they're scum and low of the low depriving people of their actual civil rights when it comes to getting what they're owed. These shows pollute what others actually think the justice system should be like, which it's nothing like that. Many of these shows have civil suits and criminal suits filed against them for always siding with the defendant on the case, since at that point the court merely pays an appearance fee to those involved and they're done. If ruled for the plaintiff, most times the TV SHOW will pay the fees associated with the ruling and those on the show don't typically have to pay their costs. These shows are a joke, and make a mockery of the people that go on the show, and of the civil system in itself.