What Happened to Night Court? (1984-1992)

As far as TV sitcoms go, very few have ever been as funny as NBC’s Night Court. The show starred Harry Anderson as magic and Mel Tormé loving judge Harry Stone, John Larroquette as the sleazy (but lovable) prosecutor Dan Fielding, the late Richard Moll as Bull Shannon, the hulking but sweet-natured bailiff and more. Despite its long run, the show took a few years to get going, with cast members being replaced and not one but two of the supporting bailiffs dying in real life. Finally, however, the show’s ensemble started to cook when the late Charles Robinson as Mac (the court clerk), Marsha Warfield as Roz (the bailiff) and the late, great Markie Post as Christine Sullivan, the sweet-natured and lovable defence attorney, were introduced.

From there, the show was a ratings juggernaut, with Larroquette becoming one of the biggest comedy stars of the eighties thanks to his role, which he’s reprising on a Night Court sequel series starring Melissa Rauch as Harry and Christine’s judge daughter. Larroquette won four Emmys in a row for the part (and had his name taken out of contention as not to overshadow his cast-mates).

While not currently streaming anywhere, Night Court has held up a lot better than many other sitcoms of the era and is well worth discovering for those of you who may not have been around during its initial run. Learn all about it on this week’s Gone But Not Forgotten!

#NightCourt #JohnLarroquette #GoneButNotForgotten #RichardMoll

[CraziBastid]

The episode where Bull breaks down over Selma’s death always brings me to tears as I know what it’s like to lose your best friend.

[russellclaycomb]

Night Court and WKRP - two of the shows I can watch over and over again and never tire.

[MrKjDrake]

Good stuff man! My father James Drake was the Director for many Night Court episodes and other classic sitcoms. He passed away last month and joined the other fallen Night Court members who passed too soon. He would have enjoyed your review 👍

[d.peters]

I totally agree...the Harry, Dan, Christine, Mack, Bull, Roz cast was the pinnacle of the show.

[wellesradio]

Marsha Warfield’s sense of humor is spectacular. I love her quip @15:47 when asked about being teased because the previous two actors to play her role had died.

[silvasurfa]

My favorite sitcom of all time 💖
Dan Fielding is one of the best characters of all time 👍😎

[Craxin]

I was a kid when this was on air, and I NEVER missed a moment of this gem.

[tommoore]

Night Court is not forgotten. It was part of NBC’s top rated Thursday lineup in the 1980’s: Cosby, Family Ties, Cheers, Night Court. Possibly the best sitcom block of all time.

[kathigreen]

Awws. My mom used to babysit Harry when he was little. He's a cousin, something removed. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to meet him. But, from all accounts, he was exactly who you saw. A sweet, funny, generous guy who loves Mel Tormé! 🕺🏻✨ RIP, Harry. 💖

[TonyM]

I used to LOVE Night Court. My favorite episode was when they brought in John Astin as Harry's father. I was rolling. "But I'm doing MUCH better now" 😅🤣😂

[spacemissing]

Night Court was one show I didn't want to miss. It was just silly enough, just serious enough,
with exactly the right pathos in the right places, to make it a truly classic comedy series.
The cast was well chosen and the stories were worthy. What more can be said for it without going overboard?

[benjiegrajo]

I stumbled into this show in 2002 when I was in the US for a vacation. This sitcomm wa being shown on TV Land. After seeing just 1 episode, I immediately got hooked. It became one of my all time favorite shows

[katemaloney]

The two that always stood out for me what when Christine had enough of the Barry Manilow bashing and called Harry up on the carpet by telling him, "I'll have you know that Mel Torme RECORDED an album with Barry Manilow!" Just the look of shock on Harry's face as he turns to Mac and says "Say it isn't so!" and Mac replies, "It's true" is priceless.

And the second one is when it's revealed that Christine is a HUGE monarchist, who lives and breathes everything Charles & Diana--even to the point of having a party and inviting Queen Elizabeth II--who "shows up" for the celebration but is turned away by a distraught Christine (who didn't know HRH was outside).

Or when Bull got zapped by lightning. Or Dan got trapped in an elevator with a gay man and had to overcome his homophobia. Or when Harry found out who his real dad was. Great show with too many memories to write down. Thanks for featuring NIGHT COURT.

P.s. Any chance you might cover REMINGTON STEELE?

[taylordowning]

Night Court is still one of my favorite shows. Its a true classic from TV's golden age. R.I.P. to Harry, Charles, Markie, Selma, Richard, and Florence. A truly stellar cast!

[oak]

Harry was a good friend..very talented, imaginitive, skillful and generous. He had been a street performer and a stage magician before he took up acting first in Cheers. RIP Judge....

[Psilocybin]

Back when A&E had actual programming, beyond murder and human misery, they would consistently air episodes of Night Court. I was at the age where I was becoming more interested in adult humor, and would watch this show constantly. Seeing these clips awoke long dormant, but welcome memories. I really had forgotten how much I cared for this show growing up. It saddens me that so many of Night Court's alumni have passed. Knowing Markie Post passed at the age of 70 came as a shock, as I'll always remember her as so young and vibrant. This was a wonderful retrospective and thanks for the memories.

[ralphwiggum]

I was a young teenager when this show was popular and I loved it! It helped me understand more mature TV shows (just coming from watching cartoons) and helped shape my sense of humor. The casting of most of the characters was incredible, especially Harry Anderson. All supporting cast were also great, but he was the glue that held the show together.

[sportsbabe]

Night Court was so underrated. I watched it from the beginning and all the way to the end. NewsRadio followed in the footsteps of Night Court admirably.

[FreshMootz]

By far one of the most hilarious and original shows ever. They do not make shows like these anymore. I never missed an episode.

[nealpatterson]

I'm surprised you didn't mention one of my favorite recurring characters: John Astin as Harry's stepfather Buddy Ryan who turned out to be Harry's real father. I thought their relationship was really touching.