Night Court aired on NBC from January 1984 until May 1992. Though the series was moved around a lot on NBC’s schedule, Night Court was a solid favorite with viewers, remaining in the top thirty of the Neilsen ratings during its first six seasons on the air. Night Court creator Reinhold Weege, had previously been a writer for both Barney Miller and Mash. During Night Court’s first couple of seasons, many critics compared the show to Barney Miller because of its New York City setting, quirky humor and the the series centered on a group of people who had to cope with a revolving cast of eccentrics.
Although Night Court was enjoyable from the start, the series didn’t really hit its stride until the second season. The series had a solid lead in comedian/magician Harry Anderson as Judge Harry Stone. An easy going, good-humored jurist, he was an amateur magician and major Mel Torme fan. He was appointed to the bench, despite being the last name on the list, because he was home when the call came. A star from nearly the first episode, John Larroquette’s portrayal of assistant D.A. Dan Fielding, a lecherous, backstabbing money-obsessed jerk, was reason enough to watch the show each week. And at 6 feet, 8 1/2 inches, Richard Moll was unforgettable as the lovable, dim-witted bailiff, Nostradamus “Bull” Shannon. However, those actors are the only ones who made it past the first season. Everyone else was either replaced, or passed away. Chain-smoking Selma (Selma Diamond) is still here this season, but she would be replaced the next by Florence (Florence Halop), and Markie Post (who would settle in the third season as chief public defender) makes a single appearance this season. Defense attorneys Liz (Paula Kelly) and Billie (Ellen Foley) would merge into one, with Post playing Christine Sullivan.
The episodes in season two are all funny but there is a real assorted cast of characters that come through the courtroom doors. Among the charges is consorting with a prostitute – but it turns out he was just comforting her after her street-walking ‘sister’ was murdered. The same episode highlights one of Night Court’s best qualities; fabulous character actors in guest roles. In this case Ray Walston portrays the judge sent to decide Stone’s fate. Walston’s senility provides laughs and impeccable timing. Sometimes things get a little corny, as in the episode where Bull decides to become a professional wrestler, or when a gypsy places a effective curse on the court. Yet even Bull’s wrestling adventures include a surprisingly funny cameo from Lou Ferrigno.
The fact that several people were in and out of the courtroom in a single episode means the chances of seeing a familiar face are quite high. Guest stars during season two included: Dinah Manoff, Terry Kiser, Vincent Schiavelli, John Astin, Michael Richards, James Cromwell, Jack Gilford, Gordon Jump and William Frankfather.
Night Court really is a show that was full of laughs. Harry Anderson and John Larroquette anchored things very well and by the time the second season came around the series was starting to gel. The courtroom atmosphere allowed the show’s producers to bring in numerous guest stars that only added to the fun. Night Court is high on my list of best series of the eighties and this DVD set should be in the collection of any TV fan.
Here’s a rundown on the 22 episodes, which are described (with credits) on a full-color tri-fold:
The Nun
Christine and Mac (a.k.a. Daddy for the Defense)
Billie and the Cat
Pick a Number
The Computer Kid
Bull Gets a Kid
Harry on Trial
Harry and the Madam
Inside Harry Stone
The Blizzard
Take My Wife, Please
The Birthday Visitor
Dan’s Parents
Nuts About Harry
An Old Flame
The Gypsy
Battling Bailiff
Billie’s Valentine
Married Alive
Mac and Quon Le: Together Again
World War III
Walk, Don’t Wheel
There’s a slight graininess that you expect with shows from 1985 (which was when the second season aired), but the colors are bright and the delineation fairly sharp. Night Court is presented in 1.33:1 aspect ratio.
The audio is Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0, with subtitles in English and French. The sound is pretty standard for an Eighties’ television show.
There are no extras.
