From
its debut in January of 1984 Night Court was a winner
for NBC. This Emmy award winning sitcom kept audiences entertained
and coming back for more until the final original episode was
telecast in July of 1992.
Created by writer-producer Reinhold Weege, Night Court
chronicles the goings-on in New York's Manhattan Night Court.
In 1983 Weege attended a Night Court session in New York
City, and the late-night proceedings inspired the creation of
Night Court's bizarre nocturnal world.
Boyish Judge Harry T. Stone (Harry Anderson) presides over the
cases of petty criminals, prostitutes, the occasional grifter,
and a diverse population of truly off-beat eccentrics. Invariably
the compassionate, unconventional Judge Stone teaches these
denizens of the dark that it's impossible to fool someone like
him - an inveterate confidence man who also happens to be an
accomplished magician.
It's never a dull night in Judge Stone's court. Representing
the state, and prowling the courtroom, is nattily attired Assistant
D.A. Dan Fielding (John Larroquette), who hits on female plaintiffs,
defendants, and lawyers with a mix of wolfishness and deeply
buried vulnerability. African American legal-aid lawyer Liz
Williams (Paula Kelly) represents the defense. Bailiff Nostradamus
"Bull" Shannon (Richard Moll) towers over the proceedings -
enormous stature and stoic expression are enough to keep the
toughest criminal in line, but his soft voice and gentle demeanor
reveal an inner softie instead of a dangerous giant. Rounding
out the cast are caustic, chain-smoking Court Matron Selma Hacker
(Selma Diamond) and perky Court Clerk, Lana Wagner (Karen Austin).
The hit comedy had a good deal of turnover in the supporting
cast. Diamond, like the character she played, was a fanatical
cigarette smoker, and she succumbed to lung cancer in 1985.
Rather than recast the role of Selma, Florence Halop joined
the cast as a new Court Matron named Florence Kleiner. Halop
was on the show for a brief time; she died of cancer in 1986.
Marsha Warfield joined the cast in 1986 as new Court Matron
Roz Russell, and remained with the show until it bowed in 1992.
Lana was replaced by the sensible Mac Robinson (Charlie Robinson)
in 1984. Liz was replaced by Billie Young (Ellen Foley) and
then by Christine Sullivan (Markie Post).
A number of recurring characters also show up in the courtroom,
including Buddy, a former mental patient who turns out to be
Harry's father; Jack, a cynical, blind newsstand operator; obnoxious
newspaper reporter Al Craven; Leon, a runaway orphan; maintenance
man Art; and Mac's Asian wife Quon Lee Robinson. Harry's musical
idol, Mel Torme, makes an occasional guest starring appearance.
While many fans of Harry Anderson believe the part of Harry
T. Stone was created for the actor, the character of Harry T.
Stone was created before Harry Anderson was cast. But
Anderson's boyish charm -- and the unusual similarities between
the two Harrys - made him the clear choice for the role. Both
Harrys perform magic to relax, have a bit of the grifter in
them, and have the word "fun" tattooed on their shoulder (although
it has been revealed that Anderson got his tattoo after he read
the pilot script). Markie Post was actually the original choice
to play Night Court's public defender, but when the series
started she was already starring in The Fall Guy. Post
joined the Night Court cast in 1985, when her contract
ended with The Fall Guy.
In spite of the carnival-like atmosphere of the courtroom, Night
Court often tackled relevant social issues including abandonment,
homelessness, and immigration. While idiosyncratic, the characters
were richly imagined and sometimes surprisingly complex. Drawing
on the best comedic traditions of vaudeville, burlesque, magic
shows, slapstick comedy, satire, and sex farce, Night Court
is truly a classic.
Next Three Airings:
Wonder Drugs : TV-PG
Monday, July 21 at 7:00 AM (ET/PT)
Some Like It Hot : TV-PG
Tuesday, July 22 at 7:00 AM (ET/PT)
Harry and The Rock Star : TV-PG
Wednesday, July 23 at 7:00 AM (ET/PT)
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