‘Night Court‘ The Sequel Series to the 1980s NBC Classic has Returned to Tuesday Night and Would Make Harry Anderson and Markie Post Proud!
NIGHT COURT — “The Nighthawks” Episode 102 — Pictured: (l-r) Melissa Rauch as Abby Stone, John Larroquette as Dan Fielding — (Photo by: Jordin Althaus/NBC/Warner Bros. Television)
In 1984 the late Reinhold Weege captured 1980s humor as part of the early days of the “Must see TV” Era. ‘Night Court‘, ‘The Golden Girls‘, ‘Cheers‘ and the now tarnished because of it’s lead actor, ‘The Cosby Show,’ ruled television and made NBC the place for comedy.
‘Night Court‘ however stood out among the rest because of its outlandish concepts as in the original pilot Harry Anderson’s character Harry Stone became the youngest New York State court judge in history because he happened to be home when the phone rang.
Weege was no stranger to zany television shows has he was a writer on the 1970s police comedy, ‘Barney Miller‘. However, like everything in the 1980s, Weege cranked it up to 11 and we got ‘Night Court‘, with the three stars that stayed during the entire run being the late Harry Anderson, Richard Moll who played the giant buffoon bailiff Bull, and the lothario, always looking for a quick buck or quickie in the janitor’s closet, Dan Fielding, the returning John Larroquette.
The late Paula Kelly was the first African-American actress to appear on the show as Liz Williams, who was replaced in season two by Ellen Foley, who was replaced in season three until the rest of the duration of the show by the late Markie Post.
Marsha Warfield joined the cast in the fourth season as well following the passing of Selma Diamond and Florence Halop, who both played elderly bailiffs using their given first names in seasons one, two and three, respectively.
Now we fast forward 30 years since the cancelation of the original incarnation of ‘Night Court‘ where Melissa Rauch plays Abby Stone, Harry’s daughter who takes over his old court room after being called to Manhattan. Larroquette returns as the curmudgeon version of Dan Fielding who if given opportunity to return to his womanizing ways, it would be more of a hold up than a stick up (sorry Mr. Larroquette, I had to quote, ‘Grumpier Old Men‘).
Kapil Talwalkar plays Neil who is the new court clerk taking over for the late Charles Robinson, while British actress India de Beaufort who plays Olivia is a young, female version of ’80s Dan without the desires for sexual conquest.
Lacretta rounds out the cast as new favorite bad ass bumbling bailiff, Donna Grugs. Picture her being the love child of Bull and Roz of the original series…dear God, please let that be the case!
NBC aired the first two episodes of the new ‘Night Court‘ and like the original 1984 run, the jokes are there, and the chemistry will develop. Treat season one as the orchestra being assembled as they play the tunes well, but they are making music just yet.
Rauch knew this sequel series would not work without Larroquette and by God he does not miss a single beat or que. I have already fallen in love with Lacretta as a performer as she’s the original scene stealer of the new ‘Night Court‘ so far.
Talwalkar and de Beaufort are wonderful in their roles, but I am looking to love to hate Olivia as the season progresses and I hope that Neil moves on from indifferent older Millenial to learn from his Boomer co-star and develop a more Gen X smart ass attitude, without losing his appeal.
Harry Anderson, Markie Post, Charles Robinson, Selma Diamond, Florence Halop and Reinhold Weege would all be very pleased with this NBC homecoming for a wacky series that was just so over the top funny and had a lot of heart. If some of the emotional moments can linger for half a beat more, the new ‘Night Court‘ won’t just be another ride on the nostalgia train, it will be the next generation of comedy gold.
‘Night Court‘ airs Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. on NBC.
- Overall Score
Summary
Just like the original ‘Night Court‘ the first season is getting its bearings but has the trajectory for another 9 season!
