User reviews

"Night Court" was one of the more bizarre shows to come along. The only time I've ever seen a show that featured a lot of slapstick and raunchy gags, unlike any other sitcom. Harry Anderson was Harry Stone, a zany judge who loved magic and silly props, which he would pull outta nowhere a lot of the time. In his court was my all time fave sitcom actor John Larroquette, as smutty Dan Fielding, a womanizing, outspoken district attorney. There was also well meaning but dumber than cotton Bull Shannon, a towering bailiff. These three were really the only ones who were around from the shows first episode. I'd have to say they may have set a record for most cast changes for a sitcom as there were at least 4(!) leading female characters. There was Karen Austin, Ellen Foley for a season, than a series of several replacement actresses for a few weeks before Markie Post finally grounded herself as the main female character. Also along midway through were Charles Robinson as Mac, Florence Hallop, who died shortly after joining the show, and she was replacing Selma Diamond who also passed away. Finally the producers went with a younger choice, Marsha Warfield as no nonsense Roz. Lots of great episodes, of mention the one where Harry's old college friend shows up. Anderson and Larroquette end up on a ledge nude which leads to the shows best line ever when one looks down at the others privates: "So, what's up?" They ended their run in 92 with an extremely disappointing show, which wrapped the characters fates nicely, but lacked any type of laughs at all. But still a terrific bunch of shows midway through the 80s make it one of the best, if edgiest, shows ever.

"Night Court" was one of the more bizarre shows to come along. The only time I've ever seen a show that featured a lot of slapstick and raunchy gags, unlike any other sitcom. Harry Anderson was Harry Stone, a zany judge who loved magic and silly props, which he would pull outta nowhere a lot of the time. In his court was my all time fave sitcom actor John Larroquette, as smutty Dan Fielding, a womanizing, outspoken district attorney. There was also well meaning but dumber than cotton Bull Shannon, a towering bailiff. These three were really the only ones who were around from the shows first episode. I'd have to say they may have set a record for most cast changes for a sitcom as there were at least 4(!) leading female characters. There was Karen Austin, Ellen Foley for a season, than a series of several replacement actresses for a few weeks before Markie Post finally grounded herself as the main female character. Also along midway through were Charles Robinson as Mac, Florence Hallop, who died shortly after joining the show, and she was replacing Selma Diamond who also passed away. Finally the producers went with a younger choice, Marsha Warfield as no nonsense Roz. Lots of great episodes, of mention the one where Harry's old college friend shows up. Anderson and Larroquette end up on a ledge nude which leads to the shows best line ever when one looks down at the others privates: "So, what's up?" They ended their run in 92 with an extremely disappointing show, which wrapped the characters fates nicely, but lacked any type of laughs at all. But still a terrific bunch of shows midway through the 80s make it one of the best, if edgiest, shows ever.

One of the best comedies of all time, this series will always have a special place in my heart. Not only was Harry Anderson and John Larroquette excellent in their roles along with back up characters like Richard Moll, Markie Post, Charles Robinson, Florence Halop, Marsha Warfield, and Mike Finneran. Often times great, with great guest performances by the likes of Dick Butkus and Mel Torme, this was one of those Golden Oldie sitcoms that should be considered one of the patron saints of the medium. Nowadays, most sitcoms die and fluster, but this one was excellent from the start. Hopefully, a special set with all of the episodes will be released someday, because I will most certainly get this set.

Harry Anderson was comedy gold in night court but even more than they were those scenes where he showed heart and compassion and helped his friends . This show will always have a place in my heart I remember first seeing it as a young kid with my grandma and loved it then although not fully understands all the comedy .

As an adult it's even better . I've bought the first three seasons on DVD and recommend it if you enjoy great characters and a slick jazzy opening

I remember this comedy from the 1980's it was one that was crazy and far out with jokes and laughs not your typical court like drama! It was a hit for "NBC" I now catch reruns on digital channels. It featured Harry Anderson as the star as he was the head judge of the court and he always had humor with his co workers to help get thru the cases and work and life! Richard Moll also provided plenty of good laughs and plenty of guest stars would come on the show and most of all in a sexy and elegant way Markie Post provided sex appeal as a smart and clever attorney. Overall this was one little good series to watch for laughs as it did not take things or life or cases of drama to serious! Now all rise for some fun laughs and joy!

This show had a lot of cast changes during its first one or two seasons. Then it settled into a groove until the last season where it just got very strange and then had one of the worst finale episodes ever. Still, it was funny as Harry Anderson as the judge, John Larroquette as Dan the womanizing D.A. and Richard Moll as the dense, but good hearted Bull the bailiff were like the only three cast members to be in the show during its entire run and were the best characters. Mac, played by Charles Robinson and Markie Post as the public defender would also settle in and do well. The show had its problems with the second bailiff during its early run losing two older actresses as I believed both passed away, they would finally go with someone different in the form of Marsha Warfield. The show was simply about a court that operates at night (duh), and at times some very crazy things happen, near the end these things would get a bit to crazy. However, for the most part the show was funny as I tend to gravitate towards shows that revolve around a job or place of business more so than to a show that is about a family. A good show that was really funny during the middle stretch, but it did have a hard time getting out of the gate initially and kind of stumbled near the end.

Even when the series was starting, it still had the core of what made this sit-com funny...honesty. The story is of a night court where oddballs populate the bureaucratic justice system. What unfolds are some really silly situations (sit-com?) since it takes place in New York, there are a never ending turnstile of strange folk that can stream through. A genius move. The cast is brilliant. Kudos to John Laroquette for still remaining funny even decades after (a lot of jokes I didn't get until much later in life). And, as a hot-blooded American...thank you for the addition of Markie Post. If you've ever been to a courthouse, it really nails the atmosphere of the government institutionalized decor. A wonderful series to watch in re-runs.

I remember hearing the theme song in my early years and after watching Family Guy and while I knew it was familiar I had no idea from where it came. After watching some reruns on a digital TV channel I was hooked. Funny and entertaining cast, including Richard Moll (who later became a voice artist for both games and cartoons) who played the dense but cute bailiff Bull. If you haven't seen it, try it! Like Full House it had its roots in the 1980s and made the transition into the new decade which was the 1990s. And it didn't disappoint!

Judge Harold T. Stone (Harry Anderson) is at times a silly and fun guy who presides over NYC's "Night Court". It's a petty court that deals with petty criminals in the dead of the night. The only reason Harry got the job is because nobody was at home to pick up the phone as each candidate was called. Yes the reason he got the job was because he was home. Dan Fielding (John Larroquette) is the womanizer prosecutor. Mac Robinson (Charles Robinson) is the court clerk. Bull (Richard Moll) and Selma Hacker (Selma Diamond) are the bailiffs. Roz Russell (Marsha Warfield) replaces Selma after her death. Billie Young (Ellen Foley) is the defense attorney for the first season and replaced by Christine Sullivan (Markie Post).

The best part of the show is the motley cast of characters who works the night court. It's a great group. Despite losing Selma and Billy, the show's chemistry is never lost. It's too bad that Ellen Foley got dropped. Billie has some fun romantic build-up with Harry. There is no doubt that Markie Post is an upgrade. This is a fun mid-level 80s comedy show.

Comic actor Richard Moll is the only reason to watch this bloated, egotistical, self-important attempt at sitcom excellence.

Moll, he of no hair but great height, delivers a subdued, enigmatic performance as Bull the bailiff. It is some of his finest work ever. Moll fans will not want to miss this unique series, which lasted nine seasons on NBC and is now languishing in obscurity.

Without Moll, I am afraid to contemplate what this 1980s/90s series would have looked like. Because of Richard Moll as Bull the bailiff, I give this show a rating of 7 out of 10.

PS: Watch for Markie Post in the role that made her famous.

This has to be one of the zaniest shows ever to be on television!! Harry Anderson plays the unconventional and precocious judge who has a flippant disposition when dealing with the petty misdemeanors of the lowlife dredge in New York City!! What is the best way of describing this series: One of the best shows on television!! Why? Totally razor sharp one liners, the thorough comprehension of complicated character portrayals, not to mention, the most bizarre situations that any T.V. show has ever depicted!! One of the funniest episodes was with some little guy who was hysterically funny, he came up with the heinous prank of a crumbling judge's desk! John Laraquette plays the sleazy district attorney who is sex crazed beyond imagination, or if you are a guy, he is normal!! Markie Post plays "Miss Goody Two Shoes" who gravitates to the sordid modus operandi that everyone else working the night court session precariously adheres to!! Paula Kelly was a comic relief on this show, as were Karen Austin and Charles Robinson!! Richard Moll and Marsha Warfield are the bailiffs who become bored and baffled at their uneventful lives, yet this monotony adds a whimsical element to this show.. Selma Diamond and Florence Halop were also good as bailiffs who lived and breathed nicotine!! "Night Court" was one of Thursday's powerful line up on NBC during the eighties!! It was a definite winner!!

Although it has all the prerequisites for being a good, witty, human interest retro comedy show, something is amiss. Could not bond with the characters, maybe they are somehow sketchy... Also, they change the court clerk, and she was one of the ones who drew the eye in the beginning, so bad move there. Each episode brings in a couple of new cases and fleeting characters, yet another thing to handle, attention wise. It just does not manage to be consistent. I felt annoyed at the paradox of not managing to follow what by all means seems enjoyable. From the outside. Once inside the first series, or even second... It was "meh", like taking part in some school class.

They don't make shows like this anymore, which is a real shame. This was my favorite tv show of the time period, bar none.

Harry Anderson gave perhaps the best role of his career as the manic Judge Harry, and was absolutely wonderful. Richard Moll, Markie Post, and John Larroquette also made the show memorable. If you loved sitcoms that delivered nonstop laughs and great characters, the one's for you. Incidentally, "The Practice" guest star Ray Abruzzo appeared on this show for a few years.

**** out of ****

"Night Court" should be considered among the best 10 sitcoms of all time. I mean, the sole idea of a court is boring, tense, but "Night Court" converted it in the funniest place.

With such colorful, sleazy characters things couldn't get wrong in the court. Even supporting characters that included robbers, beggars, among others were truly hilarious.

Harry Anderson, the great Richard Moll, the GREAT John Larrouquette, Markie Post, Marsha W., Florence Halop, etc. conformed the perfect cast and seemed to have great chemistry between them. You can't get a better cast.

The situations were taken from real life but of course with spice. The result is a hilarious show with excellent characters and great situations.

I can't praise this show enough. Sony Entertainment Television Latin America aired re-runs in the late 90's but , sadly, I mean SADLY, they stopped running this show since 1999. I miss it very much. It was probably my favorite show and I didn't watch it when it originally came out.

Please, bring back "Night Court" the funniest serious sitcom.

Rest In Peace, Harry Anderson <3

Night Court is one of the best sitcoms of all time and he is a big reason why. He was so funny and likable and an undervalued talent. His appearances on Cheers were also great and funny. A VERY good comedy magician as well.

He starred as a Night Court judge, the youngest in the history of New York, who does magic tricks and plays pranks on people with joke shop gags etc... but he's also a fair and brilliant judge with a big heart, who is always underestimated by others and always proves them wrong.

The cast around him is also awesome. Bull... three different female bailiffs who were all awesome in their own way... Markie Post... and don't forget John Larroquette who won several Emmy awards for the role he was born to play, the smooth talking, upwardly mobile, manipulative, ambitious, scumbag, womanizing assistant district attorney Dan Fielding.

The first few seasons were hit and miss; I almost quit in Season 2 because Ellen Foley was really awful. By Season 3 they had the perfect cast with the perfect chemistry; Harry Anderson, John Larroquette, Richard Moll, Charles Robinson, Markie Post and Marsha Warfield were perfect together and the show was hilarious. The last few seasons however, it took a dive again. When Joleen Lutz joined as the ditzy court recorder, she was just too ridiculous and threw off the whole flow. Dan becoming a philanthropist when Phil died got way too absurd. Seasons 3 through 7 are fabulous.

Night Court is very underrated that's for sure, but it deserves much more in syndication. I remember that Night Court struggled at first, but it soared in popularity in the second season or so, and went on to nearly 200 episodes. Not bad really. I think folks like myself who stayed up studying or working in the late shift could greatly appreciate this series and the night atmosphere of course.

I saw an episode of this and there was not one funny joke. In truth I feel bad for John Larroquette because he deserved so much better. The laugh tracks come at the most inappropriate times and most of the actors are wooden when playing characters that aren't even remotely likable. I'm sorry but if I knew Harold Stone in real life I would be tempted to punch him in the face. I can't believe anyone liked this, even in the 80s.

I think this could have been leagues better if they had given Larroquette's character some better material to work with, or maybe just hired writers who knew the least bit about comedy. Also Harold Stone would have been infinitely better as a sarcastic, cynical judge, not some asinine, "playful" dumbass who never says anything clever or intelligent

Of all the great sitcoms that came out of the 80s, this one takes the cake as my favorite. The cast couldn't be better and the gags are still hilarious even today. Excellent performances all-around, especially by Anderson and Larroquette.

On a side note, one of my favorite quotes of all-time comes from "Night Court" ---

Man in courtroom: "Why is the sky blue?" Harry: "Because if it was green, we wouldn't know where to stop mowing."

I remember Night Court rather fondly, and it was featured in Entertainment Tonight where it found its feet after rocky ratings in the first two seasons or so. It wasn't subtle like Seinfeld, but the humor was good-natured for sure. Night Court made night shifts glamorous.

It's hard to believe Markie Post died a week ago, and Charles Robinson a month ago. Harry Anderson died three years ago.

I remember this show from when I was little, watching it with my mom, dad, sisters and brother. All of us liked it a lot and laughed a lot but I wondered if I would actually enjoy it today if I watched it again, but when I did it actually holds up.

Harry Anderson stars as a wacky "night court" judge, stuck on the graveyard shift at a New York City courtroom. He's silly, tells a lot of bad "dad jokes" and does a lot of magic tricks (in real life he is a comedy magician, which he also had showed off in his guest roles on another great eighties sitcom, Cheers). So at first obviously he is dismissed as a goof but he's also actually got a lot of heart and wisdom and knowledge of the law, which is why he got to be a judge so young (and when he's so goofy) in the first place.

The defense attorney is a bleeding heart and very attractive young lady, who becomes Harry's romantic interest but also is the target of the lecherous, selfish, stop at nothing to win, heartless D.A. Dan Fielding, played by the hilarious John Larroquette who won many awards for this role. All of these characters are still likable and hold up today, as well as Mac the no nonsense court manager, the gigantic, dopey bald bailiff Bull (Richard Moll), and a succession of female bailiffs (two older, gruff talking, smoking bailiffs actually passed away in real life, and then Roz, the sassy black lady who takes no nonsense from anyone, particularly Dan). The supporting characters are also fantastic. Whoever cast this show, I hope they won a lot of awards.

The writing also holds up with a lot of great jokes. You can kind of tell where most of the stories are going, just like with any older sitcom, but it's still a lot of fun to get there when the characters are this likable and the jokes are still funny.