One of the zaniest and bawdiest shows to hit network primetime in the 1980s, Night Court starred Harry Anderson as the Mel Tormé-loving, magic-playing, too-young judge Harry Stone presiding over the night beat of New York. Joining him were lecherous assistant district attorney Dan (John Larroquette), bald Bunyanesque bailiff Bull (Richard Moll), uptight court clerk Lana (Karen Austin), earnest public defender Elizabeth (Paula Kelly), and grizzled bailiff Selma (Selma Hacker).

In between cases involving ladies of the evening, a derelict who thinks he's Santa, and sparring spouses, the court staff spends most of their spare time trying to figure out the judge's age and background, making jokes about Bull's imposing appearance, or, in Dan's case, propositioning any woman who comes along. Among the first-season guest stars, Michael J. Fox takes a break from Family Ties to play a young tough, while Soviet comedian Yakov Smirnoff (there's a flashback for you!) plays a Russian who threatens to blow up the court. Created by Rheinhold Weege (who co-produced and wrote for Barney Miller), Night Court took off in later years, as the cast solidified with court clerk Mac (Charles Robinson), sexy public defender Christine (Markie Post), and glib bailiff Roz (Marsha Warfield). With better people to bounce off of, Laroquette took home four consecutive Supporting Actor Emmys beginning with the second season. Those were the only major statuettes the series won during its nine-season run, but it did hold down the 9:30 slot of NBC's "must see" Thursday lineup between Cheers and L.A. Law.

Cast and Characters

• Harry Anderson as Harold T. Stone
• Charlie Robinson as Mac Robinson
• John Larroquette as Dan Fielding
• Markie Post as Christine Sullivan (1985-1992)
• Richard Moll as Nostradamus "Bull" Shannon
• Marsha Warfield as Roz Russell (1986-1992)
• Paula Kelly as Liz Williams (1984)
• Selma Diamond as Selma Hacker (1984-1985)
• Mike Finneran as Art Fensterman
• Denice Kumagai as Quon Lee Robinson (1985-1992)

Broadcast History, Episode Guide & TV Schedule

First Telecast: January 4, 1984
Last Telecast: May 31, 1992
Number of Seasons: 7
Number of Episodes: 193
Original Network: NBC
Original Primetime TV Schedule:

• January 1984- March 1984, NBC, Wednesday 9:30-10:00pm
• May 1984- May 1986, NBC, Thursday 9:30-10:00pm
• June 1986- March 1987, NBC, Thursday 9:30-10:00pm
• March 1987- June 1987, NBC, Wednesday 9:00-9:30pm
• June 1987- July 1987, NBC, Wednesday 9:30-10:00pm
• July 1987- August 1987, NBC, Wednesday 9:00-9:30pm
• August 1987- March 1988, NBC, Thursday 9:30-10:00pm
• March 1988- April 1988, NBC, Friday 9:00-9:30pm
• May 1988- September 1988, NBC, Thursday 9:30-10:00pm
• October 1988- August 1990, NBC, Wednesday 9:00-9:30pm
• September 1990- January 1991, NBC, Friday 9:00-9:30pm
• January 1991- November 1991, NBC, Wednesday 9:00-9:30pm
• December 1991- May 1992, NBC, Sunday 9:30-10:00pm

Theme Song Lyrics and Intro

Theme by J. Elliot

Listen to theme song
Purchase theme song from Amazon.com:


Purchase theme on

Night Court On DVD

Season 1

Season 2

Season 3

View all Night Court merchandise

My Two Dads < Prev		Next > Perfect Strangers