Night Court

For the foreign reader(s) Night Court was an American sitcom that aired from 1983 through 1992. It was set in Manhattan criminal court and featured Judge Harry Stone and the people working for him. Here's the opening credits:

Those credits are crucial to understanding the show. Night Court takes place in a post 60-70's New York. The city is beaten up and run down. The cast is world weary and cynical, tough and cool. The late Selma Diamond represented this clearly and effectively:

Everything about that face and voice says 'tough old broad'.

In the court house the staff are surrounded by the cities' dregs; bums, drunks, hookers, flashers and the like. For that matter the courthouse itself looks rundown, mid-century modern scared by the New York of John Lindsay and Abe Beam.

I've binge watched a few seasons now. Its like going back home. When it aired Night Court was required viewing in Casa de Stroock. When I was 17 it aired from 6-7 on Channel 5 and then again at 7:30, on I think, WGN.

The show made John Larroquette famous. He won four strait Emmy awards for his work as the talented lawyer but rakish Dan Fielding. Behold:

Now, I gotta be honest. This show hasn't aged well. It's probably the last of the great sitcoms before Seinfeld comes along and destroys the old 'feel good' story arc.

That's ok. Its a bit of a time capsule of a New York City that doesn't exist anymore. I'm going to sign off now before I get nostalgic.

One last thing. As one can imagine, a lot of famous actors passed through the show on the way to their big gig. Terri Hatcher, Michael Richards...but  here's the best scene ever. Brace yourselves Sci-Fi fans: