Tribunal de nuit

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 ****

The 80's produced some of Televisions best sitcom's, and Night Court is one of the eras shining examples. Harry Anderson's, Judge Harold T Stone is surrounded by an eccentric but very likable group. From the womanizing antics of John Larroquette's Dan Fielding, to Richard Moll's confused lovable giant, Bull Shannon, the cast never disappointed.

They were not afraid to be bizarre, as the writers would give us scenes such as Wild E Coyote appearing before Judge Stone for chasing the Road Runner. The cast would also face believable moral dilemmas, that alot of today's sitcom's do not dare attempt, or pull off as successfully.

Night Court was one of a series of great sitcoms that aired during NBC's dominance in the late 80's. The ongoing careers and lives of a judge, his lawyers, and other officials was probably the best sitcom in the line-up along with The Golden Girls.

Unlike today's sitcoms where everyone portrays Woody Allen and has "sex on the brain", only one man, ONE MAN, in the cast was thinking non-stop about sexing. John Laroquette, as Dan Fielding; Assistant DA of New York, was brilliant in portraying the sleazy, sexually-addicted hunk. He won 4 Emmys for his portrayal (more then anyone else currently in T.V. comedy will ever hope to win). There were episodes where he alone made the show a gas. But you also have Harry Anderson's Judge Harold T. Stone; who's flair for magic and Mel Torme made him a much-loved star and 6'9 bailiff Nostradamus "Bull" Shannon helped make a name for Richard Moll as he played the simple-minded Forrest Gump-type lug that people would want to know. The other cast members were superb as well, especially as soon as they brought in Markie Post as the permanent Public Defender and deadpan comic Marsha Warfield as Bailiff Roz Russell in 1986. The cast stayed together until 1992 and it gelled beautifully.

With great stories and lots of hilarity, the show ruled, and although it was adult in nature because of Larroquette's character, it did it in a classy way. You couldn't hate Dan, he just had charm and flair, and wasn't something from "Friends". I believe this show is still running on A&E so if you've never seen this classic sit-com, give it a try and see what a sit-com is supposed to be like.

I loved this show while it was on. In the beginning it followed the same premise of Barney Miller depicting the fact that city officials are just people themselves doing a job, but with the incredibly gorgeous Markie Post on the show for every one to drool over, the show became wildly cartoony, illogical and wild while it kept all the straight and contemplative issues that had made it a hit. Post really saved this show with her too perfect to be real figure while she followed the rigid restraints of a nun. John Larroquette was her perfect nemesis as the lecherous but snobbish Dan Fielding and Harry Anderson as the judge with a Peter Pan complex. The supporting staff of Charlie Robinson, Marsha Warfield and the ever likeable Richard Moll also became stars in this incredible show, but it had really lost its steam when Christine lost her virginity to have a baby and Dan found his morals. From there, the show just wasn't as good, and the roller coaster ride, as great as it was, was over.

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."