| Advertisement |
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Season 3 of Night Court, premiering Tuesday at 8:30 EST on NBC, adds new characters who create new comedic conflicts. Wendie Malick joins the cast as the new prosecutor, replacing Olivia (India de Beaufort) in Judge Abby Stone's (Melissa Rauch) court. Malick's character, Julianne, appeared in previous episodes as the ex-con vowing revenge on defense attorney Dan Fielding (John Larroquette).
Advertisement
"The prosecutor role is especially funny given that she's been on the other side of it," Rauch, 44, told UPI in a recent Zoom interview, adding that Julianne sometimes shares with clients "how she would've done things differently or how she can relate to their case."
Rauch, also an executive producer, said Night Court explains Julianne was a practicing attorney before her incarceration, and remains licensed by the New York Bar. Malick invented her own backstory to explain the legalities.
"I love the idea that Abby is such a generous and warm-hearted person that she would opt into a program called Project Second Chance, where you give former prisoners jobs," said Malick, 73. "That would be so typical of Abby."
Plotting against Dan Fielding
Julianne's revenge plan in her Season 1 appearance was to seduce Dan and steal his identity. She bailed when she found him to be a much more sympathetic person than she met in court decades before.
Though Dan had romantic feelings for his opposing counsel in the original Night Court, which ran from 1984 to 1992, Larroquette, 76, said he believes Dan and Julianne will keep their relationship professional.
"Maybe it's just my own insecurity, I don't think anyone wants to see a 75-year-old man in a romance," he said. "I just don't see where that's funny."
Dan was a womanizer in the original series, but the revival made him a widower who has softened his approach to women. Malick said septuagenarians still have romances, but agreed it would be best for Julianne and Dan to remain platonic.
"We realize that this is a very fiery toxic relationship that could get a little mileage," Malick said. "As professional colleagues, they need to put all that on hold and try to just beat each other in the courtroom instead of in life."
Larroquette's concern about aging sentiments led to a Season 3 episode dealing with ageism, though not romance. Larroquette, also an executive producer, suggested the episode in which the age difference between Dan and most of the court staff is addressed.
"It's certainly a condition that is rife in our society," Larroquette said about ageism. "I wanted to hit it head-on and show that that's not the way it should be, but I think most of us are."
As for Julianne, Malick said she might find new reasons to hate Dan on the job.
"I'm sure at times everybody wants to kill Dan," Malick said.
Larroquette also said that Dan would not hesitate to use Julianne's criminal past against her "in a second, of course. If it's to his advantage, immediately."
For Rauch, the characters capitalize on the "sizzling" chemistry they had in previous episodes, whether they are romantic, homicidal or professional.
"It's a rivalry of the century," Rauch said.
Concluding original 'Night Court' stories
Larroquette is the only cast member from the original Night Court to return as a star on the revival. Marsha Warfield has guest-starred.
Harry Anderson died in 2018 and Markie Post, Charlie Robinson and Richard Moll all died shortly before Night Court returned. The show has addressed what happened to some characters in ensuing years.
Abby is the daughter of Anderson's character. In Season 2, Dan ran into the sister of Post's character, Christine Sullivan, at a wedding.
"I chose Gigi Rice to play her sister," Larroquette said. "Actually, Gigi and Markie played sisters in a movie for television."
The movie was Christmas Reservations, and Rice also starred on The John Larroquette Show. Her character on Night Court is angry that Dan never went to Christine's funeral.
"The last episode of Night Court [in 1992], Dan Fielding was leaving to follow her somewhere," he said. "So I wanted to try and investigate what happened."
Rauch said that when it comes to addressing any of the previous Night Court characters, Larroquette's input is imperative.
"Having his heart and his mind on that is of the utmost importance to everyone," Rauch said.
Dan did not end up with Christine. His late wife is a new character he met after the original series.
Still, Dan regretted never resolving things with Christine.
"As I say in the episode, Christine Sullivan was the best person Dan Fielding ever met in his life," he said. "I think that was true for him then and still."
Season 3 guest stars
Night Court welcomes new and returning guest stars as plaintiffs and defendants in Season 3. Mayim Bialik will play herself, though the actors would not spoil why she appears in court.
"We learn that Abby, much like myself, was a huge Blossom fan," Rauch said. "I have pictures of me dressed as her for Halloween."
Rauch said she did not show Bialik those pictures. Nor does Bialik recognize Judge Stone as her co-star on The Big Bang Theory, though Rauch promised "nuggets" for fans of that show and Blossom.
Larroquette also worked with Bialik on The John Larroquette Show.
"Mayim played my character's daughter," he said.
Malick said Julianne was unaware of Bialik's credits, but respected Bialik's yet-to-be-revealed crime. Malick also respected Bialik satirizing herself.
"I said, 'Oh my God, you're doing your Larry David thing. You're coming in as you and misbehaving badly, but it all makes sense in the end,'" Malick said.
The new series includes the return of Warfield, Ryan Hansen, Julia Duffy, Jessica St. Clair, Richard Kind and the Wheeler family Brent Spiner, Annie O'Donnell and Kate Micucci. Andrew Rannells, Kate Flannery, Mo Collins and more also guest star.
Rauch said she hopes Night Court can provide a half-hour of weekly levity like the TV comedies she says "raised me."
"I am in no way saying that a half-hour comedy can lift the massive weight of the heavy world right now," Rauch said. "But I think it can provide a respite filled with heart and much needed laughter."
Larroquette added that comedy has a place in the world no matter what is going on.
"The idea of being funny with no agenda, not being timely, not being current, just trying to find a funny story to do is something the world has always needed," he said. "I think we've always needed to laugh."
