Court Is Back in Session

It is so ordered! John Larroquette returns, alongside costar Melissa Rauch, in the rollicking reboot of classic comedy Night Court  

- JIM HALTERMAN

Laughter erupted on Warner Bros. Burbank lot one night last August as a scene played out on the very familiar set of a courtroom and judge's chamber. At the center of the mirth was another infinitely recognizable part of the action-now-silver-haired John Larroquette, bringing his iconic character, snarky lawyer Dan Fielding, back to life for the NBC revival of Night Court. "We knew we wanted John to be a part of [the show], and luckily he was open to it," executive producer Winston Rauch says. "He won four Emmys in a row for Night Court."

What elicits Fielding's (and the series') return? Jovial judge Abby Stone (The Big Bang Theory's Melissa Rauch), who moves to New York City to take over the wacky arraignment court once presided over by her now-deceased father (memorably played on the 1984-92 series by the late Harry Anderson). "Abby has a belief in the power of seeing the best in people and being a different kind of judge," explains exec producer Dan Rubin. When she needs a defense attorney, she seeks out her father's old friend-and court is in session. TV GUIDE MAGAZINE Summoned Melissa Rauch (also an executive producer) and Larroquette (a producer) for questioning.

What was the key to making this revival work?

Melissa Rauch: First, it needed John Larroquette. I always remember John and Harry playing these gorgeous emotional moments. I was really excited to be able to do that.