NBC Kills Night Court After Melissa Rauch's Last-Ditch Effort
NBC has officially axed its Night Court revival, just weeks after Melissa Rauch made one last push to keep the show alive.
Rauch — who starred as Judge Abby Stone and executive produced the series — confirmed the end on Instagram, saying the team had "turned over all the stones" in trying to find a new home.
"I have held off on posting anything about Night Court not continuing until I knew we did everything in our power to find another home for it. Perhaps it was being raised on The Goonies 'Never Say Die' motto or straight-up denial that I didn't want this incredibly special experience to come to an end. That said, after turning over all the stones there were to be turned over, we've learned that it is officially the hour to say 'farewell.'"
The revival launched in 2023 as a follow-up to the original Night Court, which ran from 1984 to 1992. Rauch played the daughter of Judge Harry Stone (originally played by Harry Anderson), presiding over the same chaotic Manhattan arraignment court in the wee hours of the night. And yes, John Larroquette returned as Dan Fielding — older, crankier, and somehow still getting roped into everything.
The series had a decent run by sitcom standards, but with network comedies increasingly on life support, NBC pulled the plug a month ago. Still, Rauch wasn't ready to give up. Her statement makes it clear the team tried shopping the show around before finally calling time of death.
"Words won't be able to properly convey my gratitude to each and every incredible individual who worked on this show and poured their hearts into it," Rauch said. "Getting to play make believe with comedy legends on the recreation of a set I watched as a little girl felt like stepping through the looking glass in the best possible way."
She also paid tribute to Night Court creator Reinhold Weege — calling him "the great Reinhold Weege" — and reflected on his idea that the courtroom doors were the show's engine, letting in a constant stream of stories and characters. That revolving door of "oddballs and cynics," she said, is what kept the heart of Night Court alive — and maybe still will.
"Just as it did in the 30 years between the first incarnation ending and us beginning... a workplace family that will forever be… until next time."