“Night Court” star Melissa Rauch has spoken out about the cancellation of the NBC sitcom after three seasons, writing on Instagram, “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.’ Or at least ‘Until next time,’” Rauch wrote in a lengthy caption accompanied by a montage of photos from the “Night Court” set.
Rauch was the star and executive producer of the series, a follow-up to the beloved 1980s sitcom that ran for nine seasons on NBC. Upon news of the series’ cancellation in May, sources told Variety that Warner Bros. Television was planning to shop the show to other outlets. “Night Court” originally launched in 2023 to strong ratings and was quickly renewed, but the show saw double-digit declines year-over-year as it continued.
“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. I love them all dearly and am so thankful that I have their friendships to take with me. Thank you so very much to everyone who watched and supported us,” Rauch continued. “As a kid whose best friend was TV, 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. Walking through those iconic halls. Sitting at the cafeteria tables with the chairs from the original. Feeling the electricity from the live studio audience on a tape night while doing a courtroom scene surrounded by a brilliant, powerhouse group of actors, phenomenally gifted writers and the best crew in the biz. It all felt exceptionally dream-like.”
Rauch led a cast that also featured original series star John Larroquette as well as Wendie Malick, Lacretta and Nyambi Nyambi. The series followed Abby Stone (Rauch) as she followed in the footsteps of her revered late father, Judge Harry Stone (played by Harry Anderson in the original), overseeing the night shift of a Manhattan arraignment court.
“I was told that the original creator of ‘Night Court,’ the great Reinhold Weege, said that the courtroom doors were key to the show’s engine as they ushered in endless stories. And I like to think that’s how ‘Night Court’ carries on,” Rauch wrote. “Just as it did in the 30 years between the first incarnation ending and us beginning. The evergreen revolving door of oddballs and cynics populating that Manhattan arraignment court in the wee hours of the night and at the center of it all a workplace family that will forever be… until next time.”
“Night Court” hailed from showrunner Dan Rubin, who executive produced alongside Rauch, Larroquette, Winston Rauch, Mat Hawawitz, Lon Zimmet, Lindsey Shockley and Mona Garcea. The Rauchs executive produced via After January Productions. Warner Bros. Television and Universal Television were co-studios on the series.
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