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The following is a list of episodes for the American television sitcom Night Court. The series originally aired on NBC from January 4, 1984 to May 31, 1992, with a total of 193 episodes produced, spanning nine seasons.
| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | Rank | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | |||||
| 1 | 13 | January 4, 1984 | May 31, 1984 | 41 | 12.7 | |
| 2 | 22 | September 27, 1984 | May 9, 1985 | 20 | 17.6 | |
| 3 | 22 | September 26, 1985 | May 8, 1986 | 11 | 20.9 | |
| 4 | 22 | October 2, 1986 | May 6, 1987 | 7 | 23.2 | |
| 5 | 22 | September 17, 1987 | May 12, 1988 | 7 | 20.8 | |
| 6 | 22 | October 26, 1988 | May 3, 1989 | 21 | 16.9 | |
| 7 | 24 | September 27, 1989 | May 2, 1990 | 28 | 14.5[a] | |
| 8 | 24 | September 28, 1990 | May 8, 1991 | 50 | 11.5 | |
| 9 | 22 | September 18, 1991 | May 31, 1992 | 46 | 12.0 | |
Season 1 (1984)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | Rating/share (households) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "All You Need is Love" | James Burrows | Reinhold Weege | January 4, 1984 | 206719 | 16.9/25[1] |
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Harold T. Stone (Harry Anderson) becomes a night court judge in New York City. Working with him are court clerk Lana Wagner (Karen Austin), prosecutor Dan Fielding (John Larroquette), public defender Sheila Gardner (Gail Strickland), and bailiffs Bull Shannon (Richard Moll) and Selma Hacker (Selma Diamond). In his first case, he has to settle a dispute involving a woman threatening her husband with gunfire while at the same time trying to earn the trust of his staff, who are skeptical about his unorthodox judicial methods. Note: This is Gail Strickland's only episode as a cast member. | |||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Santa Goes Downtown" | Asaad Kelada | Reinhold Weege | January 11, 1984 | 185365 | 16.1/24[2] |
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The season is merry as Harry deals with a man in a red suit charged with trespassing (Jeff Corey) and tries to restore the faith of a pair of cynical teenage runaways (Michael J. Fox and Olivia Barash). Note: Paula Kelly makes her first appearance as public defender Liz Williams, replacing Gail Strickland from the pilot episode. | |||||||
| 3 | 3 | "The Former Harry Stone" | Jay Sandrich | Tom Reeder | January 18, 1984 | 185362 | 13.4/20[3] |
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Lana learns Harry has a criminal record when she tries to find out his age to settle a bet. Note: Terry Kiser makes his first appearance as sleazy reporter Al Craven. Barney Martin appears in this episode. Judy Landers and Joey Aresco appear as an engaged couple. | |||||||
| 4 | 4 | "Welcome Back, Momma" | Jeff Melman | Reinhold Weege | February 1, 1984 | 185366 | 16.1/24[4] |
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A woman who claims to be Harry's long lost mother (Janis Paige) and a beauty pageant operator appear before the court. | |||||||
| 5 | 5 | "The Eye of the Beholder" | Jeff Melman | Larry Balmagia | February 8, 1984 | 185363 | 16.2/24[5] |
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The others try to pull Bull out of the dumps when he's turned down by a charitable organization because his size and appearance are intimidating to others. | |||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Death Threat" | Jay Sandrich | Bob Stevens | February 15, 1984 | 185367 | 17.6/27[6] |
|
Things are thrown into an uproar when Harry receives a threat via a rock thrown through the window and a bomb is discovered in the courtroom. Note: Phil Leeds appears as a man claiming to be God. George Murdock appears as a homicide detective. Jack Murdock appears as a bomb defuser. | |||||||
| 7 | 7 | "Once in Love With Harry" | Jay Sandrich | Reinhold Weege | February 22, 1984 | 185361 | 14.0/22[7] |
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A hooker develops a crush on Harry and Dan loses a city council position to a dead man. Note: Jason Bernard appears as a judge. | |||||||
| 8 | 8 | "Quadrangle of Love" | Jeff Melman | Story by : R.J. Colleary Teleplay by : R.J. Colleary, Chris Cluess and Stuart Kreisman | February 29, 1984 | 185369 | 15.9/24[8] |
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Dan, Harry, and Bull all compete for the same pretty attorney (Caroline McWilliams); Harry tries to get tickets to see Mel Tormé. Note: George D. Wallace appears as a doctor. The end credits have a different background for this episode. Instead of the court, they show Harry and his little homemade Mel Tormé concert. | |||||||
| 9 | 9 | "Wonder Drugs" | Asaad Kelada | Howard Ostroff | March 7, 1984 | 185364 | 14.3/22[9] |
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Lana disrupts the proceedings after taking a powerful cold medicine. Note: Jack Riley appears as a clown. Ron Feinberg appears as a man in a dress. Sandy Martin appears as a woman in the gallery. | |||||||
| 10 | 10 | "Some Like It Hot" | Jay Sandrich | Stuart Kreisman & Chris Cluess | March 14, 1984 | 185368 | 15.4/24[10] |
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Russian Yakov Korolenko (Yakov Smirnoff), who is charged with selling stolen property, would rather burn down the courtroom and everyone in it than go to jail. Note: This episode marks the first appearance of Mike Finneran as courthouse handyman Art Fensterman. It also marks Karen Austin's final appearance as court clerk Lana Wagner, though she is listed in the opening credits through the end of the season. | |||||||
| 11 | 11 | "Harry and the Rock Star" | Jay Sandrich | Reinhold Weege | March 21, 1984 | 185360 | 15.8/24[11] |
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Fans and reporters disrupt court proceedings when Harry dates a rock star (Kristine DeBell), and tries to cope with a new court clerk. Note: This is the first episode to have the evil laugh as part of the Starry Night Productions logo. | |||||||
| 12 | 12 | "Bull's Baby" | Jeff Melman | Bob Stevens | March 28, 1984 | 185362 | 13.7/21[12] |
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The courtroom crew try to help Bull when a neighbor leaves her baby with him. Note: D.D. Howard appears as court clerk Charley Tracy. Alex Henteloff appears as a defendant. | |||||||
| 13 | 13 | "Hi Honey, I'm Home" | Gary Shimokawa | Tom Reeder | May 31, 1984 | 185361 | 16.4/28[13] |
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Harry has to settle the legal status of a woman (Marcia Rodd) who remarried after her first husband Mitch Bowers (Charles Napier) was mistakenly declared dead, and who wants her back even though she is now seeing another man (Basil Hoffman). Note: D.D. Howard appears as court clerk Charley Tracy. Milt Kogan appears as a doctor. Paula Kelly makes her final appearance as public defender Liz Williams. | |||||||
Season 2 (1984–85)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | Rating/share (households) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 1 | "The Nun" | Jeff Melman | Bob Stevens | September 27, 1984 | 185602 | 18.3/28[14] |
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An impressionable young nun (Dinah Manoff) decides to leave her order after meeting Harry; Dan tries to hit on a temporary public defender. Note: Charles Robinson makes his first appearance as court clerk Mac Robinson. The unnamed temporary public defender (played by Sharon Barr) is not seen again. Randee Heller appears as a prostitute. Earl Boen appears as her client. Lu Leonard appears as an older nun. | |||||||
| 15 | 2 | "Daddy for the Defense" | Jeff Melman | Reinhold Weege | October 4, 1984 | 185601 | 17.4/26[15] |
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A new public defender has a rough first day in court, thanks to Harry and her over-protective father (Eugene Roche); Selma returns to work delirious after surgery. Note: This episode was originally intended to be the season premiere. Markie Post, in her first-ever appearance on the show, appears in a one-episode guest stint as new public defender Christine Sullivan. Shelley Hack was originally cast as Christine, but she left the show before filming when it was decided she was not right for the part.[16][17] Post was hired as her replacement before taping, but was only available for a single episode as she was still a regular on "The Fall Guy[18];" she would join the cast permanently at the beginning of season three. Paul Lieber appears as a defendant. | |||||||
| 16 | 3 | "Billie and the Cat" | Lee Bernhardi | Zachary D. Wechsler | October 18, 1984 | 185604 | 16.2/25[19] |
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Harry sends the new public defender, Billie Young (Ellen Foley), to jail for refusing to reveal the whereabouts of a cat her client is accused of kidnapping. Note: Ellen Foley makes her first appearance as public defender Billie Young. | |||||||
| 17 | 4 | "Pick a Number" | Jeff Melman | Ron Osborn & Jeff Reno | October 25, 1984 | 185605 | 18.1/27[20] |
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The courtroom becomes a circus when a meek little fellow chooses Harry to decide what worthy person will receive the money from his winning lottery ticket. | |||||||
| 18 | 5 | "The Computer Kid" | Jim Drake | Bob Stevens | November 1, 1984 | 185607 | 15.5/24[21] |
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A precocious, yet ill-mannered computer whiz barricades himself in Harry's office and threatens to wipe out all his school's records. | |||||||
| 19 | 6 | "Bull Gets a Kid" | Jeff Melman | Nat Mauldin | November 8, 1984 | 185608 | 15.9/24[22] |
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Bull is finally allowed a foster son by a volunteer-fathers organization, but he winds up with a surprise when he learns the kid is a girl (Pamela Adlon, credited as "Pamela Segall") posing as a boy to help out her single mother. | |||||||
| 20 | 7 | "Harry on Trial" | Jeff Melman | Stuart Kreisman & Chris Cluess | November 15, 1984 | 185609 | 17.4/27[23] |
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Harry is called before a disciplinary board for his unorthodox courtroom behavior at the instigation of another judge (Jason Bernard). Note: Ray Walston guest stars. | |||||||
| 21 | 8 | "Harry and the Madam" | Noam Pitlik | Tony Sheehan | November 22, 1984 | 185610 | 13.6/24[24] |
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Harry feels a lot of official pressure when a notorious madame with a hot diary comes before his bench; Bull tries to save Mac's turkey from getting killed for Thanksgiving. | |||||||
| 22 | 9 | "Inside Harry Stone" | Jeff Melman | Stuart Kreisman & Chris Cluess | November 29, 1984 | 185606 | 17.9/27[25] |
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Harry is reluctant to undergo tests for his ulcer symptoms, until Billie confesses her true feelings for him. Note: John Astin guest stars as a hospital patient named Kenny; he would later have a recurring role as Harry's father, Buddy Ryan. | |||||||
| 23 | 10 | "The Blizzard" | Jeff Melman | Reinhold Weege | December 6, 1984 | 185611 | 18.6/28[26] |
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A blizzard traps everyone in the courthouse and Dan in an elevator with a gay man (Jack Riley) who confessed his attraction to him after a trial involving his pet dog. | |||||||
| 24 | 11 | "Take My Wife, Please" | Jeff Melman | Tom Reeder | December 13, 1984 | 185612 | 17.1/26[27] |
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Mac marries Quon Le Duc (Denice Kumagai), a girl he knew in Vietnam, for her to stay in the country; Harry conducts court despite temporary blindness. Note: Michael Richards appears as a man who believes he is invisible. | |||||||
| 25 | 12 | "The Birthday Visitor" | Gary Shimokawa | Ron Osborn & Jeff Reno | January 3, 1985 | 185613 | 17.3/25[28] |
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When Billie takes Harry back to her place after celebrating his birthday, the duo's plans for romance are disrupted by an insecure intruder. | |||||||
| 26 | 13 | "Dan's Parents" | Jeff Melman | Reinhold Weege | January 10, 1985 | 185614 | 18.2/25[29] |
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Dan's past is revealed when the parents (John McIntire and Jeanette Nolan, married actors in real life), whom he told everyone were dead, come from Louisiana to visit their successful "sonny boy". | |||||||
| 27 | 14 | "Nuts About Harry" | Jeff Melman | Tom Reeder | January 17, 1985 | 185603 | 19.1/28[30] |
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Patients from a mental institution stage a strike to convince the court they're being mistreated at the hospital. Note: This was initially scheduled to be the second episode of the season but was postponed and instead aired out of sequence. Ellen Foley does not appear and is also missing from the opening credits; her character of Billie is not mentioned, and no explanation is given for her absence. Deborah Harmon appears as overeager idealistic newly-assigned public defender Sue Harper. James Cromwell and Kevin Peter Hall guest star as two members of a group of escapees from a mental home who wind up in court for not paying their taxi fare. | |||||||
| 28 | 15 | "An Old Flame" | Jeff Melman | Nat Mauldin | January 24, 1985 | 185615 | 17.2/26[31] |
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Selma's old beau (Jack Gilford) wants to rekindle their romance and take care of her, and a substitute judge (Phil Leeds) isn't what he's cracked up to be. | |||||||
| 29 | 16 | "The Gypsy" | Alan Bergmann | Howard Ostroff | January 31, 1985 | 185616 | 19.7/28[32] |
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Harry uses a little hocus-pocus to convince Bull he's cured of a curse on the court made by a disgruntled plaintiff, a powerful gypsy (Erica Yohn). | |||||||
| 30 | 17 | "Battling Bailiff" | Jeff Melman | Stuart Kreisman & Chris Cluess | February 7, 1985 | 185617 | 16.2/24[33] |
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Bull quits his job in frustration and becomes a professional wrestler. Note: Lou Ferrigno guest stars. | |||||||
| 31 | 18 | "Billie's Valentine" | Jeff Melman | Bob Stevens | February 14, 1985 | 185618 | 19.3/29[34] |
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Billie's new boyfriend turns out to be a professional problem, despite his romantic accomplishments. | |||||||
| 32 | 19 | "Married Alive" | Jeff Melman | Ron Osborn & Jeff Reno | February 21, 1985 | 185619 | 18.6/28[35] |
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His friends believe the worst when Dan starts dating an awkward and plain young woman (Mimi Kennedy) who happens to be the daughter of a multimillionaire. Note: William Utay's first appearance as Phil Sanders the bum. | |||||||
| 33 | 20 | "Mac and Quon Le: Together Again" | Alan Bergmann | Tom Reeder | February 28, 1985 | 185620 | 17.4/27[36] |
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Quon Le appears before the court for prostitution, and Harry has to choose between Billie and Dan for the mayoral commission. Note: Selma Diamond does not appear in this episode. | |||||||
| 34 | 21 | "World War III" | Alan Bergmann | Nat Mauldin | May 2, 1985 | 185621 | 17.6/28[37] |
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Harry searches for Yakov's brother, a Russian circus defector. Meanwhile, Soviet and American agents (Leonard Stone and Gordon Jump) negotiate an arms agreement. Note: This is the final appearance of Selma Diamond before her death on May 13, 1985. | |||||||
| 35 | 22 | "Walk, Don't Wheel" | Reinhold Weege | Reinhold Weege | May 9, 1985 | 185622 | 16.0/26[38] |
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A disabled law student takes Harry's refusal of her prom invitation as a slap against her handicap. Note: Selma Diamond does not appear. This is the final appearance of Ellen Foley. | |||||||
Season 3 (1985–86)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | Rating/share (households) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 1 | "Hello, Goodbye" | Jeff Melman | Reinhold Weege | September 26, 1985 | 185711 | 22.9/34[39] |
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Everyone tries to adjust to Selma's death as Harry interviews possible replacements, but Bull goes on a drinking binge instead; public defender Christine Sullivan is permanently assigned to the court, to the delight of both Harry and Dan. Note: Markie Post and Florence Halop join the cast as public defender Christine Sullivan and bailiff Florence Kleiner, respectively. The episode ends with a brief tribute to Selma Diamond. | |||||||
| 37 | 2 | "The Hostage" | Jeff Melman | Bob Stevens | October 3, 1985 | 185713 | 20.4/30[40] |
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A man charged with stealing electronic parts takes Dan hostage and demands the rest of the parts he needs to communicate with his home planet of Saturn. | |||||||
| 38 | 3 | "Dad's First Date" | Jeff Melman | Reinhold Weege | October 17, 1985 | 185716 | 21.3/33[41] |
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Christine's father (Eugene Roche) has his first date in eight years and ends up in court, charged with soliciting a prostitute (Estelle Harris); Harry also must deal with the tenants of a clothing-optional building. | |||||||
| 39 | 4 | "Mac and Quon Le: No Reservations" | Alan Bergmann | Teresa O'Neill | October 24, 1985 | 185712 | 18.3/26[42] |
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Mac tries to hide Quon Le from his prejudiced grandfather, who's going to loan Mac the money he needs to open a restaurant. | |||||||
| 40 | 5 | "Halloween, Too" | Alan Bergmann | Teresa O'Neill | October 31, 1985 | 185719 | 22.0/34[43] |
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Harry falls hook, line and sinker for a beautiful woman, (Mary Margaret Humes) who turns out to be a real witch. Anne Ramsey, best known for her role in the film Throw Momma from the Train, appears as another member of the coven. | |||||||
| 41 | 6 | "Best of Friends" | Reinhold Weege | Howard Ostroff | November 7, 1985 | 185718 | 18.2/26[44] |
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Dan has a real problem when his high school buddy comes to visit as a decidedly changed man. Meanwhile, the rest of the staff try to explain to Bull what a transgender woman is. | |||||||
| 42 | 7 | "Dan's Boss" | Jeff Melman | Bob Stevens | November 14, 1985 | 185720 | 21.7/33[45] |
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Dan's life becomes a living hell when he cracks short jokes to a little person who turns out to be his boss. Note: First appearance by Daniel Frishman as Vincent Daniels. Also Robert Englund plays a character who believes Earth is being invaded by aliens. | |||||||
| 43 | 8 | "Up On the Roof" | Jeff Melman | Jeffrey Davis & Julie Fleischer | November 28, 1985 | 185717 | 19.9/33[46] |
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Harry tries to free a rock star literally imprisoned by his overly solicitous entourage. Note: Markie Post's real-life husband, Michael A. Ross, portrays Eddie Devon in this episode. | |||||||
| 44 | 9 | "The Wheels of Justice (Part 1)" | Alan Bergmann | Jeff Reno & Ron Osborn | December 5, 1985 | 185714 | 21.2/32[47] |
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Everyone is in a financial crisis when the city can't pay its employees, Harry has to evict a woman and son from a sleazy hotel, and a homeless couple from West Virginia (the picaresque Wheelers, played by Brent Spiner and Annie O'Donnell) tells their tale of woe. The Wheelers appear in several future episodes. | |||||||
| 45 | 10 | "The Wheels of Justice (Part 2)" | Alan Bergmann | Nat Mauldin | December 12, 1985 | 185715 | 20.9/32[48] |
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Things go from bad to worse, when Harry learns that the son from the previous case was shot in a robbery, and he resigns as judge. | |||||||
| 46 | 11 | "Walk Away, Renee" | Jim Drake | Teresa O'Neill | December 19, 1985 | 185723 | 20.1/31[49] |
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Bull gets a new girlfriend, but the rest of the staff recognizes her as a gold-digging prostitute who's been in and out of court and jail many times. However, when Bull finds out and confronts Renee, his pity on her causes Renee to have an emotional meltdown. Meanwhile, Dan has a date with a dominatrix, but his injuries from Bull's rampage put a dent in his plans. | |||||||
| 47 | 12 | "Dan's Escort" | Jeff Melman | Bob Stevens | January 9, 1986 | 185724 | 21.7/32[50] |
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Dan takes a job as a paid escort for a wealthy, lonely woman (Barbara Cason) who expects a lot for her money, and Yakov appeals to Harry for help when his wife is arrested on a visit to the U.S. | |||||||
| 48 | 13 | "The Night Off" | Jim Drake | Nat Mauldin and Reinhold Weege | January 16, 1986 | 185725 | 22.9/33[51] |
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A burned-out older judge (Jeff Corey) brought in to substitute for Harry exhibits bizarre behavior: he issues a bench arrest for the Rockettes, imprisons Dan and Mac for contempt, and appoints Florence and Phil (William Utay) as the defending and prosecuting attorneys. | |||||||
| 49 | 14 | "Harry and Leon" | Jeff Melman | Nat Mauldin | January 23, 1986 | 185727 | 22.0/32[52] |
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Harry takes pity on the building shoeshine boy (Bumper Robinson), who seeks refuge from a social worker trying to place him in another foster home. | |||||||
| 50 | 15 | "The Apartment" | Jim Drake | Teresa O'Neill | January 30, 1986 | 185728 | 21.2/31[53] |
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Harry throws a surprise birthday for Dan whose date is extremely anxious to be home by midnight. | |||||||
| 51 | 16 | "Leon, We Hardly Knew Ye" | John Larroquette | Bob Stevens | February 6, 1986 | 185729 | 21.7/32[54] |
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Harry's concern with Leon's imminent adoption blinds him to the presence of Mel Tormé in the courthouse. | |||||||
| 52 | 17 | "The Mugger" | Jim Drake | Robert Perlow & Gene Braunstein | February 20, 1986 | 185726 | 20.9/30[55] |
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After being mugged, Christine becomes belligerent and mistrustful, and unable to do her job as public defender. She has to rediscover her compassion when her mugger is trapped in the cafeteria and threatens hostages with a grenade. Meanwhile, Phil gets a hot stock tip from an old Wall Street buddy, and Dan nearly bankrupts himself trying to wheedle it out of him. | |||||||
| 53 | 18 | "Could This Be Magic?" | Jim Drake | Jack Carrerow & Lisa A. Bannick | February 27, 1986 | 185725 | 22.8/34[56] |
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Harry decides to help his idol, a down-and-out magician (Carl Ballantine), who goes on to help himself to Harry's possessions. | |||||||
| 54 | 19 | "Monkey Business" | Jeff Melman | Nat Mauldin | March 6, 1986 | 185721 | 20.9/31[57] |
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Bull tries to save a baby orangutan from animal-research experiments. | |||||||
| 55 | 20 | "Flo's Retirement" | Tim Steele | Nat Mauldin | March 13, 1986 | 185730 | 20.8/31[58] |
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The staff tries everything they can think of to postpone Florence's involuntary but mandatory retirement. | |||||||
| 56 | 21 | "Hurricane (Part 1)" | Jeff Melman | Reinhold Weege | May 1, 1986 | 185731 | 21.7/33[59] |
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The courtroom becomes a delivery room when Hurricane Mel traps four pregnant women. Dick Butkus, Brent Spiner, Alix Elias, Pam Grier, and James Widdoes appear. | |||||||
| 57 | 22 | "Hurricane (Part 2)" | Jeff Melman | Reinhold Weege | May 8, 1986 | 185732 | 20.4/31[60] |
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The four pregnant defendants give birth as the hurricane continues. Dick Butkus, Brent Spiner, Alix Elias, and Pam Grier appear. Note: Final appearance of Florence Halop as Florence Kleiner; Halop died on July 15, 1986. | |||||||
Season 4 (1986–87)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | Rating/share (households) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58 | 1 | "The Next Voice You Hear..." | Jeff Melman | Reinhold Weege | October 2, 1986 | 185931 | 26.8/41[61] |
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Harry's distracted from a courtroom full of ventriloquists and their dummies by the delivery of a letter from his mother, mailed fifteen years earlier. Note: First appearance of Marsha Warfield as baliff Rosalind Russell and John Astin as Harry's stepfather Buddy Ryan. | |||||||
| 59 | 2 | "Giving Thanks" | Jeff Melman | Teresa O'Neill | October 9, 1986 | 185935 | 23.2/34[62] |
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Christine tries to get out of Dan's demand to sleep with her after he saves her from choking to death on her lunch. | |||||||
| 60 | 3 | "Author, Author" | Jeff Melman | Dennis Koenig | October 16, 1986 | 185933 | 25.5/39[63] |
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Bull tries his hand at writing a children's story for a contest, but when one of the judges personally appears to criticize how disturbing and violent it is, Bull becomes upset. Meanwhile, Dan is at the sexual mercy of a woman diagnosed with multiple personality disorder. Note: Fran Drescher appears in this episode. | |||||||
| 61 | 4 | "Halloween II: The Return of Leon" | Tim Steele | Linwood Boomer | October 30, 1986 | 185934 | 25.6/39[64] |
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Harry looks forward to seeing Leon the orphan boy again while Dan does whatever he can to get invited to his boss' Halloween party. Note: Night Court was preempted by the fifth game of the 1986 World Series on October 23, 1986. | |||||||
| 62 | 5 | "Dan's Operation (Part 1)" | Jeff Melman | Bob Stevens | November 6, 1986 | 185936 | 25.8/38[65] |
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Part one of two. Dan refuses to admit his surgery has weakened him and he overexerts himself into a coma. | |||||||
| 63 | 6 | "Dan's Operation (Part 2)" | Jeff Melman | Bob Stevens | November 13, 1986 | 185937 | 25.1/38[66] |
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Conclusion. After Dan falls into a coma, his friends maintain a bedside vigil and reminisce about the good times they've had. | |||||||
| 64 | 7 | "The New Judge" | Jeff Melman | Linwood Boomer | November 20, 1986 | 185939 | 24.3/36[67] |
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Dan makes a friend out of a substituting judge until he realizes the man is trying to bribe him, and his friends talk him into wearing a wire to entrap the man. Note: Dirk Blocker appears in this episode. | |||||||
| 65 | 8 | "Contempt of Courting" | Jeff Melman | Tom Straw | November 27, 1986 | 185938 | 20.1/36[68] |
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Harry returns and finds a lovely woman substituting on the bench for him, who likes him a lot and jails Christine for mouthing off about perceived mistreatment of a client. | |||||||
| 66 | 9 | "Earthquake" | Jeff Melman | Dennis Koenig | December 4, 1986 | 185940 | 26.1/39[69] |
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A mild earthquake traps Dan, Roz, and two sumo wrestlers in an elevator. Meanwhile Harry has to deal with three kids who are spitting images for Dan, Christine, and Harry himself. | |||||||
| 67 | 10 | "Prince of a Guy" | Tim Steele | Tom Reeder | December 11, 1986 | 185941 | 27.7/41[70] |
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Harry tries to prevent the forced marriage of a Polynesian princess while her brother tries to bid on Christine. | |||||||
| 68 | 11 | "New Year's Leave" | John Larroquette | Tom Straw | December 18, 1986 | 185942 | 27.3/42[71] |
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Harry deals sympathetically with an escaped felon whose only wish is to spend New Year's Eve in Times Square to celebrate his 42nd wedding anniversary. Note: Harold Gould appears in this episode. | |||||||
| 69 | 12 | "Murder" | Jeff Melman | Reinhold Weege | January 8, 1987 | 185943 | 24.4/38[72] |
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Harry has to deal with a woman who confesses to him that she killed her husband that morning, a detective who can't get used to working without his partner, and a morose Dan who was rejected as a sperm bank donor. | |||||||
| 70 | 13 | "Baby Talk" | Jeff Melman | Tom Reeder | January 15, 1987 | 185932 | 26.6/39[73] |
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Mac goes on a drunken spree in a cowboy bar after Quon Le spends them into bankruptcy and then announces her pregnancy. | |||||||
| 71 | 14 | "The Modest Proposal" | Jeff Melman | Howard Ostroff | January 29, 1987 | 185944 | 26.2/38[74] |
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Harry scoffs when Christine announces her engagement. | |||||||
| 72 | 15 | "A Day in the Life" | Thomas Klein | Nat Mauldin, Teresa O'Neill and Bob Stevens | February 5, 1987 | 185945 | 24.9/36[75] |
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Harry must judge all his cases by midnight. | |||||||
| 73 | 16 | "Rabid" | Jim Drake | Dennis Koenig | February 12, 1987 | 185946 | 25.4/38[76] |
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The gang searches for a dog that saved Harry from a fire but has bitten Dan and may have given him rabies. | |||||||
| 74 | 17 | "Christine's Friend" | Jim Drake | Bob Stevens | February 19, 1987 | 185947 | 25.0/36[77] |
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Harry and Dan compete to take Christine's hot friend away to a romantic weekend getaway. Note: Sela Ward appears in this episode. | |||||||
| 75 | 18 | "Caught Red Handed" | Harry Anderson and Howard Ritter | Harry Anderson | February 26, 1987 | 185948 | N/A |
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Christine's new boss (Michael Gross) sexually harasses her and Harry helps Christine catch him in the act. Meanwhile, Dan meets his match in a woman (Teresa Ganzel) who has sworn herself to celibacy. | |||||||
| 76 | 19 | "Paternity" | Jim Drake | Teresa O'Neill | March 18, 1987 | 185950 | 18.5/28[78] |
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Dan discovers that a smart-mouthed kid (Matt Shakman) who insults him may be his long-lost son. | |||||||
| 77 | 20 | "Here's to You, Mrs. Robinson" | Jim Drake | Tom Reeder | March 25, 1987 | 185949 | 16.6/25[79] |
|
Quon Le plans to become a US citizen before her baby is born, but she and Mac are both rushed to the hospital with pains just as Harry begins the swearing-in ceremony. Note: Conchata Ferrell appears in this episode. | |||||||
| 78 | 21 | "Her Honor (Part 1)" | Jeff Melman | Linwood Boomer | April 29, 1987 | 185951 | 14.9/24[80] |
|
Part one of four. Dan thinks he will become a new judge, but Christine is awarded the position. However, Harry discovers his name is not on the judge's reappointment list. Meanwhile, the Wheelers, the hick couple from West Virginia, become the proprietors of the concession stand. | |||||||
| 79 | 22 | "Her Honor (Part 2)" | Jeff Melman | Linwood Boomer | May 6, 1987 | 185952 | 15.2/25[81] |
|
Part two of four. Upon learning that he will not be reappointed as a judge, Harry disappears to perform an outrageous stunt, not realizing that Christine got Harry his job back. | |||||||
Season 5 (1987–88)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | Rating/share (households) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 1 | "Her Honor (Part 3)" | Jeff Melman | Linwood Boomer | September 17, 1987 | 186201 | 18.5/31[82] |
|
Part three of four. Christine nervously takes the bench as Dan and Mac try to cover for the newly-reinstated Harry, who's planning the greatest prank of all time. | |||||||
| 81 | 2 | "Her Honor (Part 4)" | Jeff Melman | Linwood Boomer | September 24, 1987 | 186203 | 24.9/40[83] |
|
Conclusion. While preparing to attempt his outrageous stunt, Harry talks to and saves the life of a suicidal man. Christine realizes she cannot look at cases neutrally and goes back to being a defense attorney. | |||||||
| 82 | 3 | "Death of a Bailiff" | Jeff Melman | Bob Underwood | October 15, 1987 | 186202 | 23.2/38[84] |
|
Bull has a near-death experience after getting struck by lightning at the courthouse, and soon becomes overly charitable when he gives away everything in his life savings to the homeless. | |||||||
| 83 | 4 | "Ladies Night" | Jeff Melman | Paul J. Raley | October 22, 1987 | 186207 | 20.8/32[85] |
|
Christine and Roz visit a male strip joint to do some female bonding, but Harry and the guys show up just as the show gets going. | |||||||
| 84 | 5 | "Safe" | Tim Steele | Tom Reeder | October 29, 1987 | 186206 | 25.0/38[86] |
|
On Halloween, Harry traps himself inside a safe while practicing a magic trick and laments over his obsession with magic and pranks. Meanwhile, a man in a devil costume gives Dan $100 in exchange for his soul. Note: Dirk Blocker appears in this episode. | |||||||
| 85 | 6 | "Mac's Dilemma" | Jeff Melman | Gary Murphy & Larry Strawther | November 12, 1987 | 186205 | 24.7/38[87] |
|
An old friend who saved his life in Vietnam, Horace "Hondo" Jenkins (David Graf) asks Mac to lose his court records. Meanwhile, a Japanese man about to be honored by the governor dies just as he's being put in custody for soliciting prostitutes and Bull loses track of the man's corpse. | |||||||
| 86 | 7 | "Who Was That Masked Man?" | Jeff Melman | Story by : Tom Straw & R.J. Colleary Teleplay by : Tom Straw | November 19, 1987 | 186211 | 26.1/40[88] |
|
Dan's boss, Vincent Daniels, orders Dan to look out for Daniels' very sexy visiting niece, Kitty (Teri Hatcher) while Harry tries to prevent a TV hero of yesteryear from committing suicide after being taken to court over an order to not wear his costume or act like his character because of a movie adaptation. | |||||||
| 87 | 8 | "No Hard Feelings" | Jeff Melman | Tom Straw | November 29, 1987[89] | 186204 | 17.1/24[90] |
|
Harry hires a blind assistant (Elayne Boosler) whose abrasive sense of humor puts everyone on edge and Dan struggles with impotence when he meets a seductive prospective employer (Janice Lynde). | |||||||
| 88 | 9 | "Constitution (Part 1)" | Jeff Melman | Rich Reinhart | December 3, 1987 | 186209 | 22.2/35[91] |
|
Part one. Harry tangles with a desperate man holding an original draft of the Constitution hostage in the courtroom. Meanwhile, Roz struggles with being diagnosed with diabetes. | |||||||
| 89 | 10 | "Constitution (Part 2)" | Jeff Melman | Rich Reinhart | December 10, 1987 | 186210 | 22.9/36[92] |
|
Conclusion. The Constitution draft hostage escalates in Harry's courtroom while Dan and Christine try to save Roz after her insulin overdose leads to erratic behavior. | |||||||
| 90 | 11 | "Let It Snow" | Jeff Melman | Tom Reeder | December 17, 1987 | 186213 | 25.0/40[93] |
|
A blizzard traps everyone in the courthouse and cancels holiday plans, including a visit from Bull's mother, the skipper of a garbage scow. Note: Troy Evans appears in this episode. | |||||||
| 91 | 12 | "Dan, the Walking Time Bomb" | Tim Steele | Gary Murphy & Larry Strawther | January 7, 1988 | 186212 | 25.5/39[94] |
|
A crazed man (Patrick Thomas O'Brien) handcuffs a briefcase to Dan that turns out to be rigged with a bomb. Meanwhile, Joy shows Bull what it's like to be blind. | |||||||
| 92 | 13 | "Hit the Road, Jack" | Jeff Melman | Dennis Koenig | January 14, 1988 | 186208 | 25.9/39[95] |
|
Christine's father makes plans to retire to Florida, but winds up living with her and hanging out with Dan. | |||||||
| 93 | 14 | "I'm OK, You're Catatonic/Schizophrenic" | Jeff Melman | Reinhold Weege | January 21, 1988 | 186215 | 25.1/38[96] |
|
Dan ties up Mel Tormé so Harry can meet him, but the judge is preoccupied with trying to keep his stepfather Buddy and his catatonic schizophrenic friend (Shelley Berman) out of the mental hospital. | |||||||
| 94 | 15 | "Chrizzi's Honor" | Jeff Melman | James Gates | February 11, 1988 | 186216 | 23.9/36[97] |
|
A very nice stranger (George Deloy) on the run from the mob crashes Christine's anniversary party of Prince Charles' marriage to Diana Spencer. | |||||||
| 95 | 16 | "Another Day in the Life" | Jeff Melman | Larry Strawther & Gary Murphy | February 18, 1988 | 186217 | 18.3/27[98] |
|
Panic grips the courtroom as the gang races to clear 207 cases in one session so a millionaire will donate money to save an orphanage and so Dan can win an office pool for the most convictions. | |||||||
| 96 | 17 | "Heart of Stone" | Tim Steele | Bob Underwood | February 25, 1988 | 186214 | 18.8/27[99] |
|
An old flame of Harry's drops by to renew their relationship but neglects to tell him she's married. Meanwhile, Dan bails out of bowling night with the staff so he can have sex with his latest fling, but he and Harry end up out on the ledge when Mac, Christine, Bull, and Roz go looking for them. | |||||||
| 97 | 18 | "Russkie Business" | Jeff Melman | Tom Reeder | March 25, 1988 | 186221 | 12.4/22[100] |
|
Soviet defector Yakov Korolenko returns for some help in getting a visa to return to Russia to visit his sick mother, while sparks fly between Harry and a charming Soviet consul named Ludmila Irena Medavoy (aka Irena Ferris). Meanwhile, Christine finds a secret admirer letter from Johnny Carson (who appears as himself) and thinks it's a trick. | |||||||
| 98 | 19 | "Jung and the Restless" | Tim Steele | Tom Straw | April 1, 1988 | 186220 | 13.1/23[101] |
|
The gang joins Roz in a therapist group she's required to attend to temper her hostile attitude at work, which turns into a police situation when a young, inexperienced gangbanger (Don Cheadle) holds everyone hostage. | |||||||
| 99 | 20 | "Top Judge" | Jeff Melman | Dennis Koenig | April 8, 1988 | 186219 | 10.7/19[102] |
|
Harry becomes uncharacteristically glum and morose when an elderly judge dies after one of Harry's pranks. His friends urge him to respond when a new judge (Gary Kroeger) lays claim to Harry's crown as the "King of the Courtroom Cutups." | |||||||
| 100 | 21 | "Mac's Millions" | Tim Steele | Linwood Boomer | May 5, 1988 | 186218 | 21.7/35[103] |
|
Mac quits after inheriting $2 million from his grandfather, leaving his friends at the mercy of the most incompetent court clerk in New York. | |||||||
| 101 | 22 | "Danny Got His Gun (Part 1)" | Jeff Melman | Gary Murphy & Larry Strawther | May 12, 1988 | 186222 | 19.9/33[104] |
|
Part one of three. Dan flip-flops on his active duty for the Army Reserve until he learns it will be in a tropical paradise with a beautiful lady officer. | |||||||
Season 6 (1988–89)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 102 | 1 | "Danny Got His Gun (Part 2)" | Jeff Melman | Gary Murphy & Larry Strawther | October 26, 1988 | 186461 | 26.6[105] | ||||||||
| 103 | 2 | "Danny Got His Gun (Part 3)" | 186462 | ||||||||||||
|
Parts two of three and conclusion. After a plane wreck, Dan is rescued by some Inuit and must save a tribeswoman by performing an emergency appendectomy. Meanwhile, the night court staff fear that Dan is dead and hold a funeral for him. | |||||||||||||||
| 104 | 3 | "Fire" | Jeff Melman | Bob Underwood | November 2, 1988 | 186463 | 17.4[106] | ||||||||
|
A fire breaks out in the building so everyone is forced to retreat to the morgue for safety, but this doesn't stop Dan from watching the election results for his race for the state assembly. | |||||||||||||||
| 105 | 4 | "Harry and the Tramp" | Jeff Melman | Nancy Steen & Neil Thompson | November 9, 1988 | 186464 | 25.5[107] | ||||||||
|
During a trial over a disturbance at an adult film award show, Harry learns that his date (Wendy Schaal) is one of the actresses. | |||||||||||||||
| 106 | 5 | "Educating Rhoda" | Jeff Melman | Harold Kimmel | November 16, 1988 | 186465 | 23.8[108] | ||||||||
|
Bull falls for a sweet, but inept bailiff trainee (Denny Dillon) who allows a psychotic, movie-obsessed woman (Nana Visitor) to escape, and things get worse when Dan takes the woman to a sleazy motel during his lunch break. | |||||||||||||||
| 107 | 6 | "The Last Temptation of Mac" | Jeff Melman | Tom Reeder | November 23, 1988 | 186466 | 21.0[109] | ||||||||
|
Christine wears herself out planning a Thanksgiving feast for the courthouse regulars and Mac faces the seduction of an attractive classmate (Renée Jones). | |||||||||||||||
| 108 | 7 | "The Law Club" | Tim Steele | Alison Rosenfeld | November 30, 1988 | 186467 | 24.5[110] | ||||||||
|
Dan has to choose between Christine and membership in an exclusive law club when his sponsor demands his silence about his plans to seduce her to win a sexual scavanger hunt. | |||||||||||||||
| 109 | 8 | "Night Court of the Living Dead" | Tim Steele | Paul J. Raley | December 14, 1988 | 186468 | 25.4[111] | ||||||||
|
An inventor runs away from court to avoid being committed to Bellevue, a man just out of a 20 year coma appears before the bench, and Christine fences with her replacement when a computer error declares her dead. | |||||||||||||||
| 110 | 9 | "The Night Court Before Christmas" | Tim Steele | Bob Underwood | December 21, 1988 | 186469 | 25.8[112] | ||||||||
|
Buddy comes to visit Harry for the holidays and Roz is arrested for appropriating a sled full of toys and distributing them to needy children. | |||||||||||||||
| 111 | 10 | "Mental Giant" | Jeff Melman | Tom Reeder | January 11, 1989 | 186470 | 23.9[113] | ||||||||
|
Bull scores very high on an I.Q. test and is offered a cushy job at a think-tank trying to communicate mentally with test animals. | |||||||||||||||
| 112 | 11 | "Rock-a-Bye Baby" | Jeff Melman | Nancy Steen & Neil Thompson | January 18, 1989 | 186473 | 25.2[114] | ||||||||
|
Christine wears herself to a frazzle watching a neighbor's baby while the others monopolize her television watching a lacrosse game. | |||||||||||||||
| 113 | 12 | "Clip Show" | Jeff Melman | Larry Strawther & Gary Murphy | January 25, 1989 | 186471 | 29.2[115] | ||||||||
| 114 | 13 | 186472 | |||||||||||||
|
A city auditor (Richard Sanders) tries to investigate some of the more bizarre expenses attributed to Harry's court (via flashbacks) but he's interrupted by a clown (Jack Riley) wielding a gun and threatening to shoot everyone. | |||||||||||||||
| 115 | 14 | "The Trouble is Not in Your Set" | Jeff Melman | Mike Imfeld | February 1, 1989 | 186474 | 26.3[116] | ||||||||
|
A woman (Marion Ross) who can't tell where her life begins and television ends interrupts the proceedings brandishing a grenade and demanding that her husband be released from prison and given a pardon. | |||||||||||||||
| 116 | 15 | "The Game Show" | Jeff Melman | Bob Underwood | February 15, 1989 | 186475 | 25.7[117] | ||||||||
|
Bull goes on a game show to raise money for a rec center, but the gang has to hypnotize him so that he is not too nervous to go on. Meanwhile, a cantankerous, old female judge (Florence Stanley) wreaks havoc in the courtroom while Harry is away. | |||||||||||||||
| 117 | 16 | "This Old Man" | Jeff Melman | Nancy Steen & Neil Thompson | March 1, 1989 | 186476 | 27.8[118] | ||||||||
|
Harry and the gang refuse to take Christine and her new beau seriously because of his age. Meanwhile, Dan dates a middle-aged woman after hearing that she's wealthy enough to help his campaign. Note: Mary Jo Catlett appears in this episode. | |||||||||||||||
| 118 | 17 | "Strange Bedfellows" | Jeff Melman | Tom Reeder | March 8, 1989 | 186477 | 26.9[119] | ||||||||
|
Dan finally meets his opponent (Janet Zarish) for the state assembly seat on election day and falls in love with her. Meanwhile, Harry gives his flu to Mel Tormé in exchange for two concert tickets. | |||||||||||||||
| 119 | 18 | "From Snoop to Nuts (Part 1)" | Jeff Melman | Harry Anderson | March 15, 1989 | 186478 | 26.3[120] | ||||||||
|
Part one of two. Christine is worried about Harry after he rants about the justice system being a joke after a mobster is acquitted of all charges and suddenly sees Harry talking to the acquitted mobster about protecting him from legal interference (not knowing that the whole thing is part of an undercover sting). And things get worse when Buddy reveals to Harry that he's his biological father (and not his stepfather) and accidentally tells the mobster about Harry's sting operation. | |||||||||||||||
| 120 | 19 | "From Snoop to Nuts (Part 2)" | Jeff Melman | Story by : Larry Strawther, Gary Murphy and Harry Anderson Teleplay by : Gary Murphy & Larry Strawther | March 22, 1989 | 186479 | 24.4[121] | ||||||||
|
Conclusion. Harry's world falls apart following Buddy's revelation over who his biological father is, and Dan freaks out when he thinks two men in tailored suits are the killers enforced to go after Harry over the sting operation. | |||||||||||||||
| 121 | 20 | "Pen Pals" | Jeff Melman | Bob Underwood | April 12, 1989 | 186480 | 24.3[122] | ||||||||
|
Roz falls in love with Christine's prison pen pal (Dennis Haysbert), who has escaped from prison; Dan flirts with a law student, but grosses her out, thanks to a roach infestation in the courthouse. | |||||||||||||||
| 122 | 21 | "Not My Type" | Tim Steele | James Gates | April 26, 1989 | 186481 | 20.8[123] | ||||||||
|
Christine accepts a date with Art the handyman, then regrets it when she escorts him to his lodge club meeting's annual dinner/talent show; meanwhile Mac's children's story for school is lost in the courthouse computer. | |||||||||||||||
| 123 | 22 | "Yet Another Day in the Life" | Jeff Melman | Neil Thompson & Nancy Steen | May 3, 1989 | 186482 | 22.3[124] | ||||||||
|
The gang tries to set another record for cases adjudicated as the building slowly floods, causing prisoners to pile up in the hallways and Dan grinds his teeth to be off by midnight to catch a flight to anywhere. | |||||||||||||||
Season 7 (1989–90)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 124 | 1 | "Life With Buddy" | Jim Drake | Bob Underwood | September 27, 1989 | 186331 | 25.3[125] |
|
Buddy leaves the mental institution and moves in with Harry while Dan and his real estate agent scheme to take over a dying man's Park Avenue apartment. | |||||||
| 125 | 2 | "If I Were a Rich Man" | Jim Drake | Gary Murphy & Larry Strawther | October 11, 1989 | 186333 | 19.5[126] |
|
Bull saves the life of Jordan King, a billionaire land developer, and Dan plans on swindling him. Meanwhile, Quon Le gets involved in a cosmetics pyramid scheme and Mac steps in after she gets sick. | |||||||
| 126 | 3 | "The Cop and the Lady" | Jim Drake | Nancy Steen & Neil Thompson | October 18, 1989 | 186332 | 25.8[127] |
|
Christine falls for the officer assigned to protect Dan when the sleazy DA receives several death threats. Meanwhile, Bull records a video letter to his mom, and Roz tries to avoid appearing on camera. | |||||||
| 127 | 4 | "Come Back to the Five and Dime, Stephen King, Stephen King" | Tim Steele | Fred Rubin | October 25, 1989 | 186334 | 23.6[128] |
|
On Halloween night, Harry loses his new bat, Tito, and an exorcist's curse resurrects the unquiet spirit of a defendant from fifty years earlier. | |||||||
| 128 | 5 | "Blue Suede Bull" | Jim Drake | Bill Bryan | November 1, 1989 | 186335 | 22.3[129] |
|
Harry embarrasses Christine in front of a very pro-feminist judge with his trick handcuffs while Dan takes Bull out to his favorite nightclub after Bull thinks his girlfriend, Rhoda, is cheating on him with a student in her dental hygienist class. | |||||||
| 129 | 6 | "For Love or Money" | Jim Drake | Neil Thompson & Nancy Steen | November 8, 1989 | 186336 | 21.3[130] |
|
Buddy proposes to a wealthy, fun-loving widow who doesn't know he's a mental patient while Dan tries to hide the fact that he's been reduced to living in his office following his botched real estate plan. Note: Tony Todd appears in this episode. | |||||||
| 130 | 7 | "Auntie Maim" | Jim Drake | Bob Underwood | November 15, 1989 | 186338 | 20.8[131] |
|
Roz drafts Mac to pose as her fiancé when her overbearing aunt (Della Reese) comes to visit; Dan meets an older actress/wealthy socialite (Magda Harout) who teaches him some new tricks in an elevator. | |||||||
| 131 | 8 | "Attack of the Mac Snacks" | Jim Drake | Harry Anderson & Turk Pipkin | November 22, 1989 | 186337 | 16.8[132] |
|
Mac's plan to sell his wife's snacks hits a snag when a snack magnate interested in the product drops dead in the court cafeteria. Meanwhile, Christine's stingy uncle visits her, and Dan pretends he's in touch with his feminine side to win over a woman who thinks all men only want her for sex. | |||||||
| 132 | 9 | "Branded (Part 1)" | Jim Drake | Bill Bryan | November 29, 1989 | 186341 | 23.6[133] |
|
Part one of two. Dan becomes the target for first a job offer, then disbarment proceedings when a wealthy lawyer seeks to get charges against his son dropped. Meanwhile, Christine and Roz become diet buddies. | |||||||
| 133 | 10 | "Branded (Part 2)" | Jim Drake | Bill Bryan | December 6, 1989 | 186342 | 20.3[134] |
|
Conclusion. Dan takes a job at a French restaurant as he awaits his disbarment hearing. | |||||||
| 134 | 11 | "Passion Plundered" | Jim Drake | Gail Rock | December 20, 1989 | 186343 | 20.7[135] |
|
Dan and Harry each vie for the attentions of an attractive reporter (Annette McCarthy) doing a story on Harry's courtroom, but Christine learns that the journalist is her favorite novelist and a lesbian. Meanwhile, a trio of jugglers from an obscure, Eastern European country hit on Roz. | |||||||
| 135 | 12 | "Amore or Less" | Jim Drake | Fred Rubin | January 3, 1990 | 186339 | 23.1[136] |
|
Christine finds everyone too busy to help her out with her new romance so she turns to two feuding sisters (Jodi Carlisle and Lynne Marie Stewart) who happen to be competing advice columnists. | |||||||
| 136 | 13 | "Razing Bull" | Jim Drake | Fred Rubin | January 17, 1990 | 186344 | 22.2[137] |
|
An old theater's demolition prompts Bull to chain himself to the entrance in protest. At the same time, Harry tries to get a petition to stop the demolition, and Christine discovers that Mac was once a member of a doo-wop group who blamed him for quitting before they could hit the big time. | |||||||
| 137 | 14 | "Futureman" | Tim Steele | Leonard Mlodinow & Scott Rubenstein | January 24, 1990 | 186340 | 25.1[138] |
|
Dan is held hostage in the courtroom by two thugs but a man said to be from the future — VHK 937 — appears on a mission to save him. | |||||||
| 138 | 15 | "Wedding Bell Blues (Part 1)" | Jim Drake | Larry Strawther & Gary Murphy | February 7, 1990 | 186346 | 21.5[139] |
|
Christine makes an impulsive decision at her farewell dinner with beau Tony, one that has severe repercussions when he leaves on an assignment he may not return from. Note: James Avery appears in this episode. | |||||||
| 139 | 16 | "Wedding Bell Blues (Part 2)" | Jim Drake | Gary Murphy & Larry Strawther | February 14, 1990 | 186347 | 21.5[140] |
|
Christine deals with Tony's departure and her unexpected pregnancy. | |||||||
| 140 | 17 | "The Talk Show" | Jim Drake | Nancy Steen & Neil Thompson | February 21, 1990 | 186345 | 19.8[141] |
|
Dan becomes the host of a Morton Downey, Jr.-esque talk show where he berates the guests and gets hurt by the audience members. Meanwhile, Mac and Quon Le's vacation to Graceland is interrupted. | |||||||
| 141 | 18 | "Melvin and Harold" | Jim Drake | Bob Underwood | February 28, 1990 | 186348 | 22.4[142] |
|
Plans for Mel Tormé to appear at Harry's 40th birthday party are derailed when Harry puts his idol behind bars for failing to pay a parking ticket. | |||||||
| 142 | 19 | "The Glasnost Menagerie" | Tim Steele | Fred Rubin | March 7, 1990 | 186349 | 21.8[143] |
|
Harry helps Yakov get a visa extension for his father (Arte Johnson), who would rather hang out with Bull than with his own son. Meanwhile, Mac buys a washing machine with an attitude problem, Roz teaches Dan how to waltz, and Christine tries to choose a name for her baby. | |||||||
| 143 | 20 | "I Said Dance!" | Jim Drake | Bill Bryan | March 14, 1990 | 186350 | 19.0[144] |
|
Roz faces a lawsuit and no job after Bull borrows her gun and shoots himself in the foot, thanks to his sue-happy lawyer cousin (Gordon Clapp). | |||||||
| 144 | 21 | "My Three Dads" | Charles Robinson and Howard Ritter | Neil Thompson & Nancy Steen | March 28, 1990 | 186351 | 22.9[145] |
|
While attending childbirth class, Christine imagines what life would be like if Harry, Dan, or Bull stepped up to be the father of her child. Note: Carol Ann Susi, Lana Clarkson, Lisa Jakub, and Nikki Cox appear in this episode. | |||||||
| 145 | 22 | "Still Another Day in the Life" | Tim Steele | Bob Underwood | April 4, 1990 | 186352 | 18.9[146] |
|
In another compilation of court cases, Harry helps a young man appearing before his court stop his girlfriend's marriage to a prefab preppie, and Wile E. Coyote gets put on trial for his years of harassing the Road Runner. | |||||||
| 146 | 23 | "A Closer Look" | Harry Anderson and Howard Ritter | Bill Bryan, Fred Rubin, and Bob Underwood | April 11, 1990 | 186353 | 19.4[147] |
|
An episode of a news magazine show takes an inside look on Harry and the staff members of the Manhattan night court. | |||||||
| 147 | 24 | "The Blues of the Birth" | Tim Steele | Larry Strawther & Gary Murphy | May 2, 1990 | 186354 | 20.7[148] |
|
Christine goes into labor while trapped in an elevator with Harry's unstable father Buddy and a squeamish courtroom visitor (Stephen Furst). | |||||||
Season 8 (1990–91)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 148 | 1 | "A Family Affair (Part 1)" | Jim Drake | Chris Cluess & Stuart Kreisman | September 28, 1990 | 186931 | 16.7[149] | |||||||
|
Christine returns from having her baby and has to deal with the shadow of her replacement, good 'ole Ted, who turns out to be a con artist who gets busted for impersonating a surgeon and a lawyer. Meanwhile, Dan tries to reconnect with his long-lost sister (Susan Diol), and Harry discovers that he never graduated high school and needs to pass a ninth grade history test in order to keep his job. Note: First appearance of Joleen Lutz as ditzy stenographer Lisette Hocheiser. | ||||||||||||||
| 149 | 2 | "A Family Affair (Part 2)" | Jim Drake | Stuart Kreisman & Chris Cluess | October 5, 1990 | 186932 | 14.7[150] | |||||||
|
Dan learns that Bull slept with his visiting sister, and Bull decides to marry Dan's sister in order to regain his trust. | ||||||||||||||
| 150 | 3 | "When Harry Met Margaret" | Jim Drake | Benjy Compson | October 12, 1990 | 186933 | 16.8[151] | |||||||
|
Harry's first date with Margaret Turner (Mary Cadorette), the new court reporter, turns into a disaster when he follows Dan's advice. | ||||||||||||||
| 151 | 4 | "Can't Buy Me, Love" | Jim Drake | Elaine Aronson | October 19, 1990 | 186934 | 13.9[152] | |||||||
|
Dan is thrilled when he offers himself as a prize at a bachelor auction until he sees the passionate old woman who bids highest for him, and Christine is beginning to have doubts about her marriage to Tony. | ||||||||||||||
| 152 | 5 | "Death Takes a Halloween" | Jim Drake | Harry Anderson | October 26, 1990 | 186936 | 15.2[153] | |||||||
|
On Halloween, Harry locks up a defendant known as the Spirit of Death (Stephen Root), whose imprisonment causes strange cases of people not dying. Meanwhile, Dan fears that he may die after seeing his obituary in the newspaper. | ||||||||||||||
| 153 | 6 | "Crossroads" | Jim Drake | Bob Underwood | November 2, 1990 | 186937 | 15.4[154] | |||||||
| 154 | 7 | 186938 | ||||||||||||
|
Two-part episode. When the staff is quarantined for the night, they spend the hours reminiscing about turning points in their lives that led them to being hired at the night court. | ||||||||||||||
| 155 | 8 | "Day Court" | Jim Drake | Kevin Kelton | November 9, 1990 | 186935 | 14.0[155] | |||||||
|
The staff is temporarily assigned to day court, where the cases are more serious and everyone's personality is different. Meanwhile, Tony tells Christine he wants to move out. | ||||||||||||||
| 156 | 9 | "A Night Court at the Opera" | Jim Drake | Jim Pond & Bill Fuller | November 16, 1990 | 186940 | 15.6[156] | |||||||
|
Dan tries to win over Margaret during a night at the opera. Meanwhile, disciples of an ancient religion stalk Bull after a tabloid story reveals that one of their gods looks just like him. | ||||||||||||||
| 157 | 10 | "Nobody Says Rat Fink Anymore" | Hoard Ritter | Fred Rubin | November 23, 1990 | 186939 | 17.4[157] | |||||||
|
Harry has to summon the courage to face a bully (Donald Gibb) from his childhood who is brought before him in court. Meanwhile, Christine, with the help of Roz, searches for a live-in nanny after her previous one is jailed for aggravated assault. | ||||||||||||||
| 158 | 11 | "Jail Bait" | Christine Ballard | Nancylee Myatt | December 7, 1990 | 186941 | 14.3[158] | |||||||
|
A street artist helps raise Christine's spirits, but his crush on her may land him jail time for repeat offenses. Meanwhile, Mac indulges a passion for photography, and so does Dan when he uses Mac's camera to take pictures of his latest sexual conquest. | ||||||||||||||
| 159 | 12 | "It's Just a Joke" | Howard Ritter | Lee Maddux | December 14, 1990 | 186942 | 14.8[159] | |||||||
|
Harry tries to make sense of a feud between a foul-mouthed comedian (Louis Mustillo) and the preacher (Clifton James) who condemns his filthy stand-up routine. Meanwhile, Bull writes an autobiography, but has to sell the book himself after getting scammed by a vanity publisher. | ||||||||||||||
| 160 | 13 | "Bringing Down Baby" | Charles Robinson and Howard Ritter | Elaine Aronson | January 4, 1991 | 186943 | 18.7[160] | |||||||
|
A TV director picks the courthouse to film an episode of The Lil'est Lawyer, a legal drama about a ten-year-old lawyer. Still, the star of the show's bratty attitude rubs everyone the wrong way, including Roz. Meanwhile, Harry gets cast as a bailiff on the show, but finds that he's not good at acting. | ||||||||||||||
| 161 | 14 | "Presumed Insolvent" | Jim Drake | Kevin Kelton | January 23, 1991 | 186944 | 20.0[161] | |||||||
|
Dan looks at Phil the bum in a whole new light when the bum rescues a defendant who's been left penniless by the late 1980s savings and loan crisis. | ||||||||||||||
| 162 | 15 | "Mama Was a Rollin' Stone" | Jim Drake | Bill Fuller & Jim Pond | January 30, 1991 | 186945 | 21.4[162] | |||||||
|
Dan anticipates a windfall from Phil the bum's will but gets a surprise instead. Meanwhile, Bull anxiously awaits a visit from his mother, an old salt due to retire from the sea and come live with her sonny boy. | ||||||||||||||
| 163 | 16 | "Attachments Included" | Jim Drake | Fred Rubin | February 6, 1991 | 186946 | 19.4[163] | |||||||
|
Christine finds herself tense over finalizing her divorce, Harry is nervous about moving in with Margaret, Dan is frustrated over what to do with the Phil Foundation money, and Bull follows his mother's advice and looks for a wife — with the help of a matchmaker. Note: Dr. Joyce Brothers appears in the cold opening. | ||||||||||||||
| 164 | 17 | "Alone Again, Naturally" | Tim Steele | Alison Rosenfeld-Desmarais | February 13, 1991 | 186947 | 17.9[164] | |||||||
|
Harry gets a wealth of conflicting advice when he confides in his friends that he thinks Margaret is about to propose marriage, but Margaret has a bombshell that's bigger than Harry's proposal. Meanwhile, Christine has a divorce party. | ||||||||||||||
| 165 | 18 | "Hey Harry, F'Crying Out Loud — It is a Wonderful Life... Sorta" | Jim Drake | Stuart Kreisman & Chris Cluess | February 27, 1991 | 186948 | 18.9[165] | |||||||
|
In this homage to It's A Wonderful Life, Harry is still depressed over his girlfriend, Margaret, leaving him. After angrily snapping at his friends and lamenting over taking his night court judge job, a guardian angel who looks like Mel Tormé visits Harry to show him what life would be like if he never took the job, which includes Dan becoming a corrupt judge, Mac becoming a bitterly-divorced district attorney, Christine losing her optimism and falling for Judge Dan, Roz being put in jail for protesting against the poor conditions of Dan's apartments, and Bull being elected deputy mayor and set up to be framed for Dan's crimes. | ||||||||||||||
| 166 | 19 | "To Sleep, No More" | Jim Drake | Story by : Tom Abraham & Mike Underwood Teleplay by : Bob Underwood | March 6, 1991 | 186947 | 18.4[166] | |||||||
|
The court staff worries that Dan's insomnia over spending all his time preparing for the Phil Foundation banquet may be affecting his sanity. Meanwhile, Bull wins a high-end toupee in a cereal contest, and his new hair attracts all the women who once thought he was weird and repulsive. Note: Bert Parks appears as himself. | ||||||||||||||
| 167 | 20 | "With a Little Help From My Friends" | Kevin Sullivan | Nancylee Myatt | March 13, 1991 | 186949 | 19.6[167] | |||||||
|
Roz tries Christine's "happy therapy" and sets the group back several months. Meanwhile, Jack's son finally admits to himself and his dad that running the newsstand isn't for him, and Dan's dealing with the Phil Foundation opens his eyes to all of society's ills. | ||||||||||||||
| 168 | 21 | "Mac Takes a Vocation" | Jim Drake | Fred Rubin | March 20, 1991 | 186950 | 18.7[168] | |||||||
|
Harry gets riled when a Supreme Court judge woos Mac away to serve as a vote-getting token on his staff and Dan hires a British valet in an attempt to replace Phil. | ||||||||||||||
| 169 | 22 | "Harry's Fifteen Minutes" | Jim Drake | Bill Fuller & Jim Pond | April 3, 1991 | 186951 | 17.3[169] | |||||||
|
Harry lets an article naming him one of New York's ten most interesting men go to his head, and he disappoints Christine by fibbing to get out of date. Meanwhile, Dan tries to live up to his responsibilities as head of the Phil Foundation. | ||||||||||||||
| 170 | 23 | "Where There's a Will, There's a Tony (Part 1)" | Jim Drake | Elaine Aronson | May 1, 1991 | 186952 | 18.5[170] | |||||||
|
Harry experiences some very mixed emotions when Tony tries to win Christine back, and the transformed Dan gets some help in running the Phil Foundation, from Phil's twin brother Will. | ||||||||||||||
| 171 | 24 | "Where There's a Will, There's a Tony (Part 2)" | Jim Drake | Kevin Kelton | May 8, 1991 | 186953 | 19.3[171] | |||||||
|
Dan has a plan to save the Phil Foundation and Harry doesn't like Christine getting close to her ex. | ||||||||||||||
Season 9 (1991–92)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 | 1 | "A Guy Named Phantom (Part 1)" | Jim Drake | Chris Cluess & Stuart Kreisman | September 18, 1991 | 187231 | 24.9[172] | |||||||
|
Harry wrestles with his feelings for Christine. Meanwhile, with Dan missing, the court hires a loud-mouthed, amoral DA named Oscar (Gilbert Gottfried) and Christine, who is also wrestling with her feelings for Harry, gets kidnapped at a costume party. | ||||||||||||||
| 173 | 2 | "A Guy Named Phantom (Part 2)" | Jim Drake | Stuart Kreisman & Chris Cluess | September 25, 1991 | 187232 | 18.4[173] | |||||||
|
Christine finds herself in the court's sub-basement with Dan, who now goes by The Phantom of the Courthouse. Meanwhile, a detective is out to bust Dan for embezzlement, Bull keeps searching for Dan, and Oscar asks Lisette (the ditzy stenographer) out on a date. | ||||||||||||||
| 174 | 3 | "My Life as a Dog Lawyer" | Jim Drake | Nancylee Myatt | October 2, 1991 | 187233 | 15.9[174] | |||||||
|
Harry has to deal with an obnoxious foreign diplomat and prevent WWIII, while Dan struggles at his embarrassing new job. | ||||||||||||||
| 175 | 4 | "Puppy Love" | Jim Drake | Kevin Kelton | October 9, 1991 | 187234 | 18.6[175] | |||||||
|
Roz stuns her co-workers when her uptown husband (Roger E. Mosley) pays a visit to secure a divorce so he can marry again. | ||||||||||||||
| 176 | 5 | "Pop Goes the Question" | Jim Drake | Elaine Aronson | October 16, 1991 | 187235 | 16.2[176] | |||||||
|
Wanda learns on the 6-month anniversary of their first date that Bull must perform a miracle before he can marry her. | ||||||||||||||
| 177 | 6 | "Guess Who's Listening to Dinner?" | Jim Drake | Jim Pond & Bill Fuller | October 30, 1991 | 187237 | 18.4[177] | |||||||
|
Dan tries to break up with the daughter of a crime boss, who insists Dan reconsider over dinner — and that he bring along Christine. Note: This is the only episode where Harry Anderson does not appear. | ||||||||||||||
| 178 | 7 | "Looking for Mr. Shannon" | Jim Drake | Ben Montanio & Vince Cheung | November 6, 1991 | 187238 | 20.1[178] | |||||||
|
Harry, Dan, and Mac tell Christine, Roz, and Lisette the story of how Bull's bachelor party went pearshape after their party bus exploded and a deranged pizza delivery man kidnaps Bull. | ||||||||||||||
| 179 | 8 | "Teacher's Pet" | Jim Drake | Alison Rosenfeld Desmarais | November 13, 1991 | 187239 | 17.8[179] | |||||||
|
Christine is disillusioned when a law professor (George Coe) she once idolized reveals that the good grades she earned were because she wore short skirts to his class. Meanwhile, Bull undergoes an unusual ceremony to regain his virginity, which Dan and Roz think is nonsense. | ||||||||||||||
| 180 | 9 | "The System Works" | Jim Drake | Lee Maddux | November 17, 1991 | 187236 | 9.4[179] | |||||||
|
Harry has his hands full when he agrees to teach a law course with an eclectic group of students. Meanwhile, Christine writes a children's picture book showing what her job is like, but the illustrator she hires also gets hired by Dan to create a portfolio of sleazy pin-up art featuring Christine. | ||||||||||||||
| 181 | 10 | "Get Me to the Roof on Time" | Jim Drake | Bill Fuller & Jim Pond | November 20, 1991 | 187240 | 18.9[180] | |||||||
|
Bull's wedding day threatens to fall apart when bride Wanda refuses to wear Mother Hank's wedding gown, Harry and Art quarrel over being best man and Christine over-organizes everything. | ||||||||||||||
| 182 | 11 | "Santa on the Lam" | Howard Ritter | Lee Maddux | December 11, 1991 | 187242 | 18.8[181] | |||||||
|
On Christmas Eve, Dan tries to show a disillusioned Santa (Hansford Rowe) that the holiday spirit still exists as Harry tries to get away from a depressing lonely soul (Terri Hanauer) he's befriended. | ||||||||||||||
| 183 | 12 | "Shave and a Haircut" | Tim Steele | Kevin Kelton | January 8, 1992 | 187243 | 17.3[182] | |||||||
|
Harry goes all out to get Mel Tormé to accept a man-of-the-year award unaware that it's a prank. Meanwhile, Dan and Will turn into bounty hunters. Note: M. C. Gainey appears in this episode. | ||||||||||||||
| 184 | 13 | "A New York Story" | Jim Drake | Fred Graver | January 15, 1992 | 187244 | 17.9[183] | |||||||
|
Harry uncovers a city financial snafu when a defendant (Stephen Root) proves he owns several prominent landmarks. Meanwhile, Dan enjoys being a beauty pageant judge. | ||||||||||||||
| 185 | 14 | "Undressed For Success" | Jim Drake | Mike Imfeld | January 22, 1992 | 187241 | 16.9[184] | |||||||
|
Mac considers doing an underwear commercial for some quick cash and Roz entrusts some personal treasures to Dan. | ||||||||||||||
| 186 | 15 | "Poker? I Hardly Know Her" | Jim Drake | Nancylee Myatt | February 5, 1992 | 187245 | 16.2[185] | |||||||
|
Roz hosts a makeup/poker party while Harry redecorates his office and Dan dallies with a courtroom cutie. | ||||||||||||||
| 187 | 16 | "Party Girl" | Kevin Sullivan | Elaine Aronson | February 12, 1992 | 187246 | 15.7[186] | |||||||
| 188 | 17 | Jim Drake | Alison Rosenfeld-Desmarais | 187247 | ||||||||||
|
A political consultant persuades Christine to run for Congress, Dan becomes a sexual surrogate, and Mac's "artistic" take on Bull's wedding video gains a Rocky Horror Picture Show-style cult following after his video editor screens it at a midnight film festival. Note: Cristine Rose and Nancy Marchand appear in this episode. | ||||||||||||||
| 189 | 18 | "To Sir With... Ah, What the Heck... Love" | Jim Drake | Jim Pond & Bill Fuller | February 26, 1992 | 187249 | 14.9[187] | |||||||
|
Dan begins kissing up to Harry as part of his campaign to replace him on the bench when he becomes a full-time law professor, and Art, the handyman, becomes a surrogate dad to Bull when he starts dating Bull's mama. | ||||||||||||||
| 190 | 19 | "P.S. Do I Know You?" | Jim Drake | Nancylee Myatt & Karen Heckler | March 4, 1992 | 187250 | 14.7[188] | |||||||
|
Roz dreads meeting a male pen pal who's expecting someone just a little different from the real Roz. Meanwhile, Harry and Dan attempt to break into a safe they discover in Harry's office. | ||||||||||||||
| 191 | 20 | "Opportunity Knock Knocks" | Jim Drake | Elaine Aronson | May 13, 1992 | 187251 | 24.6[189] | |||||||
| 192 | 21 | Nancylee Myatt | 187252 | |||||||||||
|
In the series finale, Harry contemplates the many job opportunities coming his way, Christine runs against a Congressman who's related to Art the janitor, Dan comes to terms with his womanizing ways when a wealthy socialite bars him from marrying her daughter and he dreams that every woman in New York City is suing him; Mac considers a career change, and Bull befriends some old men who turn out to be aliens from Jupiter who need his help on their home planet. | ||||||||||||||
| 193 | 22 | "The 1992 Boat Show" | Charles Robinson | Vince Cheung & Ben Montanio | May 31, 1992 | 187248 | 10.8[190] | |||||||
|
Roz steals the show and Dan's spot with the in-crowd when a gossip columnist discovers her and Lisette tries to deal with her erotic dreams about Harry. Note: This episode was originally scheduled for May 6, 1992, but aired after the series finale. | ||||||||||||||
- Tied with The Simpsons and Doogie Howser, M.D..
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