There is something so comforting in looking back on memories of times past — the good ones, of course — and Hollywood knows this.
That's in large part why it continues to serve up reboots, and that leads us to this week's newsletter.
As a big fan of the original sitcom, which ran from 1984 to 1992, actor Melissa Rauch told me she took special care while serving as both star and executive producer of the reboot currently airing on NBC.
"Every week you could tune in with 'Night Court' for some good laughs and some comfort," Rauch said. "I think that's something that's pretty important right now."
"I think there's a lot of power in nostalgia because it can remind us of times in our lives that we were feeling that sense of security or comfort," she continued.
"I know for myself, sitting on my couch and watching shows that I loved as a kid with my parents and my grandmother, it reminds (me) of those people, even if they're not here with you anymore. It's almost like a little time machine back to that part of your life."
Amen to that.
In the new series, Raunch plays Judge Abby Stone, daughter of the show's original lead, Judge Harry Stone, played by the late actor Harry Anderson. In early episodes, the show sees her character having to convince her father's former friend and colleague, Dan Fielding (John Larroquette), to return to practicing law.
And life imitated art, or vice versa, because Rauch told me it took some persuasion to get Larroquette to return to the role.
"He was so kind on that first call and very graciously said, 'I don't think that's something I necessarily want to do,'" Rauch recalled.
"But he left the door open just enough to continue the conversation, and I'm so glad he did," she said. "We really developed such a friendship. It was during the pandemic, so it was all over Zoom and on phone calls. He was just open to continuing to talk about it, even though he wasn't a hundred percent sure."
In the end, Larroquette came around — and court was back in session.
