My original "review" was written in 2006, with a main focus on how PATHETIC it was that Warner Brothers had not yet released season two. After four years, and many excellent reviews by other fans, it looks like we will FINALLY get our wish! I have decided to change the tone of my review from "negative" to "positive", and enhance it with episode information. My original review is still attached at the bottom, perhaps as a reminder to Warner of how unhappy we all were (and that they had better not wait another FOUR years before releasing season THREE).
Brief episode list:
1. "The Nun" - 9/27/1984
Dinah Manoff as a NUN! Woohoo!
2. Christine and Mac (a.k.a. Daddy for the Defense) - 10/4/1984
Markie Post arrives (for one episode)!!!
3. Billie and the Cat - 10/18/1984
It's a "catnapping" and Harry sends public defender Billie Young to jail.
4. Pick a Number - 10/25/1984
A winning lottery ticket sends the courtroom into a frenzy!
5. The Computer Kid - 11/1/1984
A computer whiz takes over Harry's office!
6. Bull Gets a Kid - 11/8/1984
Yep. Bull becomes a foster parent!
7. Harry on Trial - 11/15/1984
Harry isn't your average judge, and he could be in trouble for it!
8. Harry and the Madam - 11/22/1984
Stella Stevens guest stars!
9. Inside Harry Stone - 11/29/1984
John Astin guest stars! Harry and his darn ulcer!
10. The Blizzard - 12/6/1984
Trapped in the courtroom! Dan is stuck in an elevator, and he's NOT alone.
11. Take My Wife, Please - 12/13/1984
Michael Richards guest stars!!
12. The Birthday Visitor - 1/3/1985
It's Billie's Birthday... but it doesn't go smoothly!
13. Dan's Parents - 1/10/1985
Dan's past AND parents come to haunt him!
14. Nuts About Harry - 1/17/1985
Nuts are on the loose! Mental patients go on strike!
15. An Old Flame - 1/24/1985
Selma's old boyfriend shows up.
16. The Gypsy - 1/31/1985
Bull is cursed! Or is he?
17. Battling Bailiff - 2/7/1985
Bull quits to become a pro wrestler!
18. Billie's Valentine - 2/14/1985
Billie's boyfriend causes a lot of trouble! Guest: Lou Ferrigno!!!
19. Married Alive - 2/21/1985
Dan the gold-digger?
20. Mac and Quon Le: Together Again - 2/28/1985
Billie or Dan for a comission?
21. World War III - 5/2/1985
Yakov Smirnoff and Gordon Jump!
22. Walk, Don't Wheel - 5/9/1985
Harry refuses to go to the prom with a disabled girl.
Twenty Two great episodes of classic comedy! Markie Post doesn't yet become a regular cast member (you'll have to wait 'til season three). Speaking of Markie Post; fans sure would like to have the second season of "the Fall Guy" released (where she appeared from 1982-1985).
It's been a LONG wait, but it will certainly be worth it! There are still OTHER great series out there that have been treated unfairly by the studios, so this release can be seen as a bit of hope for all of us!
Three cheers for the arrival of season two!
JM
------ > My original review:
It boggles my mind that a tv series like DOOGIE HOWSER has FOUR seasons out on DVD while a program like Night Court that ran for NINE years has only ONE!
I would never describe the folks at Warner Bros. as being "bright", after all they had an entire TV network "close shop" and merge with another failed network (UPN). I'm sure it's all a reflection of "great decision making" :)
At any rate, maybe they'll do something RIGHT for a change and release the second season of Night Court... FINALLY.
Two thumbs up for Amazon and I hope they know something that we don't know about the potential of this release.
P.S.
Just because a DVD box set of a "season one" doesn't sell as well as a production company would like doesn't mean that future releases of later seasons will not sell better or even HELP to increase sales of the first season. Also, when several seasons have been released buyers tend to be more willing to make an investment into the series as a whole. I know lots of people who wait until several seasons are out (or even an entire series) before they start buying.
If you're going to release a "season one" of a TV series on DVD you're making a promise to fans of that series. I think production companies need to wise up and realize that they will certainly make all the money they wanted if they simply make a commitment and release everything. They may not see huge numbers at the beginning... but it will all sell eventually. Also, having the product "out there" is valuable in terms of NAME RECOGNITION for the production company. It will help the Warner Bros. NAME to have high quality and COMPLETE series in the DVD marketplace. Night Court is one of those series.
JM