Melissa Rauch is absolutely ecstatic about being alongside her incredibly talented costars on the revival of NBC’s beloved sitcom, *Night Court*. The show is set to return on Tuesday, November 19, and Rauch, who is now 44 years old, will reprise her role as Abby Stone. In an interview with PEOPLE during a recent visit to the show’s set, she shared that the upcoming third season picks up right where the second season’s finale left off. The season will kick off with a compelling two-part episode that unravels the mystery of whether Abby’s boyfriend, Jake, played by Ryan Hansen, is actually the son of Dan, portrayed by John Larroquette.
This season introduces Wendie Malick as a series regular, bringing her unique flair and humor to the character of Julianne, and fans will also see Julia Duffy returning as Susan. Reflecting on the opportunity to work with such seasoned comedic talent, Rauch expressed her admiration, saying, “It’s like being surrounded by inductees into the Comedy Hall of Fame. The presence of John, Wendie, and Julia on set is just remarkably inspiring.”
Rauch describes her collaboration with John Larroquette, who famously played Dan in the original *Night Court* from 1984 to 1992 for a total of nine memorable seasons, as nothing short of a “dream come true.” She recounted how they developed a special bond while working together on the pilot episode, a friendship that has continued to grow throughout the series. “He’s not just a consummate professional but also an exceptionally wonderful human being,” she noted, highlighting the depth of their working relationship.
Rauch also draws a parallel between Abby’s storyline and her personal experience with Larroquette, remarking, “There’s a meta aspect to Abby’s relationship with Dan, mirroring my own relationship with John. Abby essentially pulled Dan back into the fold, and similarly, when I first approached John to be part of this revival, he was very hesitant and flat-out said, ‘Absolutely not.’ It took a solid year of persuasion before I finally got him on board.”
As she reflects on the upcoming third season of the revival, Rauch emphasizes the profound “nostalgia factor” that the show carries. “One of the most surprising and special aspects of this experience has been hearing from viewers who have shared that they watched the original series with family members who are no longer with them,” she explained. “For many, watching this show today serves as a time machine, transporting them back to cherished moments with those loved ones. Although I personally resonated with this sentiment, I never expected it would touch so many others, and that realization truly warms my heart.”
