The delay for a renewal was caused by NBC and production studio Warner Bros. TV went back and forth about the size of the order. Season three will ultimately consist of eighteen episodes.
The contract for the series consists of seasons of 22 episodes, while NBC asked for a third season of eighteen episodes. Because the comedy series, a successor to the 1984 NBC series Night Court, started in the middle of the 2023 season, the first season had sixteen episodes.
The second season, production of which was interrupted by the strikes, consisted of thirteen episodes, in line with the rest of NBC's popular scripted series this season. The season finale aired on March 26.
With the exception of CBS, which is still producing 22 episodes of its established series, the other broadcast networks have trimmed their orders. The upcoming 21st season of Grey's Anatomy will also consist of eighteen episodes. That seems to be the new normal.
Night Court (2023) has quickly established itself as NBC's flagship comedy series, being the network's No. 1 primetime comedy series in both total viewers and the 18-49 demo.
According to NBC, the second season, produced by Dan Rubin, Melissa Rauch, Winston Rauch and John Larroquette, has reached 24 million viewers to date across linear and digital platforms.
NBC's other two current comedy series, Lopez vs. Lopez and Extended Family, are still in limbo, with one of them at most having a chance at renewal.
It is unclear when exactly NBC will make the decision. With Night Court (2023) and the new comedy series St. Denis Medical, the channel already has a comedy block ready for the autumn schedule.
If the Reba McEntire pilot Happy's Place goes to series, NBC could see Lopez vs. Lopez of Extended Family can use as a companion, as all three comedy series are led by experienced comedy actors.
In Night Court (2023), the eternally optimistic Abby Stone (Rauch) follows in the footsteps of her respected late father, Judge Harry Stone, as she takes on the challenge of overseeing the night shift of a Manhattan court.
Abby always sees the best in people and her passion for justice is undeniable. In her quest to bring order and dignity to the court and rein in the colorful gang of misfits, she enlists former district attorney Dan Fielding (Larroquette) to serve as the court's public defender.
Warner Bros. Television produces in association with After January Productions and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
