Night Court Season 8, Episode 12: It's Just a Joke

1

A Family Affair (1)

Christine comes back from having her baby and has to deal with the shadow of her replacement, good 'ole Ted. Harry tries to avoid the tutor arranged to help him pass a crucial high school history test. Meanwhile Dan's sister comes to visit, and Dan asks Bull to take her out to see the sights of New York, unaware that his baby sister is a chip off the old Fielding block.

24 min

2

A Family Affair (2)

Meanwhile, Dan is dealing with the fallout of this situation—especially given the familial ties and how it affects his relationship with his sister and with Bull. The episode plays on the awkward dynamics between friendship, family, and workplace connection, while maintaining the comedic tone the series is known for.

24 min

3

When Harry Met Margaret

Harry's first date with Margaret Turner, the new court reporter, turns into a disaster when he follows Dan's advice.

24 min

4

Can't Buy Me Love

Dan is thrilled when he offers himself as a prize at a bachelor auction, until he sees the lecherous old woman who bids highest for him; and Christine is beginning to have doubts about her marriage to Tony.

24 min

5

Death Takes a Halloween

On Halloween, Harry locks up a defendant known as the Spirit of Death, and people, including next scheduled victim Dan, stop dying.

24 min

6

Crossroads (1)

When the staff is quarantined for the night, they spend the hours reminiscing about turning points in their lives.

24 min

7

Crossroads (2)

When a chemical spill forces Judge Harry T. Stone (portrayed by Harry Anderson) and his courthouse team to remain inside the courtroom, the episode uses this setup as the frame for a series of flashbacks

24 min

8

Day Court

Roz surprises everyone by becoming unbearably perky when the staff is temporarily assigned to daytime hours, and Christine decides she must totally change her personality to hang onto Tony and her marriage.

24 min

9

A Night Court at the Opera

Dan tries to win over Margaret during a night at the opera and Bull acquires disciples convinced that he's their god.

24 min

10

Nobody Says Rat Fink Anymore

Harry has to summon the courage to face a bully from his childhood who is brought before him in court, and Christine searches high and low for the perfect nanny.

24 min

11

Jail Bait

A street artist helps raise Christine's spirits, and Mac and Dan indulge a passion for photography.

24 min

12

It's Just a Joke

Everyone gets their two cents in when a comic's offensive routine sparks a First Amendment debate.

24 min

13

Bringing Down Baby

Roz loses yet another battle with courtesy and tact when she tells off the mother of an obnoxious child star shooting a tv pilot in the courtroom.

24 min

14

Presumed Insolvent

Dan looks at Phil the wino in a whole new light when the bum rescues a defendant left penniless by the S&L crisis.

24 min

15

Mama Was a Rollin' Stone

Dan anticipates a windfall from Phil the wino's will but gets a surprise instead. Bull anxiously awaits a visit from his mother, an old salt due to retire from the sea and come live with sonny boy.

24 min

16

Attachments Included

Christine finds herself tense over finalizing her divorce, Harry is nervous about moving in with Margaret, and Bull follows his mother's advice and looks for a wife-with the help of a matchmaker.

24 min

17

Alone Again, Naturally

Harry gets a wealth of conflicting advice when he confides in his friends that he thinks Margaret is about to propose marriage.

24 min

18

Hey Harry, F'Crying Out Loud — It is a Wonderful Life ... Sorta

An angel appears in the guise of Mel Torme to show Harry how dismal the courtroom would be if he'd never been born, especially with Dan as the corrupt judge in charge.

24 min

19

To Sleep, No More

Dan suffers all the pangs of a guilty conscience over misuse of the Phil Foundation funds. Bull tries out a toupee, the Shatner 2000.

24 min

20

With a Little Help From My Friends

Roz tries Christine's ""happy therapy"" and sets the group back several months and Jack's son finally admits to himself and his dad that running the newsstand isn't for him.

24 min

21

Mac Takes a Vocation

Harry gets riled when a supreme court judge woos Mac away to serve as a vote-getting token on his staff and Dan hires an English valet in an attempt to replace Phil.

24 min

22

Harry's Fifteen Minutes

Harry lets an article naming him one of New York's 10 most interesting men go to his head, and he disappoints Christine by fibbing to get out of a date. Dan tries to live up to his responsibilities as head of the Phil Foundation.

24 min

23

Where There's a Will, There's a Tony (1)

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.

24 min

24

Where There's a Will, There's a Tony (2)

The episode juggles the interplay between Harry’s reaction to Christine and Tony’s reconciliation efforts, Christine’s feelings and decisions, and Dan’s shifting identity in his foundation role — all while maintaining the comedic courtroom backdrop that the series is known for.

24 min