30 Rock: The One With The Cast Of Night Court

(S03E03) "What if Heroes had this new hero whose power was close-up magic?" - Harry Anderson

Holy crap, how did we miss the news that the cast of Night Court was going to be on tonight's episode of 30 Rock? Maybe all of the talk about Jennifer Aniston being a guest on the show (and Oprah and Steve Martin in the coming weeks) overshadowed that news, or maybe they didn't think it was big enough news to announce. But God I think it's even bigger news! Hey, Aniston is fine, but let me repeat: this episode features a reunion of the cast of Night Court! One NBC sitcom classic meets another.

And the reason they're on the show is even better...

It's funny, when I saw the title of the episode I thought it was some sly reference to Aniston being on the show, she being from Friends but the wacky people behind 30 Rock picked a random NBC comedy for no reason. But to actually have Harry Anderson (who doesn't even act much anymore since moving to New Orleans and now North Carolina), Markie Post, and Charles Robinson? Excellent! And it's not just a cameo like you might think. They're one of the major plots in the show (after the Aniston is stalking Jack plot) as Tracy gets the cast together so Kenneth can finally have a good final episode of Night Court. I mean, how freakin' great is that for a plot? TV shows never do anything like that.

Nice explanation as to why John Larroquette isn't on the show too (no word on Richard Moll). I also like how they tie in the real change of intern outfits at NBC into the episode, something I've been hoping they'd do. Funny how this leads to a Night Court reunion (30 Rock and The Simpsons are the best at taking plots to really unpredictable places).

Not sure I buy Jack being completely crazy for Aniston. Jack is always the calm, resourceful, strong one, but he falls for all of her nutty exploits just to have sex with her. OK, maybe I do understand it.

Some more great quotes from this episode:

"Birds always attack me when I wear it." - Jenna, on Claire's homemade jewelry

"What's wrong Ken? You have wife eyes!" - Tracy

"It's like an owl without a graduation cap. Heart-breaking." - Tracy

"Court at night? I'm already laughing!" - Tracy, to Kenneth

"You're infringing on Warner Bros property!" - Liz, about filming another episode of Night Court

"I wish you had told me that an hour ago." - Jack, after Liz tells him not to sleep with Claire

"Hey, that idiot werewolf paid for my hair reduction." - Jenna, about her Night Court guest spot as a were-lawyer

"Jack was just giving me directions to...the F train." - Claire, to Liz, about...well, you know

"She's crazy, like 'grab a cop's gun' crazy." - Jack, about Claire

"Sexy birthday party. Thank God." - Jack, after Liz asked him if Claire did "sexy birthday party" or "mannequin come to life."

"I'm giving America what it wants. A reunion of Friends...from Night Court." - Kenneth

"This is the worse than the real finale!" - Kenneth, after trouble on the Night Court set

Maybe now the show can also film a final ep for Benson.