SeveralThe Big Bang Theorystars appear in the revival ofNight Court. The remade version ofNight Courtshares several things in common with the originalversion, which starred Harry Anderson as Judge Harry Stone and dealt with a variety of quirky courthouse employees and visitors to the court. The new version of the series is connected toThe Big Bang Theoryin several ways, chief among them that the leading role, Judge Abby Stone, is played by Melissa Rauch, who played Bernadette on the popular sitcom about a group of scientists.
Although Rauch is the onlyThe Big Bang Theoryalum in theNight Courtseason 3 cast,the series has other connections to her previous sitcom.Notably, two of Rauch’s fellow co-stars have visitedNight Courtso far. These actors did not play their characters fromThe Big Bang Theory, but the episodes were considered reunions because of their shared connection with Rauch to that show, and these guest appearances are exciting for audiences that watch both series. Additionally, star John Larroquette is tangentially connected to both sitcoms, as he starred in another series with aThe Big Bang Theoryalum.
3Melissa Rauch
Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz/Abby Stone
Rauch is the onlyThe Big Bang Theoryalum to have a starring role onNight Courtrather than a guest role. Her role is quite different from that of her previous sitcom; instead of playing a wife who often has to stand up to her partner or his friends when they want to do ridiculous or childish things, she plays Abby Stone, the court’s presiding judge. Abby is an extremely positive and bubbly person despite the stresses of her job.She believes in every defendant’s ability to change and often gives people second chancesrather than being harsh.
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Bernadette and Abby have in common that they are both characters that some people think are more naive than they are.Bernadette was one of the smartest and wittiest characters onThe Big Bang Theory, but was often treated dismissively because of her high-pitched voice. Similarly, Abby’s optimism can be mistaken for naivety even though that is untrue; she’s chosen to be optimistic because of the hard times she’s been through and is well aware that life is not all sweetness and light.
2Kunal Nayyar
Rajesh Ramayan “Raj” Koothrappali, Ph. D. / Martini Todd Wallace
Kunal Nayyar is the firstThe Big Bang Theoryalum to visitNight Court.Nayyar plays fashion designer Martini Todd Wallace, who climbs through a courthouse window to escape the paparazzi inNight Courtseason 2, episode 7. Martini crosses paths with Abby shortly after she is lamenting about the difficulty of finding anyone compatible to date given the time constraints of her job and the type of men she is attracting. The two begin a romance, but it doesn’t work out.
Raj was often said to have a secret crush on Bernadette inThe Big Bang Theory,thus making this story somewhat of an inside joke for audiences familiar with both shows.Night Courtalso references the stars' former sitcom by having Abby say to Martini: “There’s something weirdly familiar about you… have we met before?” That said, Martini is a completely different character from Raj, making the episode enjoyable whether or not the audience was familiar withThe Big Bang Theory.
1Mayim Bialik
Amy Fowler/Herself
Mayim Bialik’s upcoming appearance inNight Courtwill be a double reunion for her, as she played John Larroquette’s daughter inThe John Larroquette Show.Bialik’s episode, which airs on NBC on August 16, 2025, will also reference her title role in the popular 1990s teenage sitcomBlossom,asshe will be playing a fictionalized version of herself and Abby will be excited to have the star of one of her favorite shows in her courtroom.
Bialik’s long career will give a nostalgic feel to the story that hopefully will not overshadow the comedy of a major star landing in this court full of quirky people.
NBC and Bialik are being careful to avoid spoilers, but thisNight Courtreunion of theBig Bang Theorystarswill probably contain several in-jokes about Bialik’s connections toNight Court.Bialik’s long career will give a nostalgic feel to the story that hopefully will not overshadow the comedy of a major star landing in this court full of quirky people. Considering that it has been about a year since Nayyar appeared in the series, if Bialik’s visit is as well-received as expected, inviting an alum fromTheBig Bang Theorycould become an annual tradition.
Night Court
Cast
Night Court is a 2023 series following optimistic judge Abby Stone, daughter of the late Harry Stone, as she oversees the night shift of a Manhattan arraignment court, navigating a group of quirky and skeptical colleagues, including former prosecutor Dan Fielding.
