After keeping audiences entertained as the sweet and sassy Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz for a decade in the pop culture phenomenon The Big Bang Theory, actress Melissa Rauch continued her impressive sitcom run with the revival of the popular ’80s series Night Court, which she both stars in and executive produces. In the modern day reimagining, Rauch appears as Judge Abby Stone, who heads to New York City to serve as the magistrate for Manhattan’s Criminal Court, a position formerly held by her late father Harry Stone (original sitcom star Harry Anderson).
Night Court is currently in its third season and has emerged as a must-see sitcom for viewers, and in the January 14, 2025, episode, Rauch was sensationally reunited with her former TBBT co-star Mayim Bialik, in which the Blossom icon portrays a sidesplitting, exaggerated version of herself as she is forced to appear in Abby’s court to settle a dispute. Let’s take a closer look at the sitcom and what went into the pair wholesomely sharing the screen once again.
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After sharing the screen for over a decade in the juggernaut TV sensation The Big Bang Theory as the sassy microbiologist Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz and quirky neuroscientist Amy Farrah Fowler, Melissa Rauch and Mayim Bialik made their epic reunion six years after the hit show’s conclusion in the sitcom Night Court. In the popular revival of the ’80s original series, Rauch stars as Judge Abby Stone, the daughter of the late Harry Stone (Harry Anderson) who takes on the role of magistrate for Manhattan Criminal Court’s night shift, following in her beloved father’s footsteps and assuming the position he once held.
Original Night Court star John Larroquette reprises his role as Dan Fielding, Harry’s best friend who comes back to act as a public defender in Abby’s court, joining other colorful characters like the vicacious bailiff Donna “Gurgs” Gurganous (Lacretta) and devious former career criminal-turned-district judge Julianne Walters (Wendie Malick). The revival is currently in its third season and has attracted positive praise for its delightful performances and wonderfully zany humor, while earning appreciation for capturing the heart of its predecessor. Rauch was reunited with her former co-star Bialik in the January 14, 2025, episode aptly titled “Mayim Worst Enemy.”
In the wholesome and heartwarming episode, actress Mayim Bialik arrives in court in order to solve a dispute from a restaurant, much to the delight of her superfan Abby, with the duo becoming fast friends and making the judge’s Blossom dreams come true. When Mayim becomes a bit too clingy and exhibits borderline stalker behavior, Abby and the rest of the night court crew begin to grow uneasy and set out to confront the unhinged TV star, leading to a sidesplitting grand finale.
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The wildly entertaining episode is jam-packed full of references to both The Big Bang Theory as well as Blossom, and not only did it reunite Rauch with Bialik, but it also brought the former Jeopardy! host back together with her TV dad from The John Larroquette Show. Rauch had easily convinced her TBBT co-star to guest star in an episode of Night Court, pitching her the playful premise of Abby being a massive Blossom fan and encouraging the actress to play an exaggerated version of herself. Rauch raved about Bialik and told TV Insider:
“It was so incredibly special getting to be reunited and work with Mayim again. She’s such a consummate comedic pro who was so game for taking this character in any direction we imagined.”
Both Rauch and Bialik joined The Big Bang Theory during its third season, with Bernadette initially appearing as a co-worker of Penny’s at The Cheesecake Factory who is working through graduate school to become a microbiologist, while the brilliant-yet-awkward Amy was chosen by Leonard, Howard, and Raj as Sheldon’s perfect mate after they signed up the genius on an online dating website. Both characters quickly became fan-favorites due to their unique personalities and engrossing character growth, with the talented ladies remaining staples on the smash hit sitcom until the series bid farewell in 2019.
Bialik isn’t the only TBBT cast member to make a guest appearance in Night Court, as Kunal Nayyar, who unforgettably portrayed the painfully shy and earnest Raj Koothrappali also popped up in a season two episode of the sitcom as a fashion designer. The Blossom icon was just as eager and excited to once again collaborate with Rauch, revealing in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that she had no problem poking fun at herself and enjoyed acting “kooky or silly” while performing in the episode. Bialik told the publication of the experience:
“I really just wanted to support her. I’m a huge fan of Night Court. And yes, John Larroquette and I had worked together when I played his daughter on The John Larroquette Show during Blossom time, so it was really, really fun to get to connect.”
