Let It Snow - S5-E11
Mac Robinson: Hey Dan, did you burn my assembly instructions?
Dan Fielding: What's the big deal? You stick tab A into slot B. Who can't do that?
Prostitute: You'd be surprised.
Brian Katcher
22nd May 2023
Night Court (1984)
18th Mar 2023
Night Court (1984)
Question: In nearly every episode there are two bailiffs standing in the back of the courtroom, a blonde white guy and a black man with glasses. They also appear hanging out in the cafeteria, walking in the halls, etc. However, I don't think they ever had a single line during the entire series run, even in episodes that prominently featured the building's entire bailiff staff. Any reason they made an effort to keep these two extras for the entire run, but never had them say anything?
Answer: Most likely it was about money. Actors who have speaking parts, even if it's only one word, are paid more than "extras", who do not have any dialogue. As the two characters played no part in any of the plots, there was no reason to have them speak lines. Therefore, they were paid less money.
So why hire an extra to play a messenger or bailiff from another courtroom when that pair was already on the set and could have easily said the lines?
What lines? Your question specified that they never spoke any lines and you wanted to know why.
Lines that other extras playing bailiffs said.
If an actor speaks any dialogue, they are billed as "co-stars" and paid at a higher rate than "extras" (also known as Background Actors), who are uncredited. The two you mentioned were regulars who were merely silent background characters used to "dress the set", making the courthouse look more realistically populated. Extras often have no acting ability and are unsuitable for speaking lines. Some people work exclusively as extras in various TV shows and movies and do not actually act or have dialogue.
25th Jan 2023
Night Court (1984)
Undressed For Success - S9-E14
Continuity mistake: In this episode, Harry is putting together an unpainted plastic model of Frankenstein's monster. In the previous episode, 'A New York Story,' the model is put together and he's almost finished painting it.
Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.
Suggested correction: That's because the episodes were aired out of order and not a mistake in the show. Episode 14 (production code 18741) was produced before episode 13 (production code 18744).
8th Jan 2023
Night Court (1984)
Continuity mistake: Mac says he went through Marine Corps boot camp, but in the flashback in 'Crossroads', he's in the army.
1st Jan 2023
Night Court (1984)
Ladies Night - S5-E4
Question: Christine asks Roz if she ever hangs out at a tavern or café or a 'bwot' (I am absolutely misspelling that). Then Roz starts calling the strip club she frequents 'a bwot' as a running joke. I've heard the term on Frasier as well, but I can't google it because I have no idea how to spell it. What is it?
Answer: The word is "boîte." It's a French word and just means a small restaurant or cafe. "Boîte de nuit" would be a nightclub.
15th Dec 2022
Night Court (1984)
Question: I swear when this episode first aired, Bull broke Roz's Mr. T coffee mug. I remember seeing it with gold chains hanging off it. When I just watched the rerun, it was just an ordinary floral cup and Mr. T was never mentioned. Did they film two versions?
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Answer: Most likely, they were stand-ins for members of the main cast. When lighting sets, rather than have the main actors stand around while they adjust the lights, they will get someone with similar physical characteristics to fill in. Since they are already on the set and have nothing to do during the actual shooting, it is more convenient, and probably cheaper, to also use them as extras.