NBC’s Night Court Season 2 Kicks Off with a Controversial Meghan Markle Mockery

The revival of the classic sitcom Night Court made its much-anticipated return this past Sunday, launching its second season with a holiday special that stirred quite the conversation.

Titled “A Night Court Before Christmas,” the episode took a comedic jab at Meghan Markle and her highly publicized exit from the British royal family.

In this episode, Marcia Warfield reprised her iconic role as Roz Russell, the no-nonsense bailiff from the original series.

This time around, Roz found herself in a New Orleans courtroom where Dan Fielding, played by John Larroquette, has transitioned from public defender to judge after leaving his post in New York.

The plot thickened when Roz was arrested for trespassing and vandalism at a plantation, ostensibly to film a documentary about her ancestors who were enslaved there.

However, the twist revealed that Roz was actually working for a tabloid, tasked with spying on none other than Meghan Markle, who was staying at the same plantation with Prince Harry and their children.

Though Markle didn't make a physical appearance, her presence loomed large throughout the episode, portrayed as a self-serving figure who used her royal status to gain fame and wealth.

The writers didn't hold back, weaving in references to Markle's controversial interview with Oprah Winfrey, where she and Harry discussed their reasons for stepping down as senior royals and relocating to the US.

One of the standout moments came when Roz claimed she had been silenced by the plantation owners, who allegedly barred her from speaking to the media or engaging on social platforms.

The humor continued as Dan questioned Roz about her claims, prompting her to cite emails, diary entries, and even receipts as proof.

In a particularly biting moment, Roz recounted overhearing a conversation between Harry and Queen Elizabeth II regarding the skin color of their son, Archie, and whether he would receive a royal title.

Roz also let slip that Markle had struck a secret deal with Netflix to produce a documentary titled “The Crown, Meghan's Story.”

It was clear that the episode aimed to paint Markle in a less-than-flattering light, showcasing her as someone who seemingly had it all — a prince, a palace, and a vast platform — yet still managed to evoke jealousy from others.

As the episode drew to a close, Roz was found guilty of her charges, leading Dan to sentence her to community service at the plantation.

He further ordered her to write an apology letter to Markle and to binge-watch all episodes of The Crown on Netflix.

Reactions to the episode were decidedly mixed.

While some viewers found the satire hilarious, others deemed it offensive and disrespectful.

Fans of the original Night Court were thrilled to see Warfield back on screen, praising her comedic timing and the chemistry she shared with Larroquette.

On the flip side, supporters of Markle and the royal family expressed outrage, accusing the show of bullying and perpetuating misinformation.

In response to the backlash, creators Melissa Rauch and Winston Rauch defended their work, emphasizing that the episode was meant to be a satire rather than a personal attack on Markle.

The duo revealed that they drew inspiration from the subreddit r.StMeghanMarkle, where users often mock and critique Markle's actions.

They also noted their admiration for Markle's previous work on the show Suits, hoping that she would take the episode in good humor.

As Night Court continues its second season, which airs Tuesdays at 8 PM ET on NBC, viewers can expect more comedic escapades from Melissa Rauch, who plays Abby Stone, the daughter of the late Judge Harry Stone.