Ep 2. Santa Goes Downtown

Santa Goes Downtown is the second episode of the first season of Night Court, a sitcom that follows the night shift of a Manhattan municipal court. This episode originally aired on January 16, 1984.

The episode begins with the court getting ready for Christmas. Judge Harry Stone (played by Harry Anderson) is in his chambers putting the last touches on his Santa Claus costume, while his bailiff, Nostradamus 'Bull' Shannon (played by Richard Moll) is excitedly finishing off the decorations. Meanwhile, Harry's clerk, Lana Wagner (played by Karen Austin), is unenthusiastically writing out Christmas cards.

Before the courtroom proceedings begin, Harry decides to take the opportunity to spread some holiday cheer and announces that Santa Claus will be making an appearance that night. As a result, the usually quiet courtroom is soon bustling with activity as people line up to meet Santa Claus.

In the midst of all this, a young man named Timmy (played by T.K. Carter) is arrested for shoplifting a Christmas tree. Timmy is insistent that he didn't steal the tree, but rather, took it from a lot where it was left behind. Unable to verify his story, Harry has him locked up for the night.

As the night goes on, Harry and the others realize that the supposed stolen tree actually belongs to a prostitute named Ashley (played by Jennifer Darling), who has been living on the streets and using the tree to keep her possession safe. Harry tries to find Ashley, hoping that she can verify Timmy's story and clear him of the charges.

Meanwhile, Dan Fielding (played by John Larroquette), the court prosecutor who has a reputation for being sleazy, is trying to score a date with a gorgeous model named Merry Christmas (played by Julie Brown). In his efforts to woo her, Dan inadvertently tips her off to some confidential court information, leading to a hilarious courtroom scene.

The episode wraps up with a heartwarming scene as Harry manages to track down Ashley, who confirms that Timmy is innocent. Harry dismisses the charges and helps Ashley get back on her feet by offering her a job as his assistant. The episode ends with the entire court staff wishing each other a Merry Christmas.

Overall, Santa Goes Downtown is a great example of the fast-paced, witty humor that made Night Court such a beloved show. With a great cast of characters and clever writing, this episode is definitely worth a watch.