Rita Taggart's performance as Carla Bouvier ("Carla B.")--any thoughts?

[EccentricGenius]

One of my favorite recurring characters during the first two seasons of "Night Court" was lady-of-the-evening Carla Bouvier (aka Carla B.), played by character actress Rita Taggart. Taggart's sultry performance as Carla B. was both magnificent and memorable...Carla B. was indeed attractive, yet she had a vulnerable side to her; despite her occupation, she had some sympathetic qualities. It's unfortunate that Taggart didn't remain on "Night Court" after season two (her fourth and final appearance as Carla B. was "Harry On Trial"); I would've wanted Carla B. to finally turn over a new leaf and renounce her past in subsequent episodes, with a little help from Harry.

What are your thoughts on Rita Taggart's performance as Carla B.? Drop me a line...I'd love to hear from you! Enjoy your day!

[Phil125]

I enjoyed Rita's character.

Notice a trend that much of the cast even the minor characters all disappeared after season 2. I wonder if it has to do with some of the issues that Reinhold Weege had with the producers.

[EccentricGenius]

Originally Posted by Phil125

I enjoyed Rita's character.

Notice a trend that much of the cast even the minor characters all disappeared after season 2. I wonder if it has to do with some of the issues that Reinhold Weege had with the producers.

Excellent observation, Phil125. After NBC renewed "Night Court" for a second season in the autumn of 1984, most of the core cast from season one--Karen Austin and Paula Kelly, to be precise--was replaced, retaining only Harry Anderson, John Larroquette, Richard Moll, and Selma Diamond.

Throughout "Night Court's" inaugural season, there were major production problems brewing behind the scenes, even as far back as the pilot episode: Gail Strickland (public defender Sheila Gardiner) was replaced in episode two by Kelly (African-American public defender Liz Williams); Kelly remained in the cast for the remainder of the first season.

Austin (court clerk Lana Wagner) departed after episode ten--presumably due to illness--and was replaced first by Alice Drummond (Mavis Tuttle) and then by D.D. Howard (Charley Tracy). Despite her departure, Austin was listed in the opening credits for all thirteen episodes of season one.

Even a few of the recurring characters that appeared during season one, such as Al Craven (Terry Kiser), Judge Willard (Jason Bernard), and the aforementioned Carla B. (Rita Taggart), were eventually written out altogether and quickly forgotten. Only concession stand operator Bernie (Martin Garner), Russian immigrant Yakov Korolenko (Yakov Smirnoff), and bumbling maintenance man Art Fensterman (Mike Finneran) returned for guest appearances during the second season (and beyond).

Thanks for commenting, Phil125! Enjoy your evening, as well as the remainder of your weekend, bro!