In 1984, Shelley joined the cast of the nighttime sitcom Night Court for its second season. She was cast to play public defender Christine Sullivan, who was going to be romantically involved with Judge Harry Stone (played by Harry Anderson). But when the series started shooting, at the last minute, producer Reinhold Weege decided she wasn't right for the part. And Shelley felt the same way. "What happened was the role was changed," Shelley explained, "Instead of being a funny lady, as she was in the reading, they had changed her into a straight woman." She admitted, "It wasn't working, and when comedy doesn't work, just forget it - leave." Shelley added, "I love to do comedy. I wanted to do it. But the concept just didn't work, and that's what I told them. I'm sad not to be doing the show, but everybody was very supportive. The cast was great, but what's the point if it's not working?" So the actress and the producer mutually and amicably agreed to call the whole thing off. Ellen Foley was brought in for that season to replace Shelley - as a new character, public defender Billie Young.
