a promo pic of Shelley
for Night Court, 1984
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 and the character was going to be romantically involved with Judge Harry Stone (played by Harry Anderson). Promotional pics were taken, scripts were developed and the announcement was made. "I'll be doing my research at the New York court," Shelley said, "I always look forward to researching a role. It will be interesting." Although better known, at the time, for being a dramatic actress, Shelley wasn't averse to doing comedy. "Comedy is a complete departure for me," she said, "but it's something I've always wanted to do and, besides, I love the show already just as a viewer."
pages of a second draft script for Night Court
with Shelley as Christine Sullivan
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. "I liked the show. They offered me the role. I went and met with them and liked them," Shelley said. "But what happened was the role was changed somewhere between that meeting and my first day on the set," she explained. According to Richard Moll, who played bailiff Bull Shannon on the show, "Shelley Hack was very sweet. She lasted about 16 minutes, as I remember, yeah. That was tough." 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. Markie Post took over the role of Miss Sullivan for one episode. A year later, Markie Post became a permanent part of the cast.
a promo pic of Shelley
and the cast of Night Court, 1984
