COLLIDER: So, Annie, this is now your second time returning toNight Court.
You first appeared in Season 2, right?
How has your experience been slipping back into the role of June Wheeler?
Image by Jefferson Chacon
Now that the character is older, does it feel fresh, or is it like you never left?
O’DONNELL: It kind of feels like I never leftI just got older in the meantime.
The originalNight Courtstill runs a lot on TV, so it always felt like it was out there.
Image via NBC
Getting to do it again after almost 40 years is pretty amazing.
When I got the call to return, I thought, “Oh, wow.”
I pulled up some old clips on my phone to get back into the mindset of June Wheeler.
Image via NBC
O’DONNELL: Not really.
But once we were back on set, it was like we had known each other forever.
We don’t have much of a relationship outside of workso much life has happened in between.
Image via NBC
He’s married with a grown child; I was married for 25 years.
We’ve both lived entire lives in the meantime.
Butthe chemistry is always there when we play the Wheelers.
And it helps that Brent is an incredible actorso committed to his work and his character.
The other returning actress, Kate Micuccishe’s back playing your daughter, Carol Ann.
She brings a bit of chaotic energy to the Wheeler family.
How has that dynamic evolved?
O’DONNELL: Oh, absolutely.
We’ve maintained our craziness, but it’s more contained.
Carol Ann brings a whole new level of energy.
That’s a great observation, Ryan.
How has it been working with her now that shes even more ingrained in the family?
O’DONNELL: Its been great.
Shes just the best.
I was so thrilled to work with her.
Kate is so talented, so funny, and just a joy to work with.
Its interestingthis is a bit of a complicated story, but Ill give a shot to keep it short.
I played Amys mother onThe Big Bang Theory.
Evidently, Kate was in the running for the role of Amy herself.
Mayim Bialik ended up getting the part, and now here I am playing Kates mother onNight Court.
So, we all have these weirdBig Bang Theoryconnections.
Yeah, thats wild how it all comes full circle.
O’DONNELL: It really is.
And I think Brent was onThe Big Bang Theorytoohe may have played himself.
I cant quite remember.
So another big thing youre working with John Larroquette again.
O’DONNELL: Oh, absolutely.
What was that experience like, getting to work so closely with him again?
O’DONNELL: Oh, it was wonderful.
I dont think he ever succeeded, but it was close!
Hes such an incredible actor and master of comedy.
And I think he genuinely enjoys playing opposite the Wheelers.
We had such a good time together, and the writing was so strong.
Some of the lines we had were just fantastic.
Youve had a pretty robust career as a character actress.
What is it about the Wheelers that makes them so memorable?
O’DONNELL: I think its their sweetness.As crazy as they are, theres a goodness to them.
Everyone can relate to the idea of being touched by bad luck, and the Wheelers embody that.
No matter what happens to them, they just keep going.They dont get particularly upset about anything.
Maybe that gives people hope.
And, of course, the writing is just damn funny.
TheNight Courtwriters created such great characters and dialogue for us.
Even on set, they would feed us new lines, and each version kept getting better.
Sitcoms filmed in front of a live audience are always a work in progress, andNight Courtwas no exception.
For 40 years, people have loved the Wheelers.
When the reboot was announced, I remember seeing fans asking, When are the Wheelers coming back?
Its amazing that they resonated with audiences so much.
Im just grateful, because I love playing June Wheeler.
Well, thank you so much for sitting down for this!
O’DONNELL: You’re welcome!
Its available on all major platforms.
Its nothing like June Wheeler, but I think people will enjoy it.
Night Courtairs every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. New episodes stream the day after on Peacock.
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