We were promised the return of The Wheelers in Night Court season 3, and it’s finally happening. Kate Micucci will return as Carol Ann Wheeler, and she talked with us about that return and what to expect.
The Wheelers have been a beloved part of the Night Court universe from the original series. While Brent Spiner and Annie O’Donnell returned to reprise their roles, Keri Houlihan didn’t. Instead, The Big Bang Theory’s Kate Micucci stepped into the role, proving that Carol Ann is just as weird and wacky as her parents.
It’s not easy coming into a revival as an already-introduced character, so we talked about stepping into the role and what to expect in Night Court season 3, episode 13.
Kate Micucci talks the return of Carol Ann Wheeler in Night Court season 3, episode 13
Hidden Remote: Let’s jump straight in to chat about the reception of Carol Ann Wheeler in Night Court. What was that like for you the first time you guest starred?
Kate Micucci: I feel like The Wheelers are so loved to any Night Court fan out there, and I know everyone was so excited to see The Wheelers return, so I definitely felt a little bit of pressure. I really needed to fit into this family and make it seem true. It was such a great feeling that people really loved the addition of Carol Ann.
We had a great time. Annie and Brent are just so wonderful. They’re so funny, so it was really great to come back this season and do another episode where we got to be a family again, and be as ridiculous as ever.
HR: Was the pressure off a little bit the second tim?
KM: I think so. Annie and Brent knew these characters, and they’d done them so well. For me, I was just making sure I found her voice and figured out who she is. So, I felt like coming back in and getting to revisit is always a bit nice. I already had a sense of who she was and got to play around with her a little bit more. It was a joy to be back.
HR: Speaking of the voice, how hard is that and to get the bad pronunciations?
KM: Well, that’s so much the writers. Theya re increditble on the show. It’s such a funny show, so I felt like, for me, all I have to do is say what’s written. The first time around, I did wonder how she talked. How much of an accent would she have? How weird is she?
The fun thing about Night Court is you can be big, and there’s a lot of room for experimenting and figuring out how it goes. By the time you’re taping, you’ve found something that works, and I think we were trying to figure out how big our accent even is, and we just landed on this.
HR: Can you tease anything about Carol Ann’s return?
KM: I will say that there’s a new addition to The Wheeler family, and we’ll leave it at that.
MORE: Gary Anthony Williams talks Judge Flobert in Night Court
HR: I love the new addition. So, would you return if they asked you again?
KM: In a heartbeat. I would do it a million times over. Being on the set of Night Court is really just so joyful. It’s just a great group of people all around. I feel so lucky that I get to jump in and have a good time with everyone. So, I would come back in a heartbeat. The fun thing about the Wheelers is anything can happen, anything is possible.
HR: Is there a Wheeler Curse, or are they just in the wrong place at the wrong time?
KM: Some might call it a curse. Some might just call it — I’m not sure how smart they really are. They’re kind of like the original Debbie Downers in a way. You just never know what ridiculousness they’re going to say.
HR: So, I know you didn’t watch the original show before.
KM: I think I just missed it. Maybe I was a little too young. I did dive in once I knew I was going to be playing Carol Ann.
HR: That’s what I was going to ask, so now that you’ve watched it and now get to be on almost the whole original set, what’s that like?
KM: I feel like you have to honor it. This is where TV history was made. I can’t quite speak to what set pieces are exact, but I know there are some from the original. You also just honor the actors that were there before. It’s wonderful to get to be with John Larroquette, who is just a great person and so talented. It’s very cool to be part of this history.
Night Court airs on Tuesdays at 8:30/7:30c on NBC. Catch up the following day on Peacock.
Stay up to date with the latest TV news with Hidden Remote.