‘Night Court’ – ‘The Judge’s Boyfriend’s Dad, Part 2’ Post-mortem Interview with Ryan Hansen

NIGHT COURT -- "The Judge’s Boyfriend’s Dad, Part 2" Episode 302 -- Pictured: Ryan Hansen as Jake -- (Photo by: Nicole Weingart/NBC)

Truly, one of the staples of the Night Court franchise on NBC, are its guest stars. For they always deliver incredible moments and incredible plotlines and one that is of note, is Ryan Hansen. For he stole the show as Jake in season two and played a pivotal role in the show’s cliffhanger season two finale, and he continues to impress. Courtesy of his amazing performance during last night’s episode, and we had the honor of sitting down with Ryan to discuss Jake’s season three journey thus far.
 
John Betancourt: We talked a little bit last time about whether or not there's going to be more, Jake. And when did you find out then that we were going to get more Jake on Night Court.
 
Ryan Hansen: I don't know. Maybe it was when they got picked up for a season three. And then, you know, they call my agent, or whatever, and they're like, “Is he available?” And I'm like, “Yes. I'm available.” (Laughs) So, you know, I don't know, it was maybe a month or two before you start shooting or whatever. So yeah, and then, you know, you do a couple, and then they're like, “Well, we want you for some more.” And, you know, it’s great.
 
John Betancourt: How did that make you feel? Because, I mean, I know this has been, it's been an important role to you.
 
Ryan Hansen: Oh, it's so fun, dude. Because I think I did the first episode just kind of as a one off, and then, you know, Melissa (Rauch) and I hit it off so well, and the whole cast is so cool. And my character and her really, you know, kind of shined together and hit it off. So, I was happy that they were like, “come on back.” Because it's really, it's one of the most fun gigs you can have. It’s a multi cam in front of a live audience with a cool cast and working with Melissa (Rauch) and John (Larroquette) and everybody. So, yeah.
 
John Betancourt: Now in talking about the episode itself, there is some incredibly mimicking that you and John Larroquette pull off. How did you pull that off? Because that was huge.
 
Ryan Hansen: I mean, working with John anyway, I'm already looking at him and kind of like studying what he does. He's, you know, a legend in this world. I think it's like three or four... I think four Emmys, you know, with this show. So, I look up to him so much already that it's like, you know, I'm already studying him, you know. And you're trying not to be like him as an actor. And then for this, you're like, “Oh no, it's okay to kind of act like him, you know, because he might be your dad.” So that was a blast for me, because he's, I look up to him anyway, and his acting style and in his presence, like he would just sit there and even off camera, just tell these cool old Hollywood stories. they're just endless too. It's so fun. They're so fun. So, I look up to him anyway. So, it was really easy in that, in that sense. And we kind of like talked about, “Okay, we're gonna do this, I'm gonna do this, I'm gonna do it like this.” And I'm like, “Yes, I'll do it like that.” You know, you'll he kind of tells me what to do, which is great.
 
John Betancourt: That makes total sense. And another testament to your work here, is that there's some really beautiful moments in this episode, especially when Jake brings in the crate of memories. There's an authenticity to it and such a beauty to it, like the longing is there. And I'm curious how you tapped into that, because that felt just shockingly real on screen.
 
Ryan Hansen: Yeah, well, that's cool for you to say. Man, I think it's just like thinking about if I didn't have my dad, you know, and then finding him later in life, what would that be like, you know? And I would want him to know all these things about me. And like, have that connection. So that was kind of easy. And, you know, because I have kids, and thinking about my kids not having me around, and, you know, for a lot of people that's the case, and it's, it's heartbreaking, and it's, it's beautiful when they do find each other. So, I just kind of thought about that kind of stuff. And you know, it's in the script anyway, so there's all that.
 
John Betancourt: I think what's interesting too, is the surprise ending. It felt like… I mean, with the mimicking, with that beautiful longing, it felt like it was going to come to the two of them being related, but it's kind of a shocker of an ending. And I'm curious what you think fans are going to feel about kind of a surprise, that they are not father and son.
 
John Betancourt: Yeah, I think, you know, because I didn't know until we shot it, or got the script, either, that it didn't work out. And so, I was actually kind of bummed too. I thought I was going to be John Larroquette’s son; you know? So, I think people will be bummed. But also, you know, I think they had that moment. I think that was special for them. And I think they'll always have that kind of connection, the kind of like, “what if,” you know, we were, and I think, I think they still have that bond of, you know, trying to work together and figuring it out, like if they were anyway. So, I think people will be… I don't know. I don't know what people will think. I was bummed. I was bummed.
 
John Betancourt: Well, let's talk about that for a second then, and kind of expand on why, why exactly you were bummed?
 
Ryan Hansen: Yeah, I just… kind of felt bad for Jake, like, you know, like, I don't think he even realized how much he would like a father figure, even at this age in life, you know, and what that would mean to him. So, for him to have his hopes up like that, and to really connect with John – or -- Dan, you know, like, I could see how that would be heartbreaking, and also, then you move on, and he wasn't really my dad anyway, so it's all good. So, you know, I think there's just that moment of, like, real disappointment that that could have been a really cool thing and fulfilling thing for both of them.
 
John Betancourt: Obviously you know, you get to do a lot more this season, which is great. You know, we get more of that fun with Jake. And there's a real kind of, um, looseness to it. Was there some kind of freedom you had this year as an actor, to really kind of do more with Jake and really flesh him out and just have a lot more fun on set with him.
 
John Betancourt: Oh, that's interesting. Um, I don't know if there was necessarily, like a like a moment where, like, you're more free. I think maybe I was just more comfortable, like getting to know the cast and, you know, and kind of getting to know the character a little more, you know, as a guest star, it's hard to come in and to a show that's already a well-oiled machine. And like, you're, you're popping, and you're supposed to be all natural and stuff. Well, that's, you know, it's kind of tough. So, I think the more I was there, the more comfortable I felt with the character and everything.
 
John Betancourt: Obviously you enjoy working on the show, you enjoy being on set. You enjoy playing Jake. What has been the most fulfilling part of this experience for you so far?
 
Ryan Hansen: Yeah, I think like just getting to work with Melissa and John and Wendy (Malick) and Lacretta and Nyambi (Nyambi), like aeveryone's so great and so cool and Dan (Rubin), you know, the showrunner and creator, it just feels like a family there. I mean, it's, I think people say that, but like, it really, everyone's pretty tight and coming in as a guest again, and them being so cool about it, like, “come on in.” You know, it's very comforting, and it's just fun. You just play. It's, it's like doing a play. So, it's like playing make believe in front of a live audience, it's, it's a blast. That's my favorite part. And it's down the street, which we love.
 
John Betancourt: That's always the best part. Anytime you can have a short walk to work. Man, what a day. Last question that I have for you today, from a more global perspective in general, what are you most excited for fans to experience in season three of the show?
 
Ryan Hansen: I think just the journey with Jake and Abby, the ups and downs, the really fun episodes they get to have together. There's some really wacky stuff and really silly, fun stuff they get to do. And it gets a little, you know, dramatic. There's highs and lows, you know. So, I think that's really fun and really exciting to watch for them.
 
This interview has been lightly and condensed for clarity.

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