Anyone remember a predecessor to Night Court with a completely different cast probably around 1978 or 1979? I think it was a mid-summer tryout that didn’t get picked up. I thought the judge was Herb Edelman probably best known for the Odd Couple movie, but I see no listing that matches. The judge had a red headed clerk he referred to as Carrot Top I believe.
My first thought is Sirota’s Court, though it was from 1976-7, and not from summertime. Michael Constantine played the judge, and he does look a bit like Edelman.
Too late to add: the actress who played his clerk (Cynthia Harris) was a redhead. It just might be your show. 
That’s the one. Thank you. I’ve been watching Night court seasons 1-4 and then watched the Odd Couple tonight on TCM, it reminded me of this lost show that was effectively the first try at Night Court.
I’m surprised I didn’t recall Fred Willard in it. Edelman & Constantine do kind of look the same and this was a long time ago.
Just a WAG here, but could you be thinking of a sitcom starring Tony Randall as a widowed judge with two kids? His clerk (secretary, actually) was played by the very red-haired actress Allyn Ann McLerie.
I remember watching Sirota’s Court back then, though I have no distinct memories of it, other than the balding judge, and the theme song. 
Really? Not as Stan, Dorothy’s ex, on the Golden Girls?
Or Bert, Bob Denver’s buddy on The Good Guys? :dubious: 
My memories of it were pretty minor too. Only that it was about a Night Court. I couldn’t even remember the star.
Huge show, but I didn’t watch it, not my cup of tea or something.
Seriously? Does anyone remember that show? It was also never in syndication.
They said “Sirota” so many times in the theme song that it’s lost all meaning!
I remember it and it’s the first show I think of when I think of Herb Edelman. (And the third show when thinking of Bob Denver.)
No love for Dusty’s Trail, huh?