James R. Drake directed 63 episodes of Night Court, beginning with the Season 1 episode "The Computer Kid". Drake's career began in 1974, working as an associate director for the Norman Lear produced sitcoms All in the Family and Good Times; he made his solo directorial debut in the series Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, which was executive produced by Lear. His other television works include Sanford, Gimme a Break!, We Got It Made, The Facts of Life, Newhart, Night Court, The Golden Girls, Dave's World, which starred Harry Anderson, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, its spin-off, The Suite Life on Deck, and other series.