The Former Harry Stone was the third episode of Night Court, also the third overall series episode. Written by series creator and executive producer Reinhold Weege, the episode was directed by Jay Sandrich, who was also well known for his work on the ABC-TV sitcoms SOAP, Benson, and, later, two other successful NBC shows, The Golden Girls and Empty Nest. The episode, which aired on NBC-TV, first aired on January 18, 1984.