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* DeadpanSnarker: Liz definitely has her moments.
** In one episode, she's representing a runaway played by Creator/MichaelJFox. Harry asks him if he's stupid.
---> '''Liz:''' She's here. Tell him if you're stupid or not.
** In another episode, she comments about not mixing work and romance.
---> '''Lana:''' You work with rapists, junkies, muggers, and flashers.
---> '''Liz:''' That does make it easier.
* HonorBeforeReason: Liz handcuffs herself to Yakov Korelenko as a demonstration of her dedication to seeing that justice is done by him. A confused Yakov thinks she's "cuckoo".
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** (Accidentally) backhands Harry in the episode "Ladies' Night), knocking him cold. Also took down a big bruiser of a lady (offscreen) in that same episode, even impressing Roz.

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** (Accidentally) backhands Harry in the episode "Ladies' Night), Night"), knocking him cold. Also took down a big bruiser of a lady (offscreen) in that same episode, even impressing even Roz.
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* IllTellYouWhenIveHadEnough: After a nasty fight with her husband Tony, she attends a charity date auction event and becomes increasing loud and hostile. When Harry suggests that she tone down the drinking, she spouts the trope pretty much verbatim and it's revealed she's been guzzling... Fresca.

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* NotMeThisTime: Because of his reputation as ThePrankster, the gang cannot believe that Harry is not indulging in his usual hijinks on Halloween. Mac is particularly suspicious, acting paranoid at even the most mundane situations where the judge is nearby. When a obituary reporting Dan's future death under ridiculous circumstances pops up, Dan freaks out and everyone (especially Mac) assumes Harry is behind it, despite his vehement denials. Turns out [[spoiler: it was Mac.]]



* ThePrankster: A key reason why he and Harry get along so well is because of their shared penchant for pulling jokes on people. Dan seems to be Mac's favorite target.

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* ThePrankster: A key reason why he and Harry get along so well is because of their shared penchant for pulling jokes on people.
**
Dan seems to be Mac's his favorite target.target. On one occasion he tricks Dan into thinking he'd sold his soul to Satan. On another, he pulls a BaitAndSwitch on Dan, tearing a piece of paper to "alert" him that he'd torn his pants, only to reveal the torn paper, relieving Dan, who then leaves for his fancy gathering. It's then revealed that Dan really did tear the seat of his pants. And there was the time Mac has a fake obituary printed, scaring Dan into believing that he will die the next day.
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* HurricaneOfPuns: He's typically prone to this, but a perfect example occurs during season 6's "Yet Another Day In the Life' episode, when a defendant who is accused of breaking into a butcher's shop is brought before him.
--->'''Harry:''' So, we ''meat'' again!
[courtroom groans]
--->'''Harry:''' I'd have thought you'd have ''loined'' your lesson!
[courtroom groans again]
--->'''Harry:''' You obviously don't understand what's at ''steak'' here!
[courtroom empties out]
--->'''Harry:''' Hey, where are you going? This is ''prime'' stuff!
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* HiddenDepths: When Dan is invited to a swanky gala, he is mortified to learn that ballroom dancing is on the agenda. Roz catches him trying to learn, and gives him lessons (for a price). Turns out her "Auntie Ruth" forced a young Roz to learn the skill, as it would supposedly help her "land a man".
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** [[PlayingWith Played with]]. When Dan unexpectedly shows up at Christine's Lamaze class to serve as her coach, she initially assumes he's there in his usual capacity as a sexual predator. But Christine actually gives him the benefit of the doubt, prompting this exchange:
--->'''Christine:''' Even '''you''' wouldn't hit on a bunch of pregnant women,
--->'''Dan:''' Not past the seventh month, certainly.

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** A prisoner (a little on the short side, but still a grown man) tries to escape by hiding in Dan's suitcase. Bull (not knowing the escapee was in there) hauls the suitcase around with no difficulty (with '''one hand''', no less), but Dan himself can't even budge it, which leads to the foiling of the prisoner's escape.



** Shows off better than decent singing chops in the episode "Baby Talk".

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** Shows off better than decent singing chops in the episode "Baby Talk". It's later revealed in a later episode that he was part of a doo-wop group in his youth.



* ScaryBlackMan: Mac's not above intentionally invoking this when he has to.

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* ScaryBlackMan: Mac's not above intentionally invoking this when he has to.to, especially when Dan is concerned.



* ServileSnarker
* ShirtlessScene: Mac had one, revealing that he was astonishingly buff for a man his age.

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* ServileSnarker
ServileSnarker: Just about always plays along with Judge Stone's jokes and quirkiness, but will definitely draw the line when Harry tries his patience. Has told Harry to his face a couple of times that he basically humors him just because he's his boss.
* ShirtlessScene: Mac had has one, revealing that he was is astonishingly buff for a man his age.


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* MyBelovedSmother: She has an "Auntie Ruth" who singlehandedly supported Roz and her family when her mom got sick, earning Roz's UndyingLoyalty. It's bad to the point that Roz literally cannot say "no" to her aunt, deferring to all her demands, and basically letting her run Roz's life, until she finally has enough and puts an end to it.


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** Juggling immigrants become enamored with Roz and stuff her in a trunk while she's asleep. When they get caught trying to wheel her out, she '''punches through the trunk, decking all three men at the same time.'''

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* BunnyEarsLawyer: The whole cast (of the most consistent line-up from seasons 4-9) except for Mac (who was just snarky). Christine was prudish and old-fashioned, but those weren't bizarre enough personality quirks to qualify. Everyone else? Well...
** Harry was famous for his juvenile antics, jokes and magic tricks in the courtroom.
** Christine is prudish, overly naive, idealistic, and often immature.
** Dan was a Lothario with the morals of a rutting pig.
** Bull was a genius ditz with little common sense.
** Roz was angry, mouth and prone to violence.

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* BunnyEarsLawyer: The whole cast (of the most consistent line-up from seasons 4-9) except for Mac (who was just snarky). Christine was prudish is prudish, overly naive and old-fashioned, but those weren't aren't bizarre enough personality quirks to qualify. Everyone else? Well...
** Harry was famous is (in)famous for his juvenile antics, jokes and magic tricks in the courtroom.
** Christine is prudish, overly naive, idealistic, and often immature.
**
Dan was is a Lothario with the morals of a rutting pig.
** Bull was is a genius ditz with little common sense.
** Roz was angry, mouth is angry and prone to violence.



* BreakTheComedian: The normally wacky Judge Harry Stone loses a bit of his comedic streak when a fellow judge he was joking around with abruptly dies of a heart attack. Afterwards, Harry is much more serious... up until a new judge shows up, prompting him to become even wackier than he used to be.

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** It's even [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] in one episode.
--->'''Harry:''' I'm an '90s kinda guy!
--->'''Dan:''' Sure...the '''1890s!'''
* BreakTheComedian: The normally wacky Judge Harry Stone loses a bit of his comedic streak when a fellow judge he was joking joked around with abruptly dies of a heart attack. Afterwards, Harry is much more serious... up until a new judge shows up, prompting him to become even wackier than he used to be.
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-> '''Played By:''' Denice Kumagi

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-> '''Played By:''' Denice KumagiCreator/DeniceKumagi



-> ''Portrayed By:''' Joleen Lutz.

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-> ''Portrayed By:''' Joleen Lutz.Creator/JoleenLutz.



-> '''Portrayed By:''' Karen Austin

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-> '''Portrayed By:''' Karen Austin
Creator/KarenAustin



-> '''Played By:''' Paula Kelly

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-> '''Played By:''' Paula KellyCreator/PaulaKelly



--> '''Played By:''' Florence Halop

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--> '''Played By:''' Florence HalopCreator/FlorenceHalop



--> '''Played By:''' John Astin

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--> '''Played By:''' John AstinCreator/JohnAstin



--> '''Played By:''' Bumper Johnson

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--> '''Played By:''' Bumper JohnsonCreator/BumperJohnson



--> '''Played By:''' Ellen Foley

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--> '''Played By:''' Ellen Foley
Creator/EllenFoley



-> '''Played By:''' Yakov Smirnoff.

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-> '''Played By:''' Yakov Smirnoff.Creator/YakovSmirnoff.



-> '''Portrayed By:''' S. Marc Jordan

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-> '''Portrayed By:''' S. Marc JordanCreator/SMarcJordan

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!!folder:Lisette Hocheiser

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!!folder:Lisette !!Lisette Hocheiser


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* HiddenDepths: She proves to be a skilled card player when playing against Roz, Christine, and Quon Le.

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* FriendToAllChildren: One episode saw her willing to go to jail for contempt of court charges before divulging the location of stolen toys that were inadvertently donated to needy kids. When those selfsame children show up in court to return the toys (to prevent Roz returning to jail and losing her job), they cite Roz teaching them to put the needs of others before your own as the reason for their actions.



* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: She's blunt and ''very'' snarky, but she cares about her colleagues.

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* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: She's blunt and ''very'' snarky, but she deeply cares about her colleagues.



* TeamMom: Despite her gruff exterior, her friends and colleagues often come to her for counsel and support.

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* TeamMom: Despite her gruff exterior, her friends and colleagues often come to her for counsel and support.support, especially in cases when even Harry can't help.

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** The administrator of the IQ test he took in "Mental Giant" declared that he had "immeasurable cognitive powers".



* GeniusBruiser: Although it wasn't played up as much, Mac was in phenomenally good shape for a man his age and could hold his own in a fight. He was also an understated genius, being reluctant to start using a computer as part of his job but eventually being capable enough with them to write his own programs at a time when that required some know-how.

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* GeniusBruiser: Although it wasn't isn't played up as so much, Mac was is in phenomenally good shape for a man his age and could can hold his own in a fight. He was is also an understated genius, being reluctant to start using a computer as part of his job but eventually being becomes capable enough with them to write his own programs at a time when that actually required some know-how.


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* DeadpanSnarker: If there's anything more lethal than her hands, it's her acerbic wit.


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* SuperStrength: She's able to brutalize the hulking Bull, and Dan has related that she once overturned a car because it was parked in her spot.
* TeamMom: Despite her gruff exterior, her friends and colleagues often come to her for counsel and support.

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* BadassBoast:

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* BadassBoast:BadBoss: He's a kind, compassionate man who will do anything for his friends and is renown for the patience and understanding he shows defendants. But later episodes emphasize his propensity to use his authority to coerce his colleagues to engage in activities on their private time, regardless of how much it inconveniences or otherwise annoys them. Dan even calls him out on this at one point, calling him a tyrant, and none of the gang disagree.
* BadassBoast:



** Later seasons challenged this a bit, as it was established that he frequently used his authority to force the court staff to do various activities (e.g., birthday parties, forming a bowling team). His intentions were good, but it caused some minor resentment in later episodes.

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** Later seasons challenged challenge this a bit, as it was it's established that he frequently used uses his authority to force the court staff to do various activities (e.g., birthday parties, forming a bowling team). His intentions were are good, but it caused causes some minor resentment in later episodes.
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* SuperStrength: Capable of smashing a bowling ball with his bare hands, and once uppercutted the six-foot plus Dan Fielding into the air so hard he became '''embedded in the ceiling'''.

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* TheCharacterDiedWithHer: Like Selma her actress died between seasons and the season 4 premiere has a passing mention that she's died and the others have grieved for her.

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* BrutalHonesty: One difference between Flo and her predecessor, Selma, is that while Selma had a bone-dry wit and a DeadpanSnarker attitude toward everyone, Flo seems more like she just has little-to-no filter between her brain and her mouth.
* TheCharacterDiedWithHer: Like Selma Selma, her actress died between seasons and the season 4 premiere has a passing mention that she's died and the others have grieved for her.
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* TheCharacterDiedWithHer: Her actress passed away between seasons 2 and 3, and the season 3 premiere has Bull in a deep depression over her death.

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* TheCharacterDiedWithHer: Her actress She (as did her actress) passed away between seasons 2 and 3, and the season 3 premiere has Bull in a deep depression over her death.



* DeadpanSnarker: She didn't invent the trope, but she definitely mastered it.

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* DeadpanSnarker: She didn't invent the trope, but she definitely mastered it. Her raspy smoker's voice only helped.



* SmittenTeenageGirl: How she initially fell in love with Mac. He was a soldier in Vietman, and helped her family farm while she was young, causing her to fall for him.

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* SmittenTeenageGirl: How she initially fell in love with Mac. He was a soldier in Vietman, Vietnam, and helped her family farm while she was young, causing her to fall for him.



* ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight: Billie learns the hard way in her first case that this attitude won't serve her well in the world of law, when her client is accused of kidnapping a cat, and Billie actually helps him hide it. She winds up imprisoned in contempt of court as a result. She's lucky Harry is the forgiving type.

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* ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight: Billie learns the hard way in her first case that this attitude won't serve her well in the world of law, when law. When her client is accused of kidnapping a cat, he insists that he owned the cat in the first place... and Billie Billie, sympathizing with his plight, actually helps him hide it. She winds up imprisoned in contempt of court as a result. She's lucky Harry is the forgiving type.

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-->Harry: "Cleaver, you may be younger. You may be faster. You may even be smarter. But you will NEVER, EVER, be crazier...than ''ME''."

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-->Harry: "Cleaver, -->'''Harry:''' Cleaver, you may be younger. You may be faster. You may even be smarter. But you will NEVER, EVER, be crazier...than ''ME''."



--> Harry: I may have been at the bottom of the list, but I was on that list.

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--> Harry: '''Harry:''' I may have been at the bottom of the list, but I was on that list.



%%* ObfuscatingStupidity: Harry's favorite M.O.

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%%* * ObfuscatingStupidity: Harry's favorite M.O.MO. He's a total goofball who loves corny old jokes, but it belies a humanistic side and a sharp wit that make him uniquely qualified to run a courtroom.



--> Judge Harold T. Stone: That's what they tell me.

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--> Judge '''Judge Harold T. Stone: Stone:''' That's what they tell me.




[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/nc_selma.jpeg]]




[[quoteright:210:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/nc_lana_4.jpeg]]




[[quoteright:199:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/2023_06_08_223023_static1srcdncom_50a7580d9f0a.jpg]]



* InappropriatelyCloseComrades: She has some feelings for Harry.

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* HotBlooded: Billie wears ''all'' her emotions on her sleeve. When Harry gives Dan a letter of recommendation over her, even if he had his reasons, Billie verbally ''lacerates'' Harry over it.
* InappropriatelyCloseComrades: She has some feelings for Harry. He returns them, but [[ShipSinking it doesn't work out.]]
* LargeHam: Has a very animated, extroverted personality at all times. (You can tell her actress has a theatre background.)
* ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight: Billie learns the hard way in her first case that this attitude won't serve her well in the world of law, when her client is accused of kidnapping a cat, and Billie actually helps him hide it. She winds up imprisoned in contempt of court as a result. She's lucky Harry is the forgiving type.



* OhCrap: A RunningGag is that he panics whenever he hears the word "jail' due to what it represented back in the Soviet Union.

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* OhCrap: A RunningGag is that he panics whenever he hears the word "jail' "jail" due to what it represented back in the Soviet Union.
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** (Accidentally) backhanded Harry in the episode "Ladies' Night), knocking him cold. Also took down a big bruiser of a lady (offscreen) in that same episode, even impressing Roz.

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** (Accidentally) backhanded backhands Harry in the episode "Ladies' Night), knocking him cold. Also took down a big bruiser of a lady (offscreen) in that same episode, even impressing Roz.
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* BewareTheNiceOnes: Is the sweetest, most genuine person you could ever want to meet. But get on her bad side, she will come after you like a rabid wolf. Even her boss Harry dreads her wrath.
** (Accidentally) backhanded Harry in the episode "Ladies' Night), knocking him cold. Also took down a big bruiser of a lady (offscreen) in that same episode, even impressing Roz.


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* HairOfGoldHeartOfGold: Has a mane like spun sunshine and is almost angelic in demeanor.

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* IOweYouMyLife: When Dan saves her from choking, he pressures her into repaying him by sleeping with him. However, Dan eventually refuses to go through with it.



%%* ThePollyanna

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%%* ThePollyanna
* ThePollyanna: Almost always upbeat (to a near sickening degree), dedicated to seeing the best in everyone and has seen every Disney film like a million times.

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* NearDeathExperience: Season 5's "Death of a Baliff" saw him helping Art install cable on the courthouse roof. He's struck by lightning in a freak accident and is declared dead for several seconds. He swiftly recovers, but is convinced that he has died, met God, and must give away all his earthly belongings.



* AxCrazy: Shows signs of this when he is forced to replace all of his paper files with a computer which he can't get to function properly. Towards the end of the episode, his frustration peaks to the point where he grabs an actual ax, intending to "fix" the device.



* IOweYouMyLife: Was willing to delete the criminal record of an old Army buddy of his who once rescued him from behind enemy lines.



** Snatches Dan by the neck when he tries to weasel out of pretending to be Harry (in order to save Harry's job).



* TheSmartGuy: Owing to his knowledge of computers, he was the smartest of his friends.
* UndyingLoyalty: He becomes exasperated with Harry's antics from time to time just like everyone else, but always has his back and will go to the wall for his boss and good friend. He once told a man who robbed Harry that he would gladly run him down with his car.

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* TheSmartGuy: Owing to his knowledge of computers, he was he's the smartest of his friends.
* TheStraightMan: He and the wacky Harry could have taken their act on the road.
*
UndyingLoyalty: He becomes does become exasperated with Harry's antics from time to time just like everyone else, but always has his back and will go to the wall for his boss and good friend. He once told a man who robbed Harry that he would gladly run him down with his car.
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** Was '''struck by a bolt of lightning''' in the episode "Death of a Baliff". Other than his heart stopping for a few seconds (and occasional sparks of electricity), he was ''totally fine''.

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* HiddenDepths: Shows off better than decent singing chops in the episode "Baby Talk".

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* HiddenDepths: Expertly orders a sophisticated dish at a fancy French restaurant in the "Dan's Parents" episode. Even the snooty waiter is impressed.
**
Shows off better than decent singing chops in the episode "Baby Talk".
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* HiddenDepths: Who would have believed that this sleazy assistant D.A. would be a damn fine piano player?


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* HiddenDepths: Shows off better than decent singing chops in the episode "Baby Talk".
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* ThePrankster: A key reason why he and Harry get along so well is because of their shared penchant for pulling jokes on people. Dan seems to be Mac's favorite target.


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** In the season 4 episode "Baby Talk", he becomes despondent when he and Quon Le's restaurant fails, plunging them into debt and him into despair. His friends track him down to a hillbilly bar where he has been drinking and singing to escape his pain. When Harry and the others try to get him to leave with them, he screams ''"SIT DOWN!!"'', and they all swiftly comply, even Bull and Roz.

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* SpeaksFluentAnimal: Well, Orangutan anyway.

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* SpeaksFluentAnimal: Well, Orangutan "orangutan" anyway.
* UndyingLoyalty: When he is summoned to testify during a hearing to determine Harry Stone's fitness to be a judge, he vehemently states on the stand that "(he)would take a bullet between the eyes for that man (Harry), jump on a live grenade to save his life, and hammer a nail through his skull if he (Harry) asked him to". Pretty much tells you all you need to know about his devotion to Judge Stone right there.




* TheDanza: Shares a first name with her actor.



* DopeSlap: When Bull passes out in live court and he tells her that he's fine, she instantly raps him upside the back of his head, telling him not to lie to her.



* MamaBear: Every time Bull gets into some kind of trouble, she immediately jumps to his defense and declares her intent to unleash horrific wrath on whomever threatens him.
--->'''Selma:''' (when it looks like Bull is an unexpectant father) If some girl got him in trouble, she's gonna answer to '''me!'''



* TheDanza: Shares a first name with her actor.

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* TheDanza: Shares a first name with her actor.
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* TheVietnamVet: He took part in the Vietnam War, where he met his future wife.

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* TheVietnamVet: He took takes part in the Vietnam War, where he met meets his future wife.

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* DeadpanSnarker: The craziness of court sessions, his coworkers (and his boss) give him ample opportunity to indulge in some sharp witticisms.



* MayDecemberRomance: Mac was at least ten years older than Quon Le, since he was serving in the military while she was a little girl.

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* MayDecemberRomance: Mac was is at least ten years older than Quon Le, since he was serving in the military while she was a little girl.

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--->''Harry:'' I never met a kid I didn't like.

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--->''Harry:'' --->'''Harry:''' I never met a kid I didn't like.


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* ManChild: He's got a near childlike naivete and keeps enough toys and gadgets in his desk to keep a whole preschool happy.

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