This week’s spotlight shines on what is perhaps one of the most underrated comedies in television history, “Barney Miller”. The show premiered on ABC in January of 1975, after its pilot was shown in the summer of 1974. It was titled “The Life and Times of Captain Barney Miller”, and hasn’t been shown since. It’s premise is one that has yet to be duplicated successfully-the adventures of a group of police officers. In BM’s case, the officers were NYPD detectives at the fictional 12th Precinct in Greenwich Village. Anyone remotely familiar with 1970’s NYC knows that Greenwich Village was home to some of the city’s most colorful and unusual residents. “Barney Miller” used that to great advantage, and each week the squad room was visited by colorful 
characters. It’s that squad room that made “Barney Miller” truly unique, as almost 100% of the show’s 170 episodes took place in the squad room and Barney’s office, which was attached to it. We rarely saw the detectives in action or off duty, but thanks to the show’s brilliant writing, we didn’t need to. Week after week they managed to tell incredible stories without leaving the station. (”Barney Miller” has often been compared to “The Honeymooners” in that regard, as most of that show’s episodes took place in the tiny kitchen of Ralph Kramden’s Brooklyn apartment.) Week after week for 8 seasons, Barney Miller combined great stories with great acting, mixed in witty, topical humor with touches of drama, angst, and action, and became a television classic. Here’s a look at the characters :
Sgt. Ron Harris A metrosexual long before the word was coined, Ron Harris was the NYPD’s answer to Billy Dee Williams. Suave, well spoken and with taste for the finer things in life, he wrote a book about his experiences as an NYPD and traded witty retorts with Sgt. Arthur Dietrich, with who he shared a delightfully contentious relationship.
Sgt. Arthur Dietrich Frizzy haired, bespectacled Arthur Dietrich was born in a galaxy far far away(if you believe the lie detector test he took), is a former Law and Medical student, and appears to know everything there is to know about everything. Often the bane of Sgt. Harris’s existence, his dead on timing and intellectually intimidating yet witty comments insured life in the squad room was never boring.
Sgt. Stanley “Wojo” Wojociehowicz A vietnam vet, Wojo was sexy, macho, and hotheaded, while also being sensitive, compassionate, and at times even gullible. The “ladies man” of the group, it took him 5 tries to pass the sergeants exam, but he had a heart of gold and an irresistible urge to try and change the world.
Sgt. Nick Yemana He made the world’s worst coffee, loved nothing better than a good bet, and considered the station’s cockroaches his pets, but Nick was perhaps one of the most beloved characters. Whether he was quoting his grandfather or finding humor in the most unlikely places, Nick Yemana was endearing and unforgettable.
Sgt. Chano Amenguale Chano was a fiery Puerto Rican who didn’t hesitate to share his outrage and frustration with the world, often lapsing into rapid fire Spanish to do it. He was hip, witty, and as down to earth as they come.
Sgt. Phillip K. Fish Fish was the senior man of the group. At age 62 he was nearing retirement and dreading it. His varied medical aliments, deadpan delivery, and weary yet witty outlook on life so endeared him to fans that he got his very own show in 1977.
Inspector Frank Lugar Lugar was an artifact from days gone by. A cop in the days before Miranda Rights and community outreach, he found it difficult to relate to the detectives, yet paid frequent visits to tell stories about the old days. Lonely, pitiful and at times downright infuriating, Lugar was a man you loved to hate and yet loved.
Officer Carl Levitt Short, awkward, and desperate for a promotion to detective, Carl Levitt became a permanent and beloved fixture at the station in Season 3. He never missed a chance to self promote, but under that brash veneer laid a guy who just wanted to fit in and belong.
Captain Barney Miller Barney was down to earth, compassionate, and somehow managed to keep a handle on both his detectives and the suspects they brought in. Often frustrated by bureaucratic red tape and the trials and tribulations of life in 1970’s New York, Barney had no problem speaking his mind and doing it eloquently and passionately.
The show also featured Barney’s wife, Liz (played by the wonderful Barbara Barrie). Although she did not appear often after the second season (the writers and producers decided to focus solely on the squad room)she stilled paid a visit from time to time and was often mentioned. (In fact, when the writers decided to have her and Barney separate in Season 5, a flood of viewer mail ensued, all outraged and begging them to reunite the couple.) Other recurring characters included Bernice Fish(delightfully played by Florence Stanley), and Lt. Ben Scanlon, an inspector from Internal Affairs who spent the show’s run trying to dig up dirt on the detectives. Sleazy and obnoxious, he was played to perfection by George Murdock, and was a man you truly did love to hate.
The Precinct also had neighbors that visited the squad room regularly, including sporting goods store Bruno Bender and his wife, long suffering Mr. Cotterman, whose store was regularly held up, roommates Mr. Lukather and blind Mr. Roth, Mr. Kopeckne, a man of questionable sanity (played by the incredibly talented Kenneth Tigar) and gay couple Marty Morrison (played to scene stealing perfection by Jack DeLeon) and Darryl Driscoll. Marty and Darryl were the first gay couple on TV and lead the way to the eventual acceptance of gays on TV. We’re talking groundbreaking stuff!
The cast of Barney Miller was made up of actors mostly unknown to TV viewers:
Hal Linden Hal Linden had done guest roles in TV shows such as “Car 54, Where Are You” but was better known as a Tony Award winning Broadway star. He won Best Actor in a Musical in 1971 for “The Rothschilds”.
Abe Vigoda Abe Vigoda was a character actor best known for his role as Salvatore ‘Sal’ Tessio in the “Godfather” movies before being cast as Fish.
Max Gail Max has a degree in Economics from Williams College and an MBA from the University of Michigan and taught English and Ancient History at the prestigious University Liggett School before being cast as Wojo.
Ron Glass Ron guest starred on such classic shows as “All in the Family” and “Hawaii 5-0″ before being cast as Ron Harris.
Steve Landesburg Steve was a popular stand up comedian who made many appearances on such shows as “The Tonight Show”.
Jack Soo Jack was perhaps best known for his role in 1961’s “Flower Drum Song”. He also made guest appearances on many TV shows, including M*A*S*H and “The Jack Benny Show”. Sadly, Jack was diagnosed with cancer in 1978 and died midway through the show’s 5th season in 1979. In one of TV’s most memorable moments, his fellow cast mates broke out of character to pay tribute to him during the moving “Jack Soo: A Retrospective” special which aired just months after his death. It featured episode clips and remembrances from the cast. Max Gail even broke into tears when speaking about the “gift of Yemana”. It was clear the cast loved him and viewers shared their grief.
Gregory Sierra Greg appeared in many films and TV shows including “The Towering Inferno” and “Mission: Impossible” before landing the role of Chano.
Ron Carey Ron was also a popular stand up comedian and a member of Mel Brooks stable of actors, appearing in “History of the World: Part 1″
James Gregory A former stockbroker, James Gregory appeared in a long list of TV shows and movies including “The Manchurian Candidate” and “Star Trek” before being cast as Lugar.
“Barney Miller” was nominated for 32 Emmy Awards over it’s 8 year run but only won 3, two for outstanding writing and direction. Hal Linden was nominated for Best Actor every single year of the shows run. Steve Landesburg was nominated for Best Supporting Actor 4 times, Max Gail and Abe Vigoda 3 times, and Ron Glass once. It had the misfortune of being up against fellow classics “All in the Family” and “M*A*S*H” and lost out to them every time, until finally recognized with the Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy in 1982, it’s final season.
“Barney Miller” is a true classic. At times more of a stage play than a sitcom, it had a magic to it, thanks to great writing, great acting, and a cast with an unbelievable chemistry. The first season is available on DVD and it’s been rumored that Season 2 will be out sometime next year. Stay tuned to this blog and TVonDVD Buzz for more news on that.
Tomorrow we’ll see what the cast of Barney Miller is up to now!
classic television, classic sitcoms, Barney Miller, Hal Linden, Abe Vigoda, Ron Glass, Steve Landesburg, Jack Soo, Max Gail, Ron Carey
special celebrity theme weeks during its daytime run. 
If you were a child of the 50’s and 60’s, your Saturday mornings probably weren’t complete without Gumby. The little green clay man and his pony, Pokey, were the stars of “The Gumby Show,” which premiered in 1957. They returned in a syndicated series in the 80’s, and the original show ran on Nickelodeon in the 90’s. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the show, and to celebrate, a new DVD collection, called “Gumby Essentials” was released last month. The set includes 15 episodes, all remastered and restored to their original 11 minute length, a 1953 film called “Gumbasia” (based on the Disney hit, “Fantasia”), the remastered pilot episode “Gumby on the Moon”, in which Gumby outsmarts the moon men and uses a toy firetruck to climb to the moon, the remastered theme and intro, and more. The 15 episodes chosen, all from the 1950’s, are all favorites of Gumby’s creator, Art Clokey. Now 86, he created Gumby in 1953. He named him after the “Gumbo” clay found on his grandfather’s farm and used a gingerbread man as a model, as suggested by his wife. The green color came from his love of plants, and the peak on his head was inspired by his father’s hair style at the time.
