Barney Miller was and is a classic sitcom and pretty influential as an ensemble-type of format. As Capt. Miller, Hal Linden provided the perfect foundation of stability within the NYPD 12th Precinct. The series saw some detectives come and go, typical of any workplace. Anyone watching this evolving series will enjoy Wojo, Harris, Nick and "DD". I also found Inspector Luger to be one hell of a character and tip my hat to TV and movie veteran James Gregory. The guy was a real scene-stealer in all the right ways.
The writing was fresh, had substance and was damn funny. The award-winning creators, directors and writers...a group of professionals who clearly know their craft. These behind-the-scene peers also must have been the nicest group to work with - they allowed Abe Vigoda to showcase the definitive "obnoxious actor" persona. The Fish schtick was tiring from day one, got worse as the episodes piled up and only found cleansing once that character departed. Sorry, tell me I'm wrong.
Onto more pleasant observations. Watch each show for "guest appearances" by a myriad of fine actors, many quite familiar for their past/future artistic success. All-in-all, a great binge.
The writing was fresh, had substance and was damn funny. The award-winning creators, directors and writers...a group of professionals who clearly know their craft. These behind-the-scene peers also must have been the nicest group to work with - they allowed Abe Vigoda to showcase the definitive "obnoxious actor" persona. The Fish schtick was tiring from day one, got worse as the episodes piled up and only found cleansing once that character departed. Sorry, tell me I'm wrong.
Onto more pleasant observations. Watch each show for "guest appearances" by a myriad of fine actors, many quite familiar for their past/future artistic success. All-in-all, a great binge.