topic Re: TENDER TRIBUTE TO JACK SOO, FROM "BARNEY MILLER" COLLEAGUES in TV and Movies

TENDER TRIBUTE TO JACK SOO, FROM "BARNEY MILLER" COLLEAGUES

Oznell — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 01:43:17 GMT

"Barney Miller". Daily at midnight Eastern, and 12:30 a.m. Eastern, FETV

While adoring certain select retro TV classics of drama, like "The Fugitive", and "Perry Mason", have found that few comedies of the era command my allegiance like "Barney Miller".

Love the sanity of kindly, rational Hal Linden, as long-suffering Police Captain 'Barney Miller', and the utter kookiness of all the squad and various hangers-on.

"Barney" as a show, was sometimes an adventure in surrealism-- ironic, hysterically 'out-there', exceptional and ahead of its time.

The other night, FETV aired the tribute show the cast did, after beloved regular Jack Soo, "Lt. Nick Yemana" died of esophegeal cancer. If you can ever catch it, do.

The magic that Jack Soo created with his character is there in multiple vignettes-- his 'dry ice' humor, his stubborn, very American traditionalism, his obsession with the race track, and inability to make a drinkable cup of coffee.

The entire cast abandoned their characters in the tribute, and spoke of Jack Soo as a beloved cohort in the craziness they made onscreen. Which cast members seemed least like the parts they played onscreen, by the way? I'd say, Officer Levitt, and Inspector Lugar, two of my faves. (But they're all faves, ha.)

Just some actors, reminiscing about their friend, Jack.

Hal Linden disclosed Jack's very painful incarceration in Asian American detainment centers during World War II, something not many viewers may have known. He and other cast members shed light on what a loving presence he was.

It didn't happen all the time, but fans of the show know that, at certain times, an almost transcendent magic was created in certain episodes-- hard to describe. And Yemana's character, with its light, delicate, but colorful shadings, was much a part of that...

A young debonair Jack Soo, from the "Flower Drum Song" era, I expect.

Highly, highly recommend another round of "Barney Miller", whether you get it on FETV, or some other vintage channel.

Re: TENDER TRIBUTE TO JACK SOO, FROM "BARNEY MILLER" COLLEAGUES

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 02:25:01 GMT

I knew a couple people who worked on this show, behind the cameras. They thought very highly of the cast, saying it was a very nice group of actors ... people you'd call "good people".

Re: TENDER TRIBUTE TO JACK SOO, FROM "BARNEY MILLER" COLLEAGUES

Oznell — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 02:26:18 GMT

Forgot to ask, if someone wants to watch, and doesn't get FETV, does anyone know for sure which other channels currently offer "Barney Miller"?

Re: TENDER TRIBUTE TO JACK SOO, FROM "BARNEY MILLER" COLLEAGUES

Oznell — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 02:29:32 GMT

Wow, that's so neat, @Tinkrbl44 ! Even though on-air chemistry can sometimes be deceiving, they certainly seemed like they might be a harmonious crew..... and they were all so talented....

Re: TENDER TRIBUTE TO JACK SOO, FROM "BARNEY MILLER" COLLEAGUES

beach-mom — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 03:19:37 GMT

@Oznell - Thank you for the memories. I watched Jack Soo in Flower Drum Song - a number of times, and in M.A.S.H. episodes (we have the whole series on DVD). Just a few years ago I DVR'ed every episode of Barney Miller, and I saw the tribute you talked about. He was so funny!

My dad's first cousin was the assistant director of some episodes for two years. He went on to direct some comedy series in the 80's. I never met him.

Re: TENDER TRIBUTE TO JACK SOO, FROM "BARNEY MILLER" COLLEAGUES

Etoile308 — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 03:29:45 GMT

@Oznell, great assessment of the show. So many unique characters.

Barney Miller is shown at 9:00pm and 9:30pm (ET) on the Antenna TV channel.

Re: TENDER TRIBUTE TO JACK SOO, FROM "BARNEY MILLER" COLLEAGUES

DSD2 — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 03:51:04 GMT

@Oznell thank you so much for this!

Jack Soo was a treasure. His dry humor and deadpan delivery were a joy to watch. What a wonderful show. Jack Soo and Abe Vigoda were my favorites but all were such talented actors. What an ensemble cast! I had forgotten that Abe's "Fish" was a spinoff.

I haven't thought about Barney Miller in some time. I just checked and Comcast is telling me the show is indeed available from Tubi. I will be sure to see if I can find the tribute which would be wonderful to see. Thank you again.

Re: TENDER TRIBUTE TO JACK SOO, FROM "BARNEY MILLER" COLLEAGUES

Oznell — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 21:52:22 GMT

That's one of the things I love about this place! Reference a show, and at least two posters here -- @Tinkrbl44 , and @beach-mom , have a fascinating, familial connection to it! This truly is a cross-roads!

Thanks for supplying the name of another channel, @Etoile308 .

@DSD2 , ah, sweet, wry "Fish". Very sad that by the time they did the Yemana memorial, Fish was also gone (I think?) I wonder if they did a tribute to him too. If not, they should have.

They were all so idiosyncratic in their fabulous talents. I even liked the undeveloped, or seldom-seen characters. Barbara Barrie, as Barney's wife "Liz", was such a good foil for him. Loved seeing him "looser" and more playful with her at home-- what a shame they didn't make more of that relationship...

Re: TENDER TRIBUTE TO JACK SOO, FROM "BARNEY MILLER" COLLEAGUES

Shelbelle — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 21:57:29 GMT

I see it every night on Antenna TV while channel surfing, it is cleverly written, but was never a fave of mine, my DH always liked it.

Re: TENDER TRIBUTE TO JACK SOO, FROM "BARNEY MILLER" COLLEAGUES

Puzzle Piece — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 22:03:12 GMT

So enjoyed Mr. Soo. I absolutely thought he was great in "Flower Drum Song" as the reluctant bachlor with Nancy Kwon.

Re: TENDER TRIBUTE TO JACK SOO, FROM "BARNEY MILLER" COLLEAGUES

beach-mom — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 22:33:14 GMT

@Oznell wrote:
Barbara Barrie, as Barney's wife "Liz", was such a good foil for him. Loved seeing him "looser" and more playful with her at home-- what a shame they didn't make more of that relationship...

@Oznell - I like to research the older comedies I DVR today! I may be wrong, but I think I read the producers originally planned to feature Barney at home too. Then the focus shifted to the workplace and after the second season Barbara Barrie was no longer a regular cast member. She did appear occasionally.

I wish they had gone with their original plan too. It worked for Welcome Back, Kotter!

Re: TENDER TRIBUTE TO JACK SOO, FROM "BARNEY MILLER" COLLEAGUES

AZfem — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 00:17:06 GMT

@Oznell I watched Barney Miller occasionally but I really liked him in Flower Drum Song, a favorite of mine. He fit his character so well! A cute movie & the first American movie, I believe, with an all Asian cast.

Re: TENDER TRIBUTE TO JACK SOO, FROM "BARNEY MILLER" COLLEAGUES

Group 5 minus 1 — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 10:49:39 GMT

Jack Soo was also on "The Name of the Game'. He played Tony Francioso's butler.

I loved Name of the Game and wish I could stream.

Re: TENDER TRIBUTE TO JACK SOO, FROM "BARNEY MILLER" COLLEAGUES

Oznell — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 16:28:08 GMT

@AZfem , your comments and the other posters' comments about "Flower Drum Song" make me nostalgic for that movie-- must see it again.

@Group 5 minus 1 , I had no idea that Jack Soo worked with Tony Franciosa on "The Name of the Game"-- I bet he was good on that. The retro channels should really pick that series up. I seem to remember they had revolving story lines, with Franciosa and others. Thinking maybe Gene Barry was involved too-- but could be wrong about that....

Re: TENDER TRIBUTE TO JACK SOO, FROM "BARNEY MILLER" COLLEAGUES

Catiele — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 16:57:48 GMT

Loved Barney Miller. My favorite show. RIP Jack Soo.

Re: TENDER TRIBUTE TO JACK SOO, FROM "BARNEY MILLER" COLLEAGUES

Oznell — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 21:25:32 GMT

@Catiele , from your comments over the years, you have such consistently good taste, in both vintage films, and retro TV.

Re: TENDER TRIBUTE TO JACK SOO, FROM "BARNEY MILLER" COLLEAGUES

Catiele — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 22:16:05 GMT

Thanks Oznell. I believe it is my age and my mother's influence. A little story about her. There were three movie theaters where she grew up. On Saturday her and her friends went to all three. Nights were for dancing or bowling. I could write a short story about her. Maybe not short.

Re: TENDER TRIBUTE TO JACK SOO, FROM "BARNEY MILLER" COLLEAGUES

Oznell — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 00:36:11 GMT

Your mother sounds so fun and inspirational, @Catiele !

Re: TENDER TRIBUTE TO JACK SOO, FROM "BARNEY MILLER" COLLEAGUES

PilatesLover — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 13:59:15 GMT

We watch Barney Miller every weeknight on Antenna TV. My favorite seasons include Jack and Abe Vigoda.

Jack's scenes are always wonderful. Even if he's just observing a discussion in the background, his expressions bring comedy to the scene. Loved his oneliners.

One of my favorite episodes was when Wojo's girlfriend made the hash brownies and Yemana got stoned, and was dancing around singing about bells ringing and saying the silliest things.

The tribute episode literally makes me cry. The show never had the same charm without him. It devolved into so much shouting and spent too much time on Harris and his book.

Re: TENDER TRIBUTE TO JACK SOO, FROM "BARNEY MILLER" COLLEAGUES

Cakers3 — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 16:41:57 GMT

@PilatesLover "Has anyone seen my legs?". 🤣

That scene was hilarious!!

Little bit of trivia - he always made awful coffee in that show and in real life Jack Soo said "It must have been the coffee" when he was being wheeled to surgery for esophageal cancer.

I always thought he stole every scene in Barney Miller.