TV and Movies

[Oznell]

"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.

[Tinkrbl44]

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". 

[Oznell]

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"? 

[Oznell]

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....

[beach-mom]

@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.  

[Etoile308]

@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.

[DSD2]

@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.

[Oznell]

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...     

[Shelbelle]

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. 

[Puzzle Piece]

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