Barney Miller was one of my favorite sitcoms, and I remembered watching a special episode on paying tribute to the late Jack Soo, who played Det. Nick Yemana. In the last three seasons of the show (without Jack), was Yemana's absence ever explained? If so, whatever happened to him?

CJ Malagodi

In one episode. workman come and take Nicks desk. Wojo and Barney stare fondly, but it isnt said that he died, just sort of implied. We can just pretend hes putting his time in at the DA's office, huh?

In the last episode Barney remembers the detectives who were no longer there: Chano, Fish, Wentworth, and they show an old scene for each one. When he remembers Nick he looks like he is about to start crying, which would indeed indicate that Nick must have died, although exactly when is left up to your imagination. Also, since he has a broad smile when he remembers the others you can assume that Fish and the others are all still alive at that point.

By the way, has there ever been talk of a reunion for this series?

Hola!

BM did a whole show in tribute to the late Jack Soo. The characters broke down the proverbial "fourth wall" and talked right to the camera.

Yemana for some reason had to make the coffee, but everyone hated it and complained, but no one else would do it so it, and as a loyal worker Asian he was, made the coffee and would not allow anyone else to do it. He also accidentally OD'd on pot brownies with Fish (Yemana dunked it into his infamous coffee and said "Squishy, squishy!" while Fish lamented that he has not felt that good in twenty years and it was illegal.

What killed Yemana? Either brownie addiction, chain smoking, or that rot-gut Sanka coffee he produced every morning.

Senor

I think what Nick said was "Mooshy, Mooshy..."

You're both right - he said: "Mooshy Mooshy" about the brownies, and then said that he could hear his eyes close, and they went: "Squish, squish".

Yes. Depending on the episode, Nick was either "at the DA's office for a few days", "in court", or "on vacation". In "The Judge" which took place in the beginning of the 6th season, the detectives arrive to find Nick's desk is gone:

Harris(walking toward the coffee and stopping suddenly when he reaches the empty space where Nick's desk was) "Hmm, something's funny."

(Dietrich and Wojo are also there, Barney walks over.)

Barney: "Nick's desk." (looks sad and shocked)

Harris: (somberly) "Oh!"

Barney: "They called about it last week. It completely slipped my mind."

The group stands silent, gazing at the spot.

Wojo: "I'm really gonna miss it."

(The others nod and say yeah)

Barney (looking sad) "Gonna miss a lot of things."

They fall silent again.

Dietrich: "I made coffee."

(The others seem to snap out of their sadness and follow him toward the coffee)

Dietrich: "It's not as bad as Nick's yet but..."

Barney pours a cup and takes a sip.

Barney: "You're getting there!"

Everyone laughs and the episode continues.

(After Levitt finds the desk gone and freaks, thinking it means he'll never make it upstairs, Barney calls and gets the desk returned.)

^ God bless Jack Soo. He passed on 8 months before I was born, but by watching the show, I grew to love him and his character, Nick Yemana. You could tell he had so much fun on the show. He was also hilarious in Flower Drum Song. :rip: Jack.

You're both right - he said: "Mooshy Mooshy" about the brownies, and then said that he could hear his eyes close, and they went: "Squish, squish".
What he actually said ( as he was answering the phone ) was "Moshi Moshi" the Japanese way to answer the phone....loosely translated it means "Hello, im listening"



well, ok, he may have done the eye squishy thing, but, he never said "mushy"

I remember an episode where Barney's daughter apperars in the squad room and fondly says Nicks name and also remembers Wojo's karate uniform (as she calls it)

What he actually said ( as he was answering the phone ) was "Moshi Moshi" the Japanese way to answer the phone....loosely translated it means "Hello, im listening"

well, ok, he may have done the eye squishy thing, but, he never said "mushy"

He wasn't answering the phone. Barney asked him how many brownies he had and Nick whispered "moshi moshi" in his ear. He did the eye squishy thing with Harris. LOL

I remember an episode where Barney's daughter apperars in the squad room and fondly says Nicks name and also remembers Wojo's karate uniform (as she calls it)
:D Didn't Wojo only wear the karate outfit once?

:rip: Jack/Nick:

Jack Soo was a favorite actor and very much missed.

Question -- My memory isn't what it use to be -- I live by post-its -- I rememeber Det. Yemana was featured in the first four seasons but did he take part in any episodes of season five??

Thanks.

^ I believe his last episode aired in October 1978, so that would've been Season 5. :nod:

catlover, thank you for the info -- it's much appreciated!

catlover, thank you for the info -- it's much appreciated!
My pleasure!!!! :D

I noticed that Nick wasn't in several episodes at the start of the second season. In one show they said that Nick had been shot in the butt and in another there is another detective named Mike working there.

I noticed that Nick wasn't in several episodes at the start of the second season. In one show they said that Nick had been shot in the butt and in another there is another detective named Mike working there.
I remember that. I think he was gone for about 5 episodes.