Just wondering what seperated this season from all the others because I read today that the show received a EMMY Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1982. So just wanted to know what Stood out in the Final season. Maybe i should try and watch the final season. I never saw eps from the 81-82 season.

Since the show ended in 1982 after a critically accalimed and fairly succesful run, I think sentiment might have been a reason why "Barney Miller" finally won an Emmy. It was due for some recognition.

The other nominees that year were:

Taxi which had won 3 times
MASH which had won in 1974 and was now 10 years old
Love Sidney which was new, low rated and controversial and
WKRP in Cincinnati which was cancelled due to low ratings.

I guess since Barney Miller ended of its own accord and wasn't cancelled and was still a critical favorite it won partially out of sentimentality.

None of the actors ever won although Hal Linden competed 7 times and 4 of the supporting players (abe Vigoda 2x, Ron Glass 1x, Max Gail 2x and Steve Landesburg 3x) were mentioned throughout the years. I can't think of any other show off the top of my head that had 5 regular players get nominated without any of them ever winning an emmy.

Late episodes of Barney Miller mixed in some high quality and intense dramatics between the characters, along with the great comedy. I know they had always done that to an extent, but it was what you might call 'The real deal' towards the end of it's run.

I think the three-part series finale helped build a case for the show that year. One of the best of any show I've seen.

Originally posted by Brian
I think the three-part series finale helped build a case for the show that year. One of the best of any show I've seen. Yeah Landmark part one thru. three was incredibly awesome; Barney Miller had one of the best finales, and a real tear breaker as well...

Late episodes of Barney Miller mixed in some high quality and intense dramatics between the characters, along with the great comedy. I know they had always done that to an extent, but it was what you might call 'The real deal' towards the end of it's run.
:yeahthat