There was no where left to take the characters aftera while. Unlike some sitcoms which are shallow in characterization at first and get more depthful as time goes on. BM was very depthful from the very first ep on. Sure the introduction of new people (like Diedrich) helped but they all burned themselves out of any further potential inless than a year of their arrival. A sitcom should not play all it's cards too son.

BUT AT LEAST BM REMAINED A COMEDY THROUGH IT'S ENTIRE RUN. MASH LOST ITS COMIC TENSION AFER A WHILE

There was no where left to take the characters aftera while. Unlike some sitcoms which are shallow in characterization at first and get more depthful as time goes on. BM was very depthful from the very first ep on. Sure the introduction of new people (like Diedrich) helped but they all burned themselves out of any further potential inless than a year of their arrival. A sitcom should not play all it's cards too son.

BUT AT LEAST BM REMAINED A COMEDY THROUGH IT'S ENTIRE RUN. MASH LOST ITS COMIC TENSION AFER A WHILE


I'm aware this is a very old post but I wanted to respond to it anyway as I disagree. I think one of the amazing things about the show is the characters continued to grow and develop from the first ep to the last. For example if you look at Harris and Wojo in a first season ep and compare them to themselves in an 8th season ep you'll see a huge change...they both matured and added depth and facets to themselves. And in addition to this constant growth and depth, they managed to keep a thread of continuity with the recurring characters from the neighborhood, references to Nick and Fish, past episodes, etc. The show wove a rich tapestry that hasn't been achieved by any sitcom since.

This show was more about the hectic goings on and the prisoners anyway, in my opinion
However, i think you expressed that beautifully, Sue :) Very good points!

*looks up...wow...this IS an old thread! :lol: *

Yes, Wojo evolved quite a bit during the run of the show. Harris became more and more bitter as the series went on, but that was typical of his character. :lol: I would've LOVED to see how my man Chano would've changed and evolved had he stayed the entire run. As Mikey said, it never stopped being about the crazy goings on in NYC and the 12th in particular.

I really enjoyed the last season of Barney Miller as much as the first -- the characters and stories stayed fresh and funny -- never knew what might happen 'round the 12th!

I really enjoyed the last season of Barney Miller as much as the first -- the characters and stories stayed fresh and funny -- never knew what might happen 'round the 12th!
That's right - never a dull moment. :D