Just wanted to let everyone know that 'Jack Soo--a retrospective', will be on this Monday at 4pm and 8pm. This episode deals solely with Det. Nick Yemana and contains flashbacks of the shows dealing with him.

By the way, was the reason he left the show because he was sick? Just wondering.

Thanks.

Yes, Jack Soo left Barney Miller in mid to late 1979 because he had terminal cancer and was too ill to work. He died around Jan. 1st 1980. It was such a sad thing. Nick was my favorite character on that show, and it just wasn't that same without him.

Thanks for the information Purple Velvet Bohemian! FYI, the episode will also be on the Fandemonium this weekend.

Thanks again!

Yeah the show wasnt the same without him but Dietrich became my favorite after Jack Soo passed on.

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GET OUT OF MY GARAGE!!!

Nick was one of the best characters on Barney Miller along with Harris and Dietrich. There was one time when Nick was writing something on the chalkboard and the chalk was making a terrible sound like fingernails on a chalkboard. The other characters in the room stopped what they were doing and stared at Nick. Nick sensed something was wrong so he stopped writing and turned around slowly. Nobody said anything so he slowly turned back around and continued writing on the chalkboard, oblivious to the pain the chalk was causing.

I like the scene where Barney asks Nick if he is making the coffee with the dirty rain water leaking from the celling and Nick gives the only look up at the celling it was hilarious i was rolling around laughing.

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GET OUT OF MY GARAGE!!!

If ever an actor/character deserved his own retrospective, it was Jack Soo/Nick Yemana. A wonderful tribute to a special guy and hilarious character.

Besides Hal Linden, my favorite actor on Barney Miller was Jack Soo -- his facial expressions were priceless -- I'd forgotten about the retospective until now -- when I first watched that episode, I laughed & I cried.

witch Season did They have The retrospective

I think it was Season Five -- shortly after Jack Soo passed away.

I think it was Season Five -- shortly after Jack Soo passed away.
You're right - that was the fifth season's finale, in fact.

Thanks

It was such a shame when he got ill, and when it started to show for him. He was on a hit show, happy in his personal life....you just never know. :(

What year did he get ill

Jack Soo passed away January 11, 1979. Barney Miller did a retrospective that aired in May 1979. That was a great tribute to a man who finally gained stardom in the series.

I haven't seen the retrospective since it aired (I'm dating myself now). But I believe all cast members were fond of Jack, but Max Gail stands out as having been very close to him.

has it been 18 year's already that ack passed away

Nick was one of the best characters on Barney Miller along with Harris and Dietrich. There was one time when Nick was writing something on the chalkboard and the chalk was making a terrible sound like fingernails on a chalkboard. The other characters in the room stopped what they were doing and stared at Nick. Nick sensed something was wrong so he stopped writing and turned around slowly. Nobody said anything so he slowly turned back around and continued writing on the chalkboard, oblivious to the pain the chalk was causing.
That scene was hilarious!! :rofl: The episode was "Sniper" from Season 2.

I still have that episode on VHS (I taped a rerun when it was in syndication).
Jack Soo was a great actor and is much missed.

its already been 28 years.

They did a great job on that retrospective. I'm sure the uncut version is better. I wonder if Ron Glass spoke at all in the uncut version, because the one I have (taped from TVLand) doesn't have him saying anything.

One of the biggest laughs he ever got was in the hash brownie episode........a half-zonked Yamana answers the telephone with: "moshi moshi"*, which probably had the person on the line totally confused!

*Over the years, people have told me they thought he was saying "Mushy mushy" and they thought that was hilarious, what he was actually saying was "moshi moshi" ( mahshee mahshee ) the proper way to answer a telephone......in Japan! :) :lol:

As I've mentioned before, Jack Soo was also a riot in the movie Flower Drum Song (now available on DVD). Another familiar face from classic TV appears in a leading role - the lady who played Mrs. Livingston on Courtship of Eddie's Father.

Quoting myself:
moshi moshi is the proper way to answer a telephone......in Japan!

Moshi moshi, loosely translated means "Hello, Im listening"....asked as a question "moshi moshi?" it means "Hello, Are you listening to me?"

The retrospective was a wonderful tribute to a wonderful actor. Yes, Ron Glass does speak in it-I have the uncut version. He talks quite affectionately about Jack and the episode "Hash" which has to be one of the funniest things ever shown on TV. I have no idea why TV Land cut it all out. They also cut out some of Hal Linden's lovely monologue. They weren't as bad as Columbia House, who cut out ALL of the cast's recollections when they released the Retrospective on the series of BM VHS tapes they put out a few years back.
I agree with the comments about Max Gail. I loved his speech, especially the "gift of Yemana" part.

Sue, have you seen Flower Drum Song? I loved Jack's spotlight number, "Don't Marry Me". Classic!! :rofl: