I have been watching episodes of Barney Miller that I have on dvd-r, and was rather surprised how much better the show got in the last season. Season 6-7 was a little slow (not bad, but not quite as entertaining as previous ones), so I was a little surprised how much steam season 8 picked back up with. I enjoyed watching Dietrich and Harris being forced to room with the suspect in pts 1&2 of "Chinatown" (a nice change of pace from the set of the station house). Also the final 3-parter "Landmark" was very touching. It was interesting that Part 1 had NO laugh track, short of the director in the background. It had a very effective atmosphere about it. At the end, when Barney walks around the room and has flashbacks of detectives gone by (Chano, Wentworth, Yemana) at the different desks, it was bittersweet to say the least. This show was more character-driven than comedic, more like a stage play than a sitcom and we'll probably never see one like it ever again.

*One interesting note, the same writers from Barney Miller also worked on Night Court in the 80's, and you can often hear the same guy (director/producer) laughing in the background on that show as well.

It sure went out on top...the ensemble just seemed to get closer and tighter towards the end.

It sure went out on top...the ensemble just seemed to get closer and tighter towards the end.

Definitely. You could tell they truly cared about each other in that final episode (not just the characters-the actors themselves). It was very touching and extremely well done.;)

Again, I think of this as the most underated sitcom in history...and its sad that no one seems to be playing it on free TV anymore

Again, I think of this as the most underated sitcom in history...and its sad that no one seems to be playing it on free TV anymore
:yeahthat It IS sadly underrated...but hilariously funny!! :rofl:

They all seemed to still share that bond in 2005 when Hal Linden, Max Gail, Ron Glass, and Steve Landesburg reunited for a 30th reunion special. It was featured on ET. Here's the article from the ET website (12/9/05):



A fun time was had by all when Barney (HAL LINDEN), Wojo (MAXWELL GAIL), Dietrich (STEVE LANDESBERG) and Harris (RON GLASS) reunited for a 30th anniversary celebration of the now classic "Barney Miller" TV series. The cast of the Emmy® Award-winning show gathered at the Sunset Gower Studios where a special dedication of a commemorative plaque was held at Stage 16, where the show filmed for eight years.

"We're still kicking," Hal tells ET.

"It's [like] yesterday when you see these guys," Steve says.

And Ron adds with a laugh, "When you walk around and see people, It's like, 'Where did all these old people come from?'"

The plaque will hang outside Stage 16, the site if their old squad room, and even though the show has been off the air for 23 years, Hal reveals to ET, it wasn't long ago that he finally watched an entire episode.

"First of all, I didn't remember them 'cause I never saw them put together," he shares. "Once we did it, we figured we had the rest of our lives to watch it and we do."

As the four cast members reminisced about the good old days, they did feel the absence of ABE VIGODA, who played Detective Fish. Abe, who is now 84, is alive and well, but not able to attend the reunion.

For anyone interested in taking a trip down memory lane, season one of the critically acclaimed series is available on DVD.

"I still run into people who tell me how much the character meant to them," Ron says. "It makes me feel like I made a contribution."

For more "Barney Miller" reunion scoop, tune in to tonight's ET.

what happen in the Series Finale

what happen in the Series Finale
To put it briefly, the 12th precinct closed down and everyone was moved to new jobs and promoted

who got new jobs and who got Promoted

who got new jobs and who got Promoted
The whole squadroom, they were all promoted and got new jobs in the police force ( Except, i believe Luger retired..not sure, i havent seen the final since it played originally )

what happen to Cap. Miller

Barney was promoted to deputy inspector

Yeah, it was a 3-parter called "Landmark". While Wojo was helping a plumber fix a place in the wall, he discovered an old rifle from the late 1800's tucked away behind the wall. Turns out, the entire building of the 12th precinct was a stationhouse used by Teddy Roosevelt and thus is declared a landmark. A wealthy businessman buys the place and the detectives have 30 days to vacate the premises. Later, Barney discovers that they're ALL being transferred to different precincts around the city and probably won't be seeing each other again. Toward the end, Barney discovers that he's finally made Deputy Inspector and Levitt at long last has become a Detective. A number of the people from the neighborhood (old suspects, crooks, store owners) visit the station to say their goodbyes one last time. Luger comes by with his new Asian bride and encourages everyone to "Come by and visit . . . PLEASE!"-lol. As everyone leaves, Harris comments:

HARRIS: Look, we probably won't be seeing each other again. I mean, cops get transferred everyday, but . . . it was different with us. Something . . . something really special happened here.

Levitt practically breaks down as he salutes Barney, then gives him a friendly hug. After everyone leaves, Barney walks around the station remembering scenes with Chano, a scene with Wentworth, and of course Nick Yemana. He turns off the lights and bids a fond farewell.

A very well done episode.

^ In the words of Nick Yemana, "Very well put"! They just don't make shows like that anymore. What a shame.

I just wish Gregory Sierra/Chano had stayed the entire run. Chano was one of the most interesting characters and I would've loved to see how he would've grown and evolved. (Plus the fact I found him gorgeous :eyes:, but that's an entirely different post, :lol:.)

^ In the words of Nick Yemana, "Very well put"! They just don't make shows like that anymore. What a shame.

I just wish Gregory Sierra/Chano had stayed the entire run. Chano was one of the most interesting characters and I would've loved to see how he would've grown and evolved. (Plus the fact I found him gorgeous :eyes:, but that's an entirely different post, :lol:.)

I didn't catch the episodes with Chano (first 2 seasons) until later. I liked his character and wish they would have had a farewell episode for him. The episode he was in "Hero" was extremely well acted.

I didn't catch the episodes with Chano (first 2 seasons) until later. I liked his character and wish they would have had a farewell episode for him. The episode he was in "Hero" was extremely well acted.
He indeed did a great job in "Hero" - an excellent, well-acted episode all around.

thanks for letting me that Barney was Promoted Deputy Inspector

He indeed did a great job in "Hero" - an excellent, well-acted episode all around.
was that the episode where Chano shot someone; and since it was the first time he ever did, he got upset?

was that the episode where Chano shot someone; and since it was the first time he ever did, he got upset?
:nod: That's the one!!

I personally didn't care for Season 8 as much as earlier seasons, at least as a whole. It seemed to slow down quite a bit and I felt it was a bit below par (still outstanding TV though, don't get me wrong there).

I did of course enjoy the final 3 eps (Landmark), but I just wish I could see those eps UNCUT. The syndcated versions KILL ME because I know lines are missing and thanks to the poor sales of the Season 1 DVD, I'm starting to think I'll never see those eps in their 'original' versions. :(

^ Malicedoom, this is the most activity the Barney Miller board has had in awhile. Keep it up!! :D :thumbsup:

LOL - OK, no problem! Always a thrill to talk to fellow Barney fans.

I don't suppose anyone here has the final 3 episodes (Landmark I, II & III) in uncut form? I'd KILL to see those eps as they originally aired. The syndicated versions I have are missing at least 2-3 minutes from each ep. AHHHH!!!

^ I personally don't have them, but I think there are a couple of other people on the board who might. You may also want to post your request on the Trading Post board as well.

Trading Post board? Where's that?

The trading post board can be found on the home page index board, where all the categories are listed (1970s sitcoms, Chit Chat, Trading Post, etc).

I wish I had the uncut versions as well. The ones I have (for the most part) are all from TVLand. I don't have a lot of hope they'll be a season 2 release either.:(

Well, we will be getting a Season 2 release after all! (January 22, 2008)