Do you think they should've had a female detective as a regular? I know they tried out Linda Lavin, but she left for Alice. Do you think they should've kept trying until they found the perfect match?

Well, they later tried with June Gable (who appeared in 2 episodes in Season 3 as Det. Maria Battista) and Mari Gorman as Det. Rosslyn Licori in Season 4 (3 episodes). I just don't think they worked. As a woman - I feel it was a boys' club and should've stayed that way. They didn't need to add any more regulars. By the middle/end of the show's run, the core of Barney, Wojo, Harris, Yemana (until Jack Soo passed), Dietrich and Levitt (with Luger as a recurring character) with all their kooky visitors were all that was needed. Just my opinion, of course. :D

Well, they later tried with June Gable (who appeared in 2 episodes in Season 3 as Det. Maria Battista) and Mari Gorman as Det. Rosslyn Licori in Season 4 (3 episodes). I just don't think they worked. As a woman - I feel it was a boys' club and should've stayed that way. They didn't need to add any more regulars. By the middle/end of the show's run, the core of Barney, Wojo, Harris, Yemana (until Jack Soo passed), Dietrich and Levitt (with Luger as a recurring character) with all their kooky visitors were all that was needed. Just my opinion, of course. :D


Good points indeed

Good points indeed
Thank you!! :D

Well, they later tried with June Gable (who appeared in 2 episodes in Season 3 as Det. Maria Battista) and Mari Gorman as Det. Rosslyn Licori in Season 4 (3 episodes). I just don't think they worked. As a woman - I feel it was a boys' club and should've stayed that way. They didn't need to add any more regulars. By the middle/end of the show's run, the core of Barney, Wojo, Harris, Yemana (until Jack Soo passed), Dietrich and Levitt (with Luger as a recurring character) with all their kooky visitors were all that was needed. Just my opinion, of course. :D
Yeah the only female dective that I liked was Janice Wentworth (Linda Lavin). When ever they tried to bring anyone new in later it messed up the chemistry of show. That's true with male characters too, since Det. Dorsey didn't last any longer. I think they realized that the cast was perfect the way it is. You know what they say if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Yeah the only female dective that I liked was Janice Wentworth (Linda Lavin). When ever they tried to bring anyone new in later it messed up the chemistry of show. That's true with male characters too, since Det. Dorsey didn't last any longer. I think they realized that the cast was perfect the way it is. You know what they say if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Agreed. If LL hadn't left to star in Alice, I wonder if Wentworth would've remained a recurring character or if she would've become a regular.

They couldn't handle the coffee...

Honestly I would have preferred "Roz" to Dorsey, who was just so off putting (and I realize he was sort of intended that way) that I couldn't stand to watch him. He was Dietrich without any of the humanizing and sympathetic qualities.

As to the question of female detectives, I agree with Monika. This was a guy's show. And that's not meant to be sexist; I wouldn't have wanted to see a regular male member of "Golden Girls", either. Plus I'm fairly sure the entire writing staff of Barney Miller was male and if they were ever to have had a regular female character it would have helped to have at least one female writer, IMHO.

Well, they later tried with June Gable (who appeared in 2 episodes in Season 3 as Det. Maria Battista) and Mari Gorman as Det. Rosslyn Licori in Season 4 (3 episodes). I just don't think they worked. As a woman - I feel it was a boys' club and should've stayed that way. They didn't need to add any more regulars. By the middle/end of the show's run, the core of Barney, Wojo, Harris, Yemana (until Jack Soo passed), Dietrich and Levitt (with Luger as a recurring character) with all their kooky visitors were all that was needed. Just my opinion, of course. :D



I agree

They couldn't handle the coffee...
:rofl: