Producer David A. Goodman said this about Cop Sitcoms...

I made a pilot for Fox called Murder Police. It’s an animated cop show that’s a comedy. The thinking behind it is that people have tried to do cop comedies for years and they almost always fail. Part of the reason is that unless it's spoof-like, it’s very difficult to be funny if there’s a dead body on the floor. But you can do that in animation. A dead body can be funny in animation. So my thought was let’s treat the cop stuff less seriously -- there will be a mystery or procedural but they’re animated characters.

With that said, what made 'Barney Miller' so successful then???

I think ensemble shows with well-developed characters are always more successful. You get to know those different characters and all their little eccentricities.

Great writing, great acting, great humor...and Gregory Sierra. :eyes:

...and Gregory Sierra. :eyes:


LOL How did I know you were going to say that?!

The writing, of course...wry, witty and literate, never talked down to the audience.

The reality of the show...I've read that cops say this is the most realistic portrayal of police work on tv. The day to day grind, the paperwork, etc.

Characters that were original and sympathetic, if not always lovable or huggable.

A kind of resigned but ultimately hopeful tone that said "Look, most of the world is screwed up but some of us are doing the best we can to make it just a little bit better."

Plus, so much of the show is timeless. At the time the series was set - there was a recession, major unemployment, budget cuts, layoffs, etc. The more things change the more they stay the same!!! :(

Plus, so much of the show is timeless. At the time the series was set - there was a recession, major unemployment, budget cuts, layoffs, etc. The more things change the more they stay the same!!! :(

You got that right! :nod:

Sad but true, in this case!!