Why did Gregory Sierra (Chano) leave after season 2? Was it a failed contract negotiation for more money or did he leave because of dissatisfaction with his character or to pursue other opportunities??

:confused:

I just think it was a case of too many characters and not enough room.
As the series progressed, the writers and producers figured out which characters were the strongest and more popular, and they were the ones who got more screen time.

The pilot for the series focused on Barney's homelife, but when the show was picked up a few months later attention shifted to the goings on at the station, his son and daughter were gone, and his wife was around for season one, but vanished after that.

The first season is always tough for an ensemble show. Eventually, they start cutting the dead wood.

;)

Originally posted by Dr. Thong
Why did Gregory Sierra (Chano) leave after season 2? Was it a failed contract negotiation for more money or did he leave because of dissatisfaction with his character or to pursue other opportunities??

:confused:

Actually Greg Sierra keft BM to star in his own show called AES Hudson Street, which I understand, was meant to have the same Barney Miller vibe, but in a hospital setting. I believe the creators of Barney Miller had something to do with this show as well (I've never seen an episode).

maclen

How was Chano's absence explained?

I don't think it ever was explained.

I think Gregory Sierra Left Barney Miller To go do Sanford And Son.

I think Gregory Sierra Left Barney Miller To go do Sanford And Son.
HE WAS IN SANFORD & SON BEFORE BARNEY MILLER

Gregory Sierra was a hot commodity in the '70's.

He sure was popular in the 70s and early 80s (on Soap) - and I don't think it was a case of too many characters - and his had a fairly large role that I really liked. I think he just left to go onto his own show. It's too bad - I would have liked him to stay a few more seasons. If they were going to drop a character, you'd think it would be Levitz.

He sure was popular in the 70s and early 80s (on Soap) - and I don't think it was a case of too many characters - and his had a fairly large role that I really liked. I think he just left to go onto his own show. It's too bad - I would have liked him to stay a few more seasons. If they were going to drop a character, you'd think it would be Levitz.


Well he couldn't have been that popular because one of his shows-"AES Hudson Street" was cancelled after one month in 1978.lol

He was popular as far as casting directors were concerned. He was in practically every show in the '70's.

I was bummed to learn that he left after Season 2. I would've loved to see Chano grow and evolve throughout the series' entire run like Wojo, Harris, and the rest. Chano to me was one of the most interesting characters: a foreigner who was deeply proud of his roots but was still working as hard as he could to better his situation. He had no tolerance for abuse, prejudice and injustice but had such a soft, compassionate heart. Chano was tough when it came to criminals but he was a man you'd like to bring home to meet your parents. He loved to dance and have fun, and was the type who knew how to treat a woman right.

Gregory Sierra's best performance was of course in "The Hero", and I'm sorry he never had another signature episode like that again. Through the magic of videos, DVDs and syndicated reruns, I have seen him in many different roles. He was always at his best playing the romantic hero (like in Kung Fu's Season 1 ep "The Stone", now on DVD) but much more often played the bad guy who got killed off. Truly an underrated and versatile actor -- and he was a gorgeous one too! :eyes: :heart: :eyes: :lol:

They do mention him years later when a 'replacement' comes to work at the 12th (one of those characters that didn't stick around long - I think her name was Roz?) - but she was supposed to be filling Chano's spot, only it took the main office something like 2-3 years to finally send someone to fill the open position.

I seem to remember it was 2 years after his departure and the actress who played ROZ was also (in the last season) the wife of Bruno Binder who had a sporting goods store and she played a hooker (well not really) who left her husband at home with their 4 kids

I remember an episode of BM where Chano shoots and kills 2 armed young man who tried robbing a bank and BM stooped in Chano's apt. to see how Chano was doing and Chano gets BM a beer and after BM leaves Chano breaks down and cries if I am not mistaken that was the last episode Chano was in (I think)

I remember an episode of BM where Chano shoots and kills 2 armed young man who tried robbing a bank and BM stooped in Chano's apt. to see how Chano was doing and Chano gets BM a beer and after BM leaves Chano breaks down and cries if I am not mistaken that was the last episode Chano was in (I think)
That was the last episode of Season 1. Gregory Sierra's last episode was the finale of Season 2.

catlover79, thanks for the FYI and I wasn't sure if that was Chano's last appearence or not.

^ My pleasure! :D Happy I could help.

Check out this little bit about AES Hudson Street:

http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/showimage.aspx?gid=357055&ppid=1122&image=158633856&images=158633790,158633856&formats=0,0&format=0

I found this little blurb in "The Journal":

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RxVIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0wANAAAAIBAJ&pg=2236,1148042&dq=gregory+sierra&hl=en

July 10, 1976

There's going to be a major change in the cast of Barney Miller, although it hasn't been announced - and probably won't be.

The character of Chano and the actor (Gregory Sierra) who played the part are being dropped. No reason given, but there have been rumors of friction on the set.

Present plans are to try a group of new policemen, to see which one catches on with the public and then give that one a regular spot on the show.

He's such a talented actor.The first two seasons are my favorite.It would have been great if Gregory had stayed with the show.

Check out this little bit about AES Hudson Street:

http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/showimage.aspx?gid=357055&ppid=1122&image=158633856&images=158633790,158633856&formats=0,0&format=0
It seems like AES Hudson Street had all the ingredients to be a successful series. I wonder why it wasn't?

According to this article, it was Danny Arnold's choice to stop production on the show once the 5-week spring tryout in 1978 was up:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=B1gzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8VEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5240,2120030&dq=aes+hudson+street+danny+arnold&hl=en

He's such a talented actor.The first two seasons are my favorite.It would have been great if Gregory had stayed with the show.

I agree on all counts!!! :cool: :D

According to this article, it was Danny Arnold's choice to stop production on the show once the 5-week spring tryout in 1978 was up:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=B1gzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8VEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5240,2120030&dq=aes+hudson+street+danny+arnold&hl=en
I never saw the show so I can hardly argue with Mr. Arnold's opinion. However it seems like all the ingredients for a successful show were in place. I guess sometimes the whole does not equal the sum of it's parts!

I did see the show (someone originally recorded it when it originally aired on Beta and put all 5 episodes on a DVD for me) - and while it began somewhat shakily, I think it had all the ingredients to be a hit. Let's also not forget that Gregory Sierra was going through a horrible personal crisis at the time (his wife committed suicide during the second week of filming), so maybe he didn't want to come back, either - who knows?

I did see the show (someone originally recorded it when it originally aired on Beta and put all 5 episodes on a DVD for me) - and while it began somewhat shakily, I think it had all the ingredients to be a hit. Let's also not forget that Gregory Sierra was going through a horrible personal crisis at the time (his wife committed suicide during the second week of filming), so maybe he didn't want to come back, either - who knows?
Yes there were extenuating circumstances. And for Mr. Sierra's sake it's probably just as well that AES Hudson Street didn't continue as it gave him more time to deal with and heal from the loss of his wife.

Not long after AES left the air for good, Mr. Sierra accepted a role as a zany count in the Peter Sellers remake of The Prisoner of Zenda, which was filmed in Vienna, Austria. So it was probably a good thing, to get out of the country for awhile and throw himself into this goofy role, and do something fun (even though I saw the movie and didn't think it was any great shakes).

I think "The Prisoner of Zenda" has been remade more than any other movie! IMDB.com lists at least 8 different movies with that title and a mini seies! So it's probably no wonder that this particular version wasn't "any great shakes"! But it looks like Mr. Sierra enjoyed making the movie.

Yeah, this was Peter Sellers' final movie (he died about a year after it was released) and his heart just doesn't seem to be in it. It just wasn't that funny.

I was bummed to learn that he left after Season 2. I would've loved to see Chano grow and evolve throughout the series' entire run like Wojo, Harris, and the rest. Chano to me was one of the most interesting characters: a foreigner who was deeply proud of his roots but was still working as hard as he could to better his situation. He had no tolerance for abuse, prejudice and injustice but had such a soft, compassionate heart. Chano was tough when it came to criminals but he was a man you'd like to bring home to meet your parents. He loved to dance and have fun, and was the type who knew how to treat a woman right.

Gregory Sierra's best performance was of course in "The Hero", and I'm sorry he never had another signature episode like that again. Through the magic of videos, DVDs and syndicated reruns, I have seen him in many different roles. He was always at his best playing the romantic hero (like in Kung Fu's Season 1 ep "The Stone", now on DVD) but much more often played the bad guy who got killed off. Truly an underrated and versatile actor -- and he was a gorgeous one too! :eyes: :heart: :eyes: :lol:

That was very sweet, Monika! Too bad Mr. Sierra himself can't read this post. I'm sure he'd be flattered with your gushing! :heart:

Why can't Gregory Sierra read the post...?

Maybe he's reading it at this very moment...who knows? ;) :D

I've always been a fan of Gregory Sierra. I understand he was on the first season of Miami Vice, but did not continue with that series either.

I've read the reason why he was killed off that show is because he did not want to live in Miami and left of his own accord. Another variation of the story I read was that the producers really wanted Edward James Olmos all along, he wasn't available, and hired Gregory Sierra as a place holder until EJO became available. So GS was killed off in the fourth episode, EJO came on a couple of episodes later and stayed until the end of the show in 1989 (and won an Emmy in the process). Ironically, the two men later co-starred in 1998's Disney movie The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit.

I always thought Edward James Olmos was better suited for that role on Miami Vice

Lt. Castillo was definitely a unique character, no doubt about that. EJO was a perfect fit for the role.

I've read the reason why he was killed off that show is because he did not want to live in Miami and left of his own accord. Another variation of the story I read was that the producers really wanted Edward James Olmos all along, he wasn't available, and hired Gregory Sierra as a place holder until EJO became available. So GS was killed off in the fourth episode, EJO came on a couple of episodes later and stayed until the end of the show in 1989 (and won an Emmy in the process). Ironically, the two men later co-starred in 1998's Disney movie The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit.
I stopped watching "Miami Vice" after his character was killed off :( I wonder if he left the show because it was more violence than acting on it :(

Maybe...I've heard several different reasons.

Well he couldn't have been that popular because one of his shows-"AES Hudson Street" was cancelled after one month in 1978.lol

I don't think it was actually cancelled. It was a springtime trial run series, that didn't get picked up for the next season. I also think I remember hearing that Sierra wasn't able to continue on with the series, because of some family tragedy or something.

His wife took her own life while A.E.S. was filming. :( I also read someplace else that Danny Arnold wasn't happy with the show - and reworked the concept over a decade later into the equally short-lived Stat.

Well I just finished up with season 2 (of Barney Miller). In Chano's very last scene, he's walking out the door directing a bum to another police precinct. In the season 3 premiere, he of course is not there, and strangely there's no reference to him. I guess he must have gotten transferred to that other precinct.:confused: Is he ever mentioned again at all during the series run??

He's mentioned but not whatever happened to him. One of the short-lived lady cops (not Battista) was said to have been Chano's replacement - two years after Barney called for someone to replace him!!!

He's mentioned but not whatever happened to him. One of the short-lived lady cops (not Battista) was said to have been Chano's replacement - two years after Barney called for someone to replace him!!!
Battista was lame.

I've been watching the first 3 seasons and a couple things are apparent.

Wojo gets away with way too much. I mean he is borderline expendable.

I can understand why they wanted to spin off Fish. Abe Vigoda is deadpan perfect even when the lines are not so great.

Chano was a natural fit for this show, and it sucks he left. There was an authentic and genuine undertone to his character. And the chemistry with the cast fit.

Jack Soo is the gentle undercurrent that sold the show.

Was Levitt needed? Is there anyone who says they love Levitt? Holy F. I remember being annoyed at 10 years old watching him. It gets incredibly worse soon after S3.

Ron Glass is awesome.

Hal Linden is the reason there is a Barney Miller. I'd like to call him right now to get some advice, set me straight, and deliver the right amount of compassion and motivation.

Thanks for your observations, Michael!! I loved Chano (no surprise there) and wished Gregory had stayed for the long haul.

Did you like Dietrich? Inspector Lugar?

Thanks for your observations, Michael!! I loved Chano (no surprise there) and wished Gregory had stayed for the long haul.

Did you like Dietrich? Inspector Lugar?

I liked Dietrich and all the regulars. I think Inspector Lugar and the Internal Affairs guy Scanlon were the weakest, least believable characters -- almost cartoonish and over-the-top. Each of the characters except Captain Miller toyed with being a bit too OTT and crossing the line into cartoon territory, but the acting ensured they stayed mostly within bounds of credibility and a great comedic performance.

As for the Leavitt character, he was supposed to play an annoying character --someone who was continuously frustrated because felt he was denied promotion solely for his lack of height, a trait for which he could do nothing about. I actually liked his character as well.

As for Chano, I thought he played a WONDERFULLY nuanced character. The rest of the detective cast were more archetypes which made the comedy easier but Chano was a complex character with many conflicting sides, embodying the idealism (but not naivete) of Wojo, the world-weariness of Fish and Yemano, and the youthful exuberance and vanity of Harris.

I wish he had stayed beyond season two. Of course it's impossible to tell, but I'd like to believe that a fabulous series like BM would have been made even more fabulous if he did.

I agree with you. Gregory was quoted in a newspaper in 1975 about his character. "Chano was a Puerto Rican kid who decided that he would be somebody, and to him, being a cop is being somebody."

"The Hero" is an absolute tour de force by Gregory, and the scene where he finally falls apart in his apartment after putting up a brave face for everyone is heartbreaking. It also shows that cops (at least the non-corrupt ones) don't enjoy killing criminals, and only do it as a last resort to protect themselves and others. That was one of the best episodes of the entire series, in my opinion.

I agree with you 100%, BM_fanforever :eyes: Chano brought depth to the series and also a second language, Spanish, which I was slowly learning to understand when I watched this show. :eyes: I was a kid then :blush:

So where you able to understand what he was saying in his Spanish rants? ;)

In "The Hero" Gregory does a superb job showing Chano wracked by shock/guilt/post traumatic stress. After going home early, he is about to dig into his TV dinner (remember those!) but he is still having trouble reconciling the day's events and his part in it when Captain Miller stops by to check on him. I really enjoyed the exchange between Chano and the Captain -- the scene isn't a very long one but it is an intimate one successfully showing the caring and concern between colleagues who have come to respect and trust each other. After Barney's visit, Chano is able to unleash his pent up emotions and recover.

I think today's police procedures would have anyone involved in gunfire attend counselling from a psychologist or other trained mental health professional.

Yes, I'd say this episode is one of my favourite ones as well!

He never really did get an episode that showed off his talents as much as "The Hero" did. Of course, had he stayed, he probably would have...

So where you able to understand what he was saying in his Spanish rants? ;)
:blush: Only the word "hombre" which means "man" :blush: That is the reason I want to learn Spanish so I can watch Barney Miller on DVD and finally find out what was being said :blush:

So where you able to understand what he was saying in his Spanish rants? ;)

I don't think you necessarily need to know the exact words he was saying. From the tone of his voice it was apparenting he was venting and letting off some steam.

You don't have to be Spanish to understand that and I think the fact that he was doing it in another language made it funnier.

I don't think you necessarily need to know the exact words he was saying. From the tone of his voice it was apparenting he was venting and letting off some steam.

You don't have to be Spanish to understand that and I think the fact that he was doing it in another language made it funnier.
True. That is why I like the first two seasons of Barney Miller because he would rant or talk in Spanish. It added to the mix of characters there. I would of just loved to have heard the other actors talking in different languages like Polish or Japanese, etc.

True. That is why I like the first two seasons of Barney Miller because he would rant or talk in Spanish. It added to the mix of characters there. I would of just loved to have heard the other actors talking in different languages like Polish or Japanese, etc.

Yeah, sometimes Wojo would say a sentence in Polish and Yemana would occasionally speak a bit of Japanese - but admittedly nowhere near as much as Chano would fly off into Spanish rants. Chris, you're right that it made it funnier because all you really needed to know was that he was mad. Other than Gregory and Desi Arnaz, I can't think of anyone else on TV who would go into Spanish rants. :cool:

Yeah, sometimes Wojo would say a sentence in Polish and Yemana would occasionally speak a bit of Japanese - but admittedly nowhere near as much as Chano would fly off into Spanish rants. Chris, you're right that it made it funnier because all you really needed to know was that he was mad. Other than Gregory and Desi Arnaz, I can't think of anyone else on TV who would go into Spanish rants. :cool:

If you wanted to put a little time and effort, you could probably figure out what they were saying. Even if you don't know a language, some things are universal.

One time, I was watching a German TV show that had no English subtitles. It was a cop show and theirs pretty much follow the same template as American or English shows.

In one scene, the detective was having an argument over breakfast with his teenage daughter. I could tell she was saying "But all the other girls dress this way." My then-girlfriend, who was reading the Finnish subtitles, looked at me and said, "How did you know that?" I said, just by the way she was dressed and the tone of her voice, it was pretty easy to figure out.

^ True!!!

Yeah, sometimes Wojo would say a sentence in Polish and Yemana would occasionally speak a bit of Japanese - but admittedly nowhere near as much as Chano would fly off into Spanish rants. Chris, you're right that it made it funnier because all you really needed to know was that he was mad. Other than Gregory and Desi Arnaz, I can't think of anyone else on TV who would go into Spanish rants. :cool:
Yeah and that is why I wish they kept his character in the show :eyes: It made "Barney Miller" all the more funnier :eyes:

Whether Chano broke into a rant in Spanish or English, it was pure gold to see him let rip. I've forgotten which episode, but I'm reminded of him dealing with a man who wanted to apply for a gun permit for personal protection from muggings. Chano becomes frustrated at the number of gun-related incidents in their jurisdiction and then when the gun permit applicant becomes annoying, he turns around and basically "demos" to him about what "normal" people would do in the event of a mugging -- i.e. you give him your wallet because your life is worth more than the dollars you happen to have inside. Besides, in a way, when this happens, you are inadvertently saved from buying more junk that everyone else buys with their money... or something to that extent (I'm sure I don't have this completely right). Anyway, the scene was very funny and very cynical.

Another instance was when Chano has just brought in a fellow Puerto Rican he's just arrested and he goes off into a rant as to how much it is embarassing for him (as a member of the same community) and how tempting it is for him to pretend to be a Brit -- then he proceeds to demo a flawless (I think flawless) high brow Queen's English Brit accent... :-).

:lol: gold, pure, gold!:happyface

The first episode you're talking about was from Season 2, "Block Party". The guy finally says he's going to move somewhere where it's safe, and Chano yells out the door after him, "Go to Miami, and turn left to Havana!" :nod:

The second episode you mentioned was from the pilot, "Ramon". Classic. :lol:

Whether Chano broke into a rant in Spanish or English, it was pure gold to see him let rip. I've forgotten which episode, but I'm reminded of him dealing with a man who wanted to apply for a gun permit for personal protection from muggings. Chano becomes frustrated at the number of gun-related incidents in their jurisdiction and then when the gun permit applicant becomes annoying, he turns around and basically "demos" to him about what "normal" people would do in the event of a mugging -- i.e. you give him your wallet because your life is worth more than the dollars you happen to have inside. Besides, in a way, when this happens, you are inadvertently saved from buying more junk that everyone else buys with their money... or something to that extent (I'm sure I don't have this completely right). Anyway, the scene was very funny and very cynical.

Another instance was when Chano has just brought in a fellow Puerto Rican he's just arrested and he goes off into a rant as to how much it is embarassing for him (as a member of the same community) and how tempting it is for him to pretend to be a Brit -- then he proceeds to demo a flawless (I think flawless) high brow Queen's English Brit accent... :-).

:lol: gold, pure, gold!:happyface
:lol: I just LOVE that scene :lol:

Here you go!! :cool: :D

DpE90uY6dJs

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Hello friends! YES, that's the clip! Thanks catlover79 for finding and posting. I got to enjoy it once again! That young actor who's being booked by Chano... didn't he have a pretty good career in a daytime soap opera??? I can't think of his name, but he got buffed up as he got a bit older and taller... then he made his way into night time TV -- might have been LA Law... it's not Jimmy Smits, but another Latino actor that seems to have made a fairly decent TV career...

btw -- unrelated, but I recall fyi -- London beat cops/constables I think do NOT carry guns. All they have are those black sticks (which, in a pinch can probably pack a punch in strong hands... but I guess here in the West, we're so used to thinking of the average cop, detective... maybe even campus/transit police as all having permission to carry a gun or "piece" as they say in the biz).

It is already December 2012! Where does the time go... I keep asking (and getting NO decent answer! :-). In some ways, I'm still back wondering where did all of 2010 go??? Vancouver 2010 Olympics, Royal wedding in the UK... and NOW we seem all to be rushing full throttle into yet another Christmas season! Well... none of us, to my knowledge, anyway can control the currents of time so let me take the time to wish all of you here, devotees of BM and great television in general a hearty and healthy Christmas season wherever you are. May you find what you are looking for and cherish the good things you've already found.

Peace be to you,
BM_fanforever :wave:

The actor's name is Edwin "Chu Chu" Malave, who was a boxer in addition to being an actor. He had a role on the short-lived NBC soap For Richer, For Poorer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Malave

He also wrote a book about his experiences - click on this link for more info. There's also a fairly recent photo of him posted there.

http://chuchumalave.wordpress.com/2008/02/19/the-longhaired-boxer-the-true-story-of-chu-chu-malave/

I've never heard of this actor/boxer! Seems he's had an interesting career of both acting and boxing. Anyway, I re-watched this first episode of the first season, trying to look hard at this actor's face -- I forgot that in this inaugural episode that Barney's family life is shown!-- and the young Chu Chu Malave does a pretty good performance balancing danger/drama and comedy as he manages to steal Fish's gun and threatens to take the entire squad room down.

But do you know who I thought played this "Ramon Santos's" part??? Another, probably better-known actor named A. Martinez! The two could have played twin brothers I think!

Excellent first episode! I was able to re-enjoy the drama AND the comedy. This is what's so great about BM... I can watch and re-watch without cringing!

But do you know who I thought played this "Ramon Santos's" part??? Another, probably better-known actor named A. Martinez!

I figured A Martinez was the actor you meant - and he did guest star on two later BM episodes - "The DNA Story" from Season 6 and "The Doll" from Season 7. Several years after that, he'd go on to his greatest TV success and win an Emmy for his role as Cruz Castillo on the now-defunct NBC soap opera, Santa Barbara, a role he played for 8 years.

Chu Chu Malave did go on to appear twice more on BM as different characters - "The Architect" from Season 6 and "Rachel" from Season 7.

There is a whole long story about why Gregory Sierra left. Max told me, but I’ll have to ask him if it’s okay to share.

Gregory left because he didn’t get along with Hal and wasn’t happy with his character. He didn’t want Chano to have an accent or be at all stereotypical.