TMC
04-11-2026, 08:49 PM
https://jacksonupperco.com/2026/04/08/sitcom-archaeology-park-place-1981/
Thoughts: The first sitcom created by Barney Miller alum Reinhold Weege, Park Place (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_Place_(TV_series)) was clearly crafted in its forefather’s image. It’s another ensemble workplace crime-based procedural set in a grungy New York office (https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1981/04/09/bleary-park-place-murky-murder/3b889268-7312-4729-a2ee-d4a92f504177/). This time, a legal aid clinic (https://www.nytimes.com/1981/04/09/arts/tv-park-place-new-cbs-comedy.html) led by straight man Harold Gould, anchoring an ensemble of eight. Those regulars vary in terms of clear comic personalities – the best is probably the meek, overly devout secretary played by Alice Drummond – but if you squint, you can see that everyone has at least one detail that’s reiterated over the course of these five episodes, suggesting definition. The problem, as it was on Barney Miller, is that these characters just aren’t tasked with inspiring story. It’s case-of-the-week fare, a parade of both funny and sad people who need help.
Thoughts: The first sitcom created by Barney Miller alum Reinhold Weege, Park Place (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_Place_(TV_series)) was clearly crafted in its forefather’s image. It’s another ensemble workplace crime-based procedural set in a grungy New York office (https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1981/04/09/bleary-park-place-murky-murder/3b889268-7312-4729-a2ee-d4a92f504177/). This time, a legal aid clinic (https://www.nytimes.com/1981/04/09/arts/tv-park-place-new-cbs-comedy.html) led by straight man Harold Gould, anchoring an ensemble of eight. Those regulars vary in terms of clear comic personalities – the best is probably the meek, overly devout secretary played by Alice Drummond – but if you squint, you can see that everyone has at least one detail that’s reiterated over the course of these five episodes, suggesting definition. The problem, as it was on Barney Miller, is that these characters just aren’t tasked with inspiring story. It’s case-of-the-week fare, a parade of both funny and sad people who need help.