Did anyone catch last night's (this morning's) episode, "Dietrich's Arrest, Part I"? At one point in the opening scene when he's talking to Levitt about nuclear disarmament, Steve Landesberg just can't contain his laughter. This happened right after Levitt told Barney to feel free to jump in the conversation anytime. Did anyone else catch this?

I don't know... I know it bugs some people that he does this, but I think it's kind of refreshing. It actually made me laugh last night. To me it's always funny to see comedians/actors/actresses cracking up during their scenes, like when Adam Sandler had scenes with Chris Farley.

I'd really like to see some kind of Barney Miller documentary where things like this are addressed. I thought it was interesting that they left the scene as it was since it was very obvious. I wonder if they tended to leave the scenes like that, or if they had to redo them a lot.

maclen

I saw the episode, and it was fun watching Steve Landesberg trying to contain his laughter. I know I posted that it bugs me, but I've changed my mind. I think I'm just paying more attention to Dietrich lately, and I appreciate him more now.
When he laughed while talking to Levitt, I couldn't stop laughing. I had it on tape and played it back a few times, and I studied Levitt's expression and what he was saying. I thought, how could Steve not break up? Ron Carey is in his face acting totally insane, lol.
I've always enjoyed when actors have that look that indicates that they want to laugh. It's a form of breaking the 4th wall of sorts. Jerry Seinfeld was always holding back the laughter. The entire cast of Family Ties used to break up too.
I've noticed that Hal Linden often has a hard time holding in the laughter himself. It makes sense because the scenes are just so incredibly funny even though they've rehearsed them before. I can laugh at a show or a movie that I've seen ten times. Funny makes us laugh, over and over again.
It's cool that they leave these in. Last night's Landesberg laugh breakup was so off the charts obvious, that it was if they decided to share it with the viewers. Most directors would have yelled, "Cut", but Barney Miller is not your ordinary show.

Originally posted by Janice
Last night's Landesberg laugh breakup was so off the charts obvious, that it was if they decided to share it with the viewers. Most directors would have yelled, "Cut", but Barney Miller is not your ordinary show.

Well I finally watched the Barney Miller episodes that I taped this past week, and this one really cracked me up. This is the first time that I've seen where someone is quite clearly laughing when they're not supposed to. I couldn't believe they left that in the show! But you're right, Barney Miller is anything but ordinary.

Here's another one: During the "Liquidation" episode, right at the end of the first segment. Harris just got back to the precint and is drunk; Wojo asked him how it went in court, and Harris just laughs... WHile Harris is laughing, the detectives are looking at him with concern, but at one point, Dietrich looks like he wants to bust out laughing while looking at Harris!

Did you catch that?

maclen

I did catch that. He always looks like the cat that swallowed the canary. It used to unnerve me, but as I took more to Dietrich, I now find it sort of endearing.

Dietrich's very first episode was "Fish" in Season 2. He goes to Fish's apartment and introduces the immortal line, "Go away, Beverly is busy." If you look closely, you can see Steve Landesburg breaking up a bit and trying hard to keep a straight face. :lol:

I always liked Steve a lot, not that I didn't like the rest of the guys as well, but Steve was so funny. I wonder if he is still acting or has he perhaps gone back to standup.

I always liked Steve a lot, not that I didn't like the rest of the guys as well, but Steve was so funny. I wonder if he is still acting or has he perhaps gone back to standup.
It appears he is still acting! http://imdb.com/name/nm0484688/

The writing and acting on Barney Miller was really special -- that kind of ensemble we will probably never see again -- it was nice when someone's reaction (which was clearly not in the script) was left in the show.

When Dietrich smiled or laughed, it seemed so out of character from his usual serious demeanor. But I kind of liked it, it made seem more like one of the guys.

The last time I Saw Steve was on The Golden Girls