Several 'Fish' Reviews From the Google News Archives - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Skywalker · 06-09-2012, 04:17 PM

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...h+vigoda&hl=en

Toledo Blade Feb. 8, 1977

ABC Lands a Winner In New Sitcom, 'Fish'

ABC has come up with another winner in "Fish" which made a warm and witty premiere Saturday night with Abe Vigoda in the title role, spawned from ABC's top sitcom, "Barney Miller".

Fish is played with vim and vinegar by Vigoda, an extremely talented actor who appears destined to give ABC a mighty lift on it's Saturday night schedule, long a ratings wasteland for the junior network.

The basic premise of "Fish" isn't exactly promising, but thanks to Vigoda and an expert supporting cast, the show seems certain to be one of the mid season's top rating successes.

It seems that Fish has retired from the New York City police force and with his wife (played expertly by Florence Stanley) has moved into a somewhat dilapidated house with five PINS - young problem children otherwise known as Persons In Need of Supervision.

Brash youngsters are all-too-common ingredient of sitcoms, but thanks to Vigoda's sour but somehow endearing performance and the restraint shown by the juvenile performers, they come across very well.

But Vigoda steals the show, and that takes some doing in these days when the likes of Starsky and Hutch and Laverne and Shirley dominate the airwaves. Who would think that a dour, 60-ish character with flat feet and digestive disorders could give the youngsters a run for their money?

But, as Fish remarked on the Saturday night premiere. "I don't want to be young again. I was young once and I wasn't good at it."

Skywalker · 06-09-2012, 04:20 PM

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...h+vigoda&hl=en

The Pittsburgh Press Feb. 4, 1977

Fish Premieres Tomorrow

Abe Vigoda's "Fish" spins off from "Barney Miller" tomorrow at 8:30 pm on ABC as the long suffering police detective moves to a group home for wards of the court.

With Florence Stanley as the quietly understanding Bernice and Bary Gordon as the misguided psychology student who serves as "associate house parent," Vigoda works hard to hold his own. But his Fish comes out on top in a half-hour that promises new dimension to the lovable old pessimist.

Two of the kids are endearing. The youngest, Todd Bridges, shares a nice scene of commiseration with Fish. Denise Miller as the youngest "daughter" strikes a chord. But the others, teenager Lenny Bari, a rowdy John Cassisi and Sarab Natoli are irritating.

Barry Gordon is hilarious as the psychologist with plenty of theory but no practicality. He'll learn a lot from Fish, too. And Florence Stanley is the perfect foil.

Although there are indications of a retirement in tomorrow's show, Vigoda will continue on Barney Miller at least until the ratings prove "Fish" a success or failure.

With Gregory Sierra leaving to make a pilot for his own series, "Barney Miller" will be in for a major overhaul. Hopefully, executive producer Danny Arnold will give it the same care he used in creating the original show.

Skywalker · 06-09-2012, 04:25 PM

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...h+vigoda&hl=en

The Modesto Bee May 17, 1977

Abe Vigoda is in no way a fish out of water

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...h+vigoda&hl=en

The Milwaukee Sentinel Feb 4, 1977

'Fish' Star Abe Vigoda Not Ready for a Cadillac Yet

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...h+vigoda&hl=en

Sarasota Herald Tribune Feb 4 1977

Fish Gets a Show Of His Own

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...h+vigoda&hl=en

St. Joseph News Press Feb 4, 1977

Abe Vigoda checking in with his own series, 'Fish'

catlover79 · 06-09-2012, 05:40 PM

Thanks for posting those. I love Google News Archives - it's a great place to learn obscure facts.

Mr. Television · 06-09-2012, 06:43 PM

I never really watched Fish much when it was originally on. Of the few shows that I've seen of it though, it isn't that bad.

Skywalker · 06-09-2012, 07:55 PM

You're welcome, Monika.

I've watched a couple of episodes and was surprised at how good it was. I always figured it got bad reviews and wasn't expecting it to be funny at all. The Fish character is the same on this show as he was on Barney Miller, so far, and that's a good thing. It's unusual though because whenever a character gets spun off onto their own show, they change a little bit. Also it's cool to see Barry Gordon on a show. I only knew him as Chrissy Snow's secret admirer on Three's Company.

The theme song is great too!

TVFactFan · 06-09-2012, 07:55 PM

Wonder what Cleveland Amory said about Fish. TV guide critic

Mr. Television · 06-09-2012, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker

You're welcome, Monika.

I've watched a couple of episodes and was surprised at how good it was. I always figured it got bad reviews and wasn't expecting it to be funny at all. The Fish character is the same on this show as he was on Barney Miller, so far, and that's a good thing. It's unusual though because whenever a character gets spun off onto their own show, they change a little bit. Also it's cool to see Barry Gordon on a show. I only knew him as Chrissy Snow's secret admirer on Three's Company.

The theme song is great too!

If you ever see Archie Bunker's place, he's a regular on that too. In fact Denise Miller was also a regular on that show as Archie's niece and she started dating Barry Gordon's character.

Skywalker · 06-09-2012, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

If you ever see Archie Bunker's place, he's a regular on that too. In fact Denise Miller was also a regular on that show as Archie's niece and she started dating Barry Gordon's character.

I was watching the show a few months ago on youtube but they took them down. I only made it to the end of season 2 so I never got to see him. I think they put APB back up again so I'll have to check it out. That's kinda creepy.

catlover79 · 06-10-2012, 12:34 AM

Future The Young & The Restless star Melody Thomas (now Melody Thomas Scott) was a guest star in the first season of Fish, of all people.

06-09-2012, 04:17 PM	#1
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,205	Several 'Fish' Reviews From the Google News Archives http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...h+vigoda&hl=en Toledo Blade Feb. 8, 1977 ABC Lands a Winner In New Sitcom, 'Fish' ABC has come up with another winner in "Fish" which made a warm and witty premiere Saturday night with Abe Vigoda in the title role, spawned from ABC's top sitcom, "Barney Miller". Fish is played with vim and vinegar by Vigoda, an extremely talented actor who appears destined to give ABC a mighty lift on it's Saturday night schedule, long a ratings wasteland for the junior network. The basic premise of "Fish" isn't exactly promising, but thanks to Vigoda and an expert supporting cast, the show seems certain to be one of the mid season's top rating successes. It seems that Fish has retired from the New York City police force and with his wife (played expertly by Florence Stanley) has moved into a somewhat dilapidated house with five PINS - young problem children otherwise known as Persons In Need of Supervision. Brash youngsters are all-too-common ingredient of sitcoms, but thanks to Vigoda's sour but somehow endearing performance and the restraint shown by the juvenile performers, they come across very well. But Vigoda steals the show, and that takes some doing in these days when the likes of Starsky and Hutch and Laverne and Shirley dominate the airwaves. Who would think that a dour, 60-ish character with flat feet and digestive disorders could give the youngsters a run for their money? But, as Fish remarked on the Saturday night premiere. "I don't want to be young again. I was young once and I wasn't good at it."

06-09-2012, 04:20 PM	#2
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,205	The Pittsburgh Press Feb. 4, 1977 'Fish Premieres Tomorrow' http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...h+vigoda&hl=en The Pittsburgh Press Feb. 4, 1977 Fish Premieres Tomorrow Abe Vigoda's "Fish" spins off from "Barney Miller" tomorrow at 8:30 pm on ABC as the long suffering police detective moves to a group home for wards of the court. With Florence Stanley as the quietly understanding Bernice and Bary Gordon as the misguided psychology student who serves as "associate house parent," Vigoda works hard to hold his own. But his Fish comes out on top in a half-hour that promises new dimension to the lovable old pessimist. Two of the kids are endearing. The youngest, Todd Bridges, shares a nice scene of commiseration with Fish. Denise Miller as the youngest "daughter" strikes a chord. But the others, teenager Lenny Bari, a rowdy John Cassisi and Sarab Natoli are irritating. Barry Gordon is hilarious as the psychologist with plenty of theory but no practicality. He'll learn a lot from Fish, too. And Florence Stanley is the perfect foil. Although there are indications of a retirement in tomorrow's show, Vigoda will continue on Barney Miller at least until the ratings prove "Fish" a success or failure. With Gregory Sierra leaving to make a pilot for his own series, "Barney Miller" will be in for a major overhaul. Hopefully, executive producer Danny Arnold will give it the same care he used in creating the original show.

06-09-2012, 05:40 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Thanks for posting those. I love Google News Archives - it's a great place to learn obscure facts.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

06-09-2012, 06:43 PM	#5
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,125	I never really watched Fish much when it was originally on. Of the few shows that I've seen of it though, it isn't that bad.
	__________________ Sonny

06-09-2012, 04:25 PM	#3
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,205	http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...h+vigoda&hl=en The Modesto Bee May 17, 1977 Abe Vigoda is in no way a fish out of water http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...h+vigoda&hl=en The Milwaukee Sentinel Feb 4, 1977 'Fish' Star Abe Vigoda Not Ready for a Cadillac Yet http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...h+vigoda&hl=en Sarasota Herald Tribune Feb 4 1977 Fish Gets a Show Of His Own http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...h+vigoda&hl=en St. Joseph News Press Feb 4, 1977 Abe Vigoda checking in with his own series, 'Fish'

06-09-2012, 07:55 PM	#6
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,205	You're welcome, Monika. I've watched a couple of episodes and was surprised at how good it was. I always figured it got bad reviews and wasn't expecting it to be funny at all. The Fish character is the same on this show as he was on Barney Miller, so far, and that's a good thing. It's unusual though because whenever a character gets spun off onto their own show, they change a little bit. Also it's cool to see Barry Gordon on a show. I only knew him as Chrissy Snow's secret admirer on Three's Company. The theme song is great too!

06-09-2012, 07:55 PM	#7
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,950	Wonder what Cleveland Amory said about Fish. TV guide critic

06-10-2012, 12:34 AM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Future The Young & The Restless star Melody Thomas (now Melody Thomas Scott) was a guest star in the first season of Fish, of all people.