The Final Season (1981-82) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JAlanRuss72 · 07-19-2007, 02:59 PM

I have been watching episodes of Barney Miller that I have on dvd-r, and was rather surprised how much better the show got in the last season. Season 6-7 was a little slow (not bad, but not quite as entertaining as previous ones), so I was a little surprised how much steam season 8 picked back up with. I enjoyed watching Dietrich and Harris being forced to room with the suspect in pts 1&2 of "Chinatown" (a nice change of pace from the set of the station house). Also the final 3-parter "Landmark" was very touching. It was interesting that Part 1 had NO laugh track, short of the director in the background. It had a very effective atmosphere about it. At the end, when Barney walks around the room and has flashbacks of detectives gone by (Chano, Wentworth, Yemana) at the different desks, it was bittersweet to say the least. This show was more character-driven than comedic, more like a stage play than a sitcom and we'll probably never see one like it ever again.

*One interesting note, the same writers from Barney Miller also worked on Night Court in the 80's, and you can often hear the same guy (director/producer) laughing in the background on that show as well.

catlover79 · 07-19-2007, 03:00 PM

It sure went out on top...the ensemble just seemed to get closer and tighter towards the end.

JAlanRuss72 · 07-19-2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

It sure went out on top...the ensemble just seemed to get closer and tighter towards the end.

Definitely. You could tell they truly cared about each other in that final episode (not just the characters-the actors themselves). It was very touching and extremely well done.

Mikado · 07-19-2007, 03:34 PM

Again, I think of this as the most underated sitcom in history...and its sad that no one seems to be playing it on free TV anymore

catlover79 · 07-19-2007, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikado

Again, I think of this as the most underated sitcom in history...and its sad that no one seems to be playing it on free TV anymore

It IS sadly underrated...but hilariously funny!!

catlover79 · 07-19-2007, 07:07 PM

They all seemed to still share that bond in 2005 when Hal Linden, Max Gail, Ron Glass, and Steve Landesburg reunited for a 30th reunion special. It was featured on ET. Here's the article from the ET website (12/9/05):

A fun time was had by all when Barney (HAL LINDEN), Wojo (MAXWELL GAIL), Dietrich (STEVE LANDESBERG) and Harris (RON GLASS) reunited for a 30th anniversary celebration of the now classic "Barney Miller" TV series. The cast of the Emmy® Award-winning show gathered at the Sunset Gower Studios where a special dedication of a commemorative plaque was held at Stage 16, where the show filmed for eight years.

"We're still kicking," Hal tells ET.

"It's [like] yesterday when you see these guys," Steve says.

And Ron adds with a laugh, "When you walk around and see people, It's like, 'Where did all these old people come from?'"

The plaque will hang outside Stage 16, the site if their old squad room, and even though the show has been off the air for 23 years, Hal reveals to ET, it wasn't long ago that he finally watched an entire episode.

"First of all, I didn't remember them 'cause I never saw them put together," he shares. "Once we did it, we figured we had the rest of our lives to watch it and we do."

As the four cast members reminisced about the good old days, they did feel the absence of ABE VIGODA, who played Detective Fish. Abe, who is now 84, is alive and well, but not able to attend the reunion.

For anyone interested in taking a trip down memory lane, season one of the critically acclaimed series is available on DVD.

"I still run into people who tell me how much the character meant to them," Ron says. "It makes me feel like I made a contribution."

For more "Barney Miller" reunion scoop, tune in to tonight's ET.

Scoobiedoo30 · 07-19-2007, 08:12 PM

what happen in the Series Finale

Mikado · 07-19-2007, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agmfox8@yahoo.com

what happen in the Series Finale

To put it briefly, the 12th precinct closed down and everyone was moved to new jobs and promoted

Scoobiedoo30 · 07-19-2007, 08:20 PM

who got new jobs and who got Promoted

Mikado · 07-19-2007, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agmfox8@yahoo.com

who got new jobs and who got Promoted

The whole squadroom, they were all promoted and got new jobs in the police force ( Except, i believe Luger retired..not sure, i havent seen the final since it played originally )

Scoobiedoo30 · 07-19-2007, 09:05 PM

what happen to Cap. Miller

Mikado · 07-19-2007, 09:23 PM

Barney was promoted to deputy inspector

JAlanRuss72 · 07-19-2007, 11:35 PM

Yeah, it was a 3-parter called "Landmark". While Wojo was helping a plumber fix a place in the wall, he discovered an old rifle from the late 1800's tucked away behind the wall. Turns out, the entire building of the 12th precinct was a stationhouse used by Teddy Roosevelt and thus is declared a landmark. A wealthy businessman buys the place and the detectives have 30 days to vacate the premises. Later, Barney discovers that they're ALL being transferred to different precincts around the city and probably won't be seeing each other again. Toward the end, Barney discovers that he's finally made Deputy Inspector and Levitt at long last has become a Detective. A number of the people from the neighborhood (old suspects, crooks, store owners) visit the station to say their goodbyes one last time. Luger comes by with his new Asian bride and encourages everyone to "Come by and visit . . . PLEASE!"-lol. As everyone leaves, Harris comments:

HARRIS: Look, we probably won't be seeing each other again. I mean, cops get transferred everyday, but . . . it was different with us. Something . . . something really special happened here.

Levitt practically breaks down as he salutes Barney, then gives him a friendly hug. After everyone leaves, Barney walks around the station remembering scenes with Chano, a scene with Wentworth, and of course Nick Yemana. He turns off the lights and bids a fond farewell.

A very well done episode.

catlover79 · 07-19-2007, 11:40 PM

^ In the words of Nick Yemana, "Very well put"! They just don't make shows like that anymore. What a shame.

I just wish Gregory Sierra/Chano had stayed the entire run. Chano was one of the most interesting characters and I would've loved to see how he would've grown and evolved. (Plus the fact I found him gorgeous

, but that's an entirely different post,

.)

JAlanRuss72 · 07-19-2007, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

^ In the words of Nick Yemana, "Very well put"! They just don't make shows like that anymore. What a shame.

I just wish Gregory Sierra/Chano had stayed the entire run. Chano was one of the most interesting characters and I would've loved to see how he would've grown and evolved. (Plus the fact I found him gorgeous

, but that's an entirely different post,

.)

I didn't catch the episodes with Chano (first 2 seasons) until later. I liked his character and wish they would have had a farewell episode for him. The episode he was in "Hero" was extremely well acted.

07-19-2007, 02:59 PM	#1
JAlanRuss72 Eternal Member Eternal Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 22, 2006 Location: Cookeville, TN Posts: 488	The Final Season (1981-82) I have been watching episodes of Barney Miller that I have on dvd-r, and was rather surprised how much better the show got in the last season. Season 6-7 was a little slow (not bad, but not quite as entertaining as previous ones), so I was a little surprised how much steam season 8 picked back up with. I enjoyed watching Dietrich and Harris being forced to room with the suspect in pts 1&2 of "Chinatown" (a nice change of pace from the set of the station house). Also the final 3-parter "Landmark" was very touching. It was interesting that Part 1 had NO laugh track, short of the director in the background. It had a very effective atmosphere about it. At the end, when Barney walks around the room and has flashbacks of detectives gone by (Chano, Wentworth, Yemana) at the different desks, it was bittersweet to say the least. This show was more character-driven than comedic, more like a stage play than a sitcom and we'll probably never see one like it ever again. *One interesting note, the same writers from Barney Miller also worked on Night Court in the 80's, and you can often hear the same guy (director/producer) laughing in the background on that show as well.
	__________________ Jeff Russell Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/Jrussell1972

07-19-2007, 03:00 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	It sure went out on top...the ensemble just seemed to get closer and tighter towards the end.
	__________________ "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

07-19-2007, 08:12 PM	#7
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	what happen in the Series Finale
	__________________ Who Dat

07-19-2007, 03:34 PM	#4
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,886	Again, I think of this as the most underated sitcom in history...and its sad that no one seems to be playing it on free TV anymore

07-19-2007, 07:07 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	They all seemed to still share that bond in 2005 when Hal Linden, Max Gail, Ron Glass, and Steve Landesburg reunited for a 30th reunion special. It was featured on ET. Here's the article from the ET website (12/9/05): A fun time was had by all when Barney (HAL LINDEN), Wojo (MAXWELL GAIL), Dietrich (STEVE LANDESBERG) and Harris (RON GLASS) reunited for a 30th anniversary celebration of the now classic "Barney Miller" TV series. The cast of the Emmy® Award-winning show gathered at the Sunset Gower Studios where a special dedication of a commemorative plaque was held at Stage 16, where the show filmed for eight years. "We're still kicking," Hal tells ET. "It's [like] yesterday when you see these guys," Steve says. And Ron adds with a laugh, "When you walk around and see people, It's like, 'Where did all these old people come from?'" The plaque will hang outside Stage 16, the site if their old squad room, and even though the show has been off the air for 23 years, Hal reveals to ET, it wasn't long ago that he finally watched an entire episode. "First of all, I didn't remember them 'cause I never saw them put together," he shares. "Once we did it, we figured we had the rest of our lives to watch it and we do." As the four cast members reminisced about the good old days, they did feel the absence of ABE VIGODA, who played Detective Fish. Abe, who is now 84, is alive and well, but not able to attend the reunion. For anyone interested in taking a trip down memory lane, season one of the critically acclaimed series is available on DVD. "I still run into people who tell me how much the character meant to them," Ron says. "It makes me feel like I made a contribution." For more "Barney Miller" reunion scoop, tune in to tonight's ET.

07-19-2007, 08:20 PM	#9
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	who got new jobs and who got Promoted

07-19-2007, 09:05 PM	#11
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	what happen to Cap. Miller

07-19-2007, 09:23 PM	#12
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,886	Barney was promoted to deputy inspector

07-19-2007, 11:35 PM	#13
JAlanRuss72 Eternal Member Eternal Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 22, 2006 Location: Cookeville, TN Posts: 488	Yeah, it was a 3-parter called "Landmark". While Wojo was helping a plumber fix a place in the wall, he discovered an old rifle from the late 1800's tucked away behind the wall. Turns out, the entire building of the 12th precinct was a stationhouse used by Teddy Roosevelt and thus is declared a landmark. A wealthy businessman buys the place and the detectives have 30 days to vacate the premises. Later, Barney discovers that they're ALL being transferred to different precincts around the city and probably won't be seeing each other again. Toward the end, Barney discovers that he's finally made Deputy Inspector and Levitt at long last has become a Detective. A number of the people from the neighborhood (old suspects, crooks, store owners) visit the station to say their goodbyes one last time. Luger comes by with his new Asian bride and encourages everyone to "Come by and visit . . . PLEASE!"-lol. As everyone leaves, Harris comments: HARRIS: Look, we probably won't be seeing each other again. I mean, cops get transferred everyday, but . . . it was different with us. Something . . . something really special happened here. Levitt practically breaks down as he salutes Barney, then gives him a friendly hug. After everyone leaves, Barney walks around the station remembering scenes with Chano, a scene with Wentworth, and of course Nick Yemana. He turns off the lights and bids a fond farewell. A very well done episode.

07-19-2007, 11:40 PM	#14
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	^ In the words of Nick Yemana, "Very well put"! They just don't make shows like that anymore. What a shame. I just wish Gregory Sierra/Chano had stayed the entire run. Chano was one of the most interesting characters and I would've loved to see how he would've grown and evolved. (Plus the fact I found him gorgeous , but that's an entirely different post, .)