Was 'Barney Miller' Racially "One Dimensional?" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 08-19-2010, 01:09 AM

Barney Miller ran for eight seasons on ABC. The officers (mostly detectives) included a Polish cop who was legendarily dumb, Wojo (Max Gail), a snazzy black cop, Harris (Ron Glass), a gambling Japanese cop, Yemana (Jack Soo), and Puerto Rican Chano (Gregory Sierra). Later characters who were added, as other characters left or died, were gung ho Inspector Luger (James Gregory), Napoleon complected short cop Levitt (Ron Carey), and Jewish intellectual Dietrich (Steve Landesberg).

catlover79 · 08-19-2010, 01:15 AM

I don't think it was. Luger was actually with the show from the beginning, but his role expanded somewhat as the years went by.

studd911 · 08-27-2010, 12:36 AM

Does anybody know how old is fish bone Aka Abe Vigoda

catlover79 · 08-27-2010, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by studd911

Does anybody know how old is fish bone Aka Abe Vigoda

He turned 89 in February.

Marvo301 · 08-27-2010, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

He turned 89 in February.

And like a fine wine he only gets better with age!

catlover79 · 08-27-2010, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

And like a fine wine he only gets better with age!

Much like Betty White.

Marvo301 · 08-27-2010, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Much like Betty White.

Which gives me an idea. I'd love to see Abe guest star on Hot in Cleveland!

catlover79 · 08-27-2010, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Which gives me an idea. I'd love to see Abe guest star on Hot in Cleveland!

That would be awesome - playing Betty's love interest, maybe?

sara · 08-31-2010, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Barney Miller ran for eight seasons on ABC. The officers (mostly detectives) included a Polish cop who was legendarily dumb, Wojo (Max Gail), a snazzy black cop, Harris (Ron Glass), a gambling Japanese cop, Yemana (Jack Soo), and Puerto Rican Chano (Gregory Sierra). Later characters who were added, as other characters left or died, were gung ho Inspector Luger (James Gregory), Napoleon complected short cop Levitt (Ron Carey), and Jewish intellectual Dietrich (Steve Landesberg).

I disagree with a lot of that. First off Harris, when I think of the stereotypical "snazzy black" on TV in the 70's I think of someone like Huggy Bear. Definitely not someone like Harris, he was intelligent and certainly the most sophisticated of the group. As for Wojo, he might have started the series slightly oafish, but he ended up being very sensitive and insightful. Even if Wojo might not have had Dietrich vast knowledge, Dietrich himself pointed out it wasn't due to a lack of intellegent just that he had more schooling. Now onto Dietrich being the Jewish intellectual. While I know that Barney was Jewish and I think Fish also, I don't think the show ever protrayed Dietrich as being Jewish. If anything his admission that he briefly considered studing for the priesthood would make it seem that he was not Jewish but Catholic at least until he became an agnostic.

catlover79 · 08-31-2010, 11:28 AM

Beautifully put, Sara!! I agree 100%.

Retro4Life · 08-31-2010, 08:33 PM

Yes, sara, those are wonderful insights. Great post!

08-19-2010, 01:09 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Was 'Barney Miller' Racially "One Dimensional?" Barney Miller ran for eight seasons on ABC. The officers (mostly detectives) included a Polish cop who was legendarily dumb, Wojo (Max Gail), a snazzy black cop, Harris (Ron Glass), a gambling Japanese cop, Yemana (Jack Soo), and Puerto Rican Chano (Gregory Sierra). Later characters who were added, as other characters left or died, were gung ho Inspector Luger (James Gregory), Napoleon complected short cop Levitt (Ron Carey), and Jewish intellectual Dietrich (Steve Landesberg).
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

08-19-2010, 01:15 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I don't think it was. Luger was actually with the show from the beginning, but his role expanded somewhat as the years went by.
	__________________ "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

08-27-2010, 12:36 AM	#3
studd911 Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 21, 2004 Posts: 1,285	Does anybody know how old is fish bone Aka Abe Vigoda Does anybody know how old is fish bone Aka Abe Vigoda

08-31-2010, 08:33 PM	#11
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Yes, sara, those are wonderful insights. Great post!
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

08-31-2010, 11:28 AM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Beautifully put, Sara!! I agree 100%.