Did Jack Soo's Death Hurt or Actually Helped 'Barney Miller?' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 11-26-2010, 08:31 PM

Don't miss understand what I am saying. I think Jack Soo was great on Barney Miller.I am just curious if his passing led to other characters to grow and develop OR did the show lack something for the rest of its run?

catlover79 · 11-27-2010, 12:50 PM

He was sorely missed, but I think having the retrospective episode in his honor helped the cast/crew (as well as the audience) move on. There were many more interesting episodes until the show ended in 1982, and you still had the core of Linden/Gail/Glass/Landesberg/Carey, with the occasional appearance by James Gregory (Luger) and George Murdock (Scanlon). People retire (Fish), move away (Chano, Wentworth), etc. So the death of Mr. Soo didn't hurt the show as much as it could've. Am I making any sense?

Marvo301 · 11-27-2010, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

He was sorely missed, but I think having the retrospective episode in his honor helped the cast/crew (as well as the audience) move on. There were many more interesting episodes until the show ended in 1982, and you still had the core of Linden/Gail/Glass/Landesberg/Carey, with the occasional appearance by James Gregory (Luger) and George Murdock (Scanlon). People retire (Fish), move away (Chano, Wentworth), etc. So the death of Mr. Soo didn't hurt the show as much as it could've. Am I making any sense?

You make a lot of sense. This is a sitcom set in a workplace. And in any workplace there is a certain amount of staff turnover. And the 12th precinct was no different. In a sense having some staff leave made the show more realistic. Those that left were missed but the remaining members of the 12th had to deal with the departures and get on with doing their jobs and in so doing they set the example for the audience to also move forward.

Retro4Life · 11-27-2010, 06:20 PM

I think the show could have been just as good if Soo had remained. It would have been cool to see him working alongside Dietrich more than he was able to.

I agree with what Monika and Marv said, but I also feel it's not an "either/or" situation. The show made the most out of Soo's absence, but it could have been equally good with him. (And I don't think anything that anyone else said contradicts this, btw).

catlover79 · 11-27-2010, 09:13 PM

As Nick Yemana himself would say, "Very well put."

Mr. Television · 11-27-2010, 10:10 PM

Yea Jack Soo was great on BM but I'm sure the other characters would have been able to shine whether he was there or not. BM was really an ensemble show which is why it was able to survive all the characters that left.

catlover79 · 11-28-2010, 01:54 AM

I agree with that, Sonny - with one exception. The only cast member who couldn't be replaced would be Hal Linden. After all, the name of the show was Barney Miller!!!

11-26-2010, 08:31 PM	#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	Did Jack Soo's Death Hurt or Actually Helped 'Barney Miller?' Don't miss understand what I am saying. I think Jack Soo was great on Barney Miller.I am just curious if his passing led to other characters to grow and develop OR did the show lack something for the rest of its run?
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11-27-2010, 12:50 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	He was sorely missed, but I think having the retrospective episode in his honor helped the cast/crew (as well as the audience) move on. There were many more interesting episodes until the show ended in 1982, and you still had the core of Linden/Gail/Glass/Landesberg/Carey, with the occasional appearance by James Gregory (Luger) and George Murdock (Scanlon). People retire (Fish), move away (Chano, Wentworth), etc. So the death of Mr. Soo didn't hurt the show as much as it could've. Am I making any sense?
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11-27-2010, 06:20 PM	#4
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I think the show could have been just as good if Soo had remained. It would have been cool to see him working alongside Dietrich more than he was able to. I agree with what Monika and Marv said, but I also feel it's not an "either/or" situation. The show made the most out of Soo's absence, but it could have been equally good with him. (And I don't think anything that anyone else said contradicts this, btw).
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11-27-2010, 10:10 PM	#6
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Yea Jack Soo was great on BM but I'm sure the other characters would have been able to shine whether he was there or not. BM was really an ensemble show which is why it was able to survive all the characters that left.
	__________________ Sonny

11-27-2010, 09:13 PM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	As Nick Yemana himself would say, "Very well put."

11-28-2010, 01:54 AM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I agree with that, Sonny - with one exception. The only cast member who couldn't be replaced would be Hal Linden. After all, the name of the show was Barney Miller!!!