Do You Think 'Barney Miller' Is An Underappreciated Sitcom??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 12-03-2010, 02:19 PM

Yes, it was a hit back in the 70's, but when fans of classic sitcoms list there favorite sitcoms, Barney Miller usually isn't at the top of anybody's list. Is it underappreciated at all? Opinions?

OH Nuts! · 12-03-2010, 03:48 PM

I love the show yet it seemed to take FOREVER for the seasons after #1 to roll out on DVD. Am surprised others don't list it but different strokes for different folks.

Some of the characters on the show were a hoot -- like Fish with his constant trips to the bathroom and dry wit, Dietrich the cool as a cucumber know-it-all, Harris the fashionista whose superior air gives all the impression this stinc at the precinct is a brief detour to something better, Levitt the WANNA-BE detective, sleezebag Scanlon, nudnick Luger - and I haven't even gotten to Nick with his wretched coffee and racing forms. I could go on.... (Wojo etc.)

YES-the show was unappreciated by many - their loss!

biffbronson · 12-03-2010, 05:45 PM

When I was watching the original run of the series as a teenager, I wasn't even aware that guys like James Gregory and Jack Soo were well-known actors with impressive past bodies of work. Seeing guys like that all rolled into one sitcom makes me appreciate the series more now than I did in the past, when I was just amused by the work they were doing. I think the show qualifies as underappreciated today -- how many other great police comedies were done as enduring TV series...?

Dr. Thong · 12-03-2010, 07:53 PM

Aside from fanatics like us, BM does seem to have gone forgotten by the general public. You'd think with a zillion channels on cable & satellite, there'd be a place for old shows like BM and others, but instead we get the same old shows rerun over and over, not to mention idiotic "reality" shows.

Too bad, as I think BM is a timeless show and would hold up even in today's marketplace.

Marvo301 · 12-03-2010, 08:14 PM

A local station in my area (KVOS Bellingham, Washington) added BM to its line-up this fall and as a result I have rediscovered this show. Dr. Thong is right. These episodes are timeless and hold up very well. It's a shame more people don't appreciate well written and brilliantly performed comedy like this.

catlover79 · 12-04-2010, 02:40 PM

You even had to ask??????

Retro4Life · 12-04-2010, 02:50 PM

I think when people think "sitcoms", sadly, they think of families and kids. No problem with thinking that but people should expand their definitions a bit.

BM was an adult sitcom by, for and about adults. Specifically, a group of men (and some women) in a workplace environment. It wasn't 'cute' or 'cuddly' but it was very endearing, very real and ultimately, very touching.

It is definitely an overlooked gem.

Theda Bara · 12-04-2010, 04:26 PM

I think Barney Miller is both unappreciated and under rated. The show had an amazing cast of excellent actors, and was also, very well written. Too bad, that there are a lot of people, who, are unaware this sitcom even exists.

catlover79 · 12-06-2010, 02:39 AM

Tara, you hit it right on the head. Thankfully, I was able to introduce several young friends to the show via the DVDs and they all loved it!!!!

12-03-2010, 02:19 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	Do You Think 'Barney Miller' Is An Underappreciated Sitcom??? Yes, it was a hit back in the 70's, but when fans of classic sitcoms list there favorite sitcoms, Barney Miller usually isn't at the top of anybody's list. Is it underappreciated at all? Opinions?
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12-03-2010, 05:45 PM	#3
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,505	When I was watching the original run of the series as a teenager, I wasn't even aware that guys like James Gregory and Jack Soo were well-known actors with impressive past bodies of work. Seeing guys like that all rolled into one sitcom makes me appreciate the series more now than I did in the past, when I was just amused by the work they were doing. I think the show qualifies as underappreciated today -- how many other great police comedies were done as enduring TV series...?
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12-03-2010, 07:53 PM	#4
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Aside from fanatics like us, BM does seem to have gone forgotten by the general public. You'd think with a zillion channels on cable & satellite, there'd be a place for old shows like BM and others, but instead we get the same old shows rerun over and over, not to mention idiotic "reality" shows. Too bad, as I think BM is a timeless show and would hold up even in today's marketplace.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

12-03-2010, 08:14 PM	#5
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	A local station in my area (KVOS Bellingham, Washington) added BM to its line-up this fall and as a result I have rediscovered this show. Dr. Thong is right. These episodes are timeless and hold up very well. It's a shame more people don't appreciate well written and brilliantly performed comedy like this.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

12-04-2010, 02:40 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	You even had to ask??????
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12-03-2010, 03:48 PM	#2
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	I love the show yet it seemed to take FOREVER for the seasons after #1 to roll out on DVD. Am surprised others don't list it but different strokes for different folks. Some of the characters on the show were a hoot -- like Fish with his constant trips to the bathroom and dry wit, Dietrich the cool as a cucumber know-it-all, Harris the fashionista whose superior air gives all the impression this stinc at the precinct is a brief detour to something better, Levitt the WANNA-BE detective, sleezebag Scanlon, nudnick Luger - and I haven't even gotten to Nick with his wretched coffee and racing forms. I could go on.... (Wojo etc.) YES-the show was unappreciated by many - *their loss!*

12-04-2010, 02:50 PM	#7
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I think when people think "sitcoms", sadly, they think of families and kids. No problem with thinking that but people should expand their definitions a bit. BM was an adult sitcom by, for and about adults. Specifically, a group of men (and some women) in a workplace environment. It wasn't 'cute' or 'cuddly' but it was very endearing, very real and ultimately, very touching. It is definitely an overlooked gem.
	__________________ 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." Last edited by Retro4Life; 12-04-2010 at 06:57 PM.

12-04-2010, 04:26 PM	#8
Theda Bara Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 27, 2006 Posts: 7,154	I think Barney Miller is both unappreciated and under rated. The show had an amazing cast of excellent actors, and was also, very well written. Too bad, that there are a lot of people, who, are unaware this sitcom even exists.

12-06-2010, 02:39 AM	#9
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Tara, you hit it right on the head. Thankfully, I was able to introduce several young friends to the show via the DVDs and they all loved it!!!!