What Made 'Barney Miller' A Successful Comedy? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 10-28-2011, 09:25 PM

Producer David A. Goodman said this about Cop Sitcoms...

I made a pilot for Fox called Murder Police. It’s an animated cop show that’s a comedy. The thinking behind it is that people have tried to do cop comedies for years and they almost always fail. Part of the reason is that unless it's spoof-like, it’s very difficult to be funny if there’s a dead body on the floor. But you can do that in animation. A dead body can be funny in animation. So my thought was let’s treat the cop stuff less seriously -- there will be a mystery or procedural but they’re animated characters.

With that said, what made 'Barney Miller' so successful then???

Sterling Holobyte · 10-28-2011, 09:38 PM

I think ensemble shows with well-developed characters are always more successful. You get to know those different characters and all their little eccentricities.

catlover79 · 10-28-2011, 10:55 PM

Great writing, great acting, great humor...and Gregory Sierra.

Brian Damage · 10-28-2011, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

...and Gregory Sierra.

LOL How did I know you were going to say that?!

Retro4Life · 10-28-2011, 11:36 PM

The writing, of course...wry, witty and literate, never talked down to the audience.

The reality of the show...I've read that cops say this is the most realistic portrayal of police work on tv. The day to day grind, the paperwork, etc.

Characters that were original and sympathetic, if not always lovable or huggable.

A kind of resigned but ultimately hopeful tone that said "Look, most of the world is screwed up but some of us are doing the best we can to make it just a little bit better."

catlover79 · 11-01-2011, 06:36 PM

Plus, so much of the show is timeless. At the time the series was set - there was a recession, major unemployment, budget cuts, layoffs, etc. The more things change the more they stay the same!!!

Retro4Life · 11-01-2011, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Plus, so much of the show is timeless. At the time the series was set - there was a recession, major unemployment, budget cuts, layoffs, etc. The more things change the more they stay the same!!!

You got that right!

catlover79 · 11-01-2011, 07:47 PM

Sad but true, in this case!!

10-28-2011, 09:25 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	What Made 'Barney Miller' A Successful Comedy? Producer David A. Goodman said this about Cop Sitcoms... I made a pilot for Fox called Murder Police. It’s an animated cop show that’s a comedy. The thinking behind it is that people have tried to do cop comedies for years and they almost always fail. Part of the reason is that unless it's spoof-like, it’s very difficult to be funny if there’s a dead body on the floor. But you can do that in animation. A dead body can be funny in animation. So my thought was let’s treat the cop stuff less seriously -- there will be a mystery or procedural but they’re animated characters. With that said, what made 'Barney Miller' so successful then???
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

10-28-2011, 09:38 PM	#2
Sterling Holobyte Harper House Senior Member Join Date: Nov 07, 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,896	I think ensemble shows with well-developed characters are always more successful. You get to know those different characters and all their little eccentricities.
	__________________ "Let it go. Forget about it. Try smiling." -Michael Harris WPIV studio producer/shoe salesman/grocery store employee/Ex-sanitarium patient/Stephanie's boyfriend-then husband --------------------------------------------------- My 2nd First Blog:http://saturdaymorningfunnies.wordpress.com/

10-28-2011, 10:55 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Great writing, great acting, great humor...and Gregory Sierra.
	__________________ "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

10-28-2011, 11:36 PM	#5
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	The writing, of course...wry, witty and literate, never talked down to the audience. The reality of the show...I've read that cops say this is the most realistic portrayal of police work on tv. The day to day grind, the paperwork, etc. Characters that were original and sympathetic, if not always lovable or huggable. A kind of resigned but ultimately hopeful tone that said "Look, most of the world is screwed up but some of us are doing the best we can to make it just a little bit better."
	__________________ 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."

11-01-2011, 06:36 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Plus, so much of the show is timeless. At the time the series was set - there was a recession, major unemployment, budget cuts, layoffs, etc. The more things change the more they stay the same!!!

11-01-2011, 07:47 PM	#8
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Sad but true, in this case!!