Ron Harris of Barney Miller - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

cydney · 07-26-2003, 12:15 AM

I hate to have to say this but... WHY???? is Det. Ron Harris of Barney Miller described as the "ambitious black"? I was SO not expecting to see "black" after ambitious. I thought for sure it was going to say writer. Someone's prejudice is definitely showing.

Janice · 07-26-2003, 08:50 AM

Where did you read that?

egregiousgirl · 07-30-2003, 02:14 PM

I'm reading a book called Prime Time Blues: African Americans on Network Television. There's not too much about Det. Harris, but here it is:

With the help of some clever scripts, actor Ron Glass went against the grain of ethnic typing as the Black detective Ron Harris in the cop comedy Barney Miller. Glass created an ambitious, bright character that was the antithesis of what viewers had been conditioned to expect from Black males; something of a Black WASP, as the critic for Saturday Review commented, adding that actor Glass "displays the slyest wit on commercial television."

Janice · 08-02-2003, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by egregiousgirl
I'm reading a book called Prime Time Blues: African Americans on Network Television. There's not too much about Det. Harris, but here it is:

With the help of some clever scripts, actor Ron Glass went against the grain of ethnic typing as the Black detective Ron Harris in the cop comedy Barney Miller. Glass created an ambitious, bright character that was the antithesis of what viewers had been conditioned to expect from Black males; something of a Black WASP, as the critic for Saturday Review commented, adding that actor Glass "displays the slyest wit on commercial television."

Sounds like a great compliment to me.

Lady T · 08-02-2003, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by egregiousgirl
I'm reading a book called Prime Time Blues: African Americans on Network Television. There's not too much about Det. Harris, but here it is:

With the help of some clever scripts, actor Ron Glass went against the grain of ethnic typing as the Black detective Ron Harris in the cop comedy Barney Miller. Glass created an ambitious, bright character that was the antithesis of what viewers had been conditioned to expect from Black males; something of a Black WASP, as the critic for Saturday Review commented, adding that actor Glass "displays the slyest wit on commercial television."

"something of a black WASP" I love it, that is so true

Crimson and Clover · 08-02-2003, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Janice
Sounds like a great compliment to me.

maclen · 08-03-2003, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Janice
Where did you read that?

That quote was in the TV Land Barney Miller page, either on Harris' bio, or show description. I remember it well, however, it has since been removed.

Nice to see you again Janice!

maclen

Janice · 08-06-2003, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by maclen
Nice to see you again Janice!

Nice to see you too Maclen.

I haven't been watching Barney Miller lately, but I'll start checking in here regularly. It's a nice group of folks here.

07-26-2003, 12:15 AM	#1
cydney Member First Time Poster Join Date: Jul 26, 2003 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 1	Ron Harris of Barney Miller I hate to have to say this but... WHY???? is Det. Ron Harris of Barney Miller described as the "ambitious black"? I was SO not expecting to see "black" after ambitious. I thought for sure it was going to say writer. Someone's prejudice is definitely showing.

07-26-2003, 08:50 AM	#2
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Where did you read that?

07-30-2003, 02:14 PM	#3
egregiousgirl Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 29, 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 84	I'm reading a book called Prime Time Blues: African Americans on Network Television. There's not too much about Det. Harris, but here it is: With the help of some clever scripts, actor Ron Glass went against the grain of ethnic typing as the Black detective Ron Harris in the cop comedy Barney Miller. Glass created an ambitious, bright character that was the antithesis of what viewers had been conditioned to expect from Black males; something of a Black WASP, as the critic for Saturday Review commented, adding that actor Glass "displays the slyest wit on commercial television."