"Barney Miller" (1975)TV series 1975-1982

Creators:

Danny Arnold
Theodore J. Flicker
Chris Hayward
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Release Date:

23 January 1975 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

The captain of a city police station and his staff handle the various local troubles and characters that come to the building.

Plot Keywords:

Character Driven | Novel Writing | Suspect | Wacky Gueststars | Oriental Philosophy

Awards:

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 5 wins & 36 nominations

Cast

Hal Linden	...	Capt. Barney Miller (171 episodes, 1974-1982)
Max Gail	...	Det. Stan 'Wojo' Wojciehowicz / ... (170 episodes, 1975-1982)
Ron Glass	...	Det. Ron Harris (162 episodes, 1975-1982)
Steve Landesberg	...	Det. Sgt. Arthur Dietrich / ... (133 episodes, 1975-1982)
Ron Carey	...	Officer Carl Levitt / ... (130 episodes, 1976-1982)
Jack Soo	...	Det. Sgt. Nick Yemana / ... (97 episodes, 1975-1979)

(more)

Series Directed by
Noam Pitlik		(82 episodes, 1975-1981)
Danny Arnold		(11 episodes, 1975-1982)
Lee Bernhardi		(7 episodes, 1975-1977)
Bruce Bilson		(7 episodes, 1976-1981)
Alex March		(4 episodes, 1977-1978)
Max Gail		(4 episodes, 1978-1982)
Gennaro Montanino		(4 episodes, 1981-1982)
Hal Linden		(3 episodes, 1977-1982)
Jeremiah Morris		(3 episodes, 1977)
John Rich		(2 episodes, 1975)
David Swift		(2 episodes, 1977)
Lee Lochhead		(2 episodes, 1981-1982)
Alan Bergmann		(2 episodes, 1982)
Tony Sheehan		(2 episodes, 1982)

Series Writing credits
Tony Sheehan		(54 episodes, 1975-1982)
Danny Arnold		(50 episodes, 1974-1980)
Theodore J. Flicker		(37 episodes, 1974-1980)
Frank Dungan		(37 episodes, 1979-1982)
Jeff Stein		(37 episodes, 1979-1982)
Chris Hayward		(30 episodes, 1975-1978)
Reinhold Weege		(28 episodes, 1976-1979)
Tom Reeder		(13 episodes, 1975-1981)
Arne Sultan		(9 episodes, 1975-1976)
Dennis Koenig		(7 episodes, 1977-1979)
Nat Mauldin		(7 episodes, 1981-1982)
Jordan Moffet		(7 episodes, 1981-1982)
Wally Dalton		(6 episodes, 1978-1979)
Larry Balmagia		(5 episodes, 1977-1978)
Shelley Zellman		(5 episodes, 1978-1979)
Lee H. Grant		(3 episodes, 1977-1982)
Roland Kibbee		(3 episodes, 1977-1981)
Bob Colleary		(3 episodes, 1978-1979)
Sandy Krinski		(2 episodes, 1975)
Douglas Wyman		(2 episodes, 1977-1978)
Michael Russnow		(2 episodes, 1977)
Richard W. Beban		(2 episodes, 1978-1980)
Judith Anne Nielsen		(2 episodes, 1978-1980)
Carol Gary		(2 episodes, 1978)
Rich Reinhart		(2 episodes, 1979-1980)
Jim Tisdale		(2 episodes, 1979-1980)
Jaie Brashar		(2 episodes, 1979)
Calvin Kelly		(2 episodes, 1979)
Simon Muntner		(unknown episodes)
Andy Ruben		(unknown episodes)
Shelly Zellman		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Danny Arnold	....	executive producer / producer (37 episodes, 1974-1980)
Chris Hayward	....	producer (35 episodes, 1975-1976)
Gary Shaw	....	associate producer / co-producer (22 episodes, 1975-1980)
Arne Sultan	....	producer (8 episodes, 1975)
Tim Steele	....	associate producer (3 episodes, 1975)
Mark Goode	....	associate producer / producer (2 episodes, 1975)
Noam Pitlik	....	producer (2 episodes, 1980)
Tony Sheehan	....	producer (2 episodes, 1980)
Reinhold Weege	....	co-producer (unknown episodes, 1978-1979)
Frank Dungan	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Roland Kibbee	....	executive producer / producer (unknown episodes)
Jeff Stein	....	producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Jack Elliott		(36 episodes, 1975-1980)
Allyn Ferguson		(36 episodes, 1975-1980)

Series Cinematography by
Bud Hendricks		(9 episodes, 1975)
Larry Brotzeler		(2 episodes, 1975)
Mike Stitch		(2 episodes, 1975)
Steve Schein		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Fred Golan		(22 episodes, 1975-1976)
Paul Schatzkin		(18 episodes, 1975-1976)
Hal Collins		(2 episodes, 1975)
Ken Zemke		(2 episodes, 1975)
Terry M. Pickford		(unknown episodes)
Homer Powell		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Beth Uffner		(28 episodes, 1975-1976)
Lori Openden		(5 episodes, 1976)
Ramsey King		(2 episodes, 1975)
Jerold Franks		(unknown episodes, 1977)
Cody Ewell		(unknown episodes)
Harriet B. Helberg		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Direction by
John C. Mula		(32 episodes, 1975-1976)
Ken Reid		(2 episodes, 1975)

Series Set Decoration by
Edward J. McDonald		(2 episodes, 1975)

Series Costume Design by
Al Lehman		(33 episodes, 1975-1976)

Series Makeup Department
Joe Blasco	....	makeup artist (32 episodes, 1975-1976)
Jerry Cash	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1975)
Bud Keats	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1975)
Holly Bane	....	key makeup artist / makeup artist / ... (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Jordan P. Davis	....	executive in charge of production / production manager (31 episodes, 1975-1980)
Ed Rossi	....	unit manager (22 episodes, 1975-1976)
Don Richetta	....	post-production supervisor (17 episodes, 1975-1976)
Gary Shaw	....	unit manager (10 episodes, 1975)
Bud Molin	....	post-production exeuctive / post-production manager (7 episodes, 1975)
Jordon P. Davis	....	executive in charge of production (5 episodes, 1975)
Willie Geiger	....	unit manager (2 episodes, 1975)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Don Corvan	....	associate director (2 episodes, 1976)

Series Art Department
David Tait	....	props / property master / ... (33 episodes, 1975-1976)
Edward J. McDonald	....	assistant art director (11 episodes, 1975)
R.A. Smith	....	property master (2 episodes, 1975)

Series Sound Department
Art DuPont	....	sound (26 episodes, 1975-1976)
Ron Cronkhite	....	sound (7 episodes, 1975-1976)
Jim Carr	....	sound (3 episodes, 1975)
John Speak	....	sound mixer (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
George Spiro Dibie	....	lighting consultant (35 episodes, 1975-1976)
Grant Velie	....	lighting director / lighting technician (30 episodes, 1975-1976)
Ron Brooks	....	camera operator (20 episodes, 1975-1976)
Chester Jackson	....	camera operator (19 episodes, 1975-1976)
Jim Balden	....	camera operator (16 episodes, 1975-1976)
Warren Cress	....	camera operator (10 episodes, 1975-1976)
Bud Holland	....	camera operator (9 episodes, 1975-1976)
Noel Newman	....	camera operator (6 episodes, 1976)
Jim Angel	....	camera operator (4 episodes, 1975)
Jack Denton	....	lighting director (3 episodes, 1975)
Ed Payne	....	camera operator (2 episodes, 1975)

Series Editorial Department
Ken Giorgi	....	post-production coordinator (13 episodes, 1975)
John F. Schreyer	....	supervising editor (13 episodes, 1975)
Homer Powell	....	supervising editor (9 episodes, 1975-1976)
Bud Molin	....	post-production executive (3 episodes, 1975)
Ken Zemke	....	editorial supervisor / supervising editor (2 episodes, 1975)

Series Other crew
Susan Beavers	....	production assistant (35 episodes, 1975-1976)
Darrell Gentry	....	studio supervisor (32 episodes, 1975-1976)
Don Corvan	....	associate director / stage manager (28 episodes, 1975-1976)
Bud Untiedt	....	engineering supervisor (26 episodes, 1975-1976)
Shirley Albertini	....	associate to producer (22 episodes, 1975-1976)
James Woodworth	....	stage manager (22 episodes, 1975-1976)
Noble Moore	....	technical director (18 episodes, 1975-1976)
Gary Shaw	....	stage manager (18 episodes, 1975-1976)
Lori Openden	....	production assistant (17 episodes, 1975-1976)
Keith Winikoff	....	video (17 episodes, 1975-1976)
Ernie Buttelman	....	technical director (15 episodes, 1975)
Frank Dandridge	....	associate to producer (13 episodes, 1975)
Shirley Stein	....	production assistant (11 episodes, 1975)
Lee Bernhardi	....	associate director (8 episodes, 1975)
Jerry Blumenthal	....	stage manager (6 episodes, 1975-1976)
Terry Finkel	....	associate to producer (6 episodes, 1975)
Ed Duzik	....	stage manager (5 episodes, 1975-1976)
Bob Gabrielson	....	engineering supervisor (4 episodes, 1976)
Sam Potter	....	video (4 episodes, 1976)
Franklin Melton	....	associate director (3 episodes, 1975)
Tim Steele	....	production consultant (3 episodes, 1975)
Dick Amos	....	stage manager (2 episodes, 1975)
Lee Berbhardi	....	associate director (2 episodes, 1975)
Gus Dato	....	engineering supervisor (2 episodes, 1975)
Lee Fairchild	....	stage manager (2 episodes, 1975)
Selig Frank	....	stage manager (2 episodes, 1975)
Lee Lochhead	....	associate to producer (2 episodes, 1975)
John Westbrook	....	technical director (2 episodes, 1975)
Jeffrey Melman	....	associate director / stage manager (unknown episodes, 1976-1977)
Gene Lukowski	....	technical director (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Four D Productions

Distributors

• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1975-1982) (USA) (TV)
• Columbia Pictures Television
• Columbia TriStar Domestic Television (2001)
• Columbia TriStar Television
• Sony Pictures Television (2002-)

Other Companies

• ABC Television Center  taping location

Also Known As:

The Life and Times of Captain Barney Miller (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

30 min (170 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

ABC Television Center - 4151 Prospect Avenue, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Four D Productions

Trivia:

The original pilot was titled _Life and Times of Captain Barney Miller, The (1974) (TV)_ , but it was rejected by ABC. It aired as a special on 22 August 1974. ABC was negotiating a deal with director John Rich at the time, due to his success with "All in the Family" (1971). Rich had seen the pilot and was interested in working on the show. He insisted that ABC give it another chance as part of his deal, so the show was immediately picked up for a 13-episode commitment. However, due to disagreements with producer/writer 'Danny Arnold (I)' , Rich left the show after two episodes to work on other projects for ABC.

Quotes:

Det. Sgt. Chano Amenguale: [walks tiredly into the Squad Room] Good morning.
Barney Miller: [looks at watch] You're late.
Det. Sgt. Chano Amenguale: I interviewed a *lot* of women last night that got dirty phone calls. I had to take down *all* of the conversations. I got names. I got addresses. I also got excited.
[indicates notepads]
Det. Sgt. Chano Amenguale: Do you want me to type up these reports?
Barney Miller: Maybe you'd better let Fish do it.
Det. Sgt. Chano Amenguale: Good.You know, these guys that make dirty phone calls gotta be very lonely people. They spend so much time talking on the telephone they never get to meet anybody.
Barney Miller: I wish he'd start writing dirty letters. Then the Post Office could worry about it.

Movie Connections:

Featured in TV's Illest Minority Moments Presented by Ego Trip (2004) (TV)

One of the Great Comedies

Barney Miller is considered to be one of the first multiethnic work place comedies. The show is a well-written funny, thoughtful and excellent TV Show without a doubt. This was the precursor to Night Court and many others. The show started out about the personal and professional life of New York's 12th precinct captain Barney Miller. At home he had a wife and children who were changing much faster than he was ready for.

But the focus of the show eventually became solely the precinct and the people that worked for him. At first there were Wojiehowicz who was Polish and relatively conservative, not to mention a former marine. Then there was Yemana, a man of Japanese descent who was very quiet. Then there was Harris, a stylish African-American who could be considered arrogant, but in reality was a nice guy. Chano was Hispanic but departed from the show quickly, but the star of the show was the over the Hill and very tired Detective Phil Fish.

Earlier on the show had a hard time finding its identity. It did not know what kind of show it wanted to be. Sometimes the shows were character driven sometimes they were slapstick. Also in the early episode there was a real audience instead of the soundtrack they had for the majority of the episodes.

What I liked about the show is that it was down to earth. In my very humble estimation this seemed to be a relatively accurate depiction of cops in New York City dealing with a bunch of wierdos on a daily basis. And there were all kinds of people from a professor angry at a subway advertisement to a man that was possessed by a demon.

The show lost some of its best characters but gained some of it's best as well. Abe Vigoda, who left the show in 1977, left the show without Fish. Perhaps the shows biggest tragedy came with the death of Jack Soo who played Yemana. Soo was actually interred in a Japanese detainment camp during World War Two. Yemana was the last scene-stealer on the show and it became a different show without the sarcasm of Yemana.

Later editions to the cast included the Staff Sergeant Leavitt, who was constantly trying to impress Captain Miller, and the philosophical Dietrich, who was very sarcastic. Dietrich was a great addition to the show and saved it from being cancelled in my estimation. The downside of the show was there was never a replacement for Jack Soo. This left a void in the show that never was filled.

As the show went on the show went from President Ford to Reagan. In the early days the show seemed to just make fun of society but as society seemed to get worse under Reagan the show took on a less sardonic tone. But at this point the show was actually very good and was quite different from the show it was seven years earlier.

In it's last season Barney Miller finally won an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy series. This was a great show that rarely had a bad episode. Other than the infamous brownie episode all of the shows really are the same. They are similar but great. The show is on TV Land at obscure times, but if you can find it, Barney Miller is well worth watching.