RIP Sgt Fish
Many old timers will tell you that "Barney Miller" was the closest Hollywood ever got to portraying a police department. Coming from a number of police families, we tend to agree.
Open post to discuss and compare Barney Miller to any other shows. Keesing Bandit will probably vote for "Cop Rock."
Open post to discuss and compare Barney Miller to any other shows. Keesing Bandit will probably vote for "Cop Rock."
Labels: open posts
posted by SCC at 12:31 AM
94 Comments:
I'd have to go with Joseph Wambaugh's anthology series Police Story as the most accurate of all time.
Hands down, one of the best true-to-life cop shows ever to grace tv screens.
RIP Fish!
Barney Miller and the Wire were both good. One of my partners is Chano, I'm Fish.
He was a good actor who could have crossed over and been the Police!!
RIP
He was a great cop. Hill Street Blues.
RIP Abe Vigoda. Thanks for the laughs.
Hill Street Blues. Hands down. On another note their is a sung from Cop Rock called "In these streets we have the power." This certainly apply in today world of police hatred.
I kept hoping he would just go on and on.
While Barney Miller might have come close to portraying the floor in the "D", Dragnet gets my vote for working dicks and the public.
when I started in 023 in 1977 there was a desk Sgt named Nelson who looked exactly like him and was nicknamed Fish
What about the first season of Crime Story?
I loved the cinematography and the music scores.
I always preferred the Andy Griffith Show. Too bad Chicago isn't like that.
Makes me think about NYPD Blue. Obviously every episode depicted a high-intensity cop day that might happen twice, three times a year, but it was still accurate--the good guys didn't always win, and the primary stresses came from within the department, not the streets. Miss that show. Now we have "Chicago PD"...yawn.
I do not like police procedural shows - or any (lawyer, medical, etc) procedural shows on television. What I particularly dislike about police procedural shows are the crimes. Imagine that you write for one of these shows and every week you have to come up with a more "interesting" crime. Criminal Minds is terrible. These great FBI profilers fly in the corporate jet across America to quickly solve and heroically arrest some serial murderer who has some bizarre quirk. My question is what kind of warped mind comes up with these gruesome plots.
Almost all crime is stupid, brutal and in most ways mundane. Barney Miller got that in a funny way. In a dramatic way, credit has to go to Homicide: Life On the Streets.
Though I adored Cop Rock, my heart belongs to NYPD Blue. I got a see many a fine butt on that show and one not so fine---Sypowitz (forgive the spelling). I forgave him for wearing a short sleeve shirt and a tie.
Now, kees me you fool!!!!
I grew up on Adam 12, Dragnet and Barney Miller. I always knew I wanted to be a cop, but these fine shows cemented that notion. I am sure I have a lot of company here.
Those shows highlighted the values of the times. They were the product of the Greatest Generation from WW 2 and the "Ask not what your Country can do for you" crowd. Look how afar adrift we are from those days.
RIP Abe...
I've used many lines from BARNEY MILLER. My favorite was when Fish was working over a table full of ca$h. Arrestee says, "I didn't know cops made that kind of money."
Fish replies, "We're very good cops."
BARNEY MILLER was in the days when cops were the good guys and the heroes. Now we get Chicago PD where the main character is a crooked and brutal cop and every show ends in a predictable shootout.
My favorite police shows for cops as human beings were: the show lived TURKS and HILL STREET BLUES.
For police procedure/drama POLICE STORY, some were used as training films.
For laughs POLICE SQUAD. Lt. Frank Drebin, "We're sorry to bother you at such a time like this, Mrs. Twice. We would have come earlier, but your husband wasn't dead then."
Now we can't catch a break from Hollywood. I try to think of any TV show or movie that has come out in years where the bad guy isn't a cop. I heard that is the premise of the new series SHADES OF BLUE. Things need to change.
One of the best shows! I watched it all the time! R.I.P. Fish, End of watch and job well done!
I was surprised to learn he wasn't a cop.
Hill street Blues
True, it was realistic.
As I enter the sunset of my career, I think the CPD of 2016 is more like Reno 911.
Troll: Abe was good and it was a good show with a nice cast match. I will read what you folks think but I think the two best now are Homicide Hunter/Joe Kenda and First 48. It is nice to be able to see Barney Miller still on cable too. But Kenda provides some snarky stuff every once in a while and has a demeanor similar to Fish.
I laugh just looking at the picture. RIP Abe. The writers on that show had to have some real police input or relations. Though set in New York, it easily could have been Chicago or any other big city dept. Inspector Luger? Officer "Levine"? Great ensemble cast. Roll out the reruns, METV.
Homicide: Life on the Street
Loved the intro music for that show as well as the show itself.
My favorite was always "Hill Street Blues". Of course I was always looking at the background to see if I could find recognizable city shots.
Let's be honest, I'll agree about Barney Miller if you will agree that Reno 911 is a close second. Whaaaa haaaaa haaaa.
Cop Rock - oh that's funny I forgot about that one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWwNTSj2Cy0
Kinda predesescor to Hill Street Blues but they weren't a bunch of busy outs living in 350.00 a month apartments worthy of the Honeymooners.
Starsky and Hutch get's my vote.
In Lieu of flowers, I'm going to send his favorite charity a FIN.....!
The old Shakespeare District had the Area5 Dicks on the second floor, they all
looked like cast member's of Barney Miller, B 4 all the new district's came out,
014 was the busiest station in the police dept. That's where u learned how 2 b
the police. The old Buck80 Tavern, right next store, after a watch, copper's
would go there, have a few pop's, and relate all the stories that happened on
the watch. A lot of Fun!
Did they have a corrupt mayor on that show as we do in Chicago? I don't remember.
i'll never forget learning that woj was bald and wore a toupe. no biggie, but being a kid and envisioning him without a rug used to tweak my brain.
doesn't get much more dry bones than dietrich.
I honestly thought he died 20 years ago.
I thought he died 30 years ago. My guess is Betty White is next.
Most realistic cop show ever was the Joseph Wambaugh produced "Police Story". They addressed job and family stress, alcoholism, political animal bosses, guys fucking around, guys Getting beefs (my favorite was the traffic guy who put peanut butter on a guy's DL and ate it in front of the motorist who beefed)
"Hill Street Blues" for the same reasons
"the New Centurions" best cop film ever
I wanted to be a cop as long as I can remember. Watched every cop show as a kid. Dick Tracy cartoons hosted by Ray Raynor on ch. 9 after school. Drag Net, Adam 12, Naked City (disappointed there was no nudity). A lot more I can't recall just now. After a few years OTJ I can't watch most of them except for Barney and Andy and Fearless Fife.
I vote ADAM-12....all the way.
He was only 53 years old in 1975 when the show started.. he looked at least 75 back then.
God Bless him.
RIP, Great show the closest you will get to working in the D unit.
Hey, I actually liked Cop Rock. Tell me how that concept was any different than Galavant is today--and it's a hit show! It was just too cool for the 80's I guess.
"Barney Miller" realistic police show????????
NO WAY!!!!!!!
Checkout "Car 54 Where Are You".
Police kept ducking anything like crime fighting.
Bosses clueless
Crime solved by accident.
Don't forget Sgt. Nick Yemana (actor Jack Soo) also on Barney Miller who made the worst coffee EVER!
Barney Miller (1974-1982)was a TV show I never missed. Det. Phil Fish was such an cicatrical part of the show. I'll bet there is somebody like him in most any precinct. Unlike so many shows today that are simply canceled Barney Miller when out on a high. Who can forget the final scene in "Landmark part 3" (20 May 1982) Hal Linden as Capt. Barney Miller was at the door of the precinct office and turns out the light for the last time, and closes the door. This was the best Police sitcom ever.
Southland....
Not vintage but the series is over.
Barney Miller was a very funny show to watch! Anybody remember the "laced" brownies episode? RIP Det. Fish.
RIP Fish, they can finally take him off the list of live celebrities that people think are dead.
I may catch hell for this preference, but - Cops????
--No Cop Here
Barney Miller was the best police sitcom. For a police drama, i'd vote for Homicide - Life on the Streets or The Wire, both about the Baltimore PD long before the freddie gray debacle.
The best role Abe Vigoda played was in "The Godfather". Michael, can you get me off the hook?
Hill Street Blues, Barney Miller, The Wire, Police Story, Dragnet, Homicide, Adam 12: A good book to read is "Night Beat by William Camp. It will take everyone back to there first year on the street. Working On The Street!!
Hill Street Blues is intense to watch sometimes. The Wire is honest. Reno 911 is hilarious because I have worked with most of those characters and it's great to laugh at ourselves once in awhile. One movie I wished would have been a TV show, Joseph Wambaugh"s The New Centurions.
I liked HBO First season of "True Detective" - 2014 which I believe gave a real glimpse of partners at work and their ups and downs working a case.
Southland was an awesome cop show that aired on TNT. If you haven't seen it, find it and watch it.
"Police Story" was the best, but "Barney Miller" was the funniest. I miss both of those shows and wish they still made them like that today.
"Tom for old time sake"
Anonymous Anonymous said...
"Barney Miller" realistic police show????????
NO WAY!!!!!!!
Checkout "Car 54 Where Are You".
Police kept ducking anything like crime fighting.
Bosses clueless
Crime solved by accident.
------------------------
Ooh, ooh, ooh!
1/27/2016 09:31:00 AM
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned his role in the Godfather as Salvatore Tessio.
His last scene was when he was getting into the car for "The Ride" after Tom Hagen turned down his request to be forgiven for "old times sake".
RIP
That was a good clean funny show we had many back in day cop shows first responded shows detective shows but showed police in a good light most of the time such as:
Baretta,Cannon,Columbo,Mod Squad,Charlie's Angels, Stasky&Hutch, Police woman, police story, Mannix,Andy Griffith,Kojak, Knight Rider, Emergency, Adam 12, Miami Vice, Green Hornet,Batman, Barnaby Jones, The FBI, Dragnet, and more!
"Tell mike it was only business", what a line. Then he dies. Best movie ever.
The rookies, was a great show too
...Dick Tracy cartoons hosted by Ray Raynor on ch. 9 after school....
Still have the Crimestoppers Kit you receive from Channel 9 bacj there related to that Dick Tracy Show after school-Channel 9, Chicago's Very Own!
Before the baby mamma BS shows and Oh!!
OH!!!! Whatever you do, do not rent ChiRaq!
Returned it to Family Video and asked for my money back-first time in my life I've ever done so over a movie.
Told the clerk this was the WORST movie I've ever seen.
I was expecting drama and there is none.
Its a slam against blacks in general, a slam against women, and the blacks wonder why they don't get nominated...here living color proof of why not!
Just terrible!
(Out Of Compton was better)
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Criminal Minds is terrible. These great FBI profilers fly in the corporate jet across America to quickly solve and heroically arrest some serial murderer who has some bizarre quirk. My question is what kind of warped mind comes up with these gruesome plots.
1/27/2016 02:30:00 AM
I'd be willing to bet most of those plots come from real life stories.
M squad with lee Marvin filmed chi town reminds be of dad rip, ret wheel gunners.blak fords 57
Really liked "Life on Mars" too bad it only lasted one season. A N.Y.P.D. Detective gets run over in 2008 and wakes up in 1973. He tries to adapt to the "slapping whores and kicking doors" mentality of the time.
The series in on youtube.
To 0142. You're dead on. It really jumped the shark in the 2nd season when it moved to Vegas. And there actually was an Orbit Room but it wasn't the swanky bar portrayed in the series.
abe was a great actor and WWII vet too, im remember in the final scene of godfather part 1 when he got caught plotting to kill michael corleone " tom tell mike i alaways liked him it was never personal just business"
Barney Miller was a great show - loved it.
RIP Fish!
Didn't Martin Milner (Adam 12) just recently pass away?
best line ever the pot brownie episode
fish i havent felt this good in 20 years and its illegal
Check out "The Job" by Denis Leary. Lasted only one season and was on cable,but somewhat realistic and very funny!
"Tell Michael it was just business"
Hill Street. Closest I know of.
Without a doubt the best cop show was Adam-12. Only question is why did Reed get stuck with all the paper while Malloy did all the driving?
>Mean and dirty
Count Basie piano intro<
"M-SQUAD!
Starring Lee Marvin..."
VA-ROOOM!
Screech!
>Jumps out of a dark 4 door, 1957
Ford Custom sedan like a natural boss<
A shot from the shadows...
>Pop!<
Return fire for your ass...
>Pow! Pow! Pow!<
Chicago-style asskickery with a touch of:
"Don't gimme yer bullshit!"
The old Shakespeare District had the Area5 Dicks on the second floor, they all
looked like cast member's of Barney Miller, B 4 all the new district's came out,
014 was the busiest station in the police dept. That's where u learned how 2 b
the police. The old Buck80 Tavern, right next store, after a watch, copper's
would go there, have a few pop's, and relate all the stories that happened on
the watch. A lot of Fun!
Don't forget the private key club that used to be an auto parts store for n 1977
Cops were the good guys then and criminals were portrayed as criminals, because crime was out or control in America. It was out of control because of the 60s liberal "crime reforms" that the democrats put in place. Today, Inspector Harry Callahan would be portrayed as an out of control racist. This is all cyclical. Until then, don't try to be like Harry or Baretta or Starsky or Hutch. Be like Abe and be patient.
Southland, The Wire & Barney Miller are the most realistic police shows EVER!
RIP Fish/Tessio (Godfather)
What policing was back in the day, may he RIP thanks for all the laughs!
KOJAK who loves you baby !
RIP Fish. Loved that show. One of the things I liked was it showed the "blue brotherhood". You had Fish, Yemana, Wo Jo, Washington, etc.. All spectrums of the world, and they got along, and busted each others chops having fun. Just like some of the best crews Ive been a part of, we never gave a crap where you were from or what sex you were. If you were a good cop, you were part of the crew and we had good times putting the bad guys away.. Thats the best part of this job, never forget that.
Barney Miller , the wire and homicide all realistic. Rip fish and lt. Dietrich
I grew up with Third Watch lol.. Really enjoyed Southland and the Wire.
There was a Sgt. In Mass Transit when I used to work Special, reminded of Barney Fife in every aspect possible. Can't remember his name. Always brought the memories every time I saw him.
I do not like police procedural shows.....What I particularly dislike about police procedural shows are the crimes.....My question is what kind of warped mind comes up with these gruesome plots.....
Old Timer Replies, If you were on the job you could relate to these situations, these are daily occurrences that we see all the time, bizarre, ugly, filthy, mind blowing and raw. That's why some of us drink, mess around, are brutal, etc., not all, but some do. We have black humor to avoid the terrible things we see every week and cannot bring home or tell our families. We deal with all the crap that is thrown our way, the stuff the citizens say "we are paying you salary b.s."! When we took the job nobody told us all the bad stuff was in the mix, so you do your best to get through it. You can't just quit a career in midlife, or at a middle age, nobody would hire you. Just try it. Don't hate us, we don't always have a good day and try to hide it as best we can.
Sorry we bore you with reality!
RIP Fish (AKA Salvatore Tessio in The Godfather)
Anonymous said...
What about the first season of Crime Story?
I loved the cinematography and the music scores.
1/27/2016 01:42:00 AM
Crime Story was great until it moved out of Chicago. Some of the cases and the dialogue were very real, very Old School CPD.
I am still mad at Hollywood for snubbing Dennis Farina from the memorial reel at the Academy Awards when he died.
Remember Mc Cloud. The best show ever. Cop sent to NYPD on special assignment from Taos, NM. Now that's real!!!
I stopped watching cop shows a long time ago. The show COPS included. When I'm off I don't want anything to do with cops or crime.
Listen here. DOG breath
The current "Chicago PD" is EXACTLY true to life! lol
A2 Homicide. When ever civilians ask me to name a realistic police show I would tell them Barney Miller was pretty representative of the personalities of police. I always get strange looks I guess they expect Law and Order or CSI.
I was surprised to read his daughter saying what a dedicated fitness buff he was. He looked like the most exercise he got was getting dressed.
Then there was CHIPS.
They never drove at night.
The glare off of Eric Estrada's teeth would blind oncoming traffic.
10:16 hrs. - Yes sir, the funniest episode for Barney Miller was the pot laced brownies. Especially when Nick Yemana kept saying "mushy mushy" and then began singing. He finished with asking: Baney, Barney, is your mother from Killarney? Capt. Barmey Miller was Jewish.
The other great part of the show was it handled thorny issues such as race or homosexuality with humor (which could NEVER happen now")
One good episode was when an Army Sgt. kept berating Yemana until he finds out that Yemana was a WWII vet - in real life, Jack Soo fought in Italy with the Nessei Brigade (an all Asian unit of volunteers but were not sent to the Pacific theater.)
Retired .38 +P
I think the TV show 'Miami Vice' was a carbon copy of the Chicago police dept. LOL!
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