Abe Vigoda outlives Steve Landesberg

I can only find cursory mentions of it in a quickie web search, but I'm pretty sure I remember Barney Miller being voted as the most realistic cop show in a poll of police officers for several years in a row.

 

Dietrich was a sea change from Fish, and I think he made Barney Miller a bit of a tighter show. R.I.P.

As to the show, it does have a bit of explaining to do about their portrayal of gays and people with mental health issues. Although I have to say Stefan Kopechne, the human werewolf, was a hoot.

 

I loved Dietrich. As Mr. Friend O' notes, he had a great delivery. "Did I ever mention I was raised by wolves?"

The werewolf was a riot, especially when he was howling in the cell and Barney shouted, "This is a police station, not a horror movie!"

Man, I loved that show.

 

"Can't you see it, Barney? Hair is growing out of his face!"

"It's called a beard! Haven't you ever seen one before?"

"Not in my family."

I know that was Barney and Yemana, but the level of humor was hysterical. RIP Steve.

 

So who all is left from the Barney Miller cast besides Abe? Max Gail, Ron Glass and Gregory Sierra? Anyway, what a great show.

 

Well, Hal Linden is still around.

 

Barbara Barrie and Linda Lavin are also still alive.

 

Nice one from the Times obit:

In one 1980 episode he tells his boss, Captain Miller, that he is working on a case that dates to 1973. Miller says: “That was seven years ago! Nixon was president!” Dietrich’s typically low-key response: “No, he’s got an airtight alibi for this one.''


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/21/arts/television/21landesberg.html?ref=obituaries

 

Sirs, Madames,

A friend (who was an original cast member of Mamma Mia) worked with Hal Linden and said he was a prince. It honestly sounds like everyone in that cast was a mensch. It sure seems like it would have been fun to work on that show.

YHS, etc

 

Was he not at one time married to Diana Canova (Corrine on Soap)?

 

Dietrich was a replacement for Yamana (Jack Soo) not Fish. And Landesberg first appeared on the show as a fake priest in season 2. I just watched that episode last night on Youtube - they seem to have all the episodes and I've been wasting a lot of time there.

 

Mushy mushy mushy