While checking out an episode of "Barney Miller" from WGN America's retro week last month, I started thinking about how that kind of show could never air in that form today. The cast is too male-centric and more importantly too old. Nowadays, there would have to be at least one or two or 3 sexy young singles in that precinct to jazz up the demos.
"Barney Miller" featured the kind of diversity that was hip back in the 1970s--besides Barn, there was a black guy, an Asian guy, a Polish guy, a really old guy, and an intellectual white guy. As Harris, Ron Glass fancied himself as adept with the ladies, but he wasn't exactly a sex symbol, and especially with his natty attire, he looked like he had been around a while. Let's face it, when Max Gail's Wojo is your youngest-skewing cast member, you're not exactly aiming for the "Teen Beat" set.
To me, that's a good thing. Would "Barney Miller" be better with a hotshot rookie who just happens to be a 20-year-old hunk? One who could flirt with another squad newbie portrayed by a comely lass fresh out of a stint as a teen on some daytime soap? I doubt it. But you know that's the kind of thing we'd get today.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
1 comment:
Good insights. I was fortunate enough to grow up back in the 70's which I thing was the golden age for sit-coms. I can't watch the tripe they produce today. Wish some cable channel would start airing Barney Miller reruns. Kojak to.
Post a Comment