The Life & Times of Captain Barney Miller

Otto Bruno -- author of an upcoming BearManor Media book about Barney Miller -- joins Mike and Chris to correct their past mistakes and discuss one of the most hilarious episodes of Barney Miller that ever aired -- Hash (the other episodes, Christmas Story and Smog Alert aren't too shabby either).

On this episode of The Life & Times of Captain Barney Miller podcast we discuss three middling episodes from the middle of the third season. In The Recluse a NYC hermit, Mr. Unger (Ivor Francis), is basically killed by the men of the 12th Precinct without consequence. In Noninvolvement, Wojo arrests a man who wouldn't come to his aid when chasing down a mugger. And, in Power Failure, it's lights off at the 12th Precinct.

We discuss Bus Stop, The Election, and Werewolf -- three pretty solid episodes of Barney Miller.

On this episode, Chris and Mike kick off Season 3 of Barney Miller with a look at the episodes Evacuation and our first two-part episode, Quarantine. The first deals with paranoia at the 12th Precinct while the other has the entire building shut down with a potential outbreak of smallpox. The fellas have to lock down and quarantine for an entire night. Just one night. Must be nice, right?

We're wrapping up Season 2 of Barney Miller with a look at four episodes: Massage Parlor, The Psychiatrist. The Kid. and The Mole. We see the end of Sgt. Wentworth (Linda Lavin), the departure of Chano (Gregory Sierra), the addition of Ron Carey -- playing a cat burglar known as The Mole -- and Barney's broken foot.

On this episode we discuss Sniper, Fear of Flying, and Block Party. We see the introduction of Lt. Scanlon and one of the final appearances by Detective Wentworth (Linda Lavin).

We're wrapping up 1975 with an episode about two lady cops working outside of their bailiwick, Ray Sharkey being afraid of "the organization", and a baby being delivered in the 12th Precinct on an all new THE LIFE & TIMES OF CAPTAIN BARNEY MILLER. Also, this is the last time we'll see Barbara Barrie for a long time.

On this episode we look at two Bicentennial-themed episodes -- Horse Thief and Rain -- and a peek at Fish's home life in the episode Fish where we're introduced to Det. Sgt. Arthur Dietrich. We also prematurely discuss the disappearance of Liz Miller.

On this batch of Barney Miller episodes we get Sgt. Wentworth (Linda Lavin) almost getting romantic with Wojciehowicz, Wojciehowicz having troubles with homosexuality (again), and a pest problem at the 12th Precinct.

The second season of Barney Miller falls off a bit with three rather mediocre episodes including the tone deaf Heat Wave which uses domestic violence as a punchline.