Expert: Mike Hensel - 8/25/2009

Question
I remember watching a cop show with my grandparents at night & during the week when i was younger.  It was on for 30 mins. and thinking it was a comedy.  Most of the show took place inside the jail.  You could see the few holding cells they had, most of cops/investigators carried on conversation with those behind bars.  You also saw all the desks they worked at- either talking to people who came in, were brought in or just the cops talking amongst themselves.  I do remember one guy was in charge- wore a suit all the time- polyester & mostly brown from what i recall.  He had brown hair as well and looked to be in his 40's maybe.  The show was in color.  Thanks in advance for any help.

Answer
Eryn, the show that comes to my mind based on your description is, "Barney Miller", shown on the ABC Television Network from January 23rd, 1975 to May 20th, 1982...

It starred Hal Linden as Barney Miller, a police captain in New York City, always wondering when he would get a promotion... stories initially revolved equally with Barney's home life as it did at the 12th Precinct Station House, where Barney lead an interesting diverse detective squad... the home life was more or less abandoned in subsequent seasons...

the detectives were: Phillip Fish, (played by Abe Vigoda), the old broken-down officer, always complaining about things (he was so popular eventually got his own series later on)...

Sgt. Chano Amenguale (Gregory Sierra), the Puerto Rican officer, who's character left after the first year...replaced by Arthur Dietrich, (Steve Landesberg), the know-it-all officer...

Stanley Wojohowicz, (Max Gail), nicknamed "Wojo", the naive, trusting officer...

Nick Yeamana, (Jack Soo), the philosophical officer, who rarely went out on calls; he was responsible for making the coffee... when Jack Soo died in 1797, a special episode was shown honoring his memory...

and, Ron Harris, (Ron Glass), the wise-cracking black officer, who's goal in life was to become an author...

The show ended in 1982 with the officers being re-assigned across the city, due to the precinct house being declared an historic landmark; it seems that the building was the office of Teddy Roosevelt back in the 1890's, when he was the head of the New York City Police Board... along with the scattering of the men, Barney finally got that promotion, to Deputy Inspector...

I hope this answers your query !!!

Thanks for a Great Question !!!

Take Care,
Mike