By Eric Kohanik, Remind Magazine
It was on Aug. 22, 1974, that a 43-year-old Broadway actor named Hal Linden hit TV airwaves in the title role of an ABC pilot episode called “The Life and Times of Captain Barney Miller.” Created by Danny Arnold and Theodore J. Flicker, the show flopped, prompting Arnold to rework, recast and refilm the show, as well as shorten its title. The second pilot aired on Jan. 23, 1975, launching a series — Barney Miller — that would enjoy a successful eight-season run.
Set inside a fictional New York City police precinct, Barney Miller revolved around the precinct captain, who had to deal with an offbeat squad that included Phil Fish (Abe Vigoda), Ron Harris (Ron Glass), Nick Yemana (Jack Soo), Arthur Dietrich (Steve Landesberg), Carl Levitt (Ron Carey), Frank Luger (James Gregory) and Stan “Wojo” Wojciehowicz (Max Gail). ReMIND recently caught up with the charming 86-year-old star to explore some of his TV memories of the 1970s and hear updates on what he is doing now.
Barney Miller blazed some distinct comedy trails back in the 1970s.
Hal Linden: A lot of people use that word. I don’t know that it blazed any trails. There had been a lot of “gang” comedy. We had Sgt. Bilko [The Phil Silvers Show]. We had Car 54, Where Are You? Plenty of gang comedies — particularly, you know, police-gang comedies. I think what it was is not that it was a trailblazer, but that it was so well executed.
What do you think makes the show still stand the test of time today?
Danny Arnold was a perfectionist. But one of the reasons was that Barney Miller was an independent production. It was not a studio production, which meant that Danny Arnold was in total control. It was his money, his everything. So, we would not just finish a show for the sake of finishing it. He’d make sure every show was done as well as it could be done. … We were always up till 2, 3, 4, 5 in the morning because Danny would not finish a show until it was as good as he imagined it.
Do you have a favorite episode?
I can’t really put my finger on one. The one that everyone talks about, of course, is “Hash Brownies” [“Hash,” Season 3, Episode 11]. And I think it was just such a wonderfully written show, wonderfully executed show, that it’s hard not to be somebody’s favorite. I have a few favorites, a couple that I directed [“Corporation,” “Hostage,” “Old Love”] that I got closer to than normal. And so, you know, I remember those fondly. But I’ll tell you the truth. I was doing a clip show last year for my concert tour, and I had to sit down and try to get clips out of all the shows. In order to do that, I had to watch them. And I couldn’t turn them off at night. It was 3 o’clock in the morning, and I was saying, “One more. One more. I’ll watch one more.” I don’t remember a bad show.
How often do you see or talk to your original costars?
There’s only two of us left. Me and Max. That’s all. Everyone else is gone.
Do you see Max very much?
Couple of times a year, we get together, have a dinner or something. But he’s got his career, and I’ve got mine. That’s the thing in my business. You see people only when you work with them.
What projects do you have in the works now?
A couple of concerts coming up. I have to prepare for those. Then, I have an independent film coming out [The Samuel Project] that we’re trying to get into festivals and whatnot.
When you look for projects now, what is it that you look for?
Funded works! Works that are gonna get done. At this point, anything interesting. I’m not looking to create a career anymore. This is a question of “Will I enjoy doing this next project?” That’s all.
How else are you spending your time? Do you have a cottage or a getaway property?
The Palms Springs area. I’ve got a little place down there. … I’m a bad golfer, but an avid one. Now, what I do is called golf, but it’s hardly the same. I’m at PGA West, so we’ve got six courses there. And all of them destroy me.
