Facts About Barney Miller

It was a great sitcom from the 70s.

Creative Commons: DanCentury

While Barney Miller was an excellent sitcom, the low-key nature of the show gave it a sense of realism. The characters seemed like they could be actual cops. And pretty good ones at that.

In large measure, the action to place at the 12th precinct, without a lot of storylines dealing with the officers’ personal lives. And I liked that. In addition, the 12th precinct seemed to attract a special sort of criminal. Funny ones. Now, on to some things you didn’t know about Barney Miller.

1: The show was shot before a live audience.

Well. that makes sense. Shooting it before a dead audience would be pointless.

2: No violence ever took place on camera.

Not only did it make for better TV, it also reduced lawsuits alleging police violence.

3: On the back wall of the holding cell is the message, “Don’t Spit On The Floor.”

Hey, it could have been much worse.

4: By the time the show wound down, the creative force behind the show, Danny Arnold said he had run out of ideas.