BARNEY MILLER: THE CHILD STEALERS (TV)
Summary
One in this series of comedies about police captain Barney Miller and his squad of detectives in Manhattan's 12th Precinct.
In this episode, Marty and Darryl arrive at the precinct to request Miller's help, explaining that Darryl's ex-wife Eleanor is refusing to let him see their son, Jason, despite the fact that he was granted visitation rights. Levitt is tasked with reorganizing the office, and Harris brings in a would-be jumper, Adam Boyer, who casually explains that he is actually a time-traveler from the mid-21st century. The closeted Zatelli privately questions Miller about Darryl and Marty's situation, and Harris is unnerved when he finds himself intrigued by Adam's bizarre claims.
Later, Miller learns that Darryl has recklessly snatched Jason from his schoolyard, and Zatelli hides his reaction when Wojo refers to him as "a fruit." Harris begins acting on Adam's "wisdom," and Eleanor storms in to file charges of custodial interference and kidnapping against her ex. Wojo questions Darryl about his life, wondering why he would give up his family for "a fad," but Darryl explains that he was lying to himself when he tried to live a heterosexual life. Eleanor demands that Darryl stay away from Jason, feeling that he is at "an impressionable age." Zatelli impulsively outs himself in front of everyone when Eleanor makes disparaging comments about the "unnatural" gay lifestyle. Adam assures everyone that sexual orientation is no longer a matter of concern in the future, and Eleanor finally admits that she is frustrated because Darryl makes her look bad in front of their son with his fun, vibrant lifestyle. She agrees to let them spend time together if Darryl will agree to be a stricter disciplinarian. Marty praises Zatelli's bravery as he leaves. Everyone is surprised when Adam reacts with excitement to meeting Dietrich, who is apparently world-famous in the future, though Dietrich seems unfazed. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: January 24, 1980 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:25:17
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:62197
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: LGBTQ+ Collection - Comedy; Comedy; Police officers
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1974-1982
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Danny Arnold … Executive Producer, Created by
- Noam Pitlik … Producer, Director
- Tony Sheehan … Producer
- Gary Shaw … Co-Producer
- Frank Dungan … Writer
- Jeff Stein … Writer
- Theodore J. Flicker … Created by
- Jack Elliot … Music by
- Allyn Ferguson … Music by
- Hal Linden … Cast, Capt. Barney Miller
- Max Gail … Cast, Det. Stanley 'Wojo' Wojohowicz
- Ron Glass … Cast, Det. Ron Harris
- Steve Landesberg … Cast, Det. Arthur Dietrich
- Ron Carey … Cast, Officer Carl Levitt
- Richard Libertini … Cast, Adam Boyer
- Dino Natali … Cast, Officer Zatelli
- Jack De Leon … Cast, Marty Morrison
- Ray Stewart … Cast, Darryl Driscoll
- Joanna Miles … Cast, Eleanor Driscoll