Ron Glass talks about Barney Miller, Firefly and his career- Part 1 of 3

The behind the scenes TV stories you wouldn’t have known - from the people who were there.
Today I’m bringing you one of my favorite interviews from the vault.
Ron Glass was one of those great character actors who took his work seriously - but not himself. Best known for his role on Barney Miller as Detective Harris, Glass also had notable guest shots on shows like the New Twilight Zone and a breakout role on All In The Family. Later, he was a regular on the Joss Whedon cult hit, Firefly.
In today’s episode, we started out talking about Barney Miller and being about the work.
Like Roshomon - Ron had his own point of view about Danny Arnold.
Ron talks about the two Barney Miller pilots - and how he was brought in for the second one.
How Rod Perry going on the A-team left an opening for Ron Glass to come on Barney Miller.
the evolution of Harris.
We picked up the story of Harris’ shooting. Ron’s point of view on that episode.
You’re gonna want to hear his side of the story.
and he pays tribute to Danny Arnold
You’ll notice that at the beginning of the conversation, Ron seemed to giggle at everything I said. I wasn’t quite sure, at the time, what was going on with him. What he did tell me afterward was that he was a little annoyed, coming into the interview, because we had been running over on our schedule that day, and we started late. But he also told me that by the end of the interview, we had won him over and he had a great time.
So, stick with us. You’ll see an uncomfortable and awkward start- and how by the end I became friends with the late great Ron Glass.
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[@DIDYOUSEETHAT172]

RIP Ron Glass, I was so very shocked he passed away at only 71, he always looked in top shape for a man half his age.

[@israeliteking1947]

probably covid jabs

[@djrychlak4443]

He was a key part of the finest TV show in American history.

[@tonyb8660]

this is a $17 shirt!

[@jessiejames7492]

His role in barney miller was very refreshing

[@GillianSpringer]

My favorite is the episode with the hash brownies. Every spoken line and action was truly humorous.

[@paulcavigliano6388]

@GillianSpringer I agree, Hash and Quarantine were frickin brilliantly acted. Wojo and Harris 😂

[@lenevee4925]

My mom loved Fish and especially Detective Harris because he was refined and gorgeous.

[@clbzone]

Love his laugh. What a beautiful man and extraordinary actor. R I.P. Mr. Glass.

[@marklechman2225]

Dude was a pro. Loved him in everything he did.

[@southernoregoncatmom6519]

Ron Glass had such a great laugh!

[@paulgoebbels86]

Southern Oregon his laugh was so and part of him. If there were a name that tune (Laugh) . I would hear his personality and speaking voice. His mannerisms and acting are so invisible. The ol, don't let them see you act. He has a smoothness that didn't chaff me at all when he was laughing. I just remember the many Barney Miller shows that I had watched. The quirks were so endearing.

[@maximillianvermontsuperbik2624]

What a voice !

[@kelgreen99]

That was one gorgeous man. What a loss!😔

[@SubtleReed]

Ron Glass - So Eloquent yet Defined

[@Talon6551]

Loved this guy and the Harris character

[@roz7056]

Ron is wonderful

[@inezbarriteau4824]

It's hard to pick just one best episode with Ron Glass, but I think I liked the way he and Steve who played Arthur got along. So my best episode with Ron was after he moved in with Arthur and the next day he was describing the evening with Barney." He grows things" "wheat?" So funny, and so Ron and Arthur.

[@kendallrivers1119]

That was great but my favorite Harris centric episodes are Liquidation, The Movie parts 1 and 2 and The Harris Incident. Those were Ron Glass at his very best imo.

[@rocknroller77]

😄

[@rayali9854]

I grew up watching this man on tv namely barney miller.ron has always been one handsome guy.

[@OnlyLoveCan38]

I loved Ron Glass.

[@kendallrivers1119]

Thanks for posting this. I was shocked Emmytvlegends never did an interview with him and the rest of the BM cast besides Hal. I think Ron was so talented but underutilized by the industry. He should've been used in big motion pictures after Barney Miller. The brotha had skills.

[@hazelb8137]

He was so full of life!

[@familylifetoo9541]

That's a hearty Laugh Ron Glass , you gave me lots of laughs 💛🌎Rest in Peace

[@SubtleReed]

I am so Disappointed in directors and producers who never sought his expertise. 👋 He was truly one of a kind, that could never be reproduced!

[@JimA-pp2nu]

get a life

[@cohen860]

Fabulous interview! I remember the show - and that episode - well. Still enjoy the reruns. And, what a great laugh Ron Glass had!!

[@russellcampbell9198]

Sorry to hear of his passing but thank him for his gift of Harris. It taught me so much.

[@blueskye6372]

Loved Barney Miller show and Ron Glass. ☀️💜🎬📺🌄

[@nineelephants1975]

Late to the party, but here goes. The running gag of the squad having to pull mugging detail as women. Everyone looked really, really bad as a woman, then came Harris turn and he would not shave his mustache until Barney ordered him to. When Ron finally dressed for the detail he really looked stunning and refined as a woman and everybodies jaw dropped. I also enjoyed his now politically incorrect euphemisms for Bellevue Hospital. Hash brownies, classic!

[@lennardcovarrubias5950]

Thank you so much for your talent Mr. Glass.. It was brought to my attention there you're buried in Southern California....rose hills... Today I found the site and I will return on his birthday in July thank you sir🙏

[@gfunk63901]

I've been rewatching the Barney Miller shows and what a good character without that 1970's shuck and jive

[@kendallrivers1119]

Ron Harris paved the way for Living Single's Kyle Barker and Spin City's Carter Heywood. A black character who was hip and sophisticated as well as educated.

[@amc1956uk]

That episode got me really immotional as well as that’s happening almost daily in this day and age.

[@37Dionysos]

Very authentic! I like when Leavitt comes back from taking a crazy prisoner outside for awhile and Harris says "Did you have a nice lit-tle walk?"

[@JoRN1222]

Loved Barney Miller! What a great cast!😊

[@stephengiese7549]

Great stories and lots of laughs. Well spoken too. Rip. Thanks utube.

[@rebeccastewart7273]

One of my favorites

[@jillbrawner8264]

My favorite Harris episodes: quarantine, werewolf, and the mime. And I loved the names he called Belleview---among them Twinkiemobile, etc. delightful character.

[@julem247]

I love Ron Glass and I can see why this interviewer annoyed him.

[@steed3902]

Sgt Harris was a great part of the sitcom! Ron was able to connect with everyone on set!

[@MontrealNorth]

I hated he smoked I miss them the ones that's gone this show was brilliant just like WKRP in Cincinnati I wish they had ran more episodes does 70s and 80s lineup we will never have brilliant Talent like this again😪👏👏🥳❤

[@kiltmanm60]

So glad you did these interviews!

[@adamt1564]

Great interview; it's wonderful to have this memento of t.v. history.

[@jlocke62]

Great Actor, and seems like he was a great guy. Died far too young.

[@lorakendall4940]

I love Ron glass he's was an incredibal and so loving so caring. He makes me smile‼️😊😊😊😊😊

[@johnyoung5482]

Great show.

[@WARP228]

You mention that Rod Perry was not on the second pilot because he left to be on "The A Team." That's impossible. "The A Team" ran from 1983 to 1987. You probably mean he left to be on "S.W.A.T." "S.W.A.T." ran from 1975 to 1976. He played Sergeant David 'Deacon' Kay.

[@christopherramon-reid9841]

WARP228 Thanks! I was confused when that was mentioned.

[@larrygonzales2033]

True

[@cavscout62]

I watched this episode yesterday that they’re speaking of and Wojo breaking the logjam that was worked beautifully as did Harris Character.🤘🏼

[@kennethwongatsoi4689]

He was giggling like he just ate brownies laced with hashish

[@TimothyBall-mv3lp]

4/26/2024. Wait, you don't believe there was 'real' hash in the brownies? Huh!

[@butterflykisses1412]

I remember the episode from Family Matters, "False Arrest " that's when I first saw him and he stuck with me ,I thought that he was so handsome, despite his character being arrogant and snobby, lol, but I was a little girl. I thought that he was cute.😅 RIP Mr Glass. 😔

[@BrianRPaterson]

Harris and Shepherd Book! Shiny!!! R.I.P.

[@skullduggery3377]

him and dietrich. lol.

[@philipdiaz7052]

Rod Perry was on the original SWAT not The A Team. He played Sergeant David 'Deacon' Kay

[@chadfortman4162]

😂 yes A-team was later

[@laurasaw6933]

Nice voice

[@terrye6853]

I believe the show Rod Perry left Barney Miller for was actually SWAT not the A Team

[@johnmoldoch-vj2jk]

Yeah, I looked it up. Rod left for S.W.A.T. It's not up for an actor to keep up with another actor's bio.

[@terrye6853]

@@johnmoldoch-vj2jk who knows,maybe SWAT was actually titled The A Team at some point in pre production. I’m just glad Ron got the part of Harris he was one of my favorite characters

[@johnmoldoch-vj2jk]

@@terrye6853 it's not likely that swat was to be originally titled "The A Team". Just likely it was in Ron's mind as that. Very common with older people.

[@meenam300zx]

My favorite episode was when Harris was told to direct a porn movie.

[@ricdav3891]

May have had a grass fire and he was happy when he put it out lol 😉!

[@DIDYOUSEETHAT172]

8:02 No shit! I vaguely recall the episode in reruns I think the show was before my time. Only saw a few episodes but that rings a bell. ANd one more where an inspector has a heart attack during a heat wave. I don't recall it being all that funny. However Harris did not really say anything in the end, and did not apologize for acting like he had a thorn in his ass, it was Wojo who talked about how he never thought of Harris as black just as a man and a partner. Something like that.

[@theresamistretta6871]

Rest in. Peace Ron. Glass 🍷🍷 I. Enjoy watching u so much on Barney Miller. U. We're such a good. Actor. Miss u

[@keonjenkins1852]

I think he meant that Rod Perry got the part with S.W.A.T.

[@anadajones]

Where can we find part 2 of this interview?

[@johnpjonesch]

Where is part 2?

[@brandonwimberley6141]

the a-team came out in 83

[@daveconleyportfolio5192]

Not a fan of this interviewer. I feel a pang of sympathy for Ron Glass, who seems to be trying his hardest to be congenial.

[@exile220ify]

Title says "Firefly" but there's no mention of Firefly in this video

[@serenityinside1]

That’s for the heads up - 👍. Won’t listen to it then !

[@thomasjene8530]

Im confused. He said he replaced an actor that took a job on the A-Team??? BMiller started in the mid 70s (i think) , Ateam started early 80s...he must have misspoke or my memory is way off..

[@AlexMMathews]

I can't say for certain but I think when Ron mentions "The A Team" he actually meant "SWAT"

[@caylaarmatti8498]

@Creeping Normality A Team wasn't on until the '80s

[@caylaarmatti8498]

@Creeping Normality You aren't following the conversation. I apologize if you are unable.

[@billylilly1251]

Randy Carmichael ..:(

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

Harris did need to apologize. His attitude towards the squad was unwarranted... they were completely on his side and he lashed out at them. It's one of the few moments his character disappointed me.

[@pitbull64]

That episode is so 2020 now. Perception matters.

[@kendallrivers1119]

Apologize for what? Being upset with being humiliated by racist cops and nearly shot? He was may be giving them the cold shoulder but it's not like he cursed them out or blamed them. This comment proves how relevant this episode is. People like you need to learn empathy and compassion for someone else's plight.

[@jdmarr2259]

I think his response was spot on. Harris was shot at by another, (white), officer who assumed & here he was with other white officers, trusting them to have his back. There absolutely had to be that pause in what they shared as a unit. In the end, though, they acnowledged it & while the squad didn't know what it felt to be Harris, they respected him & reminded him that they had his back. I love how Wojo put it - and how Barney explained to him that you could understand but you didn't actually know how it felt to be in someone else's shoes.

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

@@jdmarr2259 Chauvin's response was spot on.

[@Chuck411]

SWAT not the A-Team

[@BeautifulSpirit-kf5ld]

If we are being honest, Ron seems very defensive. If some topics are off limits, define them in advance. Or, cut and discuss off-air.

[@chadfortman4162]

Rip they all so funny Ron annoying but funny on the show

[@taipan8021]

A Psychopathic laugh he has....

[@roz7056]

Interviews are not your forte

[@tilwedie23]

Ron Glass Died of Respitory failure. Stop smoking y'all. 🚬

[@lianelayman7577]

I remember when he was on Friends. He does laugh a lot and it can be annoying.

[@kendallrivers1119]

Really? You really came to insult such a great man who is now dead? Smh, low class man.

[@MissT813]

His laugh was beautiful

[@writer422]

I love the show and watch it over and over. Ron was so sexy with his tailor made suits. It was funny when he had get dirty and talk about how much money the suit cost. What a Fabulous show always and forever