"Barney Miller" was a classic sitcom that doesn't get its due. To prove my point, I have launched this podcast to review all 170 episodes to put it in a broader social context. Despite the tone of that last sentence, I aim to provide some laughs along the way. In addition, I will speak with surviving members of the cast, crew and writing staff.

Why have I assigned myself this task?“Barney Miller” might look like a typical workplace comedy at first glance, but the show was anything but typical. It was one of the first network shows to feature openly gay characters -- there were three of them -- and also told great stories touching on topics ranging from women’s rights to the Cold War to racial tensions without being preachy or condescending. That was a remarkable feat in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Comments? Suggestions? Wannabe my co-host? Contact me at [email protected]

PS: I will figure out how to separate “The Squad Room” from my other podcast “Business Bytes.”