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Wiz Imp

(10,137 posts)

10. Yes, but the Corner Bar did not ever feature a gay couple. Just a gay character.

Reply to sl8 (Reply #9)

Wed Nov 5, 2025, 11:06 PM

Nov 2025

It was the first series to feature a recurring gay character (played by Vincent Schiavelli). The first openly gay character to appear on an American TV show, however, is credited to be on All in the Family. The episode "Judging Books By Covers" aired February 9, 1971(it was just the 5th episode of the series overall), featured a story where Archie was sure Mike and Gloria's friend was gay (he wasn't) but later found out a friend of his, an ex football player, is actually gay.

I don't really remember the Corner Bar, but I remember watching Hot L Baltimore and All in the Family as a young child. My parents never really censored my TV watching. Even though I didn't understand all the humor, I still enjoyed the shows.

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sl8 IbogaProject

32 replies

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Highlight:

How the Cop Show 'Barney Miller' Made Gay TV History, 50 Years Ago [View all] Coventina Nov 2025 OP

The theme song is one of the best jams EVER!!! johnnyfins Nov 2025 #1

The actual first openly gay couple on TV was seen on the sitcom Hot L Baltimore Wiz Imp Nov 2025 #2

I loved Hot L Baltimore. Easterncedar Nov 2025 #5

According to the article, "The Corner Bar" preceded "Hot l Baltimore", which preceded "Barney Miller" sl8 Nov 2025 #9

Yes, but the Corner Bar did not ever feature a gay couple. Just a gay character. Wiz Imp Nov 2025 #10

Good points. sl8 Nov 2025 #11

Yep. That episode was called "Archie the Hero", because Archie actually saved the Wiz Imp Nov 2025 #13

Arhh, I misremembered who saved whom. sl8 Nov 2025 #17

My folks really didn't either, in fact, I was allowed to stay up late for the original run of Roots in the mid 70's AZJonnie Nov 2025 #12

Ahhhh....warm memories of my parents watching growing up. Melon Nov 2025 #3

I think that Marty & Daryl characters were also featured as regulars on the Barney Miller spin-off NewDayOranges Nov 2025 #4

Hot L Baltimore had no connection to Barney Miller Wiz Imp Nov 2025 #7

God we've regressed. Hot L would NEVER be on network TV today. 617Blue Nov 2025 #26

One of the funniest episodes, IMHO, was the hash laced brownies: MarineCombatEngineer Nov 2025 #6

LOL leftstreet Nov 2025 #14

Yes, that was a ground breaking episode IbogaProject Nov 2025 #18

loved Barney Miller Skittles Nov 2025 #8

:-) Lemon Lyman Nov 2025 #15

Max Gail DET Nov 2025 #19

:-) Lemon Lyman Nov 2025 #20

I love seeing that Skittles Nov 2025 #21

I love that show! John Coktosten Nov 2025 #16

Brooklyn Nine-Nine wanted to do a Barney Miller episode SocialDemocrat61 Nov 2025 #22

I wish they would show these DenaliDemocrat Nov 2025 #23

MeTV currently has many of these shows on their schedule: Wiz Imp Nov 2025 #24

One thing I never understood about the Andy Griffith show SocialDemocrat61 Nov 2025 #28

- Lemon Lyman Nov 2025 #32

Every character on that show was great. 617Blue Nov 2025 #25

There was also a gay cop who came out to Barney. Asked him to keep it quiet. Norrrm Nov 2025 #27

We watch Barney Miller every night. lark Nov 2025 #29

MASH had an episode about a gay soldier a few years before that. Jbraybarten Nov 2025 #30

Good memory. Wikipedia: sl8 Nov 2025 #31