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Wiz Imp

(8,125 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, 10:06 PM

Nov 5

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 5 OP

The theme song is one of the best jams EVER!!! johnnyfins Nov 5 #1

The actual first openly gay couple on TV was seen on the sitcom Hot L Baltimore Wiz Imp Nov 5 #2

I loved Hot L Baltimore. Easterncedar Nov 5 #5

According to the article, "The Corner Bar" preceded "Hot l Baltimore", which preceded "Barney Miller" sl8 Nov 5 #9

Yes, but the Corner Bar did not ever feature a gay couple. Just a gay character. Wiz Imp Nov 5 #10

Good points. sl8 Nov 5 #11

Yep. That episode was called "Archie the Hero", because Archie actually saved the Wiz Imp Nov 5 #13

Arhh, I misremembered who saved whom. sl8 Nov 5 #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 5 #12

Ahhhh....warm memories of my parents watching growing up. Melon Nov 5 #3

I think that Marty & Daryl characters were also featured as regulars on the Barney Miller spin-off NewDayOranges Nov 5 #4

Hot L Baltimore had no connection to Barney Miller Wiz Imp Nov 5 #7

God we've regressed. Hot L would NEVER be on network TV today. 617Blue Nov 6 #26

One of the funniest episodes, IMHO, was the hash laced brownies: MarineCombatEngineer Nov 5 #6

LOL leftstreet Nov 5 #14

Yes, that was a ground breaking episode IbogaProject Nov 5 #18

loved Barney Miller Skittles Nov 5 #8

:-) Lemon Lyman Nov 5 #15

Max Gail DET Nov 5 #19

:-) Lemon Lyman Nov 6 #20

I love seeing that Skittles Nov 6 #21

I love that show! John Coktosten Nov 5 #16

Brooklyn Nine-Nine wanted to do a Barney Miller episode SocialDemocrat61 Nov 6 #22

I wish they would show these DenaliDemocrat Nov 6 #23

MeTV currently has many of these shows on their schedule: Wiz Imp Nov 6 #24

One thing I never understood about the Andy Griffith show SocialDemocrat61 Nov 6 #28

- Lemon Lyman Nov 6 #32

Every character on that show was great. 617Blue Nov 6 #25

There was also a gay cop who came out to Barney. Asked him to keep it quiet. Norrrm Nov 6 #27

We watch Barney Miller every night. lark Nov 6 #29

MASH had an episode about a gay soldier a few years before that. Jbraybarten Nov 6 #30

Good memory. Wikipedia: sl8 Nov 6 #31