So sorry to hear of the passing of Reinhold Weege. He wrote for BARNEY MILLER, MASH, and created NIGHT COURT. Very funny writer and lovely guy. He was only 63. Because he's been retired for some time (back then you made big money for creating a hit show) he's not as well-known as he should be. But trust me, among writers of my generation, he was greatly admired. The world of comedy is a little less funny now. Reiney will be greatly missed.
23 comments :
Loved the moment on Night Court when it was revealed that Dan Fielding's real name was Reinhold.
Oh, no. He did some great stuff on Barney Miller and in my opinion, Night Court is one of the all time best sitcoms. I've been hopping the last couple of years that the relative creative freedom offered on cable would lure him back for one more show.
So sorry to hear that! I loved that Dan Fielding's real name was Reinhold. Night Court was a great show and Barney Miller one of the very best.
A great writer - and I loved hearing his boisterous chuckle all over Night Court - I can't describe it, but it's plainly and easily heard with every big audience laugh - I think they revealed that it was his laugh on an Entertainment Tonight piece on the show back then.
He hired me a couple of times...so he had good taste. Bill Kirichenbauer
it's a sad day indeed.
A mutual friend told me that lately Reiny had made some sort of deal with a studio and was working on a play, so I guess he'd finally decided to get back in the game to some extent. A shame it's not gonna happen now. RIP
Sorry to hear about this :(
I hope it's not inappropriate to post a Friday question:
My friend works on Anger Management and he told me they're shooting two episodes a week. When I expressed my concern for the writers, my friend said that production ceased every four weeks (or something like that) for a week. Apparently this is the first big name show to use this production schedule (which is usually reserved for cheaper shows). What do you think about it, Ken?
Could it work, or is the fact they're even trying to produce a big name sitcom using this scheduling just another example of how Hollywood undervalues important things?
Johnny - that schedule is not half as strange as the infamous My Three Sons weirdness of having to film EVERY scene with Fred MacMurray for the SEASON, then going back and filling in the blanks, so to speak, when Fred goes off to do FOLLOW ME BOYS! at Disney, or perhaps riding Greyhound buses all over the place.
No wonder Tim Matheson quit.
I have worked as a County Attorney in a real life court setting here in L.A. that while it was held during the day, very much resembled the atmosphere on Night Court. Real life can often be just as weord as funny as a sitcom, in this case.
As for Anger Management, if I remember right, once they got past the ten episode hump they renewed Sheen and Co. for another 90 episodes per their agreement. I wonder if the accelerated pace has anything to do with making sure the network is going to get what it paid for, in the event there's another misadventure or twelve on the part of the star?
Lou it was Tim Conssodine that quit.
@Craig Edwards -- That distinctive laugh on the sound track wasn't his; it was Chuck Weege, Reiny's father. For the first several seasons, Chuck and Georgia (Reiny's mother) came to every taping, so his "boisterous chuckle" was indeed all over Night Court. Reiny even put it in the end credits over the logo of his production company, Starry Night Productions.
Barney Miller and Night Court are among my all-time favorites. Requiescat in pace, Mr. Weege.
Weege also worked on the BARNEY MILLER spinoff FISH. If memory severs me, his names on the episode where Dietrich comes over to the group home to give Fish a ride to work. The house next door catches on fire, delaying them a bit.
DIETRICH: I'll call in tell them we're going to be late for work.
FISH: Right
DIETRICH: Can I use your phone?
It was Tim Considine, who played eldest Mike on "My Three Sons", and who quit. But it wasn't because of the shooting schedule; it was because he wanted to write and direct more (he wrote a few episodes the season before he left. The producer didn't want him to.
The "MacMurray method" of consecutively filming all the star's scenes for the season was also used for Brian Keith on "Family Affair".
It was Tim Considine, who played eldest Mike on "My Three Sons", and who quit. But it wasn't because of the shooting schedule; it was because he wanted to write and direct more (he wrote a few episodes the season before he left. The producer didn't want him to.
The "MacMurray method" of consecutively filming all the star's scenes for the season was also used for Brian Keith on "Family Affair".
Althought it seems overlooked by a lot of people, Night Court was a well- written show. The thing that really struck me was that there always seemed to be a closing joke to wrap up the entire episode that seemed to come out of nowhere. It was like an O. Henry moment that grabbed you and and made you watch until the end of the episode.
For example, this scene is probably one of my favorite Night Court moments:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZjEx8ClvsA
This is so sad and so weird; I was JUST watching "Barney Miller", saw his name on the credits, and thought "Ah, that's right, I forgot he did 'Barney' first, then went on to 'Night Court'. Why isn't anyone playing 'Night Court' anymore?! I wonder what's become of him-- sitcoms today could use his wit." Then I came here, and read this... what a shame.
Strength and peace to all who knew and loved him.
Storm
Night Court was a hilarious staple of the 80s. RIP, Mr. Weege. Thanks for the laughs.
"This wasn't herb tea, this was Herb!"
Just saw this news. So sad, his sense of humor certainly shaped mine as a young fan of Barney Miller and Night Court. RIP, Reinhold.
I don't remember Dan's name being Reinhold, it's the name given to the child when it is born.
PolyWogg
Enjoyed his work.
SP Fix
Atlanta, GA
I saw the MASH episode ‘Souvenirs’ the other day. I must have seen it before but two things struck me anew. Reinhold Weege shared the Story credit and Brian Dennehy played an MP. I checked IMDB and saw that this was among Dennehy’s earliest credits. This was before 10, where I first noticed him, and before SEMI TOUGH and FIRST BLOOD. ( Dennehy also appeared in an episode of The Tony Randall Show.) Dennehy isn’t the only notable actor who made an appearance on MASH early in their career. Whomever was responsible for casting on the show knew what they were doing.
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