Barney Miller Block Party (1975–1982) Online

"Block Party" marks Linda Lavin's fourth appearance as Det. Janice Wentworth, now firmly involved in a sexual relationship with an embarrassed Wojo, both unwittingly showing up late for work, earning a reprimand from Capt. Miller ("look, what you do in your private life is your own affair...your own business!"). Fish and Yemana pick up a man (Larry Bishop, son of comedian Joey Bishop) who was only washing his clothes at a laundromat, in the nude (Yemana: "shouldn't be too hard to find him!" Fish: "you never know in this neighborhood!"). The suspect, dubbed 'Lord Godiva' by Nick, figures justice is blind (Fish: "That's your only hope!"). Stanley Brock, previously seen in "Rain," here plays a barber victimized by multiple holdups, who wants a police permit to own a gun (he would play Bruno Bender in seven episodes, beginning with "Good-Bye, Mr. Fish"). Wentworth breaks up an attempted assassination, only for officers from Manhattan South to pinch him for themselves. Making the first of 12 appearances is George Murdock as Lt. Ben Scanlon from Manhattan South (formerly in vice), a slimeball always looking for corruption, who reveals himself to also be misogynist in his treatment of Wentworth. Harris picks up on his writing, and in composing a thesis for the precinct newsletter, reveals the facts about Wentworth's collar, forcing Scanlon to think twice about the official record. After his next appearance in "Group Home," Murdock would return as Lt. Scanlon in "Chase." Linda Lavin's fifth and final appearance as Wentworth comes in the very next episode.