Critic Reviews

It boasts an appealing star, a colorful ensemble cast, clever writing and no shortage of laughs. It is, in short, what good character comedy should be. [23 March 2000]

The show is not as original as ''Barney Miller,'' the last prime-time comedy hit set in a police station, but it has possibilities and a strong cast.

The comedy here is anything but “The Sopranos” lite or neo-"Barney Miller,” much of its success resulting from Perkins’ easy, unmannered way with her likably nasty character. Although comedy begins with writing, Perkins doesn’t need much of a line to be funny, whether spinning sarcasm or lamenting being “up to my ears in hookers.”

An intriguing blend of "Barney Miller" and "The Naked Gun," it's an ensemble comedy with an appealing cast and an off-center sensibility that makes it a keeper, or at least worth checking out the next few weeks.

Not to be missed by anybody who ever mourned the passing of Barney Miller.

Battery Park shines brighter, thanks to punchier writing and a better ensemble. But it, too, suffers from sitcomitis: the urge to give viewers another version of something they've already seen. [23 March 2000]

Battery Park isn't awful. Goldberg is too skilled at putting together slick ensemble comedies for that. It actually does click some of the time. But it's not quite charged up to the level of "Barney Miller," the gold standard for this type of show. [23 March 2000, p.49]

Blessed with one of the most-coveted timeslots in television, series needs to find a consistent tone to find its own audience — the second half of the second episode demonstrates that it is possible.

If you find that humorous -- and the annoyingly cranked-up laugh track sure did -- then you're set. If not, well, the lines don't get much better. [23 March 2000]

The mostly forgettable "Battery Park"? It's strictly DOA -- Dull On Arrival. [23 March 2000]