Memorable Moments: Hash Brownies

The Closer "High Crimes" is one of the exceptions to

drug-dealer mysteries: very funny mystery episode.

Other than Tylenol and on occasion, penicillin, I've never taken drugs. Nevertheless, drugs--like the Godfather--are such an ubiquitous presence in our society that I get many references connected to them.

I have zero interest in drug-dealer mysteries, which bore me only slightly less than mafia episodes--but I've laughed myself silly over various references in sitcoms.

Two stand out, both involving marijuana and brownies.

Example 1: "Hash" on Barney Miller

Wojo brings brownies to the station. They were baked by a young hippie woman in the neighborhood. She makes no appearance in the episode but her brownies--laced with hashish--certainly do. Barney doesn't imbibe, which is entirely believable. But Wojo, Fish, Yamana, and Harris get fried or whatever.

Wojo gets very mellow. Fish gains the energy--and loses his usual preoccupation with death--to chase down a burglar (played by the wonderful Michael Tucci). Yamana starts to sing. Harris gets even more cool (if that's possible).

Harris also supplies one of the funniest lines in the episode. Realizing what has happened, Barney asks Harris, "Can you still function?"

Harris: "Sharp as a tack!"

Barney (handing him the box of brownies): "Get these analyzed."

Harris takes a handful of brownie and starts eating.

Barney (seizing the box back): "Not that way!"

Example 2: "High Holidays," Frasier

In the last season of Frasier, Niles decides to eat a hash brownie; he wants to prove that he can be "bad"--since he never was growing up.

His father, Martin, ends up eating the brownie instead. What follows is an extremely funny episode where John Mahoney delivers a credible impression of a stoned man of near seventy. Martin thinks Eddie can talk, stops wearing his pants, and invents new desserts.

The best line comes at the end of the episode. Niles, realizing that his father--rather than himself--was the one who ate the brownie (innocent Niles doesn't even realize that he isn't buzzed--hey, I can relate), declares in frustration, "I am completely incapable of rebelling."

"Niles," Frasier reminds him gently, "you did get our cop father stoned tonight."

"I did, didn't I?" Niles says with his puckish smile.