Dead Television: Police Squad!

[TMC]

https://dekkareviews.wordpress.com/2...-police-squad/

January 7, 2025
Dave Cameron



In late November, the world of comedy recently lost a true innovator with the passing of Jim Abrahams, one of the brilliant minds behind “Police Squad!” and countless other classics. Known for his unparalleled ability to blend absurdity with razor-sharp wit, Abrahams left behind a legacy of laughter that continues to inspire generations of creators. His groundbreaking work with Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker (ZAZ) gave us “Airplane!”, “The Naked Gun”, and, of course, “Police Squad! (In Color)”, the short-lived but beloved TV series that inspired The Naked Gun.

As we reflect on Abrahams’ contributions, it’s fitting that “The Naked Gun” (and by proxy, “Police Squad!”) is set to make a comeback this summer in the form of a reboot co-written and produced by Seth MacFarlane. With MacFarlane’s knack for blending homage with fresh comedy, the new series promises to reintroduce the iconic brand of humor to a modern audience while honoring its roots.

In this review, we’ll celebrate what made the original “Police Squad!” so brilliant, hits performances, gags, and unmatched creativity, while acknowledging its untimely cancellation. Though it was gone too soon, its spirit lives on, not only in the “Naked Gun” films but also in the new chapter just around the corner.

PLOT

Every episode opens just like the movie, with a squad car driving through the city at night, followed by Frank getting in a shoot-out in an alleyway, followed by Captain Hocken getting in a shoot-out in the station (with a officers being on fire, and another jumping out a window, respectively). Then we see Rex Hamilton as Abe Lincolin, and he gets into a shoot-out, presumably killing Boothe (we never see him outside of the title sequence). One of many running jokes throughout the series was a huge celebrity guest star at the time showing up in the credits, only to killed off before the title card appears. In order:

• Lorne Greene (Battlestar Galactica): Stabbed in the chest
  
• Georg Stanford Brown (House Party 2/director of episode 5): Head crushed by a safe
  
• Robert Goulet (Recess/Naked Gun 2 1/2): Firing line
  
• William Shatner (needs no introduction): Almost survives shoot-out, get’s poisoned
  
• Florence Henderson (The Brady Bunch): Drive-by shooting
  
• William Conrad (Jake and the Fatman): Same as Lorne

One thing of note is that John Belushi was supposed to be one of the guest stars, but unfortunately, he passed away before he had a chance to film his cameo, so Florence Henderson took his place at the last minute. The narrator then reads the title, but its different than what you see on screen (EX: the title card will say: “The Butler Did It”, but the narrator will say “A Bird in the Hand”), the title on screen is plot related, and the title the narrator reads, is a red herring in keeping with the procedural parody.

Other running jokes in the show included Drebin’s rank changing every time he narrates or speaks to someone, along with him mentioning a crime occuring or was already taken care of before hand (EX. nude, unconscious fashion models that were being found in laundromats…) but he’s been assigned to the plot of the episode. Every time he’s in his car, he remarks that he was doing his laundry or has his laundry with him.

In every indoor scene with a window, some strange background will be visible through it (the U.S. Capitol, the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa in a scene set in a “Little Italy” neighborhood).

While it didn’t quite happen every episode, a few times Drebin and Hocken would step into an elevator, and then we’d see inside as they talked about the case. In the background, an unlikely passenger would enter, then the elevator doors would open to a setting that makes no sense for an elevator to be present, but makes sense with the outfit the passenger is wearing, who disembarks (A woman in a bathing suit who heads to a floor with a swimming pool; a matador who gets off at a bullring, for example).

Frank would also consult Johnny the shoeshine for the word on the street (who will then be consulted by someone in a non-cop profession, like a surgeon, Tommy LaSorda, Dick Clark); visit Dr. Olson for forensic info (interrupting him in the middle of some dangerous or creepy experiment he’s doing for some kid); crash into something while parking; offer a cigarette or something similar, only to have the offeree say “Yes, it is”; and at the end of every episode, mention that the current episode’s criminal would be joining the previous criminals (listed off by name) who had been arrested in the previous episodes in Statesville Prison. Followed by him and Ed doing a fake freeze frame, while something funny happens in the background, while the narrator announces to tune in next week for another exciting episode “From the Files of Police Squad!” (and that’s where the first movie gets its subtitle), with the exception of the final episode.

Despite its brilliant humor and innovative style, “Police Squad!” was unceremoniously canceled by ABC after just four episodes had aired in March 1982. The remaining two episodes were quietly burned off later that summer. The official reason for the cancellation, as shared by Leslie Nielsen during an interview for the show’s DVD release, was as absurd as the series itself. According to Nielsen, ABC’s then-president of entertainment, Tony Thomopoulos, axed the show because it required viewers to pay too much attention. Thomopoulos reportedly claimed, “The viewer had to watch it in order to appreciate it,” suggesting that the rapid-fire gags, subtle humor, and intricate sight jokes were simply too demanding for a casual TV audience.

Nielsen agreed with his belief and also speculated that “Police Squad’s” unique brand of comedy was better suited for the cinema, where the much larger screen size amplified the impact of the visual gags. This theory seems to hold water, as the same premise found massive success on the big screen with The Naked Gun trilogy. In the more focused environment of a movie theater, audiences were able to fully immerse themselves in the hilarity without the distractions of watching at home.

In a fascinating tidbit I learned on the “Police Squad!” Blu-Ray, ZAZ or ABC had a plan to breathe new life into the show after its premature cancellation. By repackage the six existing episodes into a made-for-TV movie with new wraparound segments. These segments would take place in a courtroom, potentially tying together the series’ episodes with a fresh comedic framing device.

Now, this is just a theory, not an official synopsis, the courtroom setting could have served as the trial of the criminals apprehended in the six episodes, with Frank and Ed providing hilariously unhelpful testimonies. Through “flashbacks”, the events of each episode would be relived, revealing the absurd ways the cases unfolded. In true Police Squad! style, the trial likely would’ve culminated in utter chaos, the courtroom exploding in flames as Drebin and Hocken struck one final awkward freeze frame.

Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, this made-for-TV movie never came to fruition. Perhaps ABC, still skeptical about the series’ appeal, pulled the plug on the idea, or maybe the creators shifted their focus to other projects. Regardless, it remains an intriguing “what if” for fans, a glimpse of how “Police Squad!” might have been given a second chance to shine.

While the courtroom wraparound never materialized, the freeze frame or (its filming anyway) at least has surface as a bonus feature.

Even though “Police Squad!” didn’t become the big hit ZAZ, and everyone at ABC and Paramount hoped for, it would eventually find new life as “The Naked Gun” trilogy, and its upcoming reboot later this year.

REVIEW

There’s a special kind of comedy that “Police Squad!” brought to television, a rapid-fire, gag-a-minute absurdity that demanded its audience keep up or risk missing the joke. Though it lasted just six episodes, the series left an indelible mark on comedy, paving the way for the beloved “Naked Gun” trilogy.

At the heart of the show’s success were its stellar performances. Leslie Nielsen’s Frank Drebin is an unmatched comedic force, delivering the most ludicrous lines with a deadpan sincerity that somehow makes every joke land even harder. Nielsen’s timing and delivery turned Drebin into an archetype of oblivious competence, a character so unaware of his own ridiculousness that he became endlessly endearing.

Alan North as Captain Ed Hocken was the perfect counterpart to Drebin. His ability to match Nielsen’s absurdity while remaining grounded made their dynamic one of the show’s comedic pillars. Peter Lupus also deserves a nod for his portrayal of Nordberg, the stoic yet inexplicably dumb officer whose physicality added another layer of humor to the proceedings.

Ira Newborn’s energetic, jazzy theme perfectly captured the show’s blend of nostalgia and parody. Inspired by classic detective series like “M-Squad”, the music set the tone from the opening credits, where the absurdity began with a bang, literally, in the case of the recurring guest stars hilariously killed off before the title card. These celebrity cameos were a highlight, turning the familiar trope of big-name guest stars on TV shows into a recurring gag of unexpected hilarity.

The writing and direction were a masterclass in parody, combining clever wordplay, running jokes, and inventive sight gags. From Drebin’s ever-changing rank to the bizarre backgrounds visible through windows, every scene was packed with humor, rewarding viewers who paid attention. Many of these gags were later adapted into “The Naked Gun” films, proving how versatile and enduring the show’s humor was. The weekly guest stars playing the criminals added a touch of old-school procedural drama, albeit one that inevitably dissolved into chaos, as Drebin and company thwarted the villain in the most nonsensical ways imaginable.

And yet, Police Squad! was doomed from the start. ABC’s decision to cancel it after only six episodes was frustrating but, in hindsight, not entirely surprising. The network’s reasoning: that viewers had to pay close attention to get the jokes, was shortsighted but speaks to the show’s ahead-of-its-time style. While its brilliance may have gone unappreciated in a 1982 TV landscape dominated by more straightforward comedies, “Police Squad!” found its perfect medium on the big screen.

Ultimately, “Police Squad!” may have been a brief moment in television history, but it led to something bigger: “The Naked Gun” trilogy and its reboot. In cinema, where audiences could focus fully on its intricate humor, the show’s spirit flourished, becoming a comedic institution. For fans, the six episodes of “Police Squad!” remain a treasure trove of laughs, a reminder of what happens when creative genius is given free rein, even if only for a short time.

While the show isn’t available to stream, its been released on various forms of home media over the years. First on VHS, Laserdisc (maybe Beta) in two volumes (Police Squad: Help Wanted and More Police Squad), each having three episodes. Then in 2006 the complete series was released on DVD, and on Blu-Ray in 2020. It may go to streaming at some point this summer, to coincide with the reboot (but don’t quote me on that one)

RANK: 5 out of 5