Dragnet's Friday Will Air on Saturday - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zebra 3 · 08-30-2003, 03:04 PM

The veteran detective and central character of the Dragnet franchise is sticking to the facts and following procedure, just as he's always done. But this time, more people are listening to his no-nonsense know-how.

Made famous more than 50 years ago by Jack Webb and now played by Ed O'Neill, Friday no longer prowls the streets of Los Angeles with a lone sidekick. He's been promoted to lieutenant, in charge of a diverse group of junior detectives who seem to hang on his every word.

Friday's upgrade to mentor of his own mod squad on what is now called L.A. Dragnet is one of many changes in the ABC series' evolving effort to survive.

When the second season premieres in a new time slot on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 10:00pm, it will look markedly different from the retro-flavoured Dragnet launched on Sunday nights last February to disappointing results.

There will be more women and more vistas of Los Angeles. Updated, less noir-like dialogue and more of a documentary shooting and editing style. Even subtle wardrobe changes - gone are Friday's short-sleeved shirts.

There are also two new writers - twin brothers Jonas and Josh Pate.

"We want it to be a current show, we don't want it to reference the old show in any wink, wink kind of way," says Josh Pate.

But that doesn't mean the Pates don't have reverence for the series' top cop.

"The show is still centered on Friday," Pates assures. "We definitely want to ramp up the legend of Joe Friday and his kind of larger-than-life character as a famous cop...get that sense across that he's an iconic character."

The producers are also keeping that familiar dum-de-dum-dum theme song, and the show will continue to emphasize solving cases, not the detectives' personal lives or emotions.

"No love life, no home, just the job - I think that's good," O'Neill jokes.

While admitting that the new Saturday night slot is not ideal time for a cop show trying to reinvent itself and appeal to younger viewers, Lloyd Braun, ABC entertainment chairman, has said the strategy is to "incubate" the show in a noncompetive time period. If it becomes a self-starter, he says, then it may be moved to a more suitable slot later in the season.

To make tha happen, says Pate, the series must "look forward more than it looks back."

Mr. Television · 08-30-2003, 03:44 PM

They are making it like every other crime drama out there. I'll continue to watch The District.

08-30-2003, 03:04 PM	#1
Zebra 3 Striped Tomato Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 26, 2002 Location: Bay City Posts: 5,810	Dragnet's Friday Will Air on Saturday The veteran detective and central character of the Dragnet franchise is sticking to the facts and following procedure, just as he's always done. But this time, more people are listening to his no-nonsense know-how. Made famous more than 50 years ago by Jack Webb and now played by Ed O'Neill, Friday no longer prowls the streets of Los Angeles with a lone sidekick. He's been promoted to lieutenant, in charge of a diverse group of junior detectives who seem to hang on his every word. Friday's upgrade to mentor of his own mod squad on what is now called L.A. Dragnet is one of many changes in the ABC series' evolving effort to survive. When the second season premieres in a new time slot on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 10:00pm, it will look markedly different from the retro-flavoured Dragnet launched on Sunday nights last February to disappointing results. There will be more women and more vistas of Los Angeles. Updated, less noir-like dialogue and more of a documentary shooting and editing style. Even subtle wardrobe changes - gone are Friday's short-sleeved shirts. There are also two new writers - twin brothers Jonas and Josh Pate. "We want it to be a current show, we don't want it to reference the old show in any wink, wink kind of way," says Josh Pate. But that doesn't mean the Pates don't have reverence for the series' top cop. "The show is still centered on Friday," Pates assures. "We definitely want to ramp up the legend of Joe Friday and his kind of larger-than-life character as a famous cop...get that sense across that he's an iconic character." The producers are also keeping that familiar dum-de-dum-dum theme song, and the show will continue to emphasize solving cases, not the detectives' personal lives or emotions. "No love life, no home, just the job - I think that's good," O'Neill jokes. While admitting that the new Saturday night slot is not ideal time for a cop show trying to reinvent itself and appeal to younger viewers, Lloyd Braun, ABC entertainment chairman, has said the strategy is to "incubate" the show in a noncompetive time period. If it becomes a self-starter, he says, then it may be moved to a more suitable slot later in the season. To make tha happen, says Pate, the series must "look forward more than it looks back."
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08-30-2003, 03:44 PM	#2
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	They are making it like every other crime drama out there. I'll continue to watch The District.
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