Customer Reviews

Police Squad! The Complete Series

5 star:		(82)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Police Squad! is one of those shows that just didn't get the chance it deserved. The show skewered, among other targets, the Quinn Martin crime shows of the 1960's and 70's (The Fugitive, Cannon, The Streets of San Francisco, etc.). Leslie Nielsen, who had guest starred on many of the shows Police Squad spoofed, was hilariously perfect. With his deadpan delivery, it was a perfect follow-up to the career altering path Nielsen had forged with his performance in Airplane.

But as fitfully funny and clever as it was, Police Squad!, for some reason, couldn't pull in the audiences that had flocked to see Zucker/Zucker/Abrahams' Airplane just two years earlier. The series suffered from low ratings from the start and never found its audience. One of the running gags on the show was the introduction of a "special guest star" who was immediately killed off in the some horrible fashion right after the introduction. Lorne Green, William Shatner, Georg Stanford Brown and Florence Henderson were among the guest stars who were shot, stabbed, machine-gunned and poisoned. Unfotunately, the guest star for the sixth episode was John Belushi who died right before the episode was to air. ABC had to pull the show until a new introduction could be filmed. Right after that, the series was cancelled after just six episodes, cutting short the run of one of the funniest series of all time.

Fortunately, the team of Zucker/Zucker/Abrahams resurrected the Police Squad! series in the form of the Naked Gun series in the late 1980's. The premise, and Leslie Nielsen, finally got the exposure it deserved and the result was three hilarious films that did very well at the box office. However, when the three films were released on DVD, there was no corresponding release of the original series on DVD.

Now, finally, the original series is coming to DVD on November the 7th. Hopefully many will buy the DVD and realize what a crime it was for ABC to cancel this hilarious series so soon.

I've been waiting for this to come out on DVD for many years now. This is hands down my favorite TV series of all time - albeit a very short lived one. As many writers have already noted, the entire "series" consists of only 6 episodes. But rest assured that these 6 short episodes are packed with wit. This is a show that you have to pay attention to - there are many visuals gags and plays on words. It's fantastic.

I'm glad to finally have the chance to purchase this in a digital format. As much as I liked the Naked Gun films, they just weren't the same. For me, Police Squad will always be Leslie Nielsen and Alan North (with Rex Hamilton as Abraham Lincoln, of course!).

If you're a fan of any of the Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker films (e.g. Airplane, Naked Gun, etc.) then you definitely should consider adding this to your collection. It's definitely some of their best work in my humble opinion.

Finally it's here, "In Color"! And for those who didn't get to see the original run on television, you will find many of the quips and gags in the Naked Gun trilogy are straight from the files of "Police Squad!". In fact, you really have to pay attention as the gags and jokes come non-stop. Here's one recurring gag; in episode 1 Drebin hits a trash can with his police car. In episode 2 he hits 2 trash cans and so on. "Cigarette? Yes I know!" "No sax before a fight"! "The 'toe' truck's here". "Club Flamingo". (lol) Where do you stop?

Great fun for everybody with Det. Frank Drebin, Capt. Ed Hocken, Johnny the Snitch, Ted Olson, Scientist and what I though was the best later edition appearing in the last 4 episodes, Peter Lupus as Norberg. (He should have played Norberg in the movies). After all those years playing the serious character 'Willie' on Mission Impossible, he gets to display his comedic talents as well.

Returning soon to a television screen near you!

Rest In Peace Leslie Nielsen: You will be missed... 11.28.10

In 1980, the movie "Airplane!" hit theaters and went on to become one of the biggest box-office hits of that year. It also put the movie's creators on the map. Jim Abrahams, David and Jerry Zucker wrote and directed "Airplane!", which now ranks as one of the funniest movies of all time. For their follow-up project, they decided to go to the small screen. And in 1982 they created a comedy series titled "Police Squad!" While "Airplane!" was a spoof of disaster movies (most notably the "Airport" movies of the `70s), "Police Squad! was a spoof of cop shows. As for who would be the star of the show, Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker decided to recruit one of their actors from "Airplane!", Leslie Nielsen. For years Nielsen had been regarded as an actor who usually appeared in serious roles. But "Airplane!" would eventually change all that. It was in this movie that Nielsen got a chance to do laugh out loud comedy, and "Police Squad!" would take him to the next level.

Nielsen plays Lt. Frank Drebin, a cop who's so dumb that he doesn't even know it, and what follows throughout the series run is a collection of clever wordplay, bad puns, silly names, hilariously stupid jokes, and visual gags going on in the background behind the main characters. Also it shows the characters taking it all so seriously with the actors (including Nielsen) playing it with deadpan faces. This is exactly the same approach that Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker used for "Airplane!" It worked for that movie, and it worked with "Police Squad!"

"Police Squad!" is one of the funniest TV shows ever made. The show debuted on ABC on March 4, 1982 to rave reviews, but unfortunately not many people watched it when it first aired. It only lasted six episodes and ABC eventually cancelled the series. But what followed next was unbelievable. The show gained loyal support and a cult following, and it would become known as a successful failed television series. It became a hit after it was cancelled, which is something that rarely happens on TV. But after I watched the six episodes for the first time many years ago, I could see why people like this show a lot. It's so uproarious and so hilarious and so funny that I can't understand why the show lasted only six episodes.

Let me count the ways on why "Police Squad!" cracks me up every time I see it. The opening credit sequence to every episode, boy what a hoot! It starts off saying "Police Squad! In Color". Then the voice-over announcer introduces stars Leslie Nielsen and Alan North (playing Capt. Ed Hocken), followed by Rex Hamilton as Abraham Lincoln. Then were introduced to the episode's special guest star. Once the guest star is introduced, they're immediately killed off, and that's the only time in the episode that they appear. This is a very interesting twist to the show, and it's also very original. And finally each opening credit sequence ends with a story title on the screen completely different from the one the announcer says. Then throughout every episode you see lots and lots of goofy jokes, both verbal and visual. For instance, when Frank and Ed visit "Little Italy", you see the Roman Coliseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa appear in the background. When two bodies are removed from the scene of a crime, they are taken out on a stretcher thirty feet long. When the cops question a grieving widow about her deceased husband, they have the perfect answer to her complaint about being bothered at such a bad time. "We would have come earlier," they explain, "but you husband wasn't dead yet." You also get lines of silly dialogue, such as when a character asks another character "was a man named "Twice" shot once, or was "Once" shot twice?" And isn't that an Olympic-size swimming pool upstairs at police headquarters? The closing credit sequence to every episode uses a familiar TV technique, that of freezing the action in the last scene to act as a backdrop for the credits. Here the performers do it literally, standing stock still trying desperately to hold their open-mouthed expressions through the closing roll.

"Police Squad!" is a comic gem of a comedy series that deserves all the accolades that it has gotten over the years. In 1982 it received two Emmy nominations: one for Leslie Nielsen as Best Actor in a Comedy Series, and the other for Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker, who received their nod for Best Writing in a Comedy Series for the first episode. Even though this series was short lived, it did not die. In 1988, Nielsen reteamed with Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker to make a feature film based on "Police Squad!" The name of the movie was "The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!" The film opened in December 1988, and went on to become a big hit with critics and moviegoers alike. It was so successful, that two sequels followed: 1991's "Naked Gun 2 ½: The Smell of Fear", and 1994's "Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult", which (like its predecessor) also scored big at the box-office. In the summer of 1991, shortly after "Naked Gun 2 ½" opened in theaters, CBS decided to cash in on the "Naked Gun" franchise by airing the episodes of "Police Squad!" And the show was a big hit for years on video.

Now it's finally coming to DVD on November 7, 2006. It's about time! I know the biggest fans of "Police Squad!" (myself included) will be getting this DVD. I can't wait!

Leslie Nielsen was a dramatic actor in the 1950's-1980's tv and movies...That was until an all star satire movie called Airplane.

Then the producers of Airplane did a TV show with slapstick, satire and well treaded jokes entitled Police Squad. It last only six episodes. The jokes were fast and plentiful. However ABC did not have the time to give it a chance and pulled its plug quickly.

Foreshadowing The producers took to the concept to the movies and lo and behold the Naked Gun series of films were created. Neilson became a comic actor

So if you are a fan of Airplane, Top Secret or the Naked Gun films, this set is great. If you want to recapture the original lightening in a bottle which was Police Squad, get this. And If you are like me-like cute crude humor..GET THIS SET!

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

The three guys who created Airplane, Hot Shots, the Naked Gun, and other hilarious shows are finally releasing their greatest creation yet. Police Squad was a failed television series that inspired the later Naked Gun movies and used many of the same jokes. But here it is fifty times as funny, and not nearly as nasty or obseen. Leslie Nielsen stars in the series as Frank Dreban and his comedic timing always shines through. Watch for the scene in the boxing episode where the boxer screams out, "Nobody owns Bobby Driggs, NOBODY", and as he turns his back to the camera, on his shirt is printed the words "Property of Martin". Shows don't get any funnier than this. And while only six episodes were ever filmed, each one is so classic, you can watch them over and over again. Pick up Police Squad, and you'll be laughing the whole night through.

Glad to see this finally getting official release. I taped it off a late night marathon awhile back, and it's great -- more consistently amusing (particularly in 22-minute bursts) than the Naked Gun movies (though the first movie was pretty good, albeit by recycling some of the gags from the series). Most memorable line: Leslie Nielsen, acting undercover as a locksmith, breaks into the bad guy's apartment. The bad guy yells, "Who are you?! How did you get in here?!" To which Neilsen responds: "I'm the locksmith. And... I'm the locksmith." If you find that funny, buy this.

Finally this short-lived comedy gem that spawned the Naked Gun movies is coming to DVD. Here's a description of all six episodes which originally aired in 1982:

1. A Substantial Gift (The Broken Promise)

Sally, a bank teller deeply in debt, robs her own bank and plants evidence that implicates a fairly commonplace man who was present during the crime. Police Squad, a special unit of the police force, is called to investigate a double shooting that happened during the robbery. However, the stories just don't add up. The evidence builds and points in Sally's direction, but it's up to Frank to find the clues that will put her away.

Writer: Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker, David Zucker

Director: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker

Star: Leslie Nielsen (Detective Frank Drebin), Alan North (Captain Ed Hocken), Rex Hamilton (Abraham Lincoln)

Recurring Role: Ed Williams (Ted Olsen), William Duell (Johnny)

Guest Star: Lorne Greene (Himself), Barbara Tarbuck (Mrs. Twice), Terry Wills (Jim), Terrence Beasor (Dr. Zubatsky), Russell Shannon (Ralph Twice), Jimmy Briscoe (Cop), Kathryn Leigh Scott (Sally)


2. Ring of Fear (A Dangerous Assignment)

Frank investigates a veteran boxer who lately has been throwing his fights. He takes the boxer under his wing in order to expose the boxer's corrupt manager. Unfortunately, the manger has kidnapped the boxer's girlfriend and put the boxer's title fight in jeopardy. Frank now tries to save the boxer's girlfriend in the hopes that the boxer won't have to throw the match so he can have a shot at rejuvenating his career in the ring.

Writer: Tino Insana, Robert Wuhl

Director: Joe Dante

Story: David Misch

Star: Leslie Nielsen (Detective Frank Drebin), Alan North (Captain Ed Hocken), Rex Hamilton (Abraham Lincoln)

Recurring Role: Ed Williams (Ted Olsen), William Duell (Johnny)

Guest Star: Georg Stanford Brown (Himself), Rudy Solari (Martin), Patrick St. Esprit (Buddy), Tessa Richarde (Mary), Floyd Levine (Cooper), Irwin Keyes (Luca), Grand Bush (The Champ)


3. The Butler Did It (A Bird in the Hand)

The daughter of a wealthy business man is kidnapped on her 18th birthday and Police Squad swings into action. The main suspect of their investigation is the girl's boyfriend. When Frank and Ed listen to a recording of the kidnapper's demands, they hear the distinct sound of a tuba in the background, though it could also be a ship's horn. They search for a tuba store. When they do track down and find the kidnapper, the criminal fights back.

Writer: Pat Proft

Director: Georg Stanford Brown

Story: Deborah Hwang, Robert K. Weiss

Star: Leslie Nielsen (Detective Frank Drebin), Alan North (Captain Ed Hocken), Rex Hamilton (Abraham Lincoln)

Recurring Role: Ed Williams (Ted Olsen), William Duell (Johnny)

Guest Star: Robert Goulet (Himself), Peter Lupus (Nordberg), Tommy Lasorda (Himself), Nicolas Coster (Warner), Lilibet Stern (Terri), Byron Webster (Thames), Ken Michelman (Kingsley), Peter Elbing (Mime), K Callan (Charlotte)


4. Revenge and Remorse (The Guilty Alibi)

Frank investigates a district judge's courtroom after it is booby-trapped with a powerful explosive. The main suspect is a recently paroled ex-convict with a history of similar bombings. Upon questioning the bomber's ex-wife, Frank and Ed find she's more interested in getting charity than the fact that her ex-husband may be up to his old tricks. Frank and Ed discover the bomber has a showgirl girlfriend on the side. She has the perfect alibi for her boyfriend, but Frank and Ed wonder if she's really just covering for him.

Writer: Nancy Steen, Neil Thompson

Director: Paul Krasny

Star: Leslie Nielsen (Detective Frank Drebin), Alan North (Captain Ed Hocken), Rex Hamilton (Abraham Lincoln)

Recurring Role: Ed Williams (Ted Olsen), William Duell (Johnny)

Guest Star: William Shatner (Himself), Peter Lupus (Nordberg), Dr. Joyce Brothers (Herself), Spence Milligan (Eddie), Bonnie Campbell-Britton (Lana), K.T. O'Sullivan (Mimi)


5. Rendezvous at Big Gulch (Terror in the Neighborhood)

The mob sets up an "insurance" scam that threatens several businesses and residents. Frank and Nordberg go to investigate. After a dance instructor is beaten up, they set up their own shop - a key-making and locksmith store - and go undercover. When the mob stops by to offer them "insurance," Frank dismisses their threats and the mob strikes their store. Frank ends up having the key to stopping the crime wave, largely because of the key-making and locksmith shop he and Nordberg set up.

Writer: Nancy Steen, Neil Thompson

Director: Reza Badiyi

Story: Pat Proft

Star: Leslie Nielsen (Detective Frank Drebin), Alan North (Captain Ed Hocken), Rex Hamilton (Abraham Lincoln)

Recurring Role: Ed Williams (Ted Olsen), William Duell (Johnny)

Guest Star: Florence Henderson (Herself), Peter Lupus (Nordberg), Al Ruscio (Dutch), Robert Costanzo (Leo), John Ashton (Rocky), Connie Needham (Jill), Rebecca Holden (Stella)


6. Testimony of Evil (Dead Men Don't Laugh)

A struggling comedian owes money to the owner of a nightclub. When his body is discovered at the bottom of a cliff in a car crash, all the clues point to suicide. It is later discovered that the comedian was also a police informant on a drug ring he infiltrated at his nightclub. Frank steps in and takes the place of the deceased at the nightclub in order to gather more clues.

Writer: Tino Insana, Robert Wuhl

Director: Joe Dante

Star: Leslie Nielsen (Detective Frank Drebin), Alan North (Captain Ed Hocken), Rex Hamilton (Abraham Lincoln)

Recurring Role: Ed Williams (Ted Olsen), William Duell (Johnny)

Guest Star: William Conrad (Himself), Peter Lupus (Nordberg), Dick Clark (Himself), Dick Miller (Vic), Claudette Nevins (Veronica Rivers), Wayne Winton (Don), Jerry Lane (Willy)

This short lived six episode series from 1982 was of course the inspiration for the NAKED GUN movies, and I laugh every time I watch these delightfully zany six shows. Leslie Nielsen is perfect as Frank Drebbin, the mentally challenged police detective, who is funny even when he isn't talking. The late Alan North is hilarious too as his partner, and Peter Lupus (MISSION IMPOSSIBLE) is a revelation in his role as the buffoonish undercover man.
Each episode starts with a big name (then) guest star who gets killed, and the narration always gives a title that doesn't match the one on the screen. There are so many minor gems of comic mastery it would be impossible to list them all here, but the sight gags and the verbzl pundits are classic writing.
I love this show and was sad it never had a longer run...thanks for the DVD you can rewatch them over and over again.

Police Squad is a rare gem. Here is a series which was deemed too complicated for American audiences and so was taken off air after a mere six episodes. Here is a case of the TV executives believing their audience to be dumber than they actually are. Talk about 'dumbing down'...
This series was the precursor to the Naked Gun movies and in my opinion, this type of humour works better in the half hour format because it is much sharper and succinct.
Police Squad is, to my mind, one of the funniest U.S. television comedies ever.

The DVD only gets a four star rating though because of the ridiculous nature of the episode order. (They got the 'American Gothic' DVD mixed up as well.) Why don't the people who make these DVDs have any idea about the programme itself? OK, so the episodes are in air order - but they should have already learned how crazy TV execs are. Anyone who knows this series well, knows that there is a running gag at the end of the show which amasses each episode as they name the crooks caught each week.
It's a minor problem, but one worth noting.

The correct episode order is as follows:
A Substantial Gift (The Broken Promise)
Ring of Fear (A Dangerous Assignment)
Rendezvous at Big Gulch (Terror in the Neighborhood)
Revenge and Remorse (The Guilty Alibi)
The Butler Did It (A Bird in the Hand)
Testimony of Evil (Dead Men Don't Laugh)