The announcer was veteran voice-over Hank Simms, who indeed worked on Quinn Martin's various opening titles {"CANNON", "BARNABY JONES", et. al.} and various awards ceremonies, including the yearly "Academy Awards"...
The pilots flopped. After repeated calls to keep it aired, we were told that the public wanted proven winners like, " Joanie Loves Chachi." You actually had to have an attention span to pay attention to the subtle humor embedded throughout. I guess that explains its rapid demise.
@Aetius76 "Police Squad!", "Harry O" Now you see why ABC languished in last place for such a long time among the networks and why Cable TV overtook the "Big 3" networks. Do you think that "The Sopranos", "Dead Like Me". "Deadwood" would have found a place on the networks given the brain dead thinking of the executives at the time?
I still don't/can't believe there are only 7 episodes of this. Can you get them on DVD? Even thought there were only a few episodes the Naked Gun films were spin offs from Police Squad! R. I. P. Leslie Nelson
They are available on DVD...as for the seven episodes, it really couldn't sustain the audience as it was the type of humor you had to pay attention to. Not really something you do with TV viewing. That is why it acheived greater success in the Movies with the Naked Gun series (people will pay attention when you pay for it). Even Leslie Nelson said this in his recent obits.
We are all better off for having had Leslie Nielsen in our lives to make us laugh at him and ourselves. He should make generations to come laugh as well!
@warpedwiselegoman On purpose. Every espisode had one name on the credits so the announcer could screw it up. Such a great - though short lived show. Long legacy though.....
The pilots flopped. After repeated calls to keep it aired, we were told that the public wanted proven winners like, " Joanie Loves Chachi." You actually had to have an attention span to pay attention to the subtle humor embedded throughout. I guess that explains its rapid demise.
@zephyran0 true but Naked Gun 33 1/3 shows what may have happened if it was picked up for multiple 22 episode seasons......repetitive unfunny garbage.....just having a mere 6 episodes means this stayed special and never jumped the shark
- the show was critically acclaimed when it came out, the public loved it but it was cancelled after 4 episodes (they ran 6 eps) and abc basically said it wouldn't work because "it required the viewer to pay too much attention to the show".
which is widely considered the single stupidest reason ever given for a shows cancellation.
as far as NYC goes- people either want to be like us so they imitate us or move here and "convert", or they hate us because they are in denial about us bieng better than them.
There were only 6 episodes that aired on ABC in the spring of 1982. In the late 80s or early 90s, Comedy Central used to run them, sometimes in a marathon.
Until about 1966-67, most TV shows were still in B&W, so when they went to color many shows proudly announced that fact in the opening credits. "Police Squad In Color" was just one of the nods the show gave to all the police/PI shows from 10-15 years before.
Yes I have the DVD of Police Squad. But like I said in the other message I doubt they would release it. IMDB even says in the trivia it's believed to be lost and/or destroyed.
I saw the series after the Naked Gun movies and was kind of let down. But that's only because the first Naked Gun movie ripped off a lot of jokes directly from the series, so it didn't feel fresh to me. If I had seen the series first, my opinion would most likely be different. It's still funny though :)
Does anyone have access to the one where John Belushi was killed in the beginning? Supposedly, it was set to air and never did because he died just a few weeks before...JB.
It was after Airplane but before Naked Gun this was 82 and Airplane was 80. They cast Leslie because they liked working with him in Airplane and also Leslie said in his bio meeting the Zucker's was the best thing that ever happened to him.
Actually, the best part of the intro was the special guest stars that were killed off before the show started. (Florence Henderson was my favorite one of those.)
It was cancelled as it didn't have any viewers because they didn't have a sense of humor. So it was cancelled but years later when it was reshown people loved it...too little too late.
I think it's hilarious that they introduce the special guest, but he gets killed off and never appears in the episode after that.
pyrogyra72 1 month ago
This show was awesome, and way ahead of it's time!
Sigdriffa 4 months ago
....and what about the closing credits where the actors mock a freeze frame?
What a frickin' scream this show was!
MaidenUtah1 5 months ago
Peter:Oh Hey Stewie. Who the hell is that?
BlazingNetwork 10 months ago
I always loved this show....then I found out that it was IN COLOR and I was like 'Best show ever'
akif15ilyas 10 months ago 3
R.I.P
ppp07m 1 year ago
I used to love to see the special guest star meet its fate during the opening credits. I never figured out who Rex Hamilton was....
gmcolvins 1 year ago
The announcer was veteran voice-over Hank Simms, who indeed worked on Quinn Martin's various opening titles {"CANNON", "BARNABY JONES", et. al.} and various awards ceremonies, including the yearly "Academy Awards"...
fromthesidelines 1 year ago
Hey, Major TV Networks: THIS is the 1980s TV series you should be doing a remake of! (And, quite likely now, people would watch it this time!)
PDCougar 1 year ago
What a show.
Metatarsal 1 year ago
Was there only 1 series of this? I loved this show when I was younger and it is very rarely aired on TV. I would love to see them all again.
Kalanag01 1 year ago
LMAO! OMG!
Troopertk421 1 year ago
Sums up why it was axed. How sad.
booifojoe
3 months ago
The pilots flopped. After repeated calls to keep it aired, we were told that the public wanted proven winners like, " Joanie Loves Chachi." You actually had to have an attention span to pay attention to the subtle humor embedded throughout. I guess that explains its rapid demise.
warpedwiselegoman
3 months ago
tonight's episode: a broken promise
tonight's episode: a substantial gift
...was that on purpose for comedic effect?
Aetius76 1 year ago
@Aetius76 "Police Squad!", "Harry O" Now you see why ABC languished in last place for such a long time among the networks and why Cable TV overtook the "Big 3" networks. Do you think that "The Sopranos", "Dead Like Me". "Deadwood" would have found a place on the networks given the brain dead thinking of the executives at the time?
DAngelo136 1 year ago
I still don't/can't believe there are only 7 episodes of this. Can you get them on DVD? Even thought there were only a few episodes the Naked Gun films were spin offs from Police Squad! R. I. P. Leslie Nelson
tgpii 1 year ago
They are available on DVD...as for the seven episodes, it really couldn't sustain the audience as it was the type of humor you had to pay attention to. Not really something you do with TV viewing. That is why it acheived greater success in the Movies with the Naked Gun series (people will pay attention when you pay for it). Even Leslie Nelson said this in his recent obits.
It was still fun to watch though...
gent11763 1 year ago
R.I.P. Leslie, this theme was used for his Naked Gun movies. Am I right?
kimv020887 1 year ago
We are all better off for having had Leslie Nielsen in our lives to make us laugh at him and ourselves. He should make generations to come laugh as well!
"Surely, he must be funny!"
"Yes, he is, and don't call me Shirley."
vccstudents 1 year ago
RIP Leslie Nielsen, I grew up to "Police Squad!" .
You made my sense of humour what it is today, I'm not sure if that's a good thing lol
dave1995 1 year ago
I loved this show as well as the Airplane/Naked Gun series. It was hillarious. Too bad most of America didn't get it. Leslie Nielsen RIP.
jaybrank 1 year ago
RIP... Heaven has a great actor now..
evpsareallaroundus 1 year ago
Surely you can't be serious! Yes I am and don't call me Shirley-LOL! Leslie, you be missed!!!
swst 1 year ago
F yeah Leslie Nielson! You will be missed!
estevancarlos 1 year ago
rip Leslie Nielson
caddyshack12190 1 year ago
RIP
DenseCloudz 1 year ago
rip Leslie Nielson
bi0dude42O 1 year ago
such a great show, ahead of it's time!
jailbreak74andmore 1 year ago
Such a great sequence.
Zip
getzippy 1 year ago
tonight's episode: a broken promise
tonight's episode: a substantial gift
...was that on purpose for comedic effect?
warpedwiselegoman 1 year ago
@warpedwiselegoman On purpose. Every espisode had one name on the credits so the announcer could screw it up. Such a great - though short lived show. Long legacy though.....
aitraining 1 year ago
The pilots flopped. After repeated calls to keep it aired, we were told that the public wanted proven winners like, " Joanie Loves Chachi." You actually had to have an attention span to pay attention to the subtle humor embedded throughout. I guess that explains its rapid demise.
booifojoe 1 year ago
Such a brilliant show that was too far ahead of its time. Thank God for the first two "Naked Gun" movies.
zephyran0 1 year ago 2
@zephyran0 true but Naked Gun 33 1/3 shows what may have happened if it was picked up for multiple 22 episode seasons......repetitive unfunny garbage.....just having a mere 6 episodes means this stayed special and never jumped the shark
Kwekwe 1 year ago
@Kwekwe Very good point. I've spent well over a decade trying to forget there was a third movie.
zephyran0 1 year ago
This show was like a cartoon! It inspired Scrubs, Family Guy as well as many others IMO.
jimjams91 1 year ago
the best sit-com to ever come out of America, ironically they never understood it.
castlekingside28 2 years ago
@castlekingside28
actually it wasn't the american public
- the show was critically acclaimed when it came out, the public loved it but it was cancelled after 4 episodes (they ran 6 eps) and abc basically said it wouldn't work because "it required the viewer to pay too much attention to the show".
which is widely considered the single stupidest reason ever given for a shows cancellation.
briangriffin1234 2 years ago 4
Seriously? Wow, abc sucks.
pwnurnoobazz 2 years ago
@briangriffin1234
Well America does not like paying too much attention....
Walress1980 2 years ago
@Walress1980
as far as NYC goes- people either want to be like us so they imitate us or move here and "convert", or they hate us because they are in denial about us bieng better than them.
briangriffin1234 2 years ago
We understood it, ABC executives didn't.
TheLastBrainLeft 1 year ago 4
lol the guest star is never in it lolll
Arsenal252 2 years ago
this is true police work!
peppy0041 2 years ago
"Cigarette?"
"Yes, I know."
Classic line from the show and movie!
themurph2000 2 years ago 2
prolly the best show ever..lmao
avixaesthetic 2 years ago 3
OMG I loved this show
PensiveSojourner 2 years ago
wow no that is epic
seansfc 2 years ago
A blast from the past!! ^_^
richardus1985 2 years ago
And.....Rex Hamilton as Abraham Lincoln!
themurph2000 2 years ago 34
i love how the special guest stars always die in the intro, pure genius!
RoyalMessup 2 years ago 10
At 0:26, after the man on fire runs past, the lady in back throws her baby on the floor.
phantompuuper 3 years ago
lol I love how the episode title on screen is different from what the voice over guy says... Funny ass show.
EvilDOOER 3 years ago 4
The voice over guy did the same voice over bits for the legit "Quinn Martin" productions of the 60's and 70's!
Series was ahead of it's time.
PendragonMAB 3 years ago 18
used to watch this on BBC2! god long time ago happy memories
MrChubbers 3 years ago
i love when they say the name of the episode but the they write something else!!!lol
curtisisadog 3 years ago
I love the Abraham Lincoln part.
stripedsockscat 3 years ago 4
i love thei bit with alan north, someone starts shooting the place up someone on fire runs past, another jumps out the window
pure genius
mrbedford 3 years ago
do a youtube search for m squad and check out the intro with lee marvin.
hooweelewis 3 years ago
this theme song is great
MrChubbers 3 years ago 2
Hilarious series with a non stop flurry of gags. Leslie Neilson is great as Lt. Drebin.
bobgrantsbus 3 years ago 3
There were only 6 episodes that aired on ABC in the spring of 1982. In the late 80s or early 90s, Comedy Central used to run them, sometimes in a marathon.
Until about 1966-67, most TV shows were still in B&W, so when they went to color many shows proudly announced that fact in the opening credits. "Police Squad In Color" was just one of the nods the show gave to all the police/PI shows from 10-15 years before.
LWOPP 3 years ago 5
Tonight's episode "The Broken Promise."
Ewrock76 3 years ago 4
In color??
IS that a joke or is it old??
but still I love Police Squad
thebritish25 3 years ago
Definately a joke. It was 1982 when shows-in-color were the norm.
ChachiTelevision1979 3 years ago 2
82?
my god I though it was the mid 1970s (:
thebritish25 3 years ago
This is the coolest intro ever especIALLY all the guest stars and the tonights episode wich is two different things xD
jaapsneep 3 years ago 3
this is the best!
JAWSEPHtheTOOTH 3 years ago 2
love it
RexNunc 3 years ago 2
Remind You Of "M Squad"?
Chicago10281 3 years ago
They are out in DVD.
mcclane26 3 years ago
do you have them? Is the Belushi opening in the DVD series?
jbisindahouse 3 years ago
Yes I have the DVD of Police Squad. But like I said in the other message I doubt they would release it. IMDB even says in the trivia it's believed to be lost and/or destroyed.
mcclane26 3 years ago
I saw the series after the Naked Gun movies and was kind of let down. But that's only because the first Naked Gun movie ripped off a lot of jokes directly from the series, so it didn't feel fresh to me. If I had seen the series first, my opinion would most likely be different. It's still funny though :)
Senapse 4 years ago
Does anyone have access to the one where John Belushi was killed in the beginning? Supposedly, it was set to air and never did because he died just a few weeks before...JB.
jbisindahouse 4 years ago
try the getting the DVD
BSODproductions 4 years ago
They talk about that on the commentanry but I doubt they would release it because he was suppsoed to die in the beginning and he died in real life.
mcclane26 3 years ago
They talk about that on the commentanry but I doubt they would release it because he was suppsoed to die in the beginning and he died in real life.
mcclane26 3 years ago
This was made before the airplane and naked gun movies.
PhilleeL93 4 years ago
It was after Airplane but before Naked Gun this was 82 and Airplane was 80. They cast Leslie because they liked working with him in Airplane and also Leslie said in his bio meeting the Zucker's was the best thing that ever happened to him.
mcclane26 3 years ago
...and, Rex Hamilton as Abraham Lincoln!
Actually, the best part of the intro was the special guest stars that were killed off before the show started. (Florence Henderson was my favorite one of those.)
themurph2000 4 years ago 2
The reason why it failed was because you actually had to pay attention to it.
drumminman49 4 years ago 2
my mates got this on dvd and b4 then i never knew this was a series based on the naked gun lol
woody126 4 years ago
It was a very funny show for its time but the network execs cancelled it because they thought the humor was too quick for the viewing public.
airdriver 4 years ago 2
Actually, the Naked Gun movies were based on this series, you've got it backwards. :)
discolando 4 years ago 2
ah yes so i hav lol
woody126 4 years ago
I loved this show then and I love it now. It was pure gold.
steelrain5 4 years ago
Me to I am so happy it's finally on DVD.
mcclanerocks 4 years ago
woot i got this on dvd
bigfluff73 4 years ago
the running burning guy is the best hahahaha
insektuo 4 years ago
nielson is a legend
jonbee1982 4 years ago
So glad I saw this. Just picked up the DVD on Amazon. Can't wait.
NikolasCassadineFan 5 years ago
This is priceless
nebula21a 5 years ago
Can't believe they canceled this show. What a stupid reason, I thought it was a good show when I was six.
MMArancia 5 years ago
The Arrested Development of the 80's...
Dystopiaman 5 years ago
this show fooled me. i thoguht it was shot in the 60's not 1982. getting the dvd for sure!
thefools 5 years ago
It's due to be released on DVD in October. Check Amazon for the exact date. Cheers.
DFaustus 5 years ago
November 7th, to be exact....
GoblinGirl 5 years ago
whatever the reason for cancelling it, there's surely no excuse for it still not to be out on dvd!
jimladx 5 years ago
where can i download!!
omlp 5 years ago
go to www.retrojunk.com. Right click and download!!
chrisgoguen 5 years ago
So many things, ahead of their time.... sporks, Police Squad, HeadOn, Serenity..... sigh.
cerebulon 5 years ago
It was cancelled as it didn't have any viewers because they didn't have a sense of humor. So it was cancelled but years later when it was reshown people loved it...too little too late.
chrisgoguen 5 years ago 7
@chrisgoguen If comedies don't have a laugh track people don't know when to laugh... this show was hilarious.
pierreo33 1 year ago
What can I say about Police Squad? Funny shit. Why the hell did they cancel it?
averypack13 5 years ago
Because most of the country didn't get the humor. What a great show though.
aitraining 5 years ago
in what country do you live
DrBongWater 5 years ago