You Can’t Even Stream One of the Best Comedy TV Shows of All Time

by

As a passionate movie enthusiast, let me tell you about my cherished discovery – the groundbreaking satirical TV series called “Police Squad!”, which first graced our screens in 1982 and laid the foundation for the hilarious film franchise, “The Naked Gun” and its side-splitting sequels. While the “Naked Gun” movies found great success, captivating audiences and amassing a dedicated fan base, the original TV show that birthed this iconic franchise has unfortunately slipped into obscurity over the years. It’s almost as if this brilliant series vanished without a trace, leaving no digital footprints for modern-day viewers to stumble upon. To make matters worse, it seems that “Police Squad!” is nowhere to be found on any streaming platforms, not even as a rental or download option. This lack of accessibility is undoubtedly hindering the rediscovery and appreciation of this long-forgotten gem.

At the moment, the best option for viewing this timeless masterpiece is through physical formats like Blu-ray or DVD, as it continues to be accessible in those versions.

Police Squad! Is a Series Cancelled Too Soon

A satirical comedy show featuring Leslie Nielsen centers around a team of bumbling cops trying to solve crimes, frequently leading to uproarious outcomes. Initially airing on ABC, it lasted for six episodes, but unfortunately, after four had been broadcasted, the network decided to cancel the series. The final two episodes of Police Squad! were eventually aired during the 1982 summer rerun season. Over time, the program developed a dedicated fan base, with many more discovering it as it was rebroadcast on cable television.

The team of David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker (often referred to as ZAZ) were responsible for creating the show “Police Squad!”. Prior to their collaboration on this television production, these three had already worked together on the satirical movies “Airplane” and “Kentucky Fried Movie”.

Following their initial joint projects, ZAZ considered creating a parody film that mockingly targeted TV shows such as the vintage police series “M Squad”. However, Paramount’s executives proposed that a six-episode series could be more effective than a full-length movie. This suggestion only fueled ZAZ’s determination to produce the future cult favorite, “Police Squad!”.

The Series Developed a Loyal Fan Base, Ultimately Serving as the Inspiration for The Naked Gun Films

While it’s true that Police Squad! played a significant role in launching the The Naked Gun film series, it’s important to note that the television show has a smaller fanbase compared to its movie adaptations. However, this doesn’t necessarily reflect on the show’s quality. In fact, critics have been quite fond of the program, as evidenced by its high rating of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, which indicates strong critical approval.

Six years following the television show’s end, the creative team behind “Police Squad!” decided to bring their initial concepts to life through a feature film. The first movie in the series, titled “The Naked Gun: From Police Squad’s Archives“, was met with widespread acclaim from both critics and viewers. The financial success of this adaptation paved the way for two additional films in the series, namely “The Naked Gun 2 1/2: In Terror of the Smell” and “The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Ultimate Showdown“.

Discussing the cherished movies in the “The Naked Gun” series, it’s safe to assume that fans of this collection are familiar with the news that Liam Neeson is set to star in a franchise revival, taking on the role of Frank Drebin Jr., who is the son of Nielsen’s character from “Police Squad!” and the subsequent film trilogy. Akiva Schaffer is directing this project for Paramount, having co-written the script alongside Dan Gregor and Doug Mand.

Liam Neeson faces a daunting challenge in the forthcoming remake, yet we’ll find out soon enough how he compares to his predecessors. The new installment of ‘The Naked Gun’ is set to hit cinemas on August 1st.

Even though you can’t find Police Squad! for streaming or digital rental right now, it might still be valuable to hunt for its physical copies as they offer a chance to watch the acclaimed prequel to the The Naked Gun movies.

Read More

2025-05-04 21:42