Police Squad!
1982, Paramount
In an interview with lead actor Leslie Nielsen, we learn the series, sadly cancelled after only six episodes, failed because "people don't actually watch television," as he put it. I believe him. A descendant of sorts from The Kentucky Fried Movie, Squad relies heavily on our paying close attention to what's going on; otherwise, much of its humor is lost, and since audiences were instead sorting mail, folding clothes, or making dinner, the potential hit quickly failed. Consider: Naked Gun, the film trilogy that followed, was wildly successful, quite likely because theater audiences were more or less forced to pay attention. When it's not over-the-top puns and wordplay, the humor is absurdist and covert (it pays to watch the background actors); it remains one of the precious few comedy series I actually find funny.
"Cigarette?" "Yes, I know."
DKS 2/20/22
Rev 2/24/22
GRUMPY OLD FART-O-METER® Rating:
