Four decades ago, Police Squad! didn’t log much time with viewers but still lined up an impressive legacy. Following the success of 1980 spoof film Airplane!, which made $78 million at the box office ($214 million today) co-directors David Zucker, Jim Abrahams and Jerry Zucker hoped to make a similar comedy about police officers inspired by the 1950s Lee Marvin drama series M Squad. Then-Paramount exec Michael Eisner, who had championed Airplane!, offered them six episodes on ABC and promised that the process would be free of network meddling.
Police Squad! centered on bumbling officer Frank Drebin as played by Leslie Nielsen, known for dramatic roles before his crackup part in Airplane! “Leslie never let on that he was in a comedy,” David Zucker tells THR of the late star’s knack for deadpan humor. Co-starring Alan North, each episode kicked off with the murder of a notable guest, followed by Drebin cracking the case. Among the guests were William Shatner and Florence Henderson; John Belushi filmed a death scene, but when the actor passed away a day after the pilot aired, his appearance was shelved. Police Squad! premiered March 4, 1982, and had critics in stitches — THR‘s review praised the show for “hitting the bullseye with uncanny accuracy” — but had trouble locking up ratings, leading to the series’ cancellation after four episodes. The Police Squad! team had the last laugh, as Nielsen’s Drebin returned for Paramount’s 1988 film The Naked Gun, which David Zucker helmed.
After two sequels, a Naked Gun reboot hits theaters Aug. 1 with Liam Neeson playing Drebin’s son. Zucker feels burned to not be involved but is proud that the show has been rediscovered: “It has really gained a following.”
This story appeared in the July 9 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.