Police Squad!
Updated: 12/11/2025, 9:35:33 AM Wikipedia source
Police Squad! is an American television series created by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker for the American Broadcasting Company. It stars Leslie Nielsen as Frank Drebin and Alan North as Captain Ed Hocken. A spoof of police procedurals and many other television shows and movies, the series features Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker's usual sight gags, wordplay, and non sequiturs. It resembles the Lee Marvin police show M Squad (in particular the opening credits) and the late 1960s series Felony Squad. Airing from March 4 to July 8, 1982, it was canceled after six episodes, though it was followed by the critically successful The Naked Gun film series from 1988 to 1994, along with the 2025 legacy sequel.
Infobox
Genre
mw- Parody Police procedural
Created by
Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker
Written by
David Zucker Jim Abrahams Jerry Zucker Tino Insana Nancy Steen Neil Thompson Robert Wuhl
Starring
Leslie Nielsen Alan North Peter Lupus Ed Williams William Duell
Narrated by
Leslie Nielsen
Theme music composer
Ira Newborn
Opening theme
"Theme from Police Squad!"
Composer
Ira Newborn
Country of origin
United States
Original language
English
No. of seasons
1
No. of episodes
6
Executive producers
David Zucker Jim Abrahams Jerry Zucker
Cinematography
Sherman Kunkel
Editors
Tom Benko Malcolm Campbell
Camera setup
Single-camera
Running time
24–25 minutes
Production company
Paramount Television
Network
ABC
Release
March 4 (1982-03-04) –July 8, 1982 (1982-07-08)
Tables
· Episodes
1
1
No.
1
Title
"A Substantial Gift (The Broken Promise)"
Directed by
David ZuckerJim AbrahamsJerry Zucker
Written by
David ZuckerJim AbrahamsJerry Zucker
Original release date
March 4, 1982 (1982-03-04)
Prod.code
1PS01
Special guest star: Lorne GreeneSally Decker (Kathryn Leigh Scott), a teller at a credit union, murders her boss so she can steal money from the credit union and pay her orthodontist bills. She kills a customer and frames him for the murder. The Police Squad department is called in to investigate the case. Frank is suspicious about the customer's guilt.
Special guest star: Lorne GreeneSally Decker (Kathryn Leigh Scott), a teller at a credit union, murders her boss so she can steal money from the credit union and pay her orthodontist bills. She kills a customer and frames him for the murder. The Police Squad department is called in to investigate the case. Frank is suspicious about the customer's guilt.
No.
Special guest star: Lorne GreeneSally Decker (Kathryn Leigh Scott), a teller at a credit union, murders her boss so she can steal money from the credit union and pay her orthodontist bills. She kills a customer and frames him for the murder. The Police Squad department is called in to investigate the case. Frank is suspicious about the customer's guilt.
2
2
No.
2
Title
"Ring of Fear (A Dangerous Assignment)"
Directed by
Joe Dante
Written by
Story by : David MischTeleplay by : Tino Insana & Robert Wuhl
Original release date
March 11, 1982 (1982-03-11)
Prod.code
1PS02
Special guest star: Georg Stanford BrownTo expose corrupt boxing manager Mr. Martin (Rudy Solari), Frank goes undercover as a manager. Frank makes a deal with boxer Buddy Briggs, whom he trains for a title fight against the current champion "The Champ" (Grand L. Bush). However, Martin has kidnapped Briggs's wife, and will only release her if Briggs throws the fight. Frank has to find Buddy's wife before Buddy gets knocked out.
Special guest star: Georg Stanford BrownTo expose corrupt boxing manager Mr. Martin (Rudy Solari), Frank goes undercover as a manager. Frank makes a deal with boxer Buddy Briggs, whom he trains for a title fight against the current champion "The Champ" (Grand L. Bush). However, Martin has kidnapped Briggs's wife, and will only release her if Briggs throws the fight. Frank has to find Buddy's wife before Buddy gets knocked out.
No.
Special guest star: Georg Stanford BrownTo expose corrupt boxing manager Mr. Martin (Rudy Solari), Frank goes undercover as a manager. Frank makes a deal with boxer Buddy Briggs, whom he trains for a title fight against the current champion "The Champ" (Grand L. Bush). However, Martin has kidnapped Briggs's wife, and will only release her if Briggs throws the fight. Frank has to find Buddy's wife before Buddy gets knocked out.
3
3
No.
3
Title
"Rendezvous at Big Gulch (Terror in the Neighborhood)"
Directed by
Reza Badiyi
Written by
Story by : Pat ProftTeleplay by : Nancy Steen & Neil Thompson
Original release date
July 1, 1982 (1982-07-01)
Prod.code
1PS03
Special guest star: Florence HendersonAfter a small group of mobsters blackmail various store-owners, Frank and Norberg go undercover and set up a key-making and locksmith store. The mobsters offer Frank "protection" in exchange for money, but Frank declines. While they attack the store with guns, Frank and Norberg's Locksmith store remains, enraging the mobsters' boss.
Special guest star: Florence HendersonAfter a small group of mobsters blackmail various store-owners, Frank and Norberg go undercover and set up a key-making and locksmith store. The mobsters offer Frank "protection" in exchange for money, but Frank declines. While they attack the store with guns, Frank and Norberg's Locksmith store remains, enraging the mobsters' boss.
No.
Special guest star: Florence HendersonAfter a small group of mobsters blackmail various store-owners, Frank and Norberg go undercover and set up a key-making and locksmith store. The mobsters offer Frank "protection" in exchange for money, but Frank declines. While they attack the store with guns, Frank and Norberg's Locksmith store remains, enraging the mobsters' boss.
4
4
No.
4
Title
"Revenge and Remorse (The Guilty Alibi)"
Directed by
Paul Krasny
Written by
Nancy Steen and Neil Thompson
Original release date
March 25, 1982 (1982-03-25)
Prod.code
1PS04
Special guest stars: William Shatner, Dr. Joyce BrothersThe Police Squad department is sent to investigate a bombing at the courthouse. The main suspect is Eddie Casales (Spencer Milligan), a bomber who was previously incarcerated by the victims killed in the explosion. Following the attack on the courthouse, the assistant DA who prosecuted Casales is killed with a bomb hidden in his car. All evidence points to Casales, but Frank thinks it is a setup.
Special guest stars: William Shatner, Dr. Joyce BrothersThe Police Squad department is sent to investigate a bombing at the courthouse. The main suspect is Eddie Casales (Spencer Milligan), a bomber who was previously incarcerated by the victims killed in the explosion. Following the attack on the courthouse, the assistant DA who prosecuted Casales is killed with a bomb hidden in his car. All evidence points to Casales, but Frank thinks it is a setup.
No.
Special guest stars: William Shatner, Dr. Joyce BrothersThe Police Squad department is sent to investigate a bombing at the courthouse. The main suspect is Eddie Casales (Spencer Milligan), a bomber who was previously incarcerated by the victims killed in the explosion. Following the attack on the courthouse, the assistant DA who prosecuted Casales is killed with a bomb hidden in his car. All evidence points to Casales, but Frank thinks it is a setup.
5
5
No.
5
Title
"The Butler Did It (A Bird in the Hand)"
Directed by
Georg Stanford Brown
Written by
Story by : Deborah Hwang-Marriott & Robert K. WeissTeleplay by : Pat Proft
Original release date
March 18, 1982 (1982-03-18)
Prod.code
1PS05
Special guest stars: Robert Goulet, Tommy LasordaFrank, Ed, and Norberg investigate the kidnapping of Terri Burton (Lilibet Stern), the daughter of a wealthy businessman, who was abducted during her 18th birthday party. The kidnappers demand a ransom of $1,000,000. The only witness to the kidnapping is Burton's boyfriend Kingsley Addison (Ken Michelman), who had plans to marry Burton.
Special guest stars: Robert Goulet, Tommy LasordaFrank, Ed, and Norberg investigate the kidnapping of Terri Burton (Lilibet Stern), the daughter of a wealthy businessman, who was abducted during her 18th birthday party. The kidnappers demand a ransom of $1,000,000. The only witness to the kidnapping is Burton's boyfriend Kingsley Addison (Ken Michelman), who had plans to marry Burton.
No.
Special guest stars: Robert Goulet, Tommy LasordaFrank, Ed, and Norberg investigate the kidnapping of Terri Burton (Lilibet Stern), the daughter of a wealthy businessman, who was abducted during her 18th birthday party. The kidnappers demand a ransom of $1,000,000. The only witness to the kidnapping is Burton's boyfriend Kingsley Addison (Ken Michelman), who had plans to marry Burton.
6
6
No.
6
Title
"Testimony of Evil (Dead Men Don't Laugh)"
Directed by
Joe Dante
Written by
Tino Insana & Robert Wuhl
Original release date
July 8, 1982 (1982-07-08)
Prod.code
1PS06
Special guest stars: William Conrad, Dick ClarkFrank investigates the body of a struggling comedian found at the bottom of a cliff in a car crash. Although the comedian's death appears to be a suicide, Frank soon learns that this comedian was an informant infiltrating a drug ring at the nightclub he worked. To catch the perpetrator, Frank takes the place of the deceased at the nightclub.
Special guest stars: William Conrad, Dick ClarkFrank investigates the body of a struggling comedian found at the bottom of a cliff in a car crash. Although the comedian's death appears to be a suicide, Frank soon learns that this comedian was an informant infiltrating a drug ring at the nightclub he worked. To catch the perpetrator, Frank takes the place of the deceased at the nightclub.
No.
Special guest stars: William Conrad, Dick ClarkFrank investigates the body of a struggling comedian found at the bottom of a cliff in a car crash. Although the comedian's death appears to be a suicide, Frank soon learns that this comedian was an informant infiltrating a drug ring at the nightclub he worked. To catch the perpetrator, Frank takes the place of the deceased at the nightclub.
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Prod.code |
| 1 | "A Substantial Gift (The Broken Promise)" | David ZuckerJim AbrahamsJerry Zucker | David ZuckerJim AbrahamsJerry Zucker | March 4, 1982 (1982-03-04) | 1PS01 |
| Special guest star: Lorne GreeneSally Decker (Kathryn Leigh Scott), a teller at a credit union, murders her boss so she can steal money from the credit union and pay her orthodontist bills. She kills a customer and frames him for the murder. The Police Squad department is called in to investigate the case. Frank is suspicious about the customer's guilt. | |||||
| 2 | "Ring of Fear (A Dangerous Assignment)" | Joe Dante | Story by : David MischTeleplay by : Tino Insana & Robert Wuhl | March 11, 1982 (1982-03-11) | 1PS02 |
| Special guest star: Georg Stanford BrownTo expose corrupt boxing manager Mr. Martin (Rudy Solari), Frank goes undercover as a manager. Frank makes a deal with boxer Buddy Briggs, whom he trains for a title fight against the current champion "The Champ" (Grand L. Bush). However, Martin has kidnapped Briggs's wife, and will only release her if Briggs throws the fight. Frank has to find Buddy's wife before Buddy gets knocked out. | |||||
| 3 | "Rendezvous at Big Gulch (Terror in the Neighborhood)" | Reza Badiyi | Story by : Pat ProftTeleplay by : Nancy Steen & Neil Thompson | July 1, 1982 (1982-07-01) | 1PS03 |
| Special guest star: Florence HendersonAfter a small group of mobsters blackmail various store-owners, Frank and Norberg go undercover and set up a key-making and locksmith store. The mobsters offer Frank "protection" in exchange for money, but Frank declines. While they attack the store with guns, Frank and Norberg's Locksmith store remains, enraging the mobsters' boss. | |||||
| 4 | "Revenge and Remorse (The Guilty Alibi)" | Paul Krasny | Nancy Steen and Neil Thompson | March 25, 1982 (1982-03-25) | 1PS04 |
| Special guest stars: William Shatner, Dr. Joyce BrothersThe Police Squad department is sent to investigate a bombing at the courthouse. The main suspect is Eddie Casales (Spencer Milligan), a bomber who was previously incarcerated by the victims killed in the explosion. Following the attack on the courthouse, the assistant DA who prosecuted Casales is killed with a bomb hidden in his car. All evidence points to Casales, but Frank thinks it is a setup. | |||||
| 5 | "The Butler Did It (A Bird in the Hand)" | Georg Stanford Brown | Story by : Deborah Hwang-Marriott & Robert K. WeissTeleplay by : Pat Proft | March 18, 1982 (1982-03-18) | 1PS05 |
| Special guest stars: Robert Goulet, Tommy LasordaFrank, Ed, and Norberg investigate the kidnapping of Terri Burton (Lilibet Stern), the daughter of a wealthy businessman, who was abducted during her 18th birthday party. The kidnappers demand a ransom of $1,000,000. The only witness to the kidnapping is Burton's boyfriend Kingsley Addison (Ken Michelman), who had plans to marry Burton. | |||||
| 6 | "Testimony of Evil (Dead Men Don't Laugh)" | Joe Dante | Tino Insana & Robert Wuhl | July 8, 1982 (1982-07-08) | 1PS06 |
| Special guest stars: William Conrad, Dick ClarkFrank investigates the body of a struggling comedian found at the bottom of a cliff in a car crash. Although the comedian's death appears to be a suicide, Frank soon learns that this comedian was an informant infiltrating a drug ring at the nightclub he worked. To catch the perpetrator, Frank takes the place of the deceased at the nightclub. | |||||
· Reception › Awards and nominations
1982
1982
Year
1982
Award
Primetime Emmy Awards
Category
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Nominee(s)
Leslie Nielsen
Result
Nominated
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
Year
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
Award
Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker (Episode: "A Substantial Gift (The Broken Promise)")
Category
Nominated
2006
2006
Year
2006
Award
Satellite Awards
Category
Best DVD Release of TV Shows
Nominee(s)
The Complete Series
Result
Nominated
2014
2014
Year
2014
Award
Online Film & Television Association Awards
Category
Television Hall of Fame: Productions
Nominee(s)
Season 1
Result
Inducted
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
| 1982 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | Leslie Nielsen | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series | Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker (Episode: "A Substantial Gift (The Broken Promise)") | Nominated | |||
| 2006 | Satellite Awards | Best DVD Release of TV Shows | The Complete Series | Nominated | |
| 2014 | Online Film & Television Association Awards | Television Hall of Fame: Productions | Season 1 | Inducted |
References
- The TVIVhttp://tviv.org/Police_Squad%21
- The creators stated this in a featurette for The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear.
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/naked-gun-turns-35-leslie-nielsen-david-zucker-pat-proft-1235766023/
- Police Squad! DVD Releasehttps://web.archive.org/web/20110807043412/http://video.barnesandnoble.com/DVD/Police-Squad-The-Complete-Series/Leslie-Nielsen/e/097360475128?z=y
- Premisehttps://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/police-squad/203822
- TV.comhttps://web.archive.org/web/20090331201632/http://www.tv.com/dr.-joyce-brothers/person/902/appearances.html
- Police Squad: The Complete Series: Audio Commentary for "A Substantial Gift (A Bird in the hand)"
- Lexington Herald-Leader
- Police Squad: The Complete Series: Audio Commentary for "The Butler Did It (A Bird in the Hand)"
- Police Squad: The Complete Series: Audio Commentary for "Testimony of Evil (Dead Man Don't Laugh)"
- The Baltimore Sun
- Sun Sentinel
- The San Diego Union
- The Dallas Morning News
- The Washington Times
- The Washington Posthttps://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1982/07/01/okay-hands-up-police-squad-back-and-copping-laughs/e98470d6-a30c-4f94-a095-01624c6c32c6/
- Encyclopedia of Television Series, Pilots and Specials: 1974–1984
- Dallas Morning News
- Police Squad: List of Celebrity Death Shots
- Boston Globe
- Deseret News
- Abraham Lincoln on screen: fictional and documentary portrayals on film and televisionhttps://archive.org/details/abrahamlincolnon00rein
- Houston Chronicle
- "The Den of Geek interview: Joe Dante"https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-den-of-geek-interview-joe-dante/
- Police Squad: The Complete Series (2006). CBS Paramount. ISBN 1-4157-2217-X
- www.vulture.comhttps://www.vulture.com/2017/07/a-lost-script-from-the-files-of-the-police-squad.html
- Entertainment Weeklyhttps://ew.com/article/1991/12/20/naked-gun-2-12/
- The Dallas Morning News
- Deseret Newshttps://www.deseret.com/2006/12/29/19993288/chris-hicks-the-best-of-2006-dvds
- The Boston Globe
- Houston Chronicle
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
- Kansas City Star
- Police Squad!: The Complete Series Blu-ray Release Date April 14, 2020https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Police-Squad-The-Complete-Series-Blu-ray/127867/
- BoxofficeMojohttp://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=nakedgun.htm
- BoxofficeMojohttp://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=thenakedgun2.htm
- BoxofficeMojohttp://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=thenakedgun3.htm
- RogerEbert.comhttps://www.rogerebert.com/cast-and-crew/leslie-nielsen
- Roberts, J.F., "The True History of the Black Adder", 2013, Random House
- Wrestlecrap: The Very Worst of Pro Wrestlinghttps://archive.org/details/wrestlecrapveryw00rdre/page/168
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/police_squad_/s01
- The Washington Post
- "2006 11th Annual Satellite Awards"https://web.archive.org/web/20110917115721/http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2006.shtml
- Roush, Matt (June 3, 2013). "Cancelled Too Soon". TV Guide. pp. 20 and 21
- "4 TV Shows That Should Have Lasted Longer"https://web.archive.org/web/20101008042843/http://www.tv.com/4-tv-shows-that-should-have-lasted-longer/webnews/139186.html
- "Police Squad!"https://www.emmys.com/shows/police-squad
- "International Press Academy website – 2006 11th Annual SATELLITE Awards"https://web.archive.org/web/20080201175700/http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2006.shtml
- "Television Hall of Fame: Productions"http://www.oftaawards.com/tv-hall-of-fame/television-hall-of-fame-productions-2/