POLICE SQUAD! (DVD Review) - 5/11/06

Like most stupid TV Exec's Paramount Film & TV is no exception to stupidity and they more than prove it by the cancellation of the Zucker Brother's "Police Squad!" TV Series after 6 episodes - Checking under the Special Features the sheer moronic crassness of Paramount is even more shown up which I will come onto later. This show was produced in the glorious 80's in 1982 and had all the Zucker touches added to it - Sight gags, background detail, slapstick and all mostly played straight. I had never even heard of the show or seen it; until someone had year's ago mentioned it to me at work, and had not even seen the late 80's TV repeats. Having seen the "Naked Gun" spin-offs and thoroughly enjoyed them I was hoping this would one day come to DVD and now here it is in all it's glory on Region 1 & 2 DVD - Both releases being the same cover and Special Features. I certainly had a chuckle as the Star Guest of the week; say William Shatner in one episode, is introduced in the opening credits and immediately killed off in seconds which became a regular occurrence for that week's star. I could go on and on but suffice to say this show stands the test of time well and is still funny now. As many of the classic Cop Shows of that period did as the programme ended the picture would freeze on a still and the end-credits would roll - In "Police Squad" the programme ends and the actor's freeze trying to stand still as the credits roll with often hilariously funny results as they furiously blink and try not to shake as a chimpanzee runs riot over background desks. The Special Features on this disc are very interesting and show on the Production Memo Highlight's just how inane Paramount were in censoring episodes, moaning about dress code (Jeez!) and then cancelling the show - Which must have really pointed out how thick they were when "Naked Gun" was a smash success, spawned 2 cash-till ringing successful sequels and drove Leslie Nielsen's star career stratospheric worldwide as a comedian. Watching the Gag Reel and the Casting Tests of Alan North & Ed Williams we actually see some of the original material before Paramount censored it. We get a current Interview with Leslie Nielsen and a Behind The Freeze Frames Featurette and a pretty crummy Producers Photo Gallery Of Scenery, Sets & Props (Yawn!) plus the original List Of Celebrity Death Shots. Also on 3 episodes there is also a Commentary. Special Features not rated and some not close-captioned. CC. Full Screen Format. Dolby Digital English 5.1. Surround & English Mono. 1982 Colour NTSC Region 1 (USA). Canadian Rating: PG. USA Rating: Not Rated. Runtime: 150 Mins. 2006 Paramount Home Entertainment. 11111005859/04751/ISBN # 141572217X.
If you thought that was great check out the excellent film's from the series: "The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad!" and "Naked Gun 2: The Smell Of Fear" and the final film "Naked Gun 3: The Final Insult".