905-Wild

Whether a separate project edited into an episode of "Emergency!", or an episode of "Emergency!" meant from the start as a backdoor pilot, this clearly*was* a trial run for another series idea, in this case about animal services.

Unfortunately, it fails on several levels.

First and foremost is dramatic jeopardy. The tension seems forced throughout this very long, slow hour. It's impossible to imagine sustaining a level of interest through multiple episodes of a series.

Then there's dialogue. There's a certain timbre and cadence to a "Joe Friday" lecture. Jack Webb had it (obviously), because he originated it. So did Robert Fuller. David Huddleston simply did not.

Finally, there are the production values. The level of OBVIOUS stock footage breaks the feeling of continuity, without adding anything.

Taken all together, an interesting concept tgat fails in both execution and viability.

It's not good form to comment on other reviewers but I make a brief exception here. It's one thing to dislike something for articulable reasons, but quite another to characterize it as 'creepy' (one of the most egregious but casually tossed around deprecations made these days) without stating why. For me it says more about the commentator than the target.

Not to mention that reducing Harmon's role as a 'dog catcher' illustrated the point of the episode! That said, this episode was formulaic, predictable and looked very much like a pilot for a spin-off. Nevertheless I found it fun and informative. Though I love them, Jack Webb's public service shows tend to be clunky in dialog but this one was better than usual. It was corny, but when the injured firefighter at Rampart gave up his place in line, so to speak, for treatment of the goat, I gave him my applause.

If nothing else, watch this one for the by-play between all the ER professionals, Brackett and Dixie in particular. David Huddleston makes a great case for DVMs as well, and humanizes Brackett in the process.

Back in the 1960s and 70s, television shows were often used to introduce new shows or pilots of possible new shows. It was a cheap way to either make use of a pilot (as often they are never even seen by the public otherwise) or for the networks to try a new show and see how the public responds to it. In the case of "905-Wild", the show was aired as an episode of "Emergency!", though it barely features any of the stars of that show. And, it introduces the public to a cast that might be used if the series is approved by the network.

The show begins with Gage and DeSoto responding to what seems like a normal emergency. However, the injury appears to have been caused by a tiger in a bodega!! So, animal control is called and the remainder of the program follows these workers. The most interesting thing about this proposed show is that a very young Mark Harmon was cast in one of the leading roles.

Although Jack Webb was mostly known for cop shows like "Dragnet" and "Adam-12", he also tried branching out to other types of shows...all of which followed various government officials at work, such as with "Emergency!", "Project UFO" and "905-Wild".

So is it any good? Well, it's not bad. One problem is the portion with Dr. Bracket at the hospital treating a baby goat--this is dumb, improbable and would probably get the hospital shut down. There was no LOGICAL reason for the hospital regulars to be in this episode. Another problem is that the show was very specific and until recently, with shows like those on Animal Planet, there wasn't much like this...so its novelty probably worked against it and I could see why the networks passed on this one. Still, an interesting case of what might have been.

Watching this all the way through and reading most of the reviews, I really appreciate this episode. Fast forward to 2024 to see "Animal Control" staring. Joel McHale based in Seattle Washington.

Now I could have gone for a spoof like "Airplane" being spun off this. Nowadays, with so many streaming production companies it would probably fly high.

(yeah cheesy pun intended)

Reading about Jack Webb he always took his work seriously and also guarded the professions of the characters portrayed. Yet, from only what I've read, had a very good sense of humor about himself.

True to his form, he selected some of what became among the top talent in this production. I totally enjoyed watching this and anyone can spot the corny scenes and takes all very familiar with every show made during that ear from "the Waltons", "Little House on the Prairie ", and so on.

Emergency is a good watch to go back through as I am also doing with "Law and Order:". Yes some of these shows can make you cringe, either for what the reality they portray, or, how they do it. It's still worth watching and keeping in tack. Laugh with it or at it, just enjoy it because that was the best work for it's time and is so much better that a lot of what's made today.

Like so many, Emergency! was one of my favourite shows as a child. I have no recollection of this episode, thankfully. Im sure they were trying to promote the Idea for a new show about animal rescue. The characters are uninteresting and the entire episode is a bore. I gave it a 3 because there is a bit of Gage and Desoto but skip this one and view the rest.