A Substantial Gift (The Broken Promise)

I am going to see the new Naked Gun movie tonight with Liam Neeson and just for the heck of it I watched the first episode of Police Squad on youtube. Even though it came on the air 43 years ago, the show is still as funny and innovative as ever. Most people don't realize that Police Squad was a spoof of M Squad a 1950's cop show starring Lee Marvin. The opening theme of the show is a shot by shot remake.

This is not at all a review of the pilot but I truly loved it! Hence the 9 out of 10 stars. For the record I have two episodes rated a perfect 10!

Every now and then I watch the episodes again. I've seen them too many times to count. They never fail to make me laugh. Pure comedy gold!

You really have to watch the show carefully as there was so much time taken to have things carefully crafted in the background....that were hilarious. On occasion I notice something I didn't notice before. Just fantastic.

Police Squad deserved much better than six episodes....but fortunately we would see Frank Drebin again later in the late 80's in the "Naked Gun" franchise.

Highest recommendation!

Sally, a bank clerk, urgently needs money to pay her orthodontist's bill. Out of desperation she steals the money from the bank, shooting the teller and a customer and making it look like the customer held up the store. Detective Frank Drebin of Police Squad is on the case.

Absolutely hilarious start to the series. I've already watched the Naked Gun movies and Flying High so the comedy style is not a surprise but it's still incredibly funny. More than just sight gags and plays on words the comedy is incredibly clever. It's also not always in-your-face: some of the funniest things are hidden in the background.

A pity there's only six episodes of this (if you exclude the Naked Gun movies).