Netflix Is Finally Streaming This Near-Perfect 6-Episode Cult Classic
*Police Squad!* is set to begin streaming on Netflix in November, bringing Leslie Nielsen’s original portrayal of detective Frank Drebin to a wider audience. The 1982 comedy series, created by Jerry Zucker, Jim Abrahams and David Zucker, became the basis for *The Naked Gun* films and influenced later television comedy.
The show parodied police procedurals with straight-faced performances, rapid-fire wordplay and visual jokes, following Drebin and his colleagues through cases including murders, kidnappings and mob activity. ABC cancelled it after six episodes despite strong early reviews; executives said its unusual style and lack of a laugh track made it difficult to market, and viewers had to watch closely to appreciate the jokes.
In short
- *Police Squad!* starts streaming on Netflix in November.
- Leslie Nielsen’s 1982 series introduced Frank Drebin.
- ABC cancelled the comedy after just six episodes.
Explained simply
Police Squad! is a 1982 comedy series that sends up police dramas: Leslie Nielsen plays Frank Drebin, a detective investigating cases with his colleagues. Its humour relies on deadpan acting, wordplay and visual jokes, often packed closely together.
The series was created by Jerry Zucker, Jim Abrahams and David Zucker, who later developed its characters and comic style for The Naked Gun films. ABC cancelled it after six episodes, saying its format was difficult to market; it has since gained a following and influenced later television comedy.