The Unlikely Journey of Dragnet: From Cop Show to '80s Comedy

Dragnet started as a radio show in 1949, focusing on the mundane aspects of police work. It became a TV hit, with Jack Webb playing Sgt. Joe Friday. The show was all about following the rules and serving the community. It was a hit, but it was also a bit boring. In 1967, Dragnet returned to TV, but it was a different time. The show now felt like a joke, with Friday still saying, "Just the facts, ma'am. " It was silly and off the air by 1970. But it lived on in reruns, becoming a punchline. By the 1980s, Dragnet was ripe for parody. Dan Aykroyd and Alan Zweibel wrote a movie where Aykroyd played Friday's nephew, a cop out of touch with modern times. The movie had a catchy rap song and mixed reviews. It made money, but it wasn't the full parody people hoped for. The movie had some funny moments, like Friday's awkward romance. But it turned into a typical '80s action comedy. The best parts were the supporting actors, like Dabney Coleman and Christopher Plummer. The movie missed a chance to really poke fun at the original show.