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The Orchestral Theme
Composed by Ira Newborn, the “Theme from Police Squad!” is a big-band, brass-heavy orchestral track that mimics the serious, hard-boiled police procedurals of the 1950s and 60s (specifically M Squad).
It features driving percussion, dramatic horns, and a relentless energy that contrasts hilariously with the bumbling actions of Detective Frank Drebin. The theme was so iconic that it was later adapted and expanded for the Naked Gun film trilogy.
Watch the Hilarious Opening Credits
In Color!
Police Squad! is a masterclass in deadpan parody. Created by the team behind Airplane! (Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker), the show follows Detective Frank Drebin of Police Squad, a special division of the police department. Despite only running for six episodes, the show is legendary for its background gags, “frozen” end credits where the actors simply stood still, and Leslie Nielsen’s impeccable comedic timing.
Case Files FAQ
Why did the show only last 6 episodes?
According to ABC executives at the time, the show was cancelled because “the viewer had to watch it in order to understand what was going on”—the gags were so dense and visual that you couldn’t just listen to it like a standard sitcom.
Who are the guest stars that die in the intro?
A running gag in the opening credits featured “Special Guest Stars” like William Shatner or Florence Henderson who were killed off during the intro and never actually appeared in the episode.