World's Wildest Police Videos

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World's Wildest Police Videos
World's Wildest Police Videos.jpg
Format Reality Television / Police Videos
Created by Paul Stojanovich
Starring John Bunnell
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons Original series: 3+
Revived series: 1
No. of episodes Original series: 36+
Revived series: 13
Production
Running time 60 min.
Broadcast
Original channel Fox (1998–2001)
Spike (2012)
Picture format 480i (SDTV)
1080i (HDTV; Spike run only)
Audio format Stereo
Original run Original series:
April 2, 1998 – July 27, 2001
Revival:
May 7, 2012 – present
Chronology
Preceded by World's Scariest Police Chases (1997 Pilot)

World's Wildest Police Videos is an American reality TV series that deals with police videos from across the world. Video footage of car chases, subsequent arrests, robberies, riots and other crimes appears on the show. The series ran on Fox from 1998–2002, although episodes were only broadcast up until 2001, when the show shortened its name to Police Videos.[1] In 2012, Spike announced that it had commissioned 13 new episodes with the revival of the original name and John Bunnell returning as host,[2] which premiered May 7, 2012.[3]

Contents

Production [edit]

World's Wildest Police Videos began in 1998 and ran for three seasons, comprising a total of 36 episodes. Despite being officially cancelled in 2002, new episodes were only aired until 2001, when the show shortened its name to Police Videos.[4]

Most of the police videos featured on the show were from various U.S. police departments, but footage from other nations such as Argentina and the United Kingdom also appeared. Video sources included cameras from police cars, helicopters, store security systems, news reporters, and private citizens from around the world. Much of the footage had previously only been seen by law enforcement officials.[5]

The show became popular with viewers. It had the highest ratings of any Fox network television special to that date. It was also featured on Entertainment Tonight and was re-aired later that month. It was the first sweeps-month special ever to run twice during a sweeps period by Fox.

Format [edit]

The series began with the special World's Scariest Police Chases, which was broadcast on February 2, 1997. It was narrated by actor Peter Coyote, and featured commentary by Captain C. W. Jensen of the Portland Police Bureau.

After the first special, the show was broadcast weekly, hosted by John Bunnell, a retired police officer and former Sheriff of Multnomah County, Oregon. Bunnell's commentary was often characterized by over-dramatic descriptions of the struggle between good and evil, the police and criminals, victims and abusers, etc. Although Bunnell hosted and commentated on most of the show, most police video segments were dubbed with the actual law enforcement officials acting in the situation presented. Tire screeching noises, horn beeps and sirens are often overdubbed into these segments.

It has been widely noticed that the same voice is used in almost every helicopter footage scene, regardless of the location the footage is from. This uncredited voice is said to be that of Lawrence Welk III who usually goes by "Larry Welk," and is a reporter and helicopter traffic pilot for KCAL-TV and KCBS-TV in Los Angeles. He is also the grandson of famed musician Lawrence Welk. In one episode, his voice is even used as that of an announcer at a motorcross rally.

Originally, a typical episode included sections entitled: "PIT maneuver," "Car Thieves," "Rainy Chase," "Big Rig Road Block," "Jumping Off Bridge," and "Drunk Drivers." This was soon dropped, and replaced with a string of clips, each commentated on by Bunnell. After a few videos, a small clip of Bunnell would be shown, often describing the police mentality behind the videos about to appear.

Occasionally, episodes were dedicated to police officers killed in the line of duty.

A video game based on the series was released for the PlayStation in 2001, entitled World's Scariest Police Chases, also featuring Bunnell. The game received mixed reviews, ranging from a 3.5/10 from Gamespot.com, to a 9/10 from Official PlayStation Magazine (UK).

In the Family Guy episode Quagmire's Baby there is a sequence of Fred Flintstone fleeing from the police in the family car, in an episode of World's Wildest Police Videos. Flintstone crashes, and attempts to flee on foot, but is delayed by the Hanna-Barbera skiddadle running effect. A similar sequence was used in the episode Something, Something, Something, Dark Side when TIE Fighters and a Star Destroyer were chasing the Millennium Falcon. These sequences were narrated by Sheriff John Bunnell himself.

Worldwide syndication [edit]

World's Wildest Police Videos is syndicated worldwide, being broadcast in the following countries in order of date of first broadcast:

References [edit]

  1. ^ "World's Wildest Police Videos Episode Guide" - AOL Television. Retrieved 28 January 2007.
  2. ^ [1] - Deadline.com. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  3. ^ Berman, Marc (11 April 2012). "Spike TV Announces May Start Dates for Non-Scripted Duo". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 16 April 2012. 
  4. ^ Brown, Matt. "World's Wildest Police Videos a Titles & Air Dates Guide" - EP Guides 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2007.
  5. ^ Crime & Investigation Network. Retrieved 28 January 2007.

External links [edit]

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=World%27s_Wildest_Police_Videos&oldid=548501610"