This episode as the last reviewer before me said was not your typical episode however I did like it s lot. The only reason I gave it a 9 was because I felt it was a little choppy and all over the place. Like as if each scene was written down on separate pieces of paper, tossed in the air and the Oder they fell ws the Oder they were put in. I appreciated the humor in it, and I appreciated the fact that it was not the typical episode and I love the Job that David Birney did in this episode. You almost forget what he really looks like. I might have recognized his voice but I'm not sure I would've realized who he was if not for the fact that I read the synopsis. I think one of the reasons I may have inclined to give the episode a 9 was that David Birney definitely deserved the 10 and his score is what made my general review higher than if someone else had played the part. But I also felt agreeing with all reviewers here that Officer Dooley,s work and attitude got results and many of his handling of the situations should be the way they should be handled especially today the way things are but I felt many were way too out of character to be realistic ex. Pursuing a suspect on a highway on the wrong side of the road. I would think that would definately warrant immediate questioning as far as ethical, professional and a check that he hasn't gone crazy or lost his marbles and that he immediately should have come under question with possible suspension and firing. I may have looked at the fact that this show does boast some reality to it and I do like the fact that the officers personal lives also come into play with the story lines in this police show but I did keep in mind it was very entertaining, you really wanted to say Go Officer Dooley and root for him and most of all this is "tv" and that although this story lines focus was on what's important on the way things could be handled better and they way some parts of a police officers job should be and the exaggerated and eccentric way this story played out I really don't think much of it would play out in real life or be tolerated. Although I don't claim to be knowledgeable in police procedural by any means I was the wife of a police officer in a very average everyday fairly safe town. So just from being around a lot of cops and some stories and my opinion of what woulds believable I do expect that an officer like Officer Dooley would realistically be out in his pants!!! Totally enjoyable, silly and quite honestly with the things that you hear about today with the police - I should say some because as the saying goes "there's good and bad in all people; no matter what race, religious beliefs, color etc. " and today in this case there's good and bad police; just because some police officers are bad doesn't mean they all are!!!
4 Reviews
How long will this happen until this worm turns??
planktonrules26 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Officer Doolittle ('Dooly') is a meek, mild mannered guy who's been in the police department for several years. However, he's barely noticed and keeps a low profile...and he's anything but a super-star with the force. So it's a bit out of character when he's involved in a crazy police chase...and he ends up getting hurt on the job...and receives a top commendation!
Out of the blue, Dooly receives a call from his reserve commander. In other words, this very meek man is ALSO a part-time Marine!! And, they aren't about to excuse Dooly from duty, even with is injuries. But he's barely functional and cannot possibly perform these duties! Also out of the blue, although he is receiving a commendation, he's also now being held responsible for this police car being damaged in the same pursuit where he stopped the criminals! And, the commendation has been rescinded!! The guy cannot seem to catch a break! And, this isn't the end to his problems!
As I watched this episode, I kept thinking of the old Charles Atlas ad where a meek runt is tired of being pushed around by jerks. So, he buys the Atlas home exercise course and becomes a he-man. Will Dooy ever achieve he-man status? Probably not. But you can watch the episode to see what's next for this poor shnook who keeps getting pushed around by those around him. In this same situation, I am sure a lot of people would have quit...or punched a supervisor in the nose!
David Birney is very good in this somewhat comedic episode. He manages to make you feel sorry for him and plays the part well. He also plays a terrific guy underneath that persona. It also is nice to see what happens when Doolittle gets a new partner...a guy the exact opposite of him in nearly every way! Well worth seeing and quite nice.
Out of the blue, Dooly receives a call from his reserve commander. In other words, this very meek man is ALSO a part-time Marine!! And, they aren't about to excuse Dooly from duty, even with is injuries. But he's barely functional and cannot possibly perform these duties! Also out of the blue, although he is receiving a commendation, he's also now being held responsible for this police car being damaged in the same pursuit where he stopped the criminals! And, the commendation has been rescinded!! The guy cannot seem to catch a break! And, this isn't the end to his problems!
As I watched this episode, I kept thinking of the old Charles Atlas ad where a meek runt is tired of being pushed around by jerks. So, he buys the Atlas home exercise course and becomes a he-man. Will Dooy ever achieve he-man status? Probably not. But you can watch the episode to see what's next for this poor shnook who keeps getting pushed around by those around him. In this same situation, I am sure a lot of people would have quit...or punched a supervisor in the nose!
David Birney is very good in this somewhat comedic episode. He manages to make you feel sorry for him and plays the part well. He also plays a terrific guy underneath that persona. It also is nice to see what happens when Doolittle gets a new partner...a guy the exact opposite of him in nearly every way! Well worth seeing and quite nice.
To You, This may look like a "Farce". To a Real Cop, He knows That It's s a RealLife Farce! Just Ask Officer Doolittle or a Cop Neighbor/Cop!
redryan6427 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
"They're too Fat!" "Those guys couldn't hold down a real job!" "Look at that DUNKIN' DOUGHNUTS Place if you wanna Cop for anything!" So, you think you have complaints about your Police Department?* These examples are both petty and really innocuous. If you really are serious about hearing what is really wrong with the local Town's Department, try asking one of your neighbors, friends, fellow Lodge Members or Church Members who just happen to be Cops. Chances are, if you show respect to the individual and show him you're really serious, he'll tell you what he sees from his point of view. You may be truly surprised at what you learn.
In former days, the late 1940's, thru the 1970's (roughly), we had some one who took it upon himself to dramatize the insider's view of being the "Man". Starting with a little Radio Project on the NBC Radio Network, uh one called "DRAGNET", The Creator/Director/Star, Jack Webb, made the monotone, staccato conversation of interview a well known and even every day element in real life. Furthermore, through his highly successful MARK VII, Ltd. Productions, he became perhaps the most vocal defender of the "Cop On The Beat" ever in the Pop Culture scene.
Indeed, virtually all of his Series, in partnership with Universal Pictures Television** were directly or indirectly involved with the mundane, 'routine' daily grind of the street, when it ceases being an adventure and becomes a job. So it is that we have not only the Classic of all Copper/Shows in "DRAGNET", but also "ADAM 12", "EMERGENCY", "THE D.A.""O'HARE, U.S. TREASURY.", and even the somewhat 'tongue in cheek', turn of the Century Western, "HEC RAMSEY".
But no matter what sincerity and consistency displayed by Mr. Jack Webb, he was still a sort of "outsider", never having been a Cop in real life. He therefore couldn't raise any constructive criticism on behalf of the Rank & File, dog-ass donkey coppers.
Now, enter L.A. Police Sergeant Joseph Wambaugh via his popular novel, "The New Centurions", which instantly put Joe on the map and led to the NEW CENTURIONS Feature Film with George C. Scott and Stacey Keach in 1972. Once published a veritable Niagara of Wambaugh Book/Films followed. THE BLUE KNIGHT, THE CHOIRBOYS, THE ONION FIELD, THE GLITTER DOME and others continued keeping Sgt. Wambaugh from needing any Moonlighting to make ends meet.
So, along came the offer for TV and the Anthology Series of Stories of the L.A.P.D. and this "POLICE STORY" was born.
In the various episodes that we saw, we recall that they all seemed to examine various issues from real life Police Departments and commit them to the episodes. They were as often as not dealing with us Uniformed Donkeys, you know, the 'backbone' of the Department, the Beat Patrolmen in the 'marked' squad cars. Episodes with former Dallas Cowboys QB Don Meredith immediately come to mind; as does a quite serious entry with Cliff Gorman entitled "The Wyatt Earp Syndrome." .
But it is this one Episode, "Officer Dooly" (1976) that to this writer really hit the ol' nail on the head! In short, Rookie Beat Cop, Officer Dooly (David Birney), has been 'noticed' by his martinet of a Watch Commander, Captain Kidder (Paul Burke) as a ripe subject for some special attention, some "discipline", all to make Officer Dooly, whom the good Captain has dubbed 'Doolittle'. The Captain begins to examine everything that Dooly does with a fine-toothed comb, a microscope. As a result of this 'scrutiny in the name of training and police discipline, Doolittle finds himself making a lot of inconsequential, little venial sin type of mistakes. Following them are Verbal and Written Reprimands, Working of his own days off 'in Lieu of Suspension' and even forfeiture of his already earned Compensatory Time (aka 'Time Due' in Chicago).
No matter what he does, no matter how hard he tries, he can't seem to turn the corner and please his boss! He even gets a Department Commendation for exceptional response and bravery, which is negated by Kidder because in the emergency situation, Dooly/'Doolittle' inadvertently acted contrary to a Department Policy. All this after a 'Brass' member of the Safety Board, (Gil Stratton) had shaken his hand and bid him a "Welcome Aboard" to the L.A.P.D.
Eventually, Officer Dooly does it all, he makes some outstanding 'Pinch', worthy of a Commendation and he followed all Departmental Directives, Orders, etc.! And as Captain Kidder, his face one big ear to ear grin congratulates him with, "Great, Doolittle! You've done it right! You may keep this Commendation!" With that, Dooly says, "You mean this is mine?" Receiving a nod from the gleeful Captain/Watch Commander, Dooly proceeds to rip it up!
(FREEZE FRAME! Voice over of Police Communications Radio Traffic! Roll Credits!)
Now most any viewer would see this show as a sort of light, tongue in cheek parody. But take my word, it is not! Just ask Joe Wambaugh or your cop neighbors. They'll tell you.
NOTE: * Sounds like the Title of on of those old Warner Brothers Joe McDoakes Comedies.
NOTE: ** Mr. Webb also partnered with Warner Brothers for the Feature Film DRAGNET (1954) and spent a short, unhappy stint as head of TV Production there.
In former days, the late 1940's, thru the 1970's (roughly), we had some one who took it upon himself to dramatize the insider's view of being the "Man". Starting with a little Radio Project on the NBC Radio Network, uh one called "DRAGNET", The Creator/Director/Star, Jack Webb, made the monotone, staccato conversation of interview a well known and even every day element in real life. Furthermore, through his highly successful MARK VII, Ltd. Productions, he became perhaps the most vocal defender of the "Cop On The Beat" ever in the Pop Culture scene.
Indeed, virtually all of his Series, in partnership with Universal Pictures Television** were directly or indirectly involved with the mundane, 'routine' daily grind of the street, when it ceases being an adventure and becomes a job. So it is that we have not only the Classic of all Copper/Shows in "DRAGNET", but also "ADAM 12", "EMERGENCY", "THE D.A.""O'HARE, U.S. TREASURY.", and even the somewhat 'tongue in cheek', turn of the Century Western, "HEC RAMSEY".
But no matter what sincerity and consistency displayed by Mr. Jack Webb, he was still a sort of "outsider", never having been a Cop in real life. He therefore couldn't raise any constructive criticism on behalf of the Rank & File, dog-ass donkey coppers.
Now, enter L.A. Police Sergeant Joseph Wambaugh via his popular novel, "The New Centurions", which instantly put Joe on the map and led to the NEW CENTURIONS Feature Film with George C. Scott and Stacey Keach in 1972. Once published a veritable Niagara of Wambaugh Book/Films followed. THE BLUE KNIGHT, THE CHOIRBOYS, THE ONION FIELD, THE GLITTER DOME and others continued keeping Sgt. Wambaugh from needing any Moonlighting to make ends meet.
So, along came the offer for TV and the Anthology Series of Stories of the L.A.P.D. and this "POLICE STORY" was born.
In the various episodes that we saw, we recall that they all seemed to examine various issues from real life Police Departments and commit them to the episodes. They were as often as not dealing with us Uniformed Donkeys, you know, the 'backbone' of the Department, the Beat Patrolmen in the 'marked' squad cars. Episodes with former Dallas Cowboys QB Don Meredith immediately come to mind; as does a quite serious entry with Cliff Gorman entitled "The Wyatt Earp Syndrome." .
But it is this one Episode, "Officer Dooly" (1976) that to this writer really hit the ol' nail on the head! In short, Rookie Beat Cop, Officer Dooly (David Birney), has been 'noticed' by his martinet of a Watch Commander, Captain Kidder (Paul Burke) as a ripe subject for some special attention, some "discipline", all to make Officer Dooly, whom the good Captain has dubbed 'Doolittle'. The Captain begins to examine everything that Dooly does with a fine-toothed comb, a microscope. As a result of this 'scrutiny in the name of training and police discipline, Doolittle finds himself making a lot of inconsequential, little venial sin type of mistakes. Following them are Verbal and Written Reprimands, Working of his own days off 'in Lieu of Suspension' and even forfeiture of his already earned Compensatory Time (aka 'Time Due' in Chicago).
No matter what he does, no matter how hard he tries, he can't seem to turn the corner and please his boss! He even gets a Department Commendation for exceptional response and bravery, which is negated by Kidder because in the emergency situation, Dooly/'Doolittle' inadvertently acted contrary to a Department Policy. All this after a 'Brass' member of the Safety Board, (Gil Stratton) had shaken his hand and bid him a "Welcome Aboard" to the L.A.P.D.
Eventually, Officer Dooly does it all, he makes some outstanding 'Pinch', worthy of a Commendation and he followed all Departmental Directives, Orders, etc.! And as Captain Kidder, his face one big ear to ear grin congratulates him with, "Great, Doolittle! You've done it right! You may keep this Commendation!" With that, Dooly says, "You mean this is mine?" Receiving a nod from the gleeful Captain/Watch Commander, Dooly proceeds to rip it up!
(FREEZE FRAME! Voice over of Police Communications Radio Traffic! Roll Credits!)
Now most any viewer would see this show as a sort of light, tongue in cheek parody. But take my word, it is not! Just ask Joe Wambaugh or your cop neighbors. They'll tell you.
NOTE: * Sounds like the Title of on of those old Warner Brothers Joe McDoakes Comedies.
NOTE: ** Mr. Webb also partnered with Warner Brothers for the Feature Film DRAGNET (1954) and spent a short, unhappy stint as head of TV Production there.
Compassion behind the Badge
tjim-3485631 October 2022
Doo-Little.. Officer Dooly stuck in an "R" car, diligently writing reports all day wants nothing more but to be rolling the streets in an "A" car with a partner. "Don't make waves". Dooly rides a roller coaster of over the top police work situations in spite of his normal R Car duties. This was not exactly the typical hard hitting Police Story from the TV series. Officer Dooly takes a human approach to policing the streets especially of Los Angeles Ca. For most of the line officers familiar with Officer Dooly, his methods are a bit too social worker, but he gets results on the street and works his own ideology of what a peace officer should be.
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