ABC to offer fresh version of 'Dragnet'
By Bridget Byrne
Associated Press
"Start with what you know," Joe Friday says, explaining the basics of crime-solving as the cameras roll on a Universal Studios sound stage.
The veteran detective and central character of the "Dragnet" franchise is sticking to facts and following procedure, as always. But this time more people are listening.
Made famous more than 50 years ago by Jack Webb, and now played by Ed O'Neill, Friday no longer prowls the streets of Los Angeles with a lone sidekick. He's been promoted to lieutenant, in charge of a diverse group of junior detectives who seem to hang on his every word.
Friday's upgrade to head of his own mod squad on what is now called "L.A. Dragnet" is one of many changes in the ABC series' evolving struggle.
When the second season premieres in a new time slot Saturday, Sept. 27, it will look markedly different from the retro-flavored "Dragnet" launched Sundays last February to disappointing results.
There will be more women and more vistas of Los Angeles; updated, less noir-like dialogue and more of a documentary shooting and editing style.
There are also two new writers — twin brothers Jonas and Josh Pate.
"We want it to be a current show; we don't want it to reference the old show in any wink-wink kind of way," says Josh.
Executive producer Dick Wolf says he hired the 33-year-old twins because they "were not a top-of-mind choice for writing procedural cop shows" and could bring a younger, fresher perspective to the job.
So why was the series moved to Saturday night? Admitting that it's not an ideal time slot for a cop show trying to reinvent itself, Lloyd Braun, ABC entertainment chairman, has said the strategy is to "incubate" the show in a noncompetitive time slot, to be moved if it becomes a self-starter.
For that, the series must "look forward more than it looks back," Pate says.
But that doesn't mean the Pates don't revere the top cop.
"The show is still centered on Friday," says Pate. "We definitely want to ramp up the legend of Joe Friday and ... get that sense across that he's an iconic character."
They're also keeping the familiar theme song, and the show will continue to emphasize solving cases.
"No love life, no home, just the job — I think that's good," O'Neill said.
