Jack Webb always wanted to do a comedy series

There was just one problem.

NBC/Universal

While being serious is necessary every once in a while, we're proud to say that laughter makes the world go round. Laughing brings people together, and it makes life worth living. If you're lucky enough to make a serious person laugh, all the better.

Jack Webb was known for his more serious temperament, which shone through in the shows he kickstarted. Of course, a crime series seems to guarantee seriousness, and Dragnet is as stoic as they come.

Interestingly enough, Webb had a hidden passion for comedy that he wanted to share with the world.

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"I would love to do a comedy," said Webb during an interview with The Pittsburgh Press. "I personally am a consumer of comedy."

There was only one problem: He wasn't very funny. Luckily, Webb was willing to admit his shortcomings and used the opportunity to shine the spotlight on some writers who were incredibly comedically gifted.

"I am not adept at humor and making people laugh," said Webb. "But the people I work with now are adept at it, and we're gonna try."

Webb wasn't just interested in pursuing new ground comedically; he also wanted to revive a bygone genre and bring it back to television.

"Let's bring back the Western," said Webb. "We ran it into the ground - primarily because they were cheap to produce - and now we're doing the same thing with police shows. But if we want variety in TV, the people themselves are going to have to support what's new and different."

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23 Comments

justjeff 1 month ago
He did do one turn at comedy - an episode of the Tonight Show when he and Johnny Carson spoofed Dragnet with "The Clapper Caper".. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgYbogp1Ha0
AnnaRentzVandenhazel 1 month ago
I would love to watch Dragnet, but it's on at a time when I'm asleep. Could MeTV move it to "prime time"?
Blaquejew 1 month ago
I think that Jack Webb could have been in a comedy. At least as a special guest on some of the shows of his era. He would probably be deadpan funny.
Bapa1 1 month ago
Dragnet at times was unintentionally funny.
Scott76112 Bapa1 1 month ago
It's strange that today, Dragnet seems like it's from another planet, but Adam-12 still holds up pretty well.
Bapa1 Scott76112 1 month ago
Not as many lectures as Dragnet,
AltBill 1 month ago
Jack Webb comedy. 2 words:
Bill Gannon.
Or "How's that?"
"Why" isn't as funny.
RS1515 AltBill 1 month ago
Kinda hard to imagine Webb actually laughing, he's also most as serious as Worf from Star Trek is.
WordsmithWorks RS1515 1 month ago
There was one episode when Gannon says something to Friday and he unintentionally laughs. I wish I could remember which one.
MichaelPowers 1 month ago
Jack was right regarding the proliferation of law enforcement TV shows. There's a flood of them and they tsunami keeps on coming. I guarantee that fall of 2025 will have a plethora of police shows debuting.
dazeofwine 1 month ago
Fun fact. Jack was offered the role of Dean Wormer in Animal House. He turned the role down because he wanted to keep his image clean which is understandable like John Wayne who did the same thing.
Scott76112 dazeofwine 1 month ago
Yet John Wayne appeared in a bunny suit on Laugh-In. He didn't take himself *too* seriously.

(Sort of like Richard Nixon's famous "Sock it to *me*?")
That would not have worked at all.
MrsPhilHarris 1 month ago
I would love to see Dragnet at 7 pm to 8 pm. Let’s shake up the schedule!
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They did show WKRP a few years ago, but it should be brought back. Don't know why they brought back Gomer Pyle and not that.
A few years ago they also showed Night Gallery. Some great episodes.
That show scared the heck oitta me!
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