Police Squad! the audio commentary Wuhl recorded for the DVD release, he mentioned that it was a nice opportunity, but that he did not really feel a connection with the show, especially because of its short run. The opening and closing music was penned by composer Ira Newborn. The jumping big band theme (a parody of the "M Squad" theme composed and performed by Count Basie) was retained for the "Naked Gun" movies, along with the opening police-light visual of the "Police Squad!" series. ABC announced the cancellation of "Police Squad!" after four of its six episodes had aired in March 1982.
Police Squad! The final two episodes were aired that summer. According to the DVD Commentary of "A Substantial Gift" (episode 1), then-ABC entertainment president Tony Thomopoulos said "Police Squad!" was cancelled because "the viewer had to watch it in order to appreciate it." What Thomopoulos meant was that the viewer had to pay very close attention to the show in order to get much of the humor, while most other TV shows did not demand as much effort from the viewer. In its annual "Cheers and Jeers" issue, "TV Guide" magazine called the explanation for the cancellation "the most stupid reason a