World's Wildest Police Videos

World's Wildest Police Videos
Created byPaul Stojanovich
Presented byJohn Bunnell
Theme music composerShawn K. Clement
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasonsOriginal series: 4
Revived series: 1
Overall: 5
No. of episodesOriginal series: 56
Revived series: 13
Overall: 69 (list of episodes)
Production
Running time42-45 Minutes
Production companiesPaul Stojanovich Productions
Pursuit Productions
Pilgrim Studios
Spike Original
20th Century Fox Television
Release
Original networkFox (1998–2001)
Spike (2012)
Original releaseOriginal series:
April 2, 1998 (1998-04-02) – July 27, 2001 (2001-07-27)
Revival:
May 7– August 13, 2012 (2012-08-13)
Related
World's Scariest Police Chases (1997 pilot)

World's Wildest Police Videos (shortened to Police Videos in Season 4) is an American reality TV series that ran on Fox from 1998 to 2001. In 2012, Spike announced that it had commissioned 13 new episodes with the revival of the original name and John Bunnell returning as host, which premiered on May 7, 2012, and ended on August 13, 2012. The series deals with police videos from across the world. Video footage of car chases, subsequent arrests, robberies, riots and other crimes appear on the show.

Production

World's Wildest Police Videos began in 1998 and ran for four seasons, comprising a total of 56 episodes, before being officially canceled in 2002. In Season 4, the name was shortened to Police Videos.

Most of the police videos featured on the show were from various U.S. police departments, but footage from other nations such as Argentina, South Korea, Brazil, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, 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.

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

The series began with the series of specials entitled 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. Five additional episodes of World's Scariest Police Chases aired, with the second on April 27, 1997, third on November 4, 1997, fourth on February 17, 1998, fifth on April 28, 1998, and the sixth on April 29, 1999.

A further two special episodes called World's Scariest Police Shootouts aired around this time as well. It was hosted by John Bunnell, a retired police officer and former Sheriff of Multnomah County, Oregon. The two episodes focused on police shootouts rather than chases themselves, although some of the clips featured a car chase along with a shootout. The first episode of World's Scariest Police Shootouts aired on May 15, 1997, and the second episode, World's Scariest Police Shootouts 2, aired on April 23, 1998. Both episodes were narrated and hosted by John Bunnell. The episodes featured more well-known content, such as the North Hollywood shootout, the murder of Darrell Lunsford, the 1991 Sacramento hostage crisis, White supremacist Chevie Kehoe and his shootout with police, and the 1996 Honolulu hostage crisis.

Eventually, the show was broadcast weekly. Bunnell's commentary was often characterized by puns, multiple clichés, and over-dramatic descriptions of the struggle between good and evil, the police and criminals, victims and abusers, etc. Although Bunnell hosted and commented 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, automobile collision sounds and sirens are often overdubbed in these segments; this is especially noticeable in footage where vehicles are driving over dry grass or sand.

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 role 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.

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 dropped after the first season, 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 that were about to appear.

Occasionally, episodes were dedicated to police officers killed in the line of duty and an episode featured the footage of the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961 in 1996.

There were home video VHS releases of the first three World's Scariest Police Chases specials with additional footage in late 1997, and a video game was released near the tail end of the series original run in June 2001.

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally airedTV SeasonTimeRank
First airedLast airedNetwork
S26February 2, 1997 (1997-02-02)June 28, 2003 (2003-06-28)Fox1997-2003N/AN/A
16April 2, 1998 (1998-04-02)May 7, 1998 (1998-05-07)1997–98Fridays at 8:00 PM87
220September 10, 1998 (1998-09-10)July 15, 1999 (1999-07-15)1998–99Thursdays at 8:00 PM86
312September 16, 1999 (1999-09-16)February 25, 2000 (2000-02-25)1999–00Thursdays at 8:00 PM (1-4)
Fridays at 8:00 PM (5-12)
89
418October 6, 2000 (2000-10-06)July 27, 2001 (2001-07-27)2000–01Fridays at 8:00 PM97
513May 7, 2012 (2012-05-07)August 13, 2012 (2012-08-13)Spike2011–12Mondays at 8:00 PM (1-2)
Mondays at 10PM (10-13)
Mondays at 11PM (3-9)
N/A

Episodes

Specials (1997–2003)

No.TitleOriginal air date U.S. viewers
(millions)
World's Scariest Police Chases
1"World's Scariest Police Chases"February 2, 1997 (1997-02-02)17.74
2"World's Scariest Police Chases 2"April 27, 1997 (1997-04-27)15.96
3"World's Scariest Police Chases 3"November 4, 1997 (1997-11-04)18.16
4"World's Scariest Police Chases 4"February 17, 1998 (1998-02-17)17.79
5"World's Scariest Police Chases 5"April 28, 1998 (1998-04-28)12.77
6"World's Scariest Police Chases 6"April 29, 1999 (1999-04-29)12.91
World's Scariest Police Shootouts
1"World's Scariest Police Shootouts"May 17, 1997 (1997-05-17)12.24
2"World's Scariest Police Shootouts 2"April 23, 1998 (1998-04-23)12.91
Surviving the Moment of Impact
1"Surviving the Moment of Impact"February 17, 1998 (1998-02-17)19.67
2"Surviving the Moment of Impact 2"April 28, 1998 (1998-04-28)13.71
3"Surviving the Moment of Impact 3"February 25, 1999 (1999-02-25)12.14
4"Surviving the Moment of Impact 4"April 26, 2001 (2001-04-26)6.69
World's Worst Drivers: Caught on Tape
1"World's Worst Drivers: Caught on Tape (also known in UK airings as "World's Dumbest Drivers")"May 12, 1998 (1998-05-12)12.41
2"World's Worst Drivers: Caught on Tape 2 (also known in UK airings as "World's Dumbest Drivers 2")"November 20, 1998 (1998-11-20)13.35
3"World's Worst Drivers: Caught on Tape 3 (also known in UK airings as "World's Dumbest Drivers 3")"April 26, 2001 (2001-04-26)6.67
World's Most Shocking Moments: Caught on Tape
1"World's Most Shocking Moments: Caught on Tape"November 5, 1998 (1998-11-05)17.47
2"World's Most Shocking Moments: Caught on Tape 2"February 4, 1999 (1999-02-04)16.55
3"World's Most Shocking Moments: Caught on Tape 3"May 25, 1999 (1999-05-25)10.75
Other Miscellaneous Specials
1"World's Scariest Police Stings"November 20, 1997 (1997-11-20)9.32
2"Prisoners: Out Of Control"February 24, 1998 (1998-02-24) (Sky One - UK)
September 1, 2006 (2006-09-01) (Spike - USA)
N/A
  • The special was originally planned to air after the "World's Scariest Police Chases 3", and was to air again after the premiere of the "World's Scariest Police Stings", but was pulled a week before its intended premiere due to its controversial content, and replaced with "The World's Deadliest Swarms." It would air overseas in Europe, Canada, and Australia until making its debut in America on Spike in 2006.
3"Riots: Mobs Out Of Control"October 13, 1998 (1998-10-13) (Sky One - UK)
December 12, 2002 (2002-12-12) (FX - USA)
N/A
  • The special was originally planned to air in June 1997 but was pulled for unknown reasons. It might have been pulled under similar circumstances that “Prisoners: Out Of Control” was pulled. It would air overseas in Europe, Canada, and Australia until making its debut in America on FX in 2002.
4"Train Wrecks"May 25, 1999 (1999-05-25)6.51
5"Getting a Ticket in America (aka Tickets In America)"January 6, 2000 (2000-01-06)9.93
6"World's Most Dangerous Chases"November 7, 2002 (2002-11-07)5.56
7"World's Fastest Police Chases"November 14, 2002 (2002-11-14)4.35
8"World's Craziest Police Chases"April 1, 2003 (2003-04-01) (Sky One - UK)
June 28, 2003 (2003-06-28) (Fox - USA)
4.77
  • Both TV Tango and Newspapers referred to the special as the "World's Wildest Police Chases." However, the Nielsen ratings refer to its correct name.

Season 1 (1998)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air date U.S. viewers
(millions)
11"Episode 101"April 2, 1998 (1998-04-02)13.36
22"Episode 102"April 9, 1998 (1998-04-09)11.99
33"Episode 103"April 16, 1998 (1998-04-16)10.60
44"Episode 104"April 23, 1998 (1998-04-23)10.95
55"Episode 105"April 30, 1998 (1998-04-30)9.47
66"Episode 106"May 7, 1998 (1998-05-07)8.51

Season 2 (1998–99)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air date U.S. viewers
(millions)
71"Episode 201"September 10, 1998 (1998-09-10)8.36
82"Episode 202"September 17, 1998 (1998-09-17)9.07
93"Episode 203"September 24, 1998 (1998-09-24)7.35
104"Episode 204"October 15, 1998 (1998-10-15)6.05
115"Episode 205 Crashes and Chases Special Edition"November 5, 1998 (1998-11-05)12.97
126"Episode 206 Crashes and Chases Special Edition 2"November 12, 1998 (1998-11-12)12.31
137"Episode 207 Crashes and Chases Special Edition 3"December 3, 1998 (1998-12-03)9.27
148"Episode 208"December 10, 1998 (1998-12-10)10.33
159"Episode 209"January 7, 1999 (1999-01-07)10.26
1610"Episode 210"January 14, 1999 (1999-01-14)10.88
1711"Episode 211"January 28, 1999 (1999-01-28)9.45
1812"Episode 212 Chases and Riots Special Edition"February 11, 1999 (1999-02-11)9.99
1913"Episode 213 Chases and Shootouts Special Edition"February 18, 1999 (1999-02-18)11.54
2014"Episode 214"March 11, 1999 (1999-03-11)11.75
2115"Episode 215"March 25, 1999 (1999-03-25)9.46
2216"Episode 216"April 8, 1999 (1999-04-08)7.80
2317"Episode 217"June 24, 1999 (1999-06-24)7.31
2418"Episode 218"July 1, 1999 (1999-07-01)7.79
2519"Episode 219"July 8, 1999 (1999-07-08)7.56
2620"Episode 220"July 15, 1999 (1999-07-15)7.02

Season 3 (1999–00)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air date U.S. viewers
(millions)
271"Episode 301 Shocking Crashes and Chases Special Edition"September 16, 1999 (1999-09-16)8.37
282"Episode 302 Worst Drivers & Stupidest Criminals Special Edition"September 23, 1999 (1999-09-23)6.83
293"Episode 303 Dangerous Chases, Crashes and Busts Special Edition"September 30, 1999 (1999-09-30)6.79
304"Episode 304"October 21, 1999 (1999-10-21)6.01
315"Episode 306 Fastest Chases Special Edition"December 10, 1999 (1999-12-10)8.25
326"Episode 305"January 7, 2000 (2000-01-07)8.48
337"Episode 307 Most Dangerous Chases Special Edition"January 14, 2000 (2000-01-14)9.58
348"Episode 308 Bizarre and Unusual Crimes Special Edition"January 28, 2000 (2000-01-28)11.52
359"Episode 309"February 4, 2000 (2000-02-04)9.02
3610"Episode 310"February 11, 2000 (2000-02-11)8.16
3711"Episode 311"February 18, 2000 (2000-02-18)7.81
3812"Episode 312"February 25, 2000 (2000-02-25)8.55

Season 4 (2000–01)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air date U.S. viewers
(millions)
391"Episode 401 Dangerous Crashes and Chases Special Edition"October 6, 2000 (2000-10-06)8.97
402"Episode 402 Crazy Chases Special Edition"October 13, 2000 (2000-10-13)7.95
413"Episode 403 Robbers on the Run Special Edition"October 20, 2000 (2000-10-20)7.59
424"Episode 404"November 3, 2000 (2000-11-03)8.76
435"Episode 405"November 10, 2000 (2000-11-10)8.86
446"Episode 406"November 17, 2000 (2000-11-17)9.90
457"Episode 407"January 5, 2001 (2001-01-05)9.54
468"Episode 408"January 12, 2001 (2001-01-12)8.32
479"Episode 409"February 2, 2001 (2001-02-02)8.51
4810"Episode 410"February 9, 2001 (2001-02-09)9.43
4911"Episode 411"February 16, 2001 (2001-02-16)9.44
5012"Episode 412"March 16, 2001 (2001-03-16)7.81
5113"Episode 413"March 23, 2001 (2001-03-23)8.12
5214"Episode 414"April 27, 2001 (2001-04-27)6.58
5315"Episode 415"May 4, 2001 (2001-05-04)6.27
5416"Episode 416"May 11, 2001 (2001-05-11)5.70
5517"Episode 417"July 20, 2001 (2001-07-20)4.94
5618"Episode 418"July 27, 2001 (2001-07-27)4.88

Season 5 (2012)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air date U.S. viewers
(millions)
571"Episode 501 - One Bullet Away From Insanity"May 7, 2012 (2012-05-07)0.604
582"Episode 502 - Between a Diamond And A Hard Place"May 14, 2012 (2012-05-14)0.532
593"Episode 503 - Driving While Crazy"May 21, 2012 (2012-05-21)N/A
604"Episode 504 - Sky High On Rage"May 28, 2012 (2012-05-28)N/A
615"Episode 505 - Locking Horns With The Law"June 11, 2012 (2012-06-11)N/A
626"Episode 506 - Roaring Into Hot Pursuit"June 18, 2012 (2012-06-18)N/A
637"Episode 507 - Guns Speak Louder Than Words"June 25, 2012 (2012-06-25)N/A
648"Episode 508 - Crookbook"July 9, 2012 (2012-07-09)N/A
659"Episode 509 - Soft Targets Hard Lessons"July 16, 2012 (2012-07-16)N/A
6610"Episode 510 - Between The Crosshairs"July 23, 2012 (2012-07-23)0.899
6711"Episode 511 - Revenge Of The K9s"July 30, 2012 (2012-07-30)0.782
6812"Episode 512 - Rebel Without A Clue"August 6, 2012 (2012-08-06)0.902
6913"Episode 513 - Thick As Thieves"August 13, 2012 (2012-08-13)0.677

Video Game

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 3.6/10 from GameSpot.com, to a 9/10 from Official PlayStation Magazine (UK).

In Pop Culture

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 skidaddle 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 Bunnell himself.

It was also parodied on MADtv as "World's Queeniest Police Chases".

Some of the Alarm für Cobra 11 - Die Autobahnpolizei, Der Clown and one from Die Wache car crashing clips were used in 2 episodes in 1998.

The show appears to be the source of the in-game television show "The Underbelly Of Paradise" in the videogame GTA V.

Worldwide Syndication

Americas

Europe

Asia

Malaysia

Oceania

  • Australia: Some premiere episodes were shown on the Seven Network and Network Ten, and re-runs of all episodes appeared on Fox8. Episodes of the 2012 series began airing on the Seven Network in 2013.

Africa

Home Media / Streaming

There were also home video releases on VHS of the first three World's Scariest Police Chases around late 1997, which included never-before-seen footage that wasn't shown on FOX. The specials would be re-released as Deluxe Versions in the late 1990s, with minor differences.

In early April 2023, it was announced that the entire series was made available on Filmrise's streaming service and on iTunes/Apple TV, which included some of the additional specials that premiered during the shows original run. From April 6 to June 18, 2023, Filmrise's True Crime YouTube channel uploaded the entire series, releasing full episodes of the show every Thursday (or Sunday) afternoon. In July 2023, some of the additional specials were also uploaded to the channel, with the specials (excluding the "World's Scariest Police Chases") incorrectly claiming to be part of "Season 6."


This page was last updated at 2023-10-07 09:21 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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