WTF Happened to Police Academy?

[@skyden24195]

Growing up as an 80's kid I of course loved the series. So, in the early 2000s when I was employed as a pool-table installer, I was absolutely surprised and thrilled when I was assigned to deliver and install the pool-table that Steve Guttenberg had purchased from the company I worked for. I got to meet "Mahoney" at his Pacific Palisades home. He was a very nice person. He gave me an autographed "headshot" photo and was the only customer I ever actually played a game of pool with after my partner, and I, had installed the table.

[@joe9739]

Lol at first I thought you were gonna say you had to install one at 'The Blue Oyster'😄😄 That's awesome though, he seems like a cool dude 4sure

[@anthonymerchant2597]

I actually have a new found respect for Steve after I found out what he has been doing since he stopped acting. Steve became a full time caregiver for his family and even wrote a book on his experience. I always liked him in Police Academy and Cacoon but this made me see him in a whole different way. As a fully disabled Army veteran who is a caregiver for my wife with MS, I can totally relate to why Steve stopped acting to take care of what is really important. Loved these films growing up in the 80s, with Citizen's On Patrol being my personal favorite.

[@jamesabernethy7896]

I never heard that about him and always wondered what happened to him. I remember Rick Moranis giving up acting to take care of his children after his wife died. Full respect to both of them.

[@anthonymerchant2597]

@@jamesabernethy7896 Yeah Rick and him both stopped acting to become caregivers for their families. I have a huge amount of respect for them both. I just recently heard about Steve's book in which he wrote it to share his experience but to also show other caregivers that they aren't alone.

[@Dream0Asylum]

I remember that a couple of years ago he did a phone interview with the Cinema Snob completely out of the blue because Snob just did a wacky youtube "choose your own adventure" using nothing but Steve Gutenberg material.

[@xikiyo2002]

Another couple of gems from the 80's were Short Circuit and High Spirits also starring Steve Guttenberg, love those two movies too!

[@anthonymerchant2597]

@xikiyo2002 Yeah, I have seen both of those dozens of times and showed my wife High Spirits for her first time. Seeing Liam Neeson in that film changes the way you think of him in his action roles, and he's legitimately funny in it. Steve did plenty of other films like another underrated one is The Big Green, and of course, he was in Three Men and a Baby as well. I know he was also in one of those Sharknado films a few years ago.

[@Locadel2003]

The running joke of the Blue Oyster bar is still fucking hilarious 😂

[@SnoopReddogg]

The contemporary perpetually offended mob wouldn't like it...

[@brianmeen2158]

The entire sequence around the blue Oyster is hilarious - could never be done today

[@adam346]

@@brianmeen2158 about 90% of movies made pre-1995 could not be made today... it's called progress and yes, that means less outright and deliberate bigotry.

[@m0t0b33]

@@adam346 I mean sure, if sugarcoating the existence of those is better than seeing them make fools of themselves and then get served with poetic justice or comedic karma, like it happened in this movie franchise. And there was no political correctness shoved down people's throats either, just shown what happens to the bigot guy when he messes with the wrong ( or in this case, right) kinda people. Now they make movies and shows where people either make victims of themselves in similar situations, or the humor is severely watered down or non-existent. Great progress.

[@adam346]

@@m0t0b33 are you mad Floyd's killer was brought to justice? Because the same decade they made this movie, police were raiding gay clubs, dragging literally everyone onto the street to arrest for literally whatever they could think of.. both outing them as gay (severely taboo) and charging them for basically being in a gay club. Go learn about the Stonewall riots and quit using ignorance as a defense, it's pathetic.

[@jbizz80]

The frustrating thing about this franchise is the insane amount of deleted scenes that were never released commercially. There are several scenes that are only shown on TV, but have never been released on video. I'd love to see full versions on blu-ray.

[@JayFingers]

Wait… Mahoney always wanted to get kicked out of the academy. The problem was he literally couldn’t. There’s even a scene where he talks to Cmdt. Lassard and discovers that no matter what he does, he won’t be kicked out. “I’m trapped here?” “I’m afraid we all are.” 😭😭😭

[@BrandMovie]

Thanks for saving me making this correction….

[@adamwalton9312]

was thinking the same thing, the plot of the first was he wanted to be kicked out but couldn't

[@B0K0691]

​@@adamwalton9312But by the point where he's going on patrol with Harris he tells him he grew to like it?

[@idahomike4254]

4:28 No, no, no. Mahoney initially had absolutely no interest in his fellow classmates nor graduation and he tried his best to get kicked out of the Academy since he was forced to join as a result of his criminal past. He eventually did manage to get dismissed but had a change of heart when the city became under siege and he saw an opportunity to redeem himself. Other than that, great review. Cheers!

[@meligoth]

He did help the cadets in various ways like teaching Hightower how to drive to giving Harris' cadet plants false info where they had a party to probably the best known fictional gay bar in pop culture.

[@andrewcutler1380]

This guy police academies!

[@idahomike4254]

@@meligoth Agreed. But when Barbara asked Mahoney where he needed to go during the indoctrination day, Mahoney directed him to the Commandant's house where Barbara ran into the Commandant's wife fresh from taking a shower. He also sexually harassed Thompson while the cadets were lined up for inspection on the first day. So while Mahoney wasn't exactly a devil, he certainly was no angel either.

[@Neonsilver13]

He actually had a change of heart before he was being dismissed, his dismissal came because he took the fall for someone else who got into a fight by defending him. The confusion when the riots started alowed him to join the other cadets unnoticed and his performance alowed him to graduate.

[@cathallynch1]

The turning point was when he saw Kim Cattral's legs lol

[@flyguy7825]

One of the funniest movies of the 80s!! Everybody was funny in this movie perfect comedic timing.

[@jamesabernethy7896]

Police Academy movies were something that I associate with childhood and with Christmas. They normally played the films on the run-up to Christmas in the 80's and early 90's. Cheeky humour and so much fun. Thanks for the review.

[@SoulStarSketchin]

This was one of my favorite movie series as a kid. I personally think it’s perfect as it is and shouldn’t be revisited.

[@matthewdaley746]

I actually think it can't considering the way the public opinion has turned completely around in the years since, and, that's truly all that needs to be said about that.

[@SoulStarSketchin]

@@matthewdaley746 yup I agree there. Public opinion on police in general has drastically shifted in the last decade alone.

[@mullaoslo]

​@@SoulStarSketchinthere was police brutality back then as well.. But stuff like police academy and Brooklyn 99 is supposed to show theres more to police work than just profiling and targeting minorities.. Public opinion is not gonna change if all media only focus on the bad ones

[@matthewdaley746]

​@@SoulStarSketchinAgree, additional comment unnecessary.

[@matthewdaley746]

​@@mullaosloOpinion's likely forever, unfortunately.

[@peterjohn8625]

Steve Guttenberg was one of my favorite actors growing up. I loved him in this and Short Circuit. A very underrated actor.

[@Omar-wq9dz]

That first movie is still so funny. It’s a shame the reviews were not that high

[@bassman8144]

I rewatched it a few years back and laughed my balls off!!

[@Mr_Oggie]

At the time it came out there was no world wide web so the only reviews were being done by newspapers where the reviewer was usually a stuffed shirt older guy in his 40s or 50s. Back then I used to watch Siskel and Ebert and pretty much the more they said a movie was sophomoric or juvenile humor or if its violence was mindless, senseless, etc then I knew I'd probably like it and the more they praised a movie for how great it was the more likely I'd find it boring :) :) :)

[@reganpt1]

Who cares about the reviews if it was a good funny movie anyway?

[@yvindwestersund9720]

​@@Mr_Oggieknow exactly what you mean I'm from Norway and we had this 50s plus guy that whit his brown 50 suit sat there and belittled the movie I was 12 and was like OK this I've got to see And YES WHAT A MOVIE 😂😂😂😂 Loved the first 3 but they started to recycle jokes and it was OK but the first 3 was FUN ALL AROUND OOO THE 80S WAS A FUN TIME TO GROW UP IN 😂😂😂😂 Just saying 🇧🇻😂😂

[@howardb.6205]

"Blue Oyster" will date you pretty fast

[@Asiatic637]

One of the highlights of being a kid in the 80’s

[@JayFingers]

I loved the Police Academy movies. It was so weird watching them become more family friendly as time went on. 😆 They were streaming on Netflix at the start of the pandemic and quickly became my comfort movies of choice at the time. Oh, and that theme song is classic!

[@iansaxby9264]

I saw Police Academy in 1984, at the drive-in in our small town. Sometimes it was hard to hear the movie because everyone was laughing so hard. A bunch of the humour probably wouldn't fly today, but it's still one of my favourite comedies.

[@JohnSmith-rw2yn]

I was born after most of the films released. My dad made me watch them all as an impressionable kid. When I got to university, I managed to get 6 films on my laptop, if I ever wanted to unwind, I would stick one of these beauties.

[@baxterwilson368]

I used to watch these movies all the time on TV. The only one I saw in the theater was part 6 (City Under Siege). “Assigment: Miami Beach” might be favorite though because of the setting.

[@wstine79]

I was exposed to Police Academy through the 4th movie. This was a fun series. Hightower, Mahoney, and Tackleberry were my favorite characters.

[@TheMissKittyStar]

Z was always my favourite

[@nowthatsjustducky]

After 4, the series was on the decline. 5 is the last one I would ever care to watch again, and even seeing on the big screen. 3 and 4 are my favorites. Never knew there was a cartoon. Going to have to check it out soon. Might get back to the Men in Black cartoon soon now as well...

[@matthewdaley746]

Things seriously got nasty.

[@matthewdaley746]

​@@TheMissKittyStarA truly interesting selection.

[@matthewdaley746]

​@@nowthatsjustduckyMIB cartoon disastrously wretched.

[@Gamertrix117]

I lived in Malta in the 80’s and the original police academy was my favourite VHS by far. I watched it every day as the TV was all Italian and no English channels so watched it every day. To this day I still know every word of the film and one of my all time favourites.

[@doclewis8927]

There are some shows that DO NOT need remakes/reboots. Police Academy, The Goonies, and so so many more.

[@dansmith1661]

Nothing should be remade since it will get the Netflix treatment.

[@katemaloney4296]

So many of the cast are gone but not forgotten. Hightower and Tackleberry are my faves. And PA2 is my fave of the series--even if G.W. Bailey isnt in it.

[@drunkenprayer8390]

George Gaynes being worried about not being taken seriously is just brilliant. He played the role in Police Academy so perfectly. Despite being so goofy he gave it 100% and seemed so believable despite the absurdity. The way he plays the character is so heart warming when he could have come across as a total idiot.

[@imjustasbadasu]

He also served in the Finnish Royal Navy during WWII. RIP, Mr Gaynes

[@xxwelshdave82xx]

This is 1 of my fave franchise from my childhood still watch them to this day and have a good laugh with them.

[@wolfsokaya]

These movies, with the ones starring Bud Spencer and Terrence Hill, are the essential part of childhood for those who grew up around here.

[@stacy7672]

Watched these with such relish with each sequel with a close friend of mine who emigrated and has since passed - so rewatching is happy and sad for me in equal measures now 💟

[@johnchedsey1306]

This feels like a franchise best left in the 80s and never rebooted.

[@jamesstutz6907]

Michael Winslow does sound effects really great and probably saved on the sound effects cost. Wondering if there are more like him.

[@DeathBYDesign666]

He's still at it! I remember seeing him on America's got talent sometime recently and he still does voice sound effects.

[@riproar11]

"and probably saved on the sound effects cost." Huh???

[@shaggycan]

Pretty sure this is one of the first successful films to be shot entirely in Toronto. It's pretty much the foundation of the huge film industry there, going all the way to the present. The series What We Do In The Shadows is shot there.

[@TheGwydion777]

You skipped the part where Mahoney has his own conundrum to deal with, because he wants to get expelled; his choice is police academy or jail, if leaving by his own accord. That little fact gives all the drive to the movie. Why wasn't it mentioned?

[@zandersorc]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@rodh1404]

Exactly. For political reasons, the Academy wasn't allowed to expel him. And he was looking at jail time if he quit.

[@brianpughsley8680]

Plus Mahoney’s dad was a cop

[@brion0220]

Love this movie. The quality goes down with each sequel, but the first 4 with Mahoney (Guttenberg) are all worth watching. It's a real shame he backed out of part 5, the last big entry in the series. That Miami Beach installment would have been so much better with him in it.

[@matthewdaley746]

He did it to save his career, unfortunately, that resulted in it peaking, and, immediately flatlining, though he did better than the rest of the cast.

[@brion0220]

@@matthewdaley746 Yeah, he had a few more hits after PA4. 3 Men and a Baby (and its sequel), plus the Cocoon sequel, but after that his career nosedived. I remember being pleasantly surprised when he had a recurring role on Veronica Mars in the 2000's.

[@matthewdaley746]

​@@brion0220Depressing in absolute predictability.

[@titusmccarthy]

Guttenberg invented the printing press and made 4 Police Academy movies. Brilliant guy.

[@matthewdaley746]

​@@titusmccarthyUnfortunately, his career floundered.

[@tatalsaba]

I love that series, so much nostalgia.

[@louismonnichii7619]

LEGENDARY movie!! Nothing has ever been made like it before or since!

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

Solid comedy series of the 80's. Excellent cast & crew.

[@V1LL1N]

I forgot how much I loved this series, sooooo funny, thank you!

[@freemantle85]

"When Marge told me she was going to the police academy I thought it would be fun and exciting, like that movie, Spaceballs! But instead it's been painful and disturbing like that movie Police Academy."

[@joedavis376]

Why do you think I took you to all those "Police Academy" movies, for fun? Well, I didn't hear anybody laughing. Did you? Except at that guy who made sound effects. Homer : Where was I?

[@aussiemetalfan]

I still watch this every so often if I ever need a laugh, surprised it hasn;t become a musical, they seem to turn a lot of old movies into musicals these days...

[@JamesB-mg9pk]

I've seen this movie more than I can remember. Each time I laugh just as hard as the last time I saw it. Never gets old. Comedy classic that does not need to be remade.

[@realgtasacramentodashcam7292]

My dad took me to see it in the theater, one of the most iconic movies ever made.

[@williamshaw9047]

"The production company rejected the new script!" cut with Zed shooting a Ping Pong ball out of his mouth was a nice touch.

[@shallendor]

The 80's were the best time to be a teen! I am unanimous in that!

[@freemantle85]

"Why do you think I took you to all those "Police Academy" movies, for fun? Well, I didn't hear anybody laughing. Did you?"

[@JayFingers]

LMAOOOOO yes @ the Moving Violations shoutout. Loved that silly ass movie, too. 🤣🤣🤣

[@boomboom418]

I LOVED Police Academy when I was a kid. When I had my tonsils taken out when I was 6 my mom rented the entire series to watch while I recovered. Looking back on those films as an adult I can't believe my parents let me watch it but luckily a lot of the lewd humor went over my head.

[@cadillacdeville5828]

Haha, the original is before my time a bit, but i saw it when i got older. They were doing the MOST 😂

[@Gutlard]

I have great memories watching these with my dad when I was young. The good ol' days.

[@briwanderz]

I'm fairly sure Mahoney didn't initially even want to be there either, he was forced to go and told he couldn't quit, while the bad guys were told to try and make everyone quit... Eventually Mahoney decided to really try, but not at first.

[@FlymanMS]

The series is surprisingly great, out of 7 movies only one was a flop (Mission Moscow) and one was kinda meh in terms of comedy (Miami Beach). And we definitely do not need any reboots, these movies carry the spirit of the 80s and 90s that’s not present today.

[@Wastingsometimehere]

You know, I agree with Bobcat. Things changed and it's a product of it's time. Just leave it be.

[@milhindor]

In Finland, each summer some tv channel shows the Police Academy movies

[@cjplay2]

I was a kid when I discovered Police Academy 4 and the skateboarding. I ended up watching all of the movies and only sone of the 2 series. Thank you for the positive look back at this title.

[@teleespantoso]

Great video. These movies were among the most significant things during my childhood.

[@litteralfitness6113]

The guy who played Harris was PERFECT for that part.

Still a classic. These comedies won't come back.

[@leatherface964]

I used to watch this movie all the time as a kid. I didn't know about the Hooks door scene. 😂😂😂. RIP to a lot of the cast

[@Dr_1212]

"Your ready now mister!!" 😆

[@Hakan-mz6pd]

lets hope they don´t do a remake, this is a classic and a remake will not hold up

[@BigBubbaloola]

Well done to the Editor here for putting in some on the nose scenes from other films. Loved it.

[@lawns757]

This is a classic that never gets old.

[@Neonsilver13]

Small ciritcism about your summary of the plot. Mahoney wasn't someone who did his best to ensure him and the other recruits would pass. He was forced by a judge to enrol in the police academy in lieu of going to prison. His plan was to get expelled as soon as possible. That's why he tricked someone else to walk in on Commander Lassards showering wife. The problem was that the Judge pulled some strings to ensure that Mahoney wouldn't just flunk out. Mahoney eventually started to like being a police officer and changed his attitude during the first movie. Other than that small point, a nice video.

[@Pocketrocket-pj1us]

10.00 St. Elsewhere is one of the greatest of it's kind, making stars out of many cast members. I have spoken to dozens of people, who were inspired to change their lives because of that show. People, who at one time, were a drain on society, by hurting themselves and others. Today, they have turned their lives around. Thet are also people who heal and are an asset, to society. Part of the facination with the show and one of the most important moments in dramatic T.V. is of course, the ending! An ending that elicits many different reactions but the majority are extremely positive, in context. It goes to show that true art is timeless and that T.V. was no longer, the "idiot box" that it was often called. I just wanted to thank you, for taking some of that joy away from people who really need it. Yes, it is a 40 year old show but this is not 'Busom Buddies' This is a rewarding drama, that can shape you and stay with you, for the rest of yout life Why would you do something so asinine, like give away the ending to a completely different show, in a video about "Police Accademy". A movie series I have loved, since I was a kid, in the 80's. Honestly, I don't understand why you would act like such a troll. I hope it was worth ii!!!

[@LR316]

Such a cool fun movie I have many fond memories watching this on TV back in the day

[@jollyrogerq]

He's one of my all-time favorite movies and cartoons biogem on VHS and watched until I burned up the the tape

[@umudew]

Lov this guy's videos, amazing content, especially when he goes beginning of the begininthebgeinebe :)

[@Voodoomaria]

I was delighted when the mock-buster Lavalantula [2015] reunited the police academy cast. It was great seeing them all together again.

[@norctwofoursixzeroone828]

I was a kid when I inadvertently joined my big brother watching this on tape. Dad caught the sight of me and yelled "Hey! You're not supposed to watch that! Do NOT watch! Go Away!". After a quick "Yessir", I went somewhere else in the house. Evening came, I went to bed and set the alarm for 2am. Alarm went off, VCR played on, Mahoney's face on the boob tube. Some of the best laughs in my life.

[@Jeffery_Saulter]

My favourite scene was when Hooks drove over that guys foot and he used a racial slur at her haha it still makes me lol to this day

[@buda3d2007]

Because it’s very non pc it feels very fresh to rewatch it today

[@howardb.6205]

RESPECT ....the 80's held the door and smiled when it looked into your eyes

[@LindyWithAWhy]

Now we need a WTF Happened on Three Men and A Baby!

[@YETTheShow]

I purchased the Police academy films a few months ago and rewatched them all. They still hold up and they are still funny. Even though they are dated, still love this series.

[@socialmoth4974]

I hadn't thought about this movie in a long time. I used to love it and the 2nd one. I don't remember the 3rd or 4th one as well. I'm going to have to do a marathon now!

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

THESE Movies and the cartoon show, were an essential part of my Childhood for as long as i can remember. As a kid i loved the silliness and the characters, as an adult i enjoy the raunchy humor. It's just incredible how much of a replay value all the Police Academy movies have. I actually always loved the first 4 the most, the 5th felt like an awesome summer Holiday trip :) The 6th and 7th weren't as good but still quite entertaining. ALL the characters were absolutely lovable and had some unique quirks that really made this an absolutely entertaining bunch. I still remember seeing most of the movies on TV in the open matte version. Which caused some interesting anomalies (especially in the second movie) like a towel around Mouser's waist even though he was supposed to be naked xD Something you don't see anymore in the cropped 16:9 version on DVD and Blu-ray.

[@mrpopsful]

Michael Winslow is the only character to appear in all live action Police Academy. By the series they should have at least promoted him to lieutenant

[@thealcohologist8624]

As a kid, I loved the cartoon. This was a fun movie

[@nickmccartan8128]

The Blue Oyster bar is still a running joke in my family

[@Akkatlah]

Mine too😂

[@andrewharper1609]

I forget which Police Academy film I saw first. I seem to remember that it was one I saw with my grandfather. I miss his gentle good humour.

[@bsfishing7073]

Can you imagine if Bill Murray would’ve been in this movie and would I start as Mahoney? Oh my god that would’ve been a totally different film.

[@taotaostrong]

In the alternate universe where Nicolas Cage is Superman, Steve Guttenberg is Tom Hanks.

[@RFGfotografie]

The sounds that one guy made is what made this movie epic.

[@IronMikeDyson1979]

Steve appears in the hbo series BALLERS with DWAYNE JOHNSON

[@goldentaco4970]

No commentary on Sweet Chuck??? And I always found it interesting how the actor who played Harris was replaced in part 2 but returned later. It was almost like....did I imagine that?

[@billbog25]

It was on tv a couple weeks ago. Its such a classic!

[@marlybobeats]

Police academy stone cold classic. They don't make them like that anymore

[@julianuceda1331]

Police Academy was the most succsessfull movie in Germany in 1984

[@MinionofNobody]

I would like to put the age of this movie in perspective. I was in my late teens when I saw it in a theater. Four years later, I joined the LAPD. I worked there for twenty six years and then retired. I have been retired for several years now. In other words, this movie is old.

[@lonewolfsstuck]

Bobcat's charcter ZED is one of my all time fav charcters in basically any movie series.

[@nowthatsjustducky]

Before Police Academy, Winslow did his thing in Cheech and Chong's Next Movie. The entire Welfare Office scene is epic. Oh, Paul Reubens, aka the late Peewee Herman, was also in that one. On that note, perhaps you could do a series on all of the C&C films one of these days.

[@nowthatsjustducky]

6:18 Who holds back the electric car? Who makes Steve Gutenberg a star. We do! We do.

[@Vladimir-AndreiFroane]

There was a police academy easter egg in Seinfeld. Tackleberry was in the diner where the Fantastic 4 frequently gathered. This time it was only George and Jerry. Davola was lurking outside waiting for Jerry to come out so he can beat him up. And Jerry approached Tackleberry to do some police work.

[@Monius13]

I agree it wasn't meant to be so deep, just a simple comedy film. But everything around the film is just as fun to learn about and is honestly quite deep. There are some huge names that could have been attached to this film, but either passed it up or got passed up. It's so crazy to imagine that Robin Williams could have been in this film. Robin Williams is one of my favorite actors/comedians of all time, but I'm honestly glad he didn't get the role. He has his own style of comedy and if he was in this film it would have been so much different. These films are just plain dumb fun and that's one thing I love about them. The casting was great in the end.

[@jamesmorant1406]

The 80s had some of the best comedy's Police Academy is on that list and i enjoyed the sequel's

[@cleantoronto3658]

Toronto really looked terrible back then. Surface parking lots everywhere. Not a bike lane anywhere.

[@ReeceDee]

I showed this to my 12 year old son...he loved it.

[@tsaageotrimm]

My mother's favorite comedy movie series 😂

[@EODChaosWo1f]

you missed a thing from 13:26 with all the different media of police academy, here in Australia at warner brothers movie world from 1991 to 2008 there was a police academy stunt show based on the movies.

[@jamesbounds]

I love the Police Academy films, especially 1, 3, and 5.

[@m1t2a1]

I have a bunch of friends that were extras in that. Hard to believe there were so many Police Academies, but only one Airplane!

[@The_TOMMYRAZOR]

The did an Airplane Sequel

[@Hispandinavian]

My childhood. Tackleberry was my favorite character. Michael Winslow was also the the earlier Cheech and Chong's Next Movie, in the Welfare Office scene.

[@DSToNe19and83]

Hightower tapping him reminds me of a flight out west. I tried to put my seat back multiple times, only to have a giant of a man sitting behind me tap me on the shoulder while shaking his head..

[@genecide6869]

Mahoney was the heart of this franchise loved the first 4 movies....then he left

[@GIBBO4182]

Back when there was no diverse or strong female characters, right?