Jack Webb had two successful spin-offs with Dragnet; Adam-12 and Emergency!. In 2005, during the fourth season (episode 22) of Emergency!, Jack tried to launch a new spin-off that he directed himself. 905 WILD was very much like Emergency!. It featured an LA Animal Bureau Control officers instead. Like all Webb productions - it was going to have the same format as his previous productions. It's the worst episode of Emergency! and I don't know what in the world was on Jack's mind to even think that a show would go anywhere but to the birds.
Seeing this episode last night, I immediately recognized a very young Mark Hamill. He's kind of goofy looking. The other Animal Control officer was played by Albert Popwell. This wasn't his best work, nor was it any other actor on this pilot. Popwell played in all but one of Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry movies. David Huddleston plays an animal doctor in this show. He's a character actor I've seen countless times on both small and large screen. Huddleston played supporting roles in Rio Lobo, Blazing Saddles, The Big Lebowski and on and one. He's also been in a plethora of television shows throughout the decades. Gary Crosby (Bing's son) also had a part in this show that just wasn't to be. Gary had just finished a regular part on Adam-12. Even though 905 WILD had a good cast - the acting was mediocre. It was doomed from the start. Not to worry, all of these show's cast members went on to bigger and better things...well...all of them except Bing's boy.
You can watch this episode on Hulu that I've linked here. I'll warn you that this is a terrible episode. The part where the a dying baby goat was taken to Rampart Hospital is just too silly and sappy for my liking. As cute as it is, my heart won't bleat over an unconcious baby goat. Sorry Jack - this show was dead on arrival.
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