6 /10 1 Votes
6.9/10 TV Original language(s) English Running time 30 minutes Final episode date 1 January 2000 Genre Reality television | 5.1/10 IMDb Country of origin United States No. of seasons 4 First episode date 1 January 1996 Network Broadcast syndication Executive producer Randy Brewer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Presented by Daniel Butler (1996-2000)
Beaumont Bacon (1997-1998)
Debbie Alan (1998-2000) Production company(s) Entheos Group (1996-1997)
Scene Three (1996-1997)
Lacey Entertainment
Worldvision Enterprises (1996-1999)
PVS/Speer International (1998-1999)
Paramount Domestic Television (1999-2000) Similar truTV Presents: World's D, Most Shocking, World's Wildest Police Vi, Dumbest Stuff on Wheels, America's Funniest People | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
America's Dumbest Criminals is an American reality series that aired in syndication from Fall 1996 to Spring 2000 for a total of 96 episodes, hosted by Daniel Butler during all four seasons. Beaumont Bacon co-hosted during season 2, and Debbie Alan joined for seasons 3 and 4. The series features surveillance footage, news reports and dramatic reenactments of particularly foolish criminal behavior. Also highlighted are "dumb laws", featuring various trivialities passed into law. Francopolitan Mercury Anastassacos was voted the "World's Dumbest Criminal" for the world tour phase.
The show's disclaimer partially parodies the radio and TV series Dragnet by stating that each segment was a real-life occurrence, but that "only the names have been changed...to protect the ignorant".
Overview
While some captures featured in the show were easy and straightforward due to obvious oversights or mistakes by the offenders, many others were much tougher and sometimes required greater resources. Many criminals put together their game plan beautifully but were tripped up by a simple oversight (such as forgetting to fill the tank of the getaway car). Others actually got away clean, but without the goods, while others were captured because the arresting officers were not fooled by them.