America's Dumbest Criminals

America's Dumbest Criminals
Genre	Reality
Presented by	Daniel Butler (1996-2000) Beaumont Bacon (1997-1998) Debbie Alan (1998-2000)
Country of origin	United States
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	4
Production
Running time	30 minutes
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)
Distributor	CBS Television Distribution
Release
Original network	Syndication
Original release	Fall 1996 (Fall 1996) – Spring 2000 (Spring 2000)
External links
[{{#property:P856}} Website]

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 they were not fooled by the arresting officers.

Production notes

The show is directed by Steve Angus. The executive producer was Florida businessman John Palumbo.

There was a short-lived Australian version of the show in 1997 called the World's Dumbest Criminals hosted by Gordon Elliott.

Season 3 was shot in Los Angeles, CA and was directed by Andrew Maisner.

See also

• The Smoking Gun Presents: World's Dumbest Criminals

Further reading

• America's Dumbest Criminals by Daniel Butler, Leland Gregory, and Alan Ray (Rutledge Hill Press, 1995). ISBN 1-55853-372-9

External links

• Official website
• America's Dumbest Criminals at IMDb