Reno 911! aired on Comedy Central from 2003-2009. Its satirical take on COPS and its mostly improv-driven format won over fans and critics alike. Following its cancellation, petitions, and other efforts by viewers and even some of the cast had advocated for a show revival for years.
Fortunately, in 2019, it was announced that the streaming service Quibi would be continuing the series. Season 7 premiered on May 4 to critical success, and on September 3rd, another season was ordered. Shows like Reno 911! have set a precedent for other comedic series and have made fans wonder about the nooks and crannies of its development and production.
10 Who Breaks Character the Most?
Created and performed by some of the industry's most acclaimed comedians, Reno 911! is an extremely hilarious show to watch— and film. Understandably, it must be hard to keep a straight face, and no one expects perfection. Although, the performers and the actors themselves have admitted who breaks character the most: Carlos Alazraqui (Deputy Garcia).
Alazraqui concurred with his castmates in a 2006 interview with Bullz-Eye that he ruined the most takes by laughing. Honestly, it's hard to blame him.
9 The Way We Was
According to an interview with Gold Derby, co-creators/co-stars, Thomas Lennon (Lt. Dangle) and Kerri Kenney-Silver (Deputy Weigel) go way back. Silver had met Lennon at theater camp when she was 17. They also attended NYU together and have been friends ever since.
Additionally, Lennon and Silver were two of the members of the MTV sketch comedy show The State. Other Reno 911! alum in that troupe include Robert Ben Garant (Junior), Joe Lo Truglio (Deputy Rizzo), and Michael Ian Black. They all have known each other since their freshman year of NYU and have been close since.
8 One Cop, Two Cop, Three Cop
Some may be surprised to find out besides playing Deputy Jones, actor Cedric Yarbrough has portrayed a cop on two other programs. On Bojack Horseman, he was Officer Meow Meow Fuzzyface, an anthropomorphic cat and loose-cannon cop. Yarborough portrayed the feline on and off for six seasons.
Meanwhile, on Paradise PD, he is the PTSD-riddled and flute-playing Officer Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald is one of the principal characters on the Netflix series that has a third season on the way.
7 Nash to the Rescue
One of the strongest supporters of a Reno 911! revival has been none other than cast member Niecy Nash (Deputy Williams). In an interview with CBSN New York, Nash explained that she would message the others throughout the years about getting back together and continuing the series.
As she explained, "Every year, like two or three times a year, I would email everyone saying ‘hey guys, we should put the band back together.’ I kept saying it and eventually, the universe responded in time."
6 New to Improv
While most of the principal players have backgrounds in improv, Nash was admittedly new to the form. In the same interview with CBSN New York, Nash was concerned that her lack of experience would cost her the audition. Her nerves increased even more as she waited to hear if she got the part.
Fortunately, they cast Nash and she was grateful they gave her a shot. Since then, Nash has proven herself, and many of her character's hilarious ad-libbed lines and moments can be attributed to Nash's comedic prowess and honed improv skills.
5 Out of Nowhere Cancellation
The day Reno 911! was canceled was not only a sad day for the cast and crew but also fans and residents of Reno, Nevada. While talking with Deadline, Lennon was perplexed by the situation as the show's ratings were still high at the time the series was axed. He elaborated, "Reno was originally cancelled off Comedy Central at sort of the height of its fame, which was pretty weird."
Lennon credited Nash for persistently calling him and the others to get back together and continue the series. To which they all agreed. Eventually.
4 Perfect for Quibi
While Quibi has struggled as a streaming platform, it turned out to be the ideal home for Reno911! In the same interview with Deadline, Lennon explained that the deal fell into place when Doug Herzog (someone he regards as a mentor) approached Quibi about continuing Reno911!
Lennon argued that the short episodes worked to the series' benefit. As it got straight to the laughs and did not "overstay its welcome." He added that the 25 episodes they produced were their "strongest work."
3 Mary Birdsong's Favorite Episodes
Deputy Kimball actress Mary Birdsong has quite a few favorite episodes from the series. In an interview with Starry Mag, Birdsong said that "Coconut Nut Cluster", "British Law" (where she played a masseuse disguised as a Geisha), and any episode with Little Terry (Nick Swardson) are all winners in her book.
Birdsong also added that in times such as this, the series' humor is more than needed. "We all desperately need to laugh! And I think we’re craving something that’s kind of different and edgy/out there, but familiar at the same time. And that’s Reno 911!”
2 Doubts About Returning
Deputy Johnson's actress Wendi McLendon-Covey mentioned in an interview with KTVB7 that returning to the role felt "surreal." McLendon-Covey explained that having been away for over a decade made her question if she could pick up the character again. However, her fears have since been put to rest and she is better than ever as Johnson.
Similarly, Birdsong was nervous about coming back. While speaking with Starry Mag, Birdsong admitted she had hardly done improv since her last appearance on the show and was worried she might be rusty. Needless to say, she is also back to delivering comedy gold.
1 Approaching Real-Life Issues
Since the beginning, Reno 911! has not been shy about addressing and satirizing topical subject matter. Garant explained to Coming Soon that they could not avoid addressing topics such as BLM but they also did not want to come off as "preachy or grim." Their initiative was, as Garant put it, was to "do material about crazy white people calling 911 because they saw a black guy.”
Yarbrough also added that, as one of the "actors of color," he was not overly concerned about handling sensitive topics, but rather, handling them responsibly. If he felt iffy about a scene or joke he would more than willingly voice his sentiments. Yarbrough summed it up by saying, "we’re all just weird on the show, it’s an example of looking at humanity and being able to laugh at it.”
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