Reno 911! – Nostalgia Central

2 0 0 3 – 2 0 0 9 (USA)
124 x 25 minute episodes

Relying on skeletal scripts that set up the basic story but left the details to the actors, Reno 911! utilised the well-honed improvisational skills of its cast and guest stars to create a madcap stream of consciousness revolving around the lunatic antics of an inept team of law-enforcement officers from the fictional Reno Sheriff’s Department.

Parodying reality shows like COPS, the series featured the team playing up their exploits for the cameras and lamenting the fact that none of their successes seemed to make the final cut.

Standout recurring characters included Nick Swardson as a flamboyant troublemaker; Patton Oswalt as a passionate gamer whose exploits frequently went awry; Keegan-Michael Key as a hugely suspicious “Theoretical Criminal”; and Oscar Nunez as criminal mastermind “Spanish Mike” Alvarez.

In 2007, the series transferred to the big screen in Reno 911!: Miami.

Several of the regular characters were killed off in the sixth TV series, which the producers later regretted.

Deputy S. Jones
Cedric Yarbrough
Deputy Travis Junior
Robert Ben Garant
Lieutenant Jim Dangle
Thomas Lennon
Deputy Trudy Wiegel/Jackie the Hooker
Kerri Kenney
Deputy Raineesha Williams
Niecy Nash
Deputy Clementine Johnson
Wendi McLendon-Covey
Deputy James Garcia/Chief Carl
Carlos Alazraqui
Deputy Cherisha Kimball/Lisa the Masseuse
Mary Birdsong
Terry Bernadino
Nick Swardson
Boozehammer of Galen
Patton Oswalt
Theoretical Criminal
Keegan-Michael Key
“Spanish Mike” Alvarez/Captain Dwayne Hernandez
Oscar Nunez
Gary the Klansman
Chris Tallman