Joe Friday promoted; 'Dragnet' updated

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- "Start with what you know," says Joe Friday in explaining the basics of crime-solving as the cameras roll on a Universal Studios soundstage.

The veteran detective and central character of the "Dragnet" franchise is sticking to the facts and following procedure, just as he's always done. But this time, more people are listening to his no-nonsense know-how.

Made famous more than 50 years ago by Jack Webb and now played by Ed O'Neill, Friday no longer prowls the streets of Los Angeles with a lone sidekick. He's been promoted to lieutenant, in charge of a diverse group of junior detectives who seem to hang on his every word.

Friday's upgrade to mentor of his own mod squad on what is now called "L.A. Dragnet" is one of many changes in the ABC series' evolving effort to survive.

When the second season premieres in a new Saturday time slot on Sept. 27 (9 p.m.), it will look markedly different from the retro-flavored "Dragnet" launched on Sunday nights last February to disappointing results.

There will be more women and more vistas of Los Angeles. Updated, less noire-like dialogue and more of a documentary shooting and editing style. Even subtle wardrobe changes -- gone are Friday's nerdy short-sleeved shirts.

There are also two new writers -- twin brothers Jonas and Josh Pate.

"We want it to be a current show, we don't want it to reference the old show in any wink, wink kind of way," said Josh Pate.

"L.A. Dragnet" executive producer Dick Wolf says he hired the 33-year-old twins because they could bring a younger, fresher perspective to the job.

So why, then, was the series moved to Saturday night, when younger, more hip viewers are out experiencing life and the lead-in show is "The Wonderful World of Disney"?

Lloyd Braun, ABC entertainment chairman, has said the strategy is to "incubate" the show in a noncompetitive time period. If it becomes a self-starter, he says, then it may be moved to a more suitable slot later in the season.

To make that happen, says Pate, the series must "look forward more than it looks back."

But that doesn't mean the Pates don't have reverence for the series' top cop.

"The show is still centered on Friday," Pate said.

They're also keeping that familiar theme song, and the show will continue to emphasize solving cases, not the detectives' personal lives or emotions.

"No love life, no home, just the job -- I think that's good," O'Neill joked.

Last season, Friday and his then-partner, Frank Smith (Ethan Embry), were in virtually every scene, creating an excessive workload for the actors. "I mean they built the pyramids that way," the 57-year-old O'Neill said with a chuckle.

With Embry gone, O'Neill's new detective co-stars are Desmond Harrington as Jimmy McCarron, Eva Longoria as Gloria Duran, Evan Parke as Raymond Cooper and Roselyn Sanchez as Elana Macias.

Although Friday's new position will keep him inside more than before, he'll join his team members in the field from time to time. But even when he's not around, Friday's presence will be felt by his traditional voice-over commentary.

"We are a kind of work in progress," said Parke as he explains how the show's newcomers are still finding their feet.

Cooper is spiritual, a family man and a native Angeleno. McCarron, the youngest of the squad, originally from the Bronx, is hot-tempered. Pate says McCarron has a streak of vengeance toward the criminals, while Cooper is more concerned about justice for the victims.

"Friday has seen all these different kinds of cop attitudes before and knows how to manage them," said Pate.

Longoria said the reality of the series is greatly strengthened by the addition of a "more ethnic" cast. "My character, being Latina, if you don't represent that, you are not really in L.A."