| Genre: | News magazine |
| Creator: | Daniel Butler |
| Presenter: |
|
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
| Num Seasons: | 4 |
| Num Episodes: | 104[1] |
| Composer: | Alan Ray |
| Runtime: | 30 minutes |
| Company: | Entheos Group (1996-1997) (Season 1) Scene Three (1996-1997) (Season 1) Electric Entertainment (1997) (Season 2) Dumb Inc. (1997-1998) (Season 2) PVS/Speer International (1998-1999) (Season 3) Slingshot Networks (1999-2000) (Season 4) |
| Channel: | Syndication |
America's Dumbest Criminals is an American comedic news magazine that aired in syndication from September 21, 1996, to May 27, 2000, for a total of 104 episodes. For international syndication the show was titled Everyone's Dumbest Criminals.[2] The show ultimately aired in 30 countries.[3] The show was created and hosted by Daniel Butler during all four seasons. Butler was a co-author of the book America's Dumbest Criminals, which spent four months on The New York Times bestseller list.[4] 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.[5] 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".
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.
The show was directed by Steve Angus. The executive producer was Florida businessman John Palumbo.[6] Allison Nathe was a showrunner and writer on Seasons 2 and 3. Season 3 was shot in Los Angeles, California and was directed by Andrew Maisner. A short-lived Australian version of the show called World's Dumbest Criminals, hosted by Gordon Elliott, aired in 1997.