America's Dumbest Criminals

Watch America's Dumbest Criminals

  • TV-14
  • 1996
  • 4 Seasons
  • 4.9  (161)

America's Dumbest Criminals was a popular syndicated television show that premiered in 1996 featuring comedic reenactments of true crime stories from around the United States. The show was hosted by Daniel Butler, Debbie Alan, and Beaumont Bacon, who provided witty commentary throughout each episode.

Each episode focused on a different crime story, from bank robberies gone wrong to failed attempts at stealing cars or breaking into homes. The show's trademark was its use of actual surveillance footage and police recordings of the criminals in action, which were then reenacted by actors.

The comedic tone of the show was established early on, with the hosts often making fun of the criminals' lack of intelligence and poor decision-making skills. In one segment, for instance, they mocked a thief who left behind a trail of potato chips leading straight back to his hiding spot.

The show also featured interviews with police officers and other experts, who discussed the implications of each crime and offered insights into how the criminals were ultimately caught. These segments added a serious element to the show, balancing out the humor and reminding viewers of the real-world consequences of criminal behavior.

One of the show's most popular segments was its "Dumbest Criminals of the Week" feature, in which the hosts highlighted recent news stories about particularly inept criminals. These stories included everything from a burglar who accidentally locked himself in a car to a robber who was foiled by a pack of Chihuahuas.

Throughout its run, America's Dumbest Criminals remained a popular choice among viewers, thanks in no small part to its unique blend of humor, suspense, and real-world crime stories. The show continued to air for several years, and even spawned a series of spin-off shows featuring similar content.

Overall, America's Dumbest Criminals was a beloved television show that provided hours of entertainment for viewers across the country. Its combination of comedy, crime, and suspense made it a unique addition to the true crime genre, and its legacy lives on in the many other shows it inspired.

America's Dumbest Criminals is a series that ran for 4 seasons (104 episodes) between January 26, 1996 and on Syndicated

America's Dumbest Criminals
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Seasons
Check Your Bags
26. Check Your Bags
March 4, 2000
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness a criminal who regrets he tackled a safe, a macho man with some explaining to do and we discover why it's a good idea to check your bags. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Not-So-Clean Getaway
25. Not-So-Clean Getaway
February 26, 2000
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness how dog's "evidence" helped takedown a bike thief, how waiving the right to remain silent can also be waving farewell and a man very lost in his get-away. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Pinata Surprise
24. Pinata Surprise
February 19, 2000
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness some sailors out for a good time who quickly begin to sink, a surprise for a car thief Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Recipe for Disaster
23. Recipe for Disaster
February 12, 2000
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness an inmate who isn't getting out on good behavior, someone not cooking like Julia Child and pot-smoking workmen who helped set up the camera that caught them. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Clean Up Crew
22. Clean Up Crew
February 12, 2000
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness a cleaning lady who picks up too much, how the running of a stop sign can rob you of a social life and the gal you don't want to share a ride with downtown. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Courageous Crime-Fighting
21. Courageous Crime-Fighting
February 5, 2000
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness a woman who definitely doesn't like her chain yanked, some suspects who find themselves tailed by dogs and a stuffed Dalmatian toy sure to inspire some courage. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Confetti Money
20. Confetti Money
January 29, 2000
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness a bright mind throwing money like confetti, a robber new to the world of handgun safety and a thief who escaped without a trace -- except for an irrefutable video. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Invasion of Privacy
19. Invasion of Privacy
January 22, 2000
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness a suspect having his privacy invaded, the theft of a patrol car and a man making his way out of the frying pan into the fire - or at least into a swamp. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Crack Pipe Crackpot
18. Crack Pipe Crackpot
January 15, 1999
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness a convenience store counter which spontaneously becomes a fireworks stand, the true pride of ownership from a crackpot with a crack pipe and some real idiots in a car. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Collared Criminal
17. Collared Criminal
November 27, 1999
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness the consumption of alcohol making a person more sophisticated, how far a canine officer will go to catch a criminal running wild and your tax dollars at work. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Buckle Under Pressure
16. Buckle Under Pressure
November 20, 1999
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness thieves who got a car but discover the car has got them, a man under pressure about some blood and a fulfilled wish about the bank being open when he wanted. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Donut Thief
15. Donut Thief
November 13, 1999
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness an inmate in a hurry, someone dressed like they should be in a hurry and what you need to catch sticky-fingered donut thieves. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Clowning Around
14. Clowning Around
November 6, 1999
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness some on-the-run teenagers who don't know when to quit, a wacked out clown who belongs in the circus and a shifty defendant who dismisses himself from court. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Mannequin Mystery
13. Mannequin Mystery
October 30, 1999
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness whether it's possible to do the right thing by making the wrong turn, a life-like store mannequin and a sign of trouble for a sneaky criminal. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Dynamite Date
12. Dynamite Date
October 23, 1999
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness a man who brings dynamite instead of flowers, a suspect conducting his own strip-search and what today's drunk drivers are doing to keep physically fit. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Courting Disaster
11. Courting Disaster
October 16, 1999
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness the difference between a leap of faith and taking a dive, a disastrous character witness and some funny business happening right underneath someone's nose. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Half-Ton of Trouble
10. Half-Ton of Trouble
October 9, 1999
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness the mark of a fender bender or a new kind of hit-and-run, a half-ton of trouble when a tailgate goes on the road and a strange pick-up on a surveillance video. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Brain Freeze Bandit
9. Brain Freeze Bandit
October 2, 1999
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness a man doing something crazy in an even crazier place, the nutty buddy behind the wheel of an ice cream truck and a buzzed stoner who's credibility goes up in smoke. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Run-Away Cyclist
8. Run-Away Cyclist
September 25, 1999
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness what it takes to steal a car from a police lock-up, a washed-up run-away cyclist who hit the spin-cycle and a bail bondsman who dresses up to catch his man. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Artificial Dummy
7. Artificial Dummy
September 18, 1999
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness misbehaving crack-buyers, a bunch of guys that want electronics for nothing and some dummies with a dummy -- but who's dumber? Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Waking Nightmare
6. Waking Nightmare
September 11, 1999
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness a search by police that gets hotter and hotter, while elsewhere a criminal gets colder and colder and a DUI waking to a real nightmare. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Back-Breaking Burden
5. Back-Breaking Burden
September 4, 1999
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness a crook that enters car dealership unannounced, the backbreaking burden of stealing $3k in coins and what happens when you mess with 50k volts of electricity. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Carry-Out Bandits
4. Carry-Out Bandits
August 28, 1999
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness a cabbie whose meter is running but not his mind, the reason teachers taught you not to play with fire extinguishers and what happens when bandits order to-go. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Up In Smoke
3. Up In Smoke
August 21, 1999
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness a fella whose sense of judgment goes up in smoke, a guy on the run who called 911 to check if he has any warrants and an officer with a trick up his sleeve. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Gun Target
2. Gun Target
August 14, 1999
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness the reason for all those missing office supplies, a man who thinks he's the target of a twenty-one-gun salute and a joker whose trash is a breadcrumb trail. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
Blunted Burglary
1. Blunted Burglary
August 7, 1999
In this episode of "America's Dumbest Criminals," we'll witness a man wearing a useless disguise, a criminal who forgot to bring a gun to a shootout and a not-so-sharp thief who put an antique knife in his pocket. Crime is no laughing matter, except when the criminals are bumbling fools. This show looked at law breaking through a humorous lens. Hosted by Debbie Alan and Daniel Butler.
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Where to Watch America's Dumbest Criminals
America's Dumbest Criminals is available for streaming on the Syndicated website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch America's Dumbest Criminals on demand at FuboTV, The Roku Channel Free, Crackle, Tubi TV, Pluto TV and Peacock.
  • Genres
    Crime
  • Cast
    Daniel Butler
    Debbie Alan
    Beaumont Bacon
  • Channel
    Syndicated
  • Premiere Date
    January 26, 1996
  • IMDB Rating
    4.9  (161)
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