Mathnet

Mathnet is a mystery serial that is a parody of Dragnet, produced by Janette Webb, the widow of Dragnet's producer Jack Webb. Each five-part story, which ran Monday through Friday as part of the PBS program Square One TV, featured crime-solving by a pair of police detectives in a special mathematics unit. The first two seasons took place in Los Angeles and featured Sergeant Kate Monday and Officer George Frankly, assisted by Debbie Williams and Chief Thad Green. In season 3, the show moved to New York City, and the secondary characters were cab driver and undercover NYPD officer Benny Pill and Captain Joe Greco. One season later, Kate Monday was replaced by Pat Tuesday.

As the introduction says, "The story you are about to see is a fib, but it's short. The names are made up, but the problems are real."

In addition to airing in serial form to conclude each episode of Square One TV, several of the mysteries were compiled and aired as standalone specials, and two were eventually released as VHS tapes.