Considering that Andy Samberg’s first career move after leaving “Saturday Night Live” in 2012 was to star opposite Adam Sandler in the commercial flop “That’s My Boy” did not really bode well for his future in the entertainment industry. Would he be able to find his footing outside of the sketch show, or would he forever be known as the guy who put his junk in a box? After the premiere of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” it’s (thankfully) looking more like the former rather than the latter.

Samberg stars as Detective Jake Peralta, an extremely gifted but yet immature member of the NYPD who gets a rude awakening when Capt. Ray Holt, played by Andre Braugher, is brought in to whip the precinct into shape. The rest of the cast is rounded out with Melissa Femero, who plays Peralta’s partner, Amy Santiago; Stephanie Beatriz and Joe Lo Truglio as fellow detectives; and Chelsea Peretti as the administrator of the precinct who knows all the office gossip. Finally, there is Terry Crews who leads the detective squad, but has softened after having twin girls, which was possibly the best throwaway gag of the episode.

The chemistry the cast has might just be the best thing the show has going for it. Samberg brings out the best in his costars, especially in scenes with Braugher and Beatriz. When Samberg’s Peralta sidesteps the dress code put in place by Braugher’s Holt by pairing the required shirt and tie with a speedo, Holt does not reprimand the detective, but rather calls the rest of the force in to join in the mocking. Similarly, partners Peralta and Santiago have what will probably become a season-long running gag. If she arrests more people than he does, Santiago gets Peralta’s car. However, if he wins, he gets a date, guaranteeing there is a will-they-won’t-they couple.

Overall, the pilot was enjoyable. Only a few jokes missed the mark, but no pilot, besides “Breaking Bad,” is perfect. Expect this to be among one of the first full-season pickups this fall.

3/5