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Summary
Many TV shows have great pilots which they then struggle to live up to , but sometimes a pilot is the low point . Some great show take a while to sort things out , and their pilot sequence is the weakest in their entire run . This is often the case with sitcoms , because their unique formulas might take more time to fine tune , especially if they are pushing the boundary and strain something unexampled . Any music genre can have the same problem , however , and pilot can be used to try out out different mind and project out what works and what should be abandoned . Shows can look radically dissimilar after a second-rate pilot .
Pilot episodes are n’t such an important phenomenon in the modern landscape of video , especially with the hike of cyclosis services . This means that a lot of old pilots almost look like a glance into a parallel reality where shows sprain out slightly differently . Some great shows never would have achieved the same spirit level of success if they had n’t learned a few rough lessons from their airplane pilot episodes . Seinfeld , HouseandThe Officeprobably would n’t have accept off and live on for so many seasons , and those are only a few examples . Bad pilot installment do n’t have to be a negative if the appearance can improve from them .
10Seinfeld (1989-1998)
Seinfeld’s pilot episode excluded one of the show’s best characters
Seinfeld ’s first installment does n’t rightfully indicate how uproarious the show can become , and there were a few alteration to the format before the next few episodes were produced . In the pilot , Jerry is uncertain about the romanticist intentions of a cleaning lady who is fall to remain with him . Jerry and George ’s dynamic is the same as always , but Kramer ’s character is virtually unrecognisable . He ’s a recluse called Kessler , and he seems more paranoid and less outgoing . But by far the bounteous sinning of the pilot installment is not deliver Elaine at all . Seinfeld ’s final episode was controversialtoo , but everything in between made the show a vast collision .
9Blackadder (1982-1999)
Blackadder had to change its entire approach
The total first time of year ofBlackadderfails to reach the heights of the repose of the show , but the pilot installment is particularly unenjoyable . The main problem is that the type of Blackadder is an inept buffoon , and those around him are far more competent . finally , the show would reverse this formula , wee-wee Blackadder the sole vox of intellect in a sea of stupidity , but this would take a while . The show ’s intelligent class caustic remark did n’t take ascendant immediately . Blackadderwould go on to become a legendary historic - based sitcom , although sometimes the good advice is to ignore the first season entirely .
8Elementary (2012-2019)
An iconic character has a rough transition to his new surroundings
Elementaryupdates Arthur Conan Doyle ’s popular police detective novels for the 21st Century , but the pilot episode marks a boisterous start for Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson . At its best , Elementarycan produce immersive puzzles , but the pilot episode thread from one strange deduction to another . Sherlock Holmes is a difficult character to publish for , particularly with so many episodes , and the airplane pilot has more in uncouth with other American crime procedurals than it does with Doyle ’s novels . Sherlock and Watson ’s dynamic also is n’t fully shape in the pilot . It takes a few episode for their family relationship to blossom , and for Watson to start contributing more to the typesetter’s case .
7House (2004-2012)
Hugh Laurie’s supporting cast needed time to dial it in
The pacing , the lighting , and the dialogue all palpate a little less snappy in House ’s pilot installment .
Houseis also based on the lineament of Sherlock Holmes , although it ’s a less stringent adaptation , with House as a MD rather of a detective . His character is surprisingly well - form in the pilot instalment , but a destiny of his milieu convert drastically in the next few episode . The tempo , the light , and the dialogue all feel a little less rattling inHouse ’s pilot sequence . It would go on to become a sizzling dramatic event , define by doctors trading shaft , and House in particular showing a prompt wit and a short humour . The pilot installment is ponderous and unsealed by comparison , with its booster being the saving grace .
6American Dad! (2005-)
Roger remains hidden in the attic during the first season
American Dadhad a tough task in trying to separate itself from Seth MacFarlane ’s other colossal hit , Family Guy . The first episode introduces the Smith phratry , their talking fish , and the alien in their attic . The plot of ground follows Stan as he uses his CIA tactics to rig a school election for Steve . This underlines the show ’s more political humor , which was primal to the first two or three seasons . Stan is more of a political caricature in the pilot , but the biggest drawback is that Roger ’s grapheme never leaves the family , so his many reference simply do n’t exist . Thebest seasons ofAmerican Dadcame a little later .
5Scrubs (2001-2010)
The medical sitcom struggled to strike a tonal balance
Although the show would eventually retrieve a balance between its breezy humor and the gamy - stakes mount of a infirmary , the pilot episode struggles to establish the tone . Scrubsis a comedic take on medical procedurals , but the first episode ca n’t detach itself from the normal of the genre for too long . When it does call up to be a clowning , the gag often come down monotonous . The charm of the show ’s marrow drop finally shine through , all except for the character of the Janitor , who is more of a grouchy resister than a playful nuisance . Scrubshas some emotionally crushing episodes , so it does n’t always need an pollyannaish tone .
430 Rock (2006-2013)
Jack Donaghy proved to be too funny to ignore
Alec Bladwin ’s smooth - verbalize business organisation executive Jack Donaghy is one of the best characters in30 Rock , but the original episode does n’t give him enough sieve time to swagger his material . His foundation is splendid , as he knock the door down and tells Liz her old Bos is drained , but then he evanesce into the desktop . The sequence rivet much more on the author ’ elbow room at TGS , and Liz ’s working relationship with her manufacturer Pete Hornberger . These are both important for30 Rock ’s appeal , but the mettle of the show is Liz and Jack ’s litigious moral force . It just took a couple of episodes to discover this .
3Peep Show (2003-2015)
The show’s experimental style yielded mixed results
Peep Showchose to boldly reinvent the situation comedy formula , but its pilot episode hold a few teethe trouble . The difficultness of the tale and the POV camera angles are more apparent in the pilot than in late episode . There are a few great uses , buta luck of the internal monologue feels like a gimmick , rather than hilariously revealing jokes . The pilot instalment sees Mark and Jez vie for the attention of their next - door neighbor , Toni . It does a good job of enter the massive differences between the two ally , but the canonical premise is unrefined , as is the show ’s wittiness .
2The Office (2005-2013)
The American version needed to establish its own identity
In its infancy , the American version of The Office was too similar to its British counterpart .
The Officewas based on a British situation comedy of the same name , create by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant , and star Gervais as David Brent . The pilot sequence of the American version tried to use the same winning recipe , but it miscarry to capture Gervais and Merchant ’s idiosyncratic humor . In its early childhood , the American version ofThe Officewas too exchangeable to its British similitude , but the conventions of British television which it used did not work well in the surroundings of Scranton , Pennsylvania . Some significant members of thecast ofThe Officewere also yet to make their first appearances .
1New Girl (2011-2018)
Cast changes weren’t the only issue
The pilot episode ofNew Girlis a reminder of what the show was supposed to be about . There is much more focus on how the virile roommates find uncomfortable with Jess go into their blank space . It ’s more of a gender satire and less of the relatable friendly relationship - base sitcom that the show would eventually develop into . Jess ’ strange queerness are also ratcheted up in the pilot installment , butthe most egregious departure is that Winston is nowhere to be seen . Winston replaces Coach after theNew Girlpilot , but the show has a completely unlike dynamic without Lamorne Morris from the beginning .
