The Pilots You Never Saw
When TV creators try to get a new show on the air, they shoot a sample episode called a pilot. Often these pilots become the first episode of the show. Occasionally the shows are retooled completely before airing. In those cases the first episode is reshot, often with different actors and storylines. And sometimes the initial pilot is never seen by the public.
Which of these original pilots would you most like to see?
Discuss the list here
Which of these original pilots would you most like to see?
Discuss the list here
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- CreatorNorman LearStarsCarroll O'ConnorJean StapletonRob ReinerA working class man constantly squabbles with his family over the important issues of the day.The show was originally called Justice for All and the family's last name was Justice. Kelly Jean Peters and Tim McIntire played the daughter and her husband named Richard.
- CreatorNorman LearStarsCarroll O'ConnorJean StapletonRob ReinerA working class man constantly squabbles with his family over the important issues of the day.Norman Lear took another shot at All in the Family with another pilot called Those Were the Days, this time featuring Candice Azzara and Chip Oliver as Gloria and her husband Dickie.
- CreatorChuck LorreBill PradyStarsJohnny GaleckiJim ParsonsKaley CuocoA woman who moves into an apartment across the hall from two brilliant but socially awkward physicists shows them how little they know about life outside of the laboratory.The original pilot had Iris Bahr playing scientist Gilda and Amanda Walsh playing tough girl Katie. Raj, Penny and Howard weren't on the show. Sheldon was into women and dance. And the theme song was Thomas Dolby's "She Blinded Me with Science."
- CreatorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganA young woman, destined to slay vampires, demons and other infernal creatures, deals with her life fighting evil, with the help of her friends.Riff Regan played Willow (and was replaced by Alyson Hannigan), Stephen Tobolowsky played Principal Flutie (and was replaced by Ken Lerner) and the kids attended Berryman High, not Sunnydale.
- CreatorConstance M. BurgeStarsHolly Marie CombsAlyssa MilanoBrian KrauseThree Halliwell sisters discover that they are descendants of a line of good female witches and are destined to fight against the forces of evil, using their combined power of witchcraft known as the "Power of Three".In the first pilot for Charmed Lori Rom, not Alyssa Milano played the youngest sister. Andy Trudeau was played by Chris Boyd instead of TW King and the show was originally filmed in the signature pink house, at that time called Warren Manor, whereas the actual show was filmed entirely on a sound stage.
- CreatorMarc CherryStarsTeri HatcherFelicity HuffmanMarcia CrossSecrets and truths unfold through the lives of female friends in one suburban neighborhood after the mysterious suicide of a neighbor.Before Brenda Strong joined the cast, Sheryl Lee played Mary Alice Young. Michael Reilly Burke played Rex Van De Camp and was replaced by Steven Culp and Kyle Searles played John Rowland and was replaced by Jesse Metcalfe.
- CreatorDavid BenioffD.B. WeissStarsEmilia ClarkePeter DinklageKit HaringtonNine noble families fight for control over the lands of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns after being dormant for millennia.The original pilot featured Jennifer Ehle as Catelyn and Tamzin Merchant as Daenerys.
- CreatorSherwood SchwartzStarsBob DenverAlan Hale Jr.Jim BackusFour men and three women are stranded on an uncharted island following a torrential storm.The Professor, Ginger and Mary Ann weren't in the original pilot; instead Kit Smythe and Nancy McCarthy played secretaries named Ginger and Bunny. And the famous theme song wasn't part of the show.
- CreatorEd HaasNorm LiebmannStarsFred GwynneAl LewisYvonne De CarloA family of friendly monsters have misadventures, never quite understanding why people react to them so strangely.The original pilot was in color, not black and white, featured a surf rock theme song and a different credit sequence. Yvonne De Carlo replaced Joan Marshall as the mother, originally named Phoebe. And Butch Patrick replaced Nate "Happy" Derman as Eddie.
- CreatorTina FeyStarsTina FeyAlec BaldwinTracy MorganLiz Lemon, head writer of the sketch-comedy show "TGS with Tracy Jordan", must deal with an arrogant new boss and a crazy new star while trying to run a successful television show without losing her mind.Originally the lead role of Jenna DeCarlo was played by Tina Fey's close friend Rachel Dratch but the NBC executives didn't like her. Jane Krakowski took the role and the character was renamed Jenna Maroney. Dratch had to settle for several small guest parts throughout the show's run.