Sometimes the decisions of network executives are completely flabbergasting. Fox canceled Arrested Development, NBC canceled Freaks & Geeks, fired Dan Harmon from Community, and recently put Parks and Recreation on hiatus.
Why?
These shows are critically acclaimed, well written and ground breaking. But instead NBC would rather put on Sean saves the World, and episodes of The Voice. It’s simple enough, shows like Parks and Rec or Community may have a huge following in the 18-25 demographic but most of these people watch their television online using sites like Hulu and Netflix.
People tune in every week to watch shows like The Voice or Dancing with Stars because the stakes are higher, if you skip an episode of The Voice you might have your week spoiled around the water cooler. While Arrested Development and Freaks & Geeks may have had their lives cut short (I enjoyed the new season of Arrested but it’s not really the same show), plenty of killer shows never even made it on the air. Perhaps because they weren’t general enough and couldn’t bring in that “Big Bang Theory” money.
Here are five failed comedy pilots the networks passed on. Damn.
Susan 313
Sarah Silverman’s single camera sitcom was passed up by NBC and Fox earlier this year in favor of Dad’s- the worst reviewed show in television history. Susan 313 follows the exploits of a newly single woman (Silverman) as she struggles with being alone, and starting over. Luckily Fox Searchlight allowed Silverman to share the pilot online for free.
The show features performances from a lot of great comedy up-and-comers including Tig Notaro (The Sarah Silverman Program), Harris Wittles (Parks and Recreation), June Diane Raphael (NTSF:SD:SUV) and Jeff Goldblum.
Awesometown
Before going on to join SNL and create the wildly popular Digital Shorts, The Lonely Island (Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, and Akiva Schaffer) were commissioned to create a sketch show for Fox. Not to sound like a comedy hipster but I was a fan of The Lonely Island back when they were creating The ‘Bu with Sarah Chalke from Scrubs.
Awesometown is genuinely impressive for a group of 27-year-olds and the gang even snagged Jack Black for the pilot. This cut features an awkward laugh track and faked live audience interactions but I think it could have been a contender with Human Giant for the mid-2000’s sketch championship. Also, Fox passed on Awesometown to green light Kitchen Confidential with Bradley Cooper. Gag.
If you want to watch “The Dudes’ Cut” which removes the laugh track, and has better sketches click here.
Two Ryan Hansen Projects
Poor, poor Ryan Hansen, after the death of Party Down it seems like everybody else on that show has found solid work. Adam Scott has Parks and Recreation, Ken Marino created Burning Love, Jane Lynch is the only good part about Glee, and Lizzy Caplan has a new tv series. Hell, even Martin Starr has a steady role on NTSF:SD:SVU.
Hansen has not been so lucky, despite having a bit role on Burning Love the only big opportunity he’s had was the doomed Friends with Benefits. Things were looking up when Hansen was vetted for a role on David Guarascio’s (Community) El Jefe, a sitcom that follows 30-year-old slacker who moves in with his Hispanic nanny.
Next, Hansen was brought on to shoot a pilot for Louis C.K. with Ashley Tisdale (?) and Cougartown’s Dan Byrd. Unfortunately, both shows were passed on. I do hope that Ryan Hansen finds a job, he’s too good for 2 Broke Girls and Friends with Benefits.
The Reggie Watt’s Show
Need I say more? Back in 2010, before Watt’s had completely blown up and joined Scott Aukerman on Comedy Bang! Bang, Comedy Central asked Watts to create a pilot. I can understand why it didn’t get picked up, Watt’s is a little too crazy for Comedy Central. I could see this show being picked up by Adult Swim or IFC but Watt’s is sitting pretty on Bang! Bang.
Super Clyde
Rupert Grint? Stephen Fry? I was really looking forward to watching this show in which Grint plays a fast food employee turned superhero. It’s a little bit Kickass and little My Name is Earl, which is fitting as “Earl” showrunner Gregory Thomas Garcia created Super Clyde.Grint was my favorite part of the Harry Potter movies and it’s a shame he hasn’t gotten much work. He really nails the American accent and is genuinely charming as the reluctant “Batman” character.
The pilot also features Tyler Labine as Clyde’s brother. Labine is actually really funny but he has the worst luck with television shows. His resume looks like a sitcom graveyard including Reaper, Mad Love, Suns of Tucson, and Animal Practice. He was great in Tucker and Dale vs Evil and he just can’t catch a break.
Luckily CBS posted the pilot for Super Clyde earlier this month, you can view it here.
The One I’m Glad Didn’t get Made
I.T. Crowd (U.S. Version)
I’m gagging watching this. Richard Ayoade looks visibly uncomfortable and if this were made we wouldn’t have Community. Thank god this was D.O.A.
