# Will these (TV)pilots fly or crash? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 6, 2012, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952 "2012-03-06T18:42:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2012, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952/21 "2012-03-06T22:56:09Z")
So anyway, there are a number of them in here that won’t work. For instance: Daddy’s Girls Logline: Revolves around a young woman who returns home from overseas to find her father in a serious relationship with the “mean girl” from her high school. Untitled Hilary Winston Logline: A shy and focused woman leans on her co-workers in a bid to come out of her shell and plot revenge after being dumped by her fiancé. Whatever you think of these two as tv shows, I think it’s clear that their concepts just can’t stretch out to two seasons of 22 episodes or beyond. Now, put them in a British format of, say, two six-episode seasons, and you might be able to tell a neat little story. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2012, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952/22 "2012-03-06T23:04:43Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > Friend Me > > Logline: Twentysomething best friends Evan and Rob move from their hometown of Bloomington, Ind., to L.A. to begin their new lives working at Groupon. Evan has trouble breaking his old slothful habits and rather than go out after work to explore L.A. and meet new people, prefers to play online poker with his friends back home. Rob has different plans and is determined to drag Evan, kicking and screaming, along with him. > > Cast: Parvesh Cheena > > So it’s a half-hour commercial for Groupon? Did Hollywood learn _nothing_ from “Cavemen”? Groupon is headquartered in Chicago. They’ve got an office in Palo Alto but not LA, as far as I know. So if they can’t even get the facts of the premise straight, I don’t hold out any hope on the series itself. ---
**Author:** ![Scholar\_Beardpig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@Scholar\_Beardpig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scholar_Beardpig)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2012, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952/23 "2012-03-06T23:09:19Z")
I would totally watch Gilded Lily. I’d love to see a full American take on British costume-thing territory, and there could be a surprise visit by a cowboy or something! Plus, they’d have an excuse to squeeze in the phrase ‘Gay Nineties’ as often as they could. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952/24 "2012-03-07T00:57:51Z")
I’d watch: 666 Park Ave. I like the supernatural and Dave Annable. Gilded Lilys Period pieces are sometimes fun, and it has Brigid Brannagh Gotham yay, urban fantasy! Of course I’m hoping more Lost Girl and True Blood than The Dresden Files (show) and The Gates Yeah, that’s about it. And I think we should breathe a sigh of relief that there’s no black comedy set in abortion clinic amongst the offerings so we won’t need to sue FOX or FX this season. Though, **Scrapin’ By** sounds a lot less dismal than a lot of these proposed sitcoms, doesn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952/25 "2012-03-07T02:47:21Z")
I think _Gotham_ sounds like an east coast version of _Grimm_. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952/26 "2012-03-07T03:06:57Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > _Only Fools and Horses!_ What the hell? Maybe it will stimulate sales of Reliant vans in the US and we can all enjoy watching them tip over. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952/27 "2012-03-07T04:01:44Z")
Last Resort sounds like a really good premise that will go absolutely nowhere. Would be better as a one-off mini-series. ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952/28 "2012-03-07T09:27:14Z")
> [@Scholar\_Beardpig](#): > > I would totally watch Gilded Lily. I’d love to see a full American take on British costume-thing territory, and there could be a surprise visit by a cowboy or something! > > Plus, they’d have an excuse to squeeze in the phrase ‘Gay Nineties’ as often as they could. It has John Barrowman in it. That’s _all_ he’ll be doing. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952/29 "2012-03-07T16:39:20Z")
I was gonna come in here and laugh at “Revolution,” but I see half the posters already zeroed in and beat me to it. I love this place. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952/30 "2012-03-07T17:20:35Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Last Resort sounds like a really good premise that will go absolutely nowhere. Would be better as a one-off mini-series. I’ve started [a separate thread in IMHO on the premise of this series.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=644422) ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952/31 "2012-03-07T17:40:02Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Half of the shows seem to be adaptations of British series, and a bunch of the ones that aren’t are obviously inspired by recent British successes (Gilded Lily is American Downton Abbey, Elementary is American Sherlock). Second British invasion? CBS asked the BBC _Sherlock_ showrunners to help them with an American version of their excellent show. Moffat & Gatiss refused–I think they’re rather busy with various projects. So CBS decided to go ahead, anyway. Their Sherlock is Johnny Lee Miller–who recently did _Frankenstein_ on stage in London; he & Benedict Cumberbatch shared roles, alternating as The Doctor & The Monster. Of course, Cumberbatch plays the BBC’s Sherlock–but that’s just a coincidence! Watson will be female & Asian & it’s set in NYC (& will no doubt be “darker & edgier”)–so there’s no copying going on here, at all… (CBS just dropped _Quean_–because, despite tweaking the story, they were [risking legal problems](http://www.tvguide.com/News/CBS-Drops-Quean-1044483.aspx) for ripping off _The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo_.) _Gilded Lillys_ sounds like _Hotel Babylon_ set in the Gay 90’s–more like _The Duchess of Duke Street_ than _Downton Abbey_. With John Barrowman? I’d actually watch that… ---
**Author:** ![Celidin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Celidin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celidin)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952/32 "2012-03-07T17:57:32Z")
The Asset: Other than the fact it sounds like a rip-off of USA Network’s “Covert Affairs”, it stars Bradley Whitford and Ali Carter, so I think we have some possibilities there. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952/33 "2012-03-08T03:17:10Z")
> [@h.sapiens](#): > > A one-sentence summary isn’t much to go one, but most of them sound very familiar to me. And this description of J. J. Abrams’ “Revolution” has me scratching my head: > > “Follows a group of characters struggling to survive and reunite with loved ones in a world where **all forms of energy have mysteriously ceased to exist**.” I picture it as like Life After People, except without any plants or animals, either. And it’d be pretty dark. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952/34 "2012-03-08T15:37:57Z")
Hmmm… > [@](#): > > **Prairie Dogs** > Logline: Neil, an uncool cubicle worker (“prairie dog”) at one of the coolest companies in the world, is the victim of identity theft. When he discovers the thief has created a much more fulfilling, kick ass life with his identity than he ever has, he engages the charismatic conman to help him change his life. My, what a [stunningly original idea](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583603/plotsummary)! ---
**Author:** ![Unpronounceable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9de0a6/32.png) [@Unpronounceable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unpronounceable)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952/35 "2012-03-08T15:51:59Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > I picture it as like Life After People, except without any plants or animals, either. And it’d be pretty dark. Wouldn’t it be more like _[Dies the Fire](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dies_the_fire)_? I was somewhat amused by the one with Portia de Rossi as the brainy & therefore presumably “ugly” sister. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952/36 "2012-03-08T15:57:08Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > Hmmm… > My, what a [stunningly original idea](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583603/plotsummary)! I think they should have gone with the other part of that episode for a story idea-Marcel, the incurable humping monkey, would make for a great 1/2 hour comedy. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952/37 "2012-03-08T17:33:25Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > So anyway, there are a number of them in here that won’t work. > For instance: > > Untitled Hilary Winston > Logline: A shy and focused woman leans on her co-workers in a bid to come out of her shell and plot revenge after being dumped by her fiancé. Maybe she can move in with three of the male ones? Oh, and don’t make them her co-workers? And while you’re at it, replace Hilary Winston with, oh, what’s her name, I think her sister Emily is on _Bones_? (Yes, I know it’s Zooey Deschanel) Still think it has no chance? > [@Smapti](#): > > Bill Pullman as the president of the United States? It’s been done. The original premise was tried with George C. Scott (Fox’s _Mr. President_), wasn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952/38 "2012-03-08T20:12:49Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I think _Gotham_ sounds like an east coast version of _Grimm_. I was thinking it was like an American version of _Neverwhere._ ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952/39 "2012-03-08T23:10:12Z")
> [@Unpronounceable](#): > > Wouldn’t it be more like _[Dies the Fire](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dies_the_fire)_? Why? They do say “all” forms of energy, not just the ones in Dies the Fire. With no energy of any kind, there’d be no sunlight and no food either. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952/40 "2012-03-08T23:14:25Z")
Or motion. Or, you know, if you get down to the e=MC^2 side of things, mass. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-tv-pilots-fly-or-crash/614952.md?page=3)