Worst examples of a backdoor pilot you know? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 11-25-2020, 10:23 PM

A backdoor pilot in case you don't know, is an attempt to get a new show over with the target audience by introducing it in an episode of an already existing show. A common feature of backdoor pilots is that established characters take a backseat to a new lineup and the themes, tone, or mood of the episode is markedly different.

andress_jade · 11-25-2020, 11:02 PM

There was an episode of The Cosby Show called Mr. Quiet that starred Tony Orlando. He worked at a rec center that helped troubled kids. A boy that never talked was beat up by some other kids but by the end of the episode he finally talked. It was supposed to be the backdoor pilot for a show but never came to be.

There was an episode of Laverne and Shirley called Here Today, Hair Tomorrow. It was the last episode of the series and it was about Carmine going to New York to star in the musical Hair. It was a backdoor pilot for a show that never came to be.

There was an episode of Home Improvement, I can't remember the name or the season of the episode but it had Dave Chappelle in it. He and another guy befriend Tim on Tool Time, he gets them in trouble with their girlfriends and so he has them apologize on Tool Time.He ends up dropping the engagement ring of Dave Chappelle's friend down the drain. The episode was a backdoor pilot for a show called Buddies that never took off.

MA · 11-25-2020, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andress_jade

There was an episode of The Cosby Show called Mr. Quiet that starred Tony Orlando. He worked at a rec center that helped troubled kids. A boy that never talked was beat up by some other kids but by the end of the episode he finally talked. It was supposed to be the backdoor pilot for a show but never came to be.

There was an episode of Laverne and Shirley called Here Today, Hair Tomorrow. It was the last episode of the series and it was about Carmine going to New York to star in the musical Hair. It was a backdoor pilot for a show that never came to be.

There was an episode of Home Improvement, I can't remember the name or the season of the episode but it had Dave Chappelle in it. He and another guy befriend Tim on Tool Time, he gets them in trouble with their girlfriends and so he has them apologize on Tool Time.He ends up dropping the engagement ring of Dave Chappelle's friend down the drain. The episode was a backdoor pilot for a show called Buddies that never took off.

The Home Improvement episode was called Talk To Me and it was from Season 4.

Charley Knox · 11-25-2020, 11:16 PM

Failed Kelly's Kids pilot on the Brady Bunch. That episode of The Twilight Zone with built in laugh track (Cavender Is Coming).

andress_jade · 11-25-2020, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MA

The Home Improvement episode was called Talk To Me and it was from Season 5.

Thank you!

MA · 11-25-2020, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andress_jade

Thank you!

You're welcome!

TVFactFan · 11-26-2020, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andress_jade

There was an episode of The Cosby Show called Mr. Quiet that starred Tony Orlando. He worked at a rec center that helped troubled kids. A boy that never talked was beat up by some other kids but by the end of the episode he finally talked. It was supposed to be the backdoor pilot for a show but never came to be.

There was an episode of Laverne and Shirley called Here Today, Hair Tomorrow. It was the last episode of the series and it was about Carmine going to New York to star in the musical Hair. It was a backdoor pilot for a show that never came to be.

There was an episode of Home Improvement, I can't remember the name or the season of the episode but it had Dave Chappelle in it. He and another guy befriend Tim on Tool Time, he gets them in trouble with their girlfriends and so he has them apologize on Tool Time.He ends up dropping the engagement ring of Dave Chappelle's friend down the drain. The episode was a backdoor pilot for a show called Buddies that never took off.

Oh yeah I forgot about that episode I am about to look at it on Amazon

That was the episode when he was trying to talk to the little boy and he kept looking in a different direction and tony orlando was like......."oh come on Im not that ugly"

TVFactFan · 11-26-2020, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andress_jade

There was an episode of The Cosby Show called Mr. Quiet that starred Tony Orlando. He worked at a rec center that helped troubled kids. A boy that never talked was beat up by some other kids but by the end of the episode he finally talked. It was supposed to be the backdoor pilot for a show but never came to be.

There was an episode of Laverne and Shirley called Here Today, Hair Tomorrow. It was the last episode of the series and it was about Carmine going to New York to star in the musical Hair. It was a backdoor pilot for a show that never came to be.

There was an episode of Home Improvement, I can't remember the name or the season of the episode but it had Dave Chappelle in it. He and another guy befriend Tim on Tool Time, he gets them in trouble with their girlfriends and so he has them apologize on Tool Time.He ends up dropping the engagement ring of Dave Chappelle's friend down the drain. The episode was a backdoor pilot for a show called Buddies that never took off.

David Chappelle always reminded me of a crack addict so Im not surprised

TVLegend · 11-26-2020, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

David Chappelle always reminded me of a crack addict so Im not surprised

So I guess I can already confirm that you’re not a fan of Chappelle’s Show lol

TVFactFan · 11-26-2020, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVLegend

So I guess I can already confirm that you’re not a fan of Chappelle’s Show lol

I was turned off from the day I first looked at him

icecream · 11-26-2020, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MA

The Home Improvement episode was called Talk To Me and it was from Season 5.

Slightly before that, it was season 4 episode 20.

https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/5007...x20-talk-to-me

Christopher · 11-27-2020, 05:56 AM

The Facts of Life had so many of these. The worst were Brian and Sylvia, The Academy, and Jo's Cousin. The Academy even had a second episode the following season where it was all about the Stone Academy students dealing with a fight match and barely featured any of the FOL cast. I'm not a fan of backdoor pilots if the show's cast isn't featured.

Charley Knox · 11-27-2020, 10:50 AM

The last two episodes of Green Acres. Instead of focusing on a memorable series finale, Henning instead wasted energy and effort trying to pitch two outdated and bland sitcom concepts to a network that was moving in a more modern direction.

The Gary Seven pilot on the last season 2 episode of Star Trek. Again, it felt like Gene Roddenberry thought the show might be cancelled, so instead of focusing on a great story arc to convince NBC the show was worth a third season, he instead sells out the Enterprise crew for a lame Americanized attempt at Dr Who.

MA · 11-27-2020, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catsrule

Slightly before that, it was season 4 episode 20.

https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/5007...x20-talk-to-me

Whoops. I'm sorry.

TMC · 11-29-2020, 02:20 AM

I'm kind of surprised that nobody has yet mentioned the "Empty Nests" episode of The Golden Girls with Rita Moreno.

11-25-2020, 10:23 PM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,403	Worst examples of a backdoor pilot you know? A backdoor pilot in case you don't know, is an attempt to get a new show over with the target audience by introducing it in an episode of an already existing show. A common feature of backdoor pilots is that established characters take a backseat to a new lineup and the themes, tone, or mood of the episode is markedly different.

11-25-2020, 11:02 PM	#2
andress_jade Life Goes On... Moderator Senior Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2004 Location: Iola, KS or Glenbrook Posts: 1,220	There was an episode of The Cosby Show called Mr. Quiet that starred Tony Orlando. He worked at a rec center that helped troubled kids. A boy that never talked was beat up by some other kids but by the end of the episode he finally talked. It was supposed to be the backdoor pilot for a show but never came to be. There was an episode of Laverne and Shirley called Here Today, Hair Tomorrow. It was the last episode of the series and it was about Carmine going to New York to star in the musical Hair. It was a backdoor pilot for a show that never came to be. There was an episode of Home Improvement, I can't remember the name or the season of the episode but it had Dave Chappelle in it. He and another guy befriend Tim on Tool Time, he gets them in trouble with their girlfriends and so he has them apologize on Tool Time.He ends up dropping the engagement ring of Dave Chappelle's friend down the drain. The episode was a backdoor pilot for a show called Buddies that never took off.
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11-25-2020, 11:16 PM	#4
Charley Knox Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 09, 2019 Location: Tn Posts: 634	Failed Kelly's Kids pilot on the Brady Bunch. That episode of The Twilight Zone with built in laugh track (Cavender Is Coming).

11-27-2020, 05:56 AM	#12
Christopher The OG Core Four Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 15, 2001 Posts: 14,833	The Facts of Life had so many of these. The worst were Brian and Sylvia, The Academy, and Jo's Cousin. The Academy even had a second episode the following season where it was all about the Stone Academy students dealing with a fight match and barely featured any of the FOL cast. I'm not a fan of backdoor pilots if the show's cast isn't featured.

11-27-2020, 10:50 AM	#13
Charley Knox Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 09, 2019 Location: Tn Posts: 634	The last two episodes of Green Acres. Instead of focusing on a memorable series finale, Henning instead wasted energy and effort trying to pitch two outdated and bland sitcom concepts to a network that was moving in a more modern direction. The Gary Seven pilot on the last season 2 episode of Star Trek. Again, it felt like Gene Roddenberry thought the show might be cancelled, so instead of focusing on a great story arc to convince NBC the show was worth a third season, he instead sells out the Enterprise crew for a lame Americanized attempt at Dr Who.

11-29-2020, 02:20 AM	#15
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,403	I'm kind of surprised that nobody has yet mentioned the "Empty Nests" episode of The Golden Girls with Rita Moreno.