Funniest pilot - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

principehomura · 07-17-2022, 04:59 AM

I think the pilot is the most difficult episode in a sitcom: the audience doesn't know the characters yet, and it isn't easy to write jokes and be funny when characters interactions hasn't been established, if not on paper, and there's no back story to use.

Yesterday I started watching "Spin City", and thought they did a wonderful job in laying down everything for the rest of the series.

What sitcom has the best and funniest pilot in your opinion?

stevea · 07-17-2022, 05:42 PM

I immediately think of the brilliant Mary Tyler Moore Show pilot.

just1paul · 07-17-2022, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

I immediately think of the brilliant Mary Tyler Moore Show pilot.

You got spunk. I hate spunk!

Yong Fang · 07-19-2022, 08:55 AM

"Dads" which was on Fox about eight years go. I starred Martin MUll.

I about died of laughing at the first episode. It was one of the funniest things I have ever seen, seriouly. The show itself was fresh and still funny, but only had one season and then cancelled.

One of the most hilarious show of all time and lasted one season!

stevea · 07-19-2022, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by just1paul

You got spunk. I hate spunk!

Who doesn't know that line?

A couple of other scenes that stole the show, too -- Lou Grant typing a letter (in a drunken stupor) and using words from Mary and her boyfriend's conversation.

And Mary and Phyllis discussing Mary's breakup or her boyfriend coming, and Bess stealing her thunder ("That was mother's news!"). Cloris Leachman was brilliant in that scene.

Unfortunately most of the rest of season one didn't measure up to the pilot.

merlinjones · 07-19-2022, 12:22 PM

Bewitched
The Beverly Hillbillies
Batman
Mary Tyler Moore
The New, Original Wonder Woman

icecream · 07-19-2022, 05:51 PM

Frasier pilot was pretty good.

JetJam · 09-10-2022, 01:05 AM

You have got to include Soap in this discussion. In its first episode, it introduces one incredibly over the top character/situation after another. Even one of which could make for a good sitcom. There is probably no other first episode like it.

brianjohnson1984 · 09-11-2022, 06:35 PM

Speaking of memorable pilot lines, this one from "The Cosby Show" always stuck in my mind. Clair asks, "Cliff, why do we have four children?" He replies, "Because we didn't want to have five." Of course, a few episodes later, as Sondra joined, they DID have five, but I always liked that line.

07-17-2022, 04:59 AM	#1
principehomura Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 24, 2010 Location: SEA, Napa, Lanford, NY \| Rome (WI), Coeur d'Coeurs, Stars Hollow, Sunnydale \| Twin Peaks, BAL, Deadwood, WA \| Tardis, Galactica Posts: 757	Funniest pilot I think the pilot is the most difficult episode in a sitcom: the audience doesn't know the characters yet, and it isn't easy to write jokes and be funny when characters interactions hasn't been established, if not on paper, and there's no back story to use. Yesterday I started watching "Spin City", and thought they did a wonderful job in laying down everything for the rest of the series. What sitcom has the best and funniest pilot in your opinion?
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07-19-2022, 05:51 PM	#7
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,760	Frasier pilot was pretty good.
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07-17-2022, 05:42 PM	#2
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,635	I immediately think of the brilliant Mary Tyler Moore Show pilot.

07-19-2022, 08:55 AM	#4
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,073	"Dads" which was on Fox about eight years go. I starred Martin MUll. I about died of laughing at the first episode. It was one of the funniest things I have ever seen, seriouly. The show itself was fresh and still funny, but only had one season and then cancelled. One of the most hilarious show of all time and lasted one season!

07-19-2022, 12:22 PM	#6
merlinjones Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 30, 2019 Location: los ángeles Posts: 931	Bewitched The Beverly Hillbillies Batman Mary Tyler Moore The New, Original Wonder Woman

09-10-2022, 01:05 AM	#8
JetJam Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 02, 2017 Location: Canada Posts: 51	You have got to include Soap in this discussion. In its first episode, it introduces one incredibly over the top character/situation after another. Even one of which could make for a good sitcom. There is probably no other first episode like it.

09-11-2022, 06:35 PM	#9
brianjohnson1984 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 09, 2012 Location: United States Posts: 49	Speaking of memorable pilot lines, this one from "The Cosby Show" always stuck in my mind. Clair asks, "Cliff, why do we have four children?" He replies, "Because we didn't want to have five." Of course, a few episodes later, as Sondra joined, they DID have five, but I always liked that line.