Unaired pilot vs. regular pilot analysis - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Best Man · 08-29-2007, 08:42 PM

I recently bought the unaired pilot The Wonderful World of Wilbur Pope (starring Scott MacKay as Wilbur and Sandra Knight as Carlotta, changed to Carol on show, and directed by Arthur Lubin). I see the acting was more forced and unnatural in this unaired pilot than in the regular one. MacKay, probably a better dramatic actor, was only tolerable as Wilbur (unlike Alan Young a superb and gifted comedian/comic actor). But Sandra Knight was about as beautiful as the beautiful Connie Hines in a different way. If Knight had acted less forced she would have been as good as Hines. The pilot that was never aired had more neighbor characters than the show's regular pilot and the distance between the house of Wilbur Pope (changed for obvious reasons to Post in the regular series) and those of his neighbors seemed closer than the spacious distance in the series (the spacious distance made the Posts seem more affluent than the Popes). Wilbur is a lawyer in the unaired pilot rather than an architect. i think Mr. Ed is a different horse in the pilot (longer bodied). Anyone know for sure on the last note there? I prefered the regular series pilot to the pilot.

treky · 08-30-2007, 01:01 AM

I never Knew this show has an unaired pilot. Is it on DVD?

And what is the "obvious reason" that Wilbur Pope was changed to Wilbur Post?

Best Man · 09-05-2007, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treky

I never Knew this show has an unaired pilot. Is it on DVD?

And what is the "obvious reason" that Wilbur Pope was changed to Wilbur Post?

Catholics could easily claim Wilbur Pope was making fun of them.

TV Knowledge Fan · 10-02-2007, 04:20 PM

When Alan Young originally turned down George Burns' offer to star in the first pilot in 1958, he got Scott McKay to appear as "Wilbur Pope" in "THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF....". When that went nowhere, Burns was determined to have Young star in the second pilot. Finally, because he wasn't getting any major acting assignments, Alan agreed, and the second pilot, somewhat similar to the first, was produced in 1960 {"ED AND WILBUR POPE"}, with Connie Hines as "Carlotta". That one is "floating around" collectors' circles [a portion of it is posted on 'youtube'], and featured an eight minute "pitch" to Studebaker dealers immediately after the episode, featuring George, Alan and Connie trying to convince the Studebaker dealers and their executives that their show was the perfect one for them to sponsor. They did sponsor the series, originally in syndication, beginning in January 1961. Before it premiered, a few "minor changes" were made in the series' format {Wilbur "Post" became an architect, with "Carol" is his wife, the "Addisons" as neighbors, etc.}, and that's what "MISTER ED" eventually became!

And yes, a different horse WAS used in the first pilot, 'Best'.

OH Nuts! · 11-07-2007, 12:13 AM

Actually, I just got a $1 DVD from Walmart that has the original pilot from Mr. Ed on it. It also has a rare promotional piece the show did for savings bonds. It was odd not seeing Alan Young and Connie Hines in the 1st pilot, but it was enjoyable nontheless. Just different.

Best Man · 12-07-2007, 05:33 PM

Scott McKay was no where near as funny as Alan Young! Everybody in the pilot overacted! I saw it off of the dvd from Walmart too (not the very same copy you did though!).

caladon · 01-09-2008, 12:11 AM

I remember Alan Young telling the story of why George Burns wanted him for the role. Apparently when asked, George Burns replied, "He looks like someone a horse would talk to."

OH Nuts! · 02-10-2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Best Man

Scott McKay was no where near as funny as Alan Young! Everybody in the pilot overacted! I saw it off of the dvd from Walmart too (not the very same copy you did though!).

Yes, I thought so too.

08-29-2007, 08:42 PM	#1
Best Man Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 15, 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 594	Unaired pilot vs. regular pilot analysis I recently bought the unaired pilot The Wonderful World of Wilbur Pope (starring Scott MacKay as Wilbur and Sandra Knight as Carlotta, changed to Carol on show, and directed by Arthur Lubin). I see the acting was more forced and unnatural in this unaired pilot than in the regular one. MacKay, probably a better dramatic actor, was only tolerable as Wilbur (unlike Alan Young a superb and gifted comedian/comic actor). But Sandra Knight was about as beautiful as the beautiful Connie Hines in a different way. If Knight had acted less forced she would have been as good as Hines. The pilot that was never aired had more neighbor characters than the show's regular pilot and the distance between the house of Wilbur Pope (changed for obvious reasons to Post in the regular series) and those of his neighbors seemed closer than the spacious distance in the series (the spacious distance made the Posts seem more affluent than the Popes). Wilbur is a lawyer in the unaired pilot rather than an architect. i think Mr. Ed is a different horse in the pilot (longer bodied). Anyone know for sure on the last note there? I prefered the regular series pilot to the pilot.

08-30-2007, 01:01 AM	#2
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	I never Knew this show has an unaired pilot. Is it on DVD? And what is the "obvious reason" that Wilbur Pope was changed to Wilbur Post?
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

10-02-2007, 04:20 PM	#4
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	There were TWO unaired pilot episodes.... When Alan Young originally turned down George Burns' offer to star in the first pilot in 1958, he got Scott McKay to appear as "Wilbur Pope" in "THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF....". When that went nowhere, Burns was determined to have Young star in the second pilot. Finally, because he wasn't getting any major acting assignments, Alan agreed, and the second pilot, somewhat similar to the first, was produced in 1960 {"ED AND WILBUR POPE"}, with Connie Hines as "Carlotta". That one is "floating around" collectors' circles [a portion of it is posted on 'youtube'], and featured an eight minute "pitch" to Studebaker dealers immediately after the episode, featuring George, Alan and Connie trying to convince the Studebaker dealers and their executives that their show was the perfect one for them to sponsor. They did sponsor the series, originally in syndication, beginning in January 1961. Before it premiered, a few "minor changes" were made in the series' format {Wilbur "Post" became an architect, with "Carol" is his wife, the "Addisons" as neighbors, etc.}, and that's what "MISTER ED" eventually became! And yes, a different horse WAS used in the first pilot, 'Best'.

11-07-2007, 12:13 AM	#5
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Actually, I just got a $1 DVD from Walmart that has the original pilot from Mr. Ed on it. It also has a rare promotional piece the show did for savings bonds. It was odd not seeing Alan Young and Connie Hines in the 1st pilot, but it was enjoyable nontheless. Just different.

12-07-2007, 05:33 PM	#6
Best Man Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 15, 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 594	Scott McKay was no where near as funny as Alan Young! Everybody in the pilot overacted! I saw it off of the dvd from Walmart too (not the very same copy you did though!).

01-09-2008, 12:11 AM	#7
caladon Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 30, 2001 Location: Massachusetts state home for the bewildered Posts: 1,151	I remember Alan Young telling the story of why George Burns wanted him for the role. Apparently when asked, George Burns replied, "He looks like someone a horse would talk to."