How come networks or cable channels never air the actual pilots? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

mets82 · 01-02-2013, 09:22 PM

What I mean is that there are pilots that networks never show. I will give you a couple of examples. Happy Days, in which the first episode is airing right now really isnt the first episode. The first episode is really from Love, American Style but they never really show that pilot.

I dont know if its still up but youtube had a rare All in the Family pilot. It didnt star Sally Struthers or Rob Reiner but I think it aired on TV Land a long time ago.

Friends aired the actual pilot but I've seen the pilot with different opening theme music. The opening theme song was REM "Shiny Happy People."

Also, The Simpsons first episode wasnt the Christmas episode when they got Santa's Little Helper. It was actually from the Tracey Ullman Show which I have never seen.

So why dont they air those pilots? And also can you name any other hard to find pilots?

robyrob · 01-02-2013, 09:40 PM

the networks just get the syndication package and whatever episodes are included with it.

TVFactFan · 01-02-2013, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mets82

What I mean is that there are pilots that networks never show. I will give you a couple of examples. Happy Days, in which the first episode is airing right now really isnt the first episode. The first episode is really from Love, American Style but they never really show that pilot.

I dont know if its still up but youtube had a rare All in the Family pilot. It didnt star Sally Struthers or Rob Reiner but I think it aired on TV Land a long time ago.

Friends aired the actual pilot but I've seen the pilot with different opening theme music. The opening theme song was REM "Shiny Happy People."

Also, The Simpsons first episode wasnt the Christmas episode when they got Santa's Little Helper. It was actually from the Tracey Ullman Show which I have never seen.

So why dont they air those pilots? And also can you name any other hard to find pilots?

I know what you mean because if someone is watching the Jeffersons for the first time in syndication, the 1st episode would be kind of confusing because viewers would not know that everything that went on happened in the actual pilot episode.

And since the pilot if a All in the family episode there is no way of knowing sometimes.

rcbrad · 01-03-2013, 10:08 PM

Most of the pilots you mentioned are unaired or unsold pilots with different cast members. It would be confusing to the audience and inconsistent to air these pilots along with the actual series. If I am not mistaken all or most of the examples you gave, eventually had an additional pilot re shot and the revamped pilot is what eventually sold the series and does air as part of the series package.

01-02-2013, 09:22 PM	#1
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,058	How come networks or cable channels never air the actual pilots? What I mean is that there are pilots that networks never show. I will give you a couple of examples. Happy Days, in which the first episode is airing right now really isnt the first episode. The first episode is really from Love, American Style but they never really show that pilot. I dont know if its still up but youtube had a rare All in the Family pilot. It didnt star Sally Struthers or Rob Reiner but I think it aired on TV Land a long time ago. Friends aired the actual pilot but I've seen the pilot with different opening theme music. The opening theme song was REM "Shiny Happy People." Also, The Simpsons first episode wasnt the Christmas episode when they got Santa's Little Helper. It was actually from the Tracey Ullman Show which I have never seen. So why dont they air those pilots? And also can you name any other hard to find pilots?
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01-02-2013, 09:40 PM	#2
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,182	the networks just get the syndication package and whatever episodes are included with it.
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01-03-2013, 10:08 PM	#4
rcbrad Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Posts: 479	Most of the pilots you mentioned are unaired or unsold pilots with different cast members. It would be confusing to the audience and inconsistent to air these pilots along with the actual series. If I am not mistaken all or most of the examples you gave, eventually had an additional pilot re shot and the revamped pilot is what eventually sold the series and does air as part of the series package.