A Question for the Class

[kungfuwaynewho]

I'm fixing to start a new writing project - a pilot.  I should write one every year, and I think I'm going to use the idea I came up with for tvrealm's Create a Show challenge for this year.

So here's my question: what do you look for in a pilot?  What are the things that get you to sit down a try out a new show?  What has to go right for you to tune in the next week?  What goes wrong that makes you decide to spend your time on something else?  What are your favorite pilots, and what did you love about them?  Conversely, what are your least favorite pilots, and what turned you off?

Comments

[cath822.livejournal.com]

Hm. Let's see.

I always look for good characters, obviously, by which I mean interesting, funny/witty, generally likable (although, of course, with one or two characters you love to hate), and that interact with each other in a way that feels organic.

I like to anticipate that interesting and unexpected things are going to happen in the show, so if I can pretty much guess what's going to happen over the course of the show, I might not stay put. Unlike some people, I don't mind getting invested in a show and sticking with it, but only if I feel it's going to pay off. I also want the tone to feel different, so that I can anticipate that this show isn't going to be like nine other shows that I could watch.

Favorite pilots: Dexter, HIMYM, XF, LOST, Pushing Daisies, 30 Rock, Glee, Arrested Development, CSI, and Scrubs
Pilots that almost lost me: BSG (the mini - didn't really get into it until S1), Community, Parks and Rec, The Office

In the case of The Office and Parks and Rec, the shows were trying too hard to be like their predecessors (the UK Office and the Office), and hadn't developed their own tone yet. Community's interaction just felt weird and forced, and BSG was good, but I just wasn't sure that I wanted to get invested in a show that was that intense and emotionally complex. (Glad I did, though.)

Pilots that did lose me: Gossip Girl, Perfect Couples, Chuck, Castle

In the case of the first two shows, I just quickly figured that they weren't my kind of show (which is kind of intangible and unhelpful), and Chuck and Castle were shows that I probably would have enjoyed if I had kept watching them, but the premises were kind of ridiculous and I didn't feel like adding them to my lineup would be worth it.

My tastes have kind of skewed to comedy in the last couple of years because they're short and I can grade to them, but I hope this is helpful. :)