What Makes Some Pilots More “Pick-up-able”

While using Twitter to troll for writing ideas – I mean crowdsourcing – someone suggested I do a little write-up explaining why some pilots get picked up while others don’t (to series, that is – I am not even going to tackle the pilot pick-up in the script stage). First of all, as a measly studio development assistant, I probably only have a very limited understanding of this. Add to that any “cred” I bring as a TV blogger (do I say writer? That makes me sound like I write TV, which, sure I do, but not in any professional capacity just yet) as well as my previous experience as a “trend forecaster” (where my job literally was to predict what shows were going to be hits, even though I was right maybe only 50% of the time, if that), then okay, sure, maybe I’ve got enough background to give me some sort of authority to speak on the matter, but before we get into this I feel I must emphasize that these are my thoughts/opinions and mine alone.

Okay now that I vomited out that paragraph with all the inarticulate wording I can muster, let’s move on to the interesting part of this, where I will ponder why some pilots are picked up and others are not, (and as I so love to do, in list form!):

What Makes Some Pilots More “Pick-up-able” --
Thank you, by the way, to my Twitter follower "augustbenassi" for both the post request and for using "pick-up-able" in a sentence.

1. I have no idea. Really I don’t. I spent the weekend watching a lot of the pilots that were picked up and I have seen a handful of those that weren’t. Sometimes it’s hard to figure out why one and not the other after a first viewing. I will use the rest of this list to make a few guesses as to why, but keep this very important point in mind. I will come back to it.

2. Quality. Shocker right? Sometimes a pilot will get picked up over another one because it is better. Simple. That may not always seem like the case, but I do think that there is a degree to which all creative executives, even the ones at the network, ultimately care about quality programming. For example, I recently watched the ABC pilot “Freshmen” which has all the makings of a great show – Sarah Chalke (Scrubs) stars, some big name producers are attached (Greg Malins and HuffPo’s very own Ariana Huffington), and the setting seems like something Americans would love (three freshmen Congress members living together in an apartment in DC! Hijinks ensue!) – however, the pilot was not very good. ABC did not pick up the pilot to series, which was a great decision – especially after seeing the much higher quality of some of the other shows the network picked up, like No Ordinary Family or My Generation (both already on my fall watch-list).

3. Auspices. Sometimes all it takes is a high-brow writer/producer/director/actor to give the pilot the momentum it needs for the pick-up. Think anything J.J. Abrams has put his name on. Interestingly enough, this year I can immediately think of two pilots with big names behind them that were not picked up – Ben Stiller’s “The Station” and “Pleading Guilty” from Chernin Entertainment and high-brow auspices such as director Jon Avnet and Executive Producer Hart Hanson, not to mention John Laroquette (NIGHT COURT!). Yet neither of these were picked up (interestingly, both were at Fox). Okay, so maybe I’ve already canceled out this point in citing two shows that were not picked-up despite auspices (and already I am remembering more), but for certain networks the auspices behind the show play a very big role. And while this mindset is perhaps starting to shift, I will again say: think J.J. Abrams.

4. Network branding. In case you weren’t aware, the networks all have a specific “brand” or “image.” You can very often watch a show or read a script and think, oh “character-driven legal drama feels perfect for ABC,” or, “if this show had more of a procedural bent perhaps CBS would be interested.” If a show feels like it is on-brand, yet brings something fresh then its chances of a series pick-up increase. Of course, there are always the random shows that seem out of place with a network’s brand. In my opinion, Nikita seems like an odd fit for The CW (it’s actually good – and it’s not all about surly teenagers having sex and doing drugs and shopping and becoming vampires), and would perhaps be better suited for ABC or Fox. Speaking of, I’ve heard from many that while Lone Star has a great pilot and all the makings of a great show, Fox maybe isn’t the best home for the series. And don’t even get me started on NBC because I am pretty sure they don’t even know what their brand is right now.

5. Money-making potential. Duh. I mean, this is a no-brainer. Every pilot has the possibility to be a network’s next CSI, or Grey’s Anatomy, or any other show that’s been a roaring success, spawning spin-offs, DVD sales, and sweet syndication deals (syndication is the real money maker in this biz, keep that in mind as you find yourself four hours deep into that Law & Order marathon on TNT). These pilots are all tested, researched and discussed so that when making decisions, the network execs have all the info they need to choose a show that has the potential to be their next cash-cow – which also means finding shows that ad buyers like (hence why upfronts are so important).

So there you have it, five reasons as to why I think some pilots get picked up while others do not. Yes, "I don't know" is a reason. See, before I leave you with this less-than-clarifying list, think again about my first point. Because honestly, it’s a crapshoot. Sure there are formulas to follow, but you truly never know. It’s kind of like getting into college. Just kind of. Because instead of spending the next four years surrounded by other like-minded individuals who want to both work and party hard with the occasional one-night stand or political debate thrown in, once your show gets picked-up it’s a whole new ballgame, with writers to hire and stories to break and people to please… and it all sounds exhausting actually. But don't worry there are parties in TV land too. You just won't be invited. Unless that pilot gets picked up. Or you know someone who knows someone. Or something. I wouldn't know.

Coming soon to a TV screen near you: Sexpionage!

That's right folks, we've got a new word to enter into our pop culture lexicon and it's sexpionage. Thank you, J.J. Abrams.

Yep, I've seen Undercovers.

Earlier today an alert went around the office that the new NBC pilot Undercovers was available for screening on a WB website, but to login ASAP as it would likely be taken down. Well, being the J.J. fan that I am, and TV junkie (obv), I logged in immediately - and good thing because sure enough, mere minutes later the site was no longer accessible (in other words, someone at Warner Brothers is in deep shit right now, because that link went to a TV tracking board with a reach far and wide in this town, and I'd say Undercovers is the pilot on most severe lockdown this year).

Fortunately, I had left the link open in my browser after successfully logging on, and was able to watch the whole thing. I'm not going to give away major plot details or anything, especially since I wasn't technically supposed to see this pilot, and it sort of just fell into my lap, but I will share some first impressions...

Undercovers is sexy and stylized, from the music, to the title card, the locations, and of course - the two leads. Boris Kodjoe and Gugu Mbatha-Raw play a fun and believable married couple, who happen to be spies (and caterers - quite a combo). Obviously, they're both very good looking, but they were well-cast and they have good chemistry. These two definitely bring the fun (and yes, the sexpionage) to the show. I will add that while watching I couldn't help but think this is closest to Abram's other beloved spy-show Alias, minus the sometimes convoluted mythology, and there were a lot of fun action scenes that reminded me of Alias in its first two seasons.

My only major quip with what I saw was that occasionally the show bordered on the cheesy (yep, the word sexpionage is actually uttered in dialogue - more than once!) and there were some character developments that were a little, well, underdeveloped. Furthermore, there were a few instances when everything seemed to come together just a little too conveniently. But ultimately it's a good pilot that sets up what is likely to be a fun and engaging show. I was most surprised to finish the pilot with a sense that this would definitely have a bit of a prodcedural nature - although I think that format will work for Undercovers, and as it is from J.J. Abrams, I can't imagine the show wouldn't have some sort of serialized component.

However, is NBC the right network for Undercovers? Honestly, I'm not sure. Last night I watched another heavily-guarded NBC pilot, Love Bites from Cindy Chupack (another big name), which is also a fun, well-styled unconventional type of TV show, and again unlike the network's other programming or perceived brand. Or at least, what NBC's brand used to be. The thing is, NBC really is in a place of transition, so who knows. Undercovers felt a little better suited for ABC or FOX to me, but it could be just the sort of fresh breath of air the network so desperately needs.

I would definitely recommend tuning in when Undercovers premieres in the fall. I'm not sure if it will be compelling enough to keep me tuning in week after week, but I definitely found this first episode to be a fun ride, and I'm willing to give it a shot. I mean, for the sexpionage, at the very least!

You Had Me at Griffith Observatory, and then I Went Catatonic at J.J. Abrams

So late last week a friend of mine kindly extended an invite to join him at the Griffith Observatory this fine evening for the Star Trek DVD release party. Be still my geeky heart!

Now, when I received the email, you better believe he had me at Griffith Observatory, first and foremost. I’ve been to the Griffith Park area just once, to see Phoenix play at the Greek and when I was leaving the area I saw the Observatory and knew I would have to go one of these days. And what better reason to finally visit than for a party? And not just any party, but a party to celebrate Star Trek, one of my favorite movies of 2009, and pretty much geek heaven (and sure, my interest in the original series and spin-offs was spotty at best, but I do love science fiction and my grandfather was a diehard fan, so I'm even making Grampy proud!)

The invitation was messengered over to me earlier, and I had to take a moment to geek out, because it’s super intense, and I’ll obviously be saving it (after using it for parking, of course). Here's a glimpse at the side sans party details:



I took this with my iPhone, and somehow it came out upside down. But that's the Enterprise. Duh.

I’m really quite excited to see Chris Pine in the flesh (I mean, what girl WOULDN’T?), and maybe Leonard Nimoy (how would he feel about me quoting the bit from the Mugar Omni Theatre to him? I think I'll pass), but maybe I am the most excited just to be in the vicinity of J.J. Abrams, a creative genius I truly admire – and primarily for his work in television. (Hello, Alias, Lost, Fringe anyone?). It's going to take some self-restraint NOT to foolishly beg for Lost or Fringe secrets, but truthfully, in every other situation where I've been around any famous person I look up to, I have a tendency to just be real quiet and smile a lot. Or pretend I don't know them, because that's fun too. Sometimes I wonder what it would take me to actually have a freak out over seeing a celebrity and I am trying to think the closest I came to that... maybe for a writer at Entertainment Weekly once? (That's kind of sad). Oh well I was really psyched to see Paul Pierce in Vegas, definitely couldn't stop staring at him. And I saw Kate Walsh several times during my Grey's obsessed days, and she usually had me pretty star struck. But I don't know who it would be... I mean even when I saw David Duchovny speak at a panel I kept my cool (then again, in a crowd of X-Files fans it's pretty easy to stand at the cool end of the spectrum). In any case, I'm looking forward to mixing with rich, famous, average, Vulcans, and others at this bash.

Bonus point: there’s a meteor shower tonight. I mean, could this be anymore perfect?

I'd like to marry Chris Pine, please (or, STAR TREK, the Jaw Wired Shut Review)

Thanks to a kind friend, last night I got to catch an advanced screening of Star Trek on the Paramount lot.

Well wait a minute. Before I launch into a review, let me provide some back story here, as I think it’s important to explain my degree of Trek fandom, especially as I imagine there are many who remain wary of seeing the film. I have never seen the original series, at least not that I can recall. My Star Trek memories are mostly of The Next Generation, and UPN and Captain Jean Luc Picard, and Data and a little bit of Deep Space Nine—but all this was mostly in the background because my older brother watched TNG, not I, or at least not intentionally. My grandfather was a big fan of the original series and some of the spinoffs, if I recall correctly, and I know when I was little he and my brother used to talk about the show, and I definitely picked up on details just being around their conversations. I certainly was never an obsessive fan, not nearly as much as I was for Star Wars or a show like The X-Files. I’ve seen the most recent two Star Trek movies before this one, but their plots don't stick out in my mind (I doubt they do for anyone). However, as a lover of the science-fiction genre and with a basic understanding and appreciation for the Star Trek universe, as well as being a longtime fan of J.J. Abrams work, I was really excited for this latest incarnation.

It doesn’t disappoint. The movie is thrilling. From the very first shot of space and that terrifyingly intricate Romulan ship, the film takes off at a high speed. When we first meet the young James T. Kirk, it doesn’t slow down—not for young Spock, and not as our two heroes first meet each other as young men—the plot moves quickly, not necessarily at a frantic pace, but one where I couldn’t turn my eyes away and even though I had to pee really badly during the entire film (thanks to two pre-screening margaritas), I didn’t get up. I just couldn’t (you probably didn’t need to know that, but I thought it might strengthen my glued-to-the-seat claims. Whatever).

There’s a moment where we see the Enterprise for the first time, in all its glory and I swear, I had goosebumps. It’s such an iconic image—as well as the Starfleet uniforms, it’s like revisiting with long lost family members, both comforting and new, like there's something still to be discovered.

The film definitely has that J.J. Abrams feel, and having watched many of his many television shows, I noticed a lot of the usual J.J. players on screen that other fans might not. It also reminded me a bit of the current season of Lost when the story delved into the future and time travel and destiny. The special effects were stunning, groundbreaking even—so much that at certain points I couldn’t imagine anything being fake or CGI or in front of a green screen, it all felt so real and yet larger than life.

The movie is well cast, no mistakes there. And it’s fun to see hot, young actors take over these roles, reintroducing familiar characters, and definitely in a way that a total Star Trek virgin could enjoy. I mean, how could you not enjoy Chris Pine. Dude is going to blow up after this film. Not only is he insanely attractive, but he’s got the charisma and the acting chops. (Okay, but yes, he is INSANELY attractive).

Now, I have no idea how critical diehard fans are going to feel about the movie, but I do know that non Trek fans will be able to enjoy the film, and I think that anyone at least familiar with the Star Trek characters and universe will truly appreciate the series’ well-executed reinvention. Sure, it has it's campy moments and I got lost in some of the "science," but I think that's a given with nearly any genre flick, especially one as iconic as this.

And the very last scene (SPOILER ALERT!) really tugged on my heart strings—watching the ship travel past the stars, hearing Leonard Nimoy utter that iconic line: “Space: the final frontier. These are the continuing voyages of the starship Enterprise. Her ongoing mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life forms and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.” It was then I suddenly realized that I knew the exact quote, and I felt transported to a different time myself, recalling my youth, and my grandfather, and the old TV in the house I grew up in, and the blue leather sofa in our living room. And that was movie magic.

(On a side note: every time Nimoy was onscreen, or at least every time I heard him speak all I could think of was the Boston Museum of Science, because it’s his voice that does the introduction in the IMAX theater with, “Welcome to the Mugar Omni Theater, this is Leonard Nimoy.” Man I loved that museum as a kid...)

So to wrap up this shoddily organized review (I think I am still collecting my thoughts but I wanted to get this up here as soon as I could this morning), I really enjoyed the film. It was really fun, very thrilling, exciting, and even had some great comedic moments (my favorite quips came from Scotty and Bones). I need to see it again I think, so I can more fully wrap my head around it (maybe minus the margaritas this time), but it was awesome. And I cannot wait for the next one. The Star Trek series has been resurrected.

And can I just talk about Chris Pine again for a second? Yeah...

Recap: Upfronts Week

For those who don't know what Upfronts are... I don't really know the best way to explain them beyond that time in mid-May when all the big television networks give little previews into new shows for the next season, and announce their fall line-ups. It was a little different this year in what the town is now calling "the post strike" world (because it was all very harrowing and scary for the big conglomerates, of course) and while none of my opinions and information is from any firsthand experience at the presentations, I am going to grace you all with my selected thoughts on the newly revealed skeds.

ABC
ABC's fall line up is the most familiar. All our favorites will be there (although Lost returns midseason which is intolerable) with a scant few newbies. One of the new shows is Life on Mars, from David E. Kelley and based on the successful BBC drama of the same name. After reading a bit of the pilot and watching a short trailer for the Americanized version, I'm not sure this edition holds the same promise. I am trying to think of the last David E. Kelley show I actually watched... probably Ally McBeal or Boston Public. I never really got into the law shows, but I know they've been critically acclaimed and well loved. I am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt, especially because Life on Mars airs in the prime post-Grey's Anatomy slot on Thursday nights, but take a look for yourself.



I am also thrilled by the return of the Wednesday night trio Pushing Daisies, Private Practice and Dirty Sexy Money. It worked in the fall, and I've been missing these shows since the strike halted production.

NBC
Um I didn't pay much attention to this one. Right. The only shows on NBC that I care about are The Office and 30 Rock (watch 30 Rock, it will blow your socks off!) and of course, Friday Night Lights, a show that is so good it hurts. It hurts because I love it. I used to watch Heroes, but decided another cult-TV show was a bad idea for my personal life... and social functioning. I am trying to think what stands out on the NBC schedule... not much. Ooooh I guess there is an Office spin-off (those nets sure love the spin-offs these days, huh?) which is promising but also questionable. What else, what else... wow ER is still going. Huh, look at that.

CBS
I don't watch any shows on CBS. I can't think of a time I ever did.

FOX
Here's where things get interesting. FOX, a network I watch now only for Family Guy, is bringing back to my life two very important shows: The X-Files and Firefly. Okay not really, but the new J.J. Abrams show Fringe is practically a revisioned X-Files for 2008, full of paranormal technology, pseudoscience, and potential government conspiracies, and of course--fraught with unresolved sexual tension between the two protagonists (played by Joshua Jackson--Pacey!--and newcomer Anna Torv). I just finished reading this intense pilot yesterday and I am hooked. Also, these promotional stills have me all sorts of excited. Then there is Joss Whedon, the mastermind behind Firefly, one of the most underrated shows of late, who is bringing the show Dollhouse to FOX midseason. While I hate Eliza Dushku, who stars as the main character Echo, this show has a really interesting concept (reading the pilot now so can't explain in full). Here, watch a little trailer (and it's Helo from Battlestar Galactica!):

Hmm the trailer is temporarily unavailable... I'll put it up later.

The CW
I love the CW for bringing Gossip Girl to the airwaves. I realize that on a ratings scale this show bombs. But as far as buzz and salacious plots are concerned? Right on the money! As we all know, I am most excited for the CW's upcoming 90210 spin-off (fantastic pilot and I had a friend at Upfronts yesterday who saw some early footage, texting me afterwards to say: "90210 will make us hate our jobs, paychecks and wardrobes. It looks so good.") and I am somewhat interested in Surviving the Filthy Rich, set to air after 90210, and on par with the network's teen programming. I read this pilot as well, and it has some potential but it might not hold my interest (see clips here).

Phew. I've got a busy fall schedule to make room in my life and my DVR for all these televisions shows, but if I know anything about myself, it's that I always watch my shows. And by watch, I mean obsess over.