


Cox.Īssuming you can separate Roseanne Barr from Roseanne Conner, the original series’ 1988 pilot holds up unbelievably well, thanks in no small part to the crackling chemistry between Barr and John Goodman. realized that Kelso would not be the hero of this story, but the villain, while the real hero would be the curmudgeonly Dr. Perhaps the best moment, though, was when J.D.
#TV PILOT 100 SERIES#
The medical comedy’s debut cemented Bill Lawrence’s uncanny ability to fuse even the most sophomoric humor with heart, while also establishing nearly every core relationship that would carry the series for the duration of its eight-season run* - including, but not limited to, those between J.D. The image of Felicity Huffman’s Lynette dressed in a full-length funeral dress jumping into a pool to retrieve her unruly children will stick with us forever. Anchored by Brenda Strong’s iconic narration, the sharply written first hour of Marc Cherry’s long-running primetime soap introduced us to an entire neighborhood’s worth of colorful characters, established a unique tone and, of course, launched a killer mystery that more than 20 million people would tune in to watch unfold. “Oh Mary Alice, what did you do?” That was the question on every American’s mind following our first visit to Wisteria Lane, the setting of ABC’s overnight phenomenon. Review TVLine’s alphabetical list of the 25 Best Pilot Episodes below, then hit the comments with your own favorites! Another way to make your pilot stand out? Hook ’em with a well-executed twist, as several of the following shows did! It’s no wonder we immediately wanted to watch their second installments after the premieres.

Our selections changed the game with unique formats ( 24), wowed with their scope ( Lost) and unique styles ( Pushing Daisies), and, simply put, captivated our attention. Self-assured in their visions, these pilots felt like fully formed shows from the start and swiftly immersed viewers in their fictional worlds.
#TV PILOT 100 TV#
Here, TVLine has gathered our picks for the 25 Best TV Pilot Episodes that have stood the test of time, delivering memorable stories, characters and surprises that left an indelible impression. And while the majority of series either get a passing grade or, sadly, #fail, select comedies and dramas have exceeded expectations with truly standout first episodes. These premiere installments have a heavy task to complete: They must establish the premise, characters, tone, look, sound and so much more. That goes for TV, too, which is why a show’s pilot episode is so important. You only get one chance to make a first impression.
