The Evolution of TV Shows: The Impact of Pilot Episodes

The Importance of Pilot Episodes

Pilot episodes are a crucial element in the world of television. They serve as the initial introduction to a TV show's concept, characters, and overall tone. While some shows hit the ground running with a stellar pilot, others face challenges in finding their footing.

Jerry's apartment in the Seinfeld pilot

Many TV shows have great pilots which they then struggle to live up to, but sometimes a pilot is the lowest point. Some great shows take a while to sort things out, and their pilot episode is the weakest in their entire run. This is often the case with sitcoms, because their unique formulas might take more time to fine tune, especially if they are pushing the boundaries and trying something new. Any genre can have the same problems, however, and pilots can be used to try out different ideas and figure out what works and what should be abandoned. Shows can look radically different after a mediocre pilot.

Pete's Luncheonette from the Seinfeld pilot

Pilot episodes aren't such an important phenomenon in the modern landscape of TV, especially with the rise of streaming services. This means that a lot of old pilots almost look like a glimpse into a parallel reality where shows turned out slightly differently. Some great shows never would have achieved the same level of success if they hadn't learned a few harsh lessons from their pilot episodes. Bad pilot episodes don't have to be a negative if the shows can improve from them.

Jerry Seinfeld performs stand-up in the Seinfeld pilot

Classic TV Shows with Rocky Starts

The history of television is filled with iconic shows that faced rocky starts, only to evolve into beloved classics. From 'Seinfeld' to 'The Office', these shows had pilot episodes that initially missed the mark but went on to achieve tremendous success.

George with his arm around Jerry in the Seinfeld pilot

Seinfeld's pilot episode excluded one of the show's best characters. In the pilot, Jerry is uncertain about the romantic intentions of a woman who is coming to stay with him. Jerry and George’s dynamic is the same as always, but Kramer’s character is virtually unrecognizable. He’s a recluse called Kessler, and he seems more paranoid and less outgoing. But by far the biggest sin of the pilot episode is not having Elaine at all.

Michael Richards as Kessler in the Seinfeld pilot

Blackadder had to change its entire approach. The entire first season of Blackadder fails to reach the heights of the rest of the show, but the pilot episode is particularly unenjoyable. The main problem is that the character of Blackadder is an inept buffoon, and those around him are far more competent. Eventually, the show would reverse this formula, making Blackadder the sole voice of reason in a sea of stupidity, but this would take a while.

Rowan Atkinson in Blackadder season 1

Elementary updates Arthur Conan Doyle’s popular detective novels for the 21st Century, but the pilot episode marks a rough start for Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. At its best, Elementary can produce immersive puzzles, but the pilot episode meanders from one strange deduction to another. Sherlock and Watson’s dynamic also isn’t fully formed in the pilot. It takes a few episodes for their relationship to blossom, and for Watson to start contributing more to the cases.

Sherlock Holmes in Elementary

House's pacing, lighting, and dialogue all feel a little less snappy in the pilot episode. It would go on to become a sizzling drama, defined by doctors trading barbs, and House in particular showing a quick wit and a short temper. The pilot episode is ponderous and uncertain by comparison, with its protagonist being the saving grace.

house and cuddy in house pilot

The Evolution of TV Shows

The journey of a TV show from its pilot episode to its later seasons is a testament to the evolution of storytelling, character development, and audience reception. The challenges and changes faced by TV shows reflect the dynamic nature of the entertainment industry.

A lockeroom scene from the American Dad pilot

American Dad had a tough task in trying to differentiate itself from Seth MacFarlane’s other colossal hit, Family Guy. The first episode introduces the Smith family, their talking fish, and the alien in their attic. The best seasons of American Dad came a little later.

The Evolution of TV Shows

Scrubs is a comedic take on medical procedurals, but the first episode can’t detach itself from the conventions of the genre for too long. The charm of the show’s core cast ultimately shines through, all except for the character of the Janitor, who is more of a grouchy antagonist than a playful nuisance. Scrubs has some emotionally devastating episodes, so it doesn’t always need an upbeat tone.

Liz standing in front of the writers in 30 Rock

30 Rock's pilot episode doesn’t give enough screen time to some of its best characters. The episode focuses much more on the writers’ room at TGS, and Liz’s working relationship with her producer Pete Hornberger. It just took a couple of episodes to discover the heart of the show.

Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) wearing a suit of money in 30 Rock

Peep Show chose to boldly reinvent the sitcom formula, but its pilot episode contained a few teething problems. The difficulties of the narration and the POV camera angles are more apparent in the pilot than in later episodes. It does a good job of introducing the massive differences between the two friends, but the basic premise is unrefined, as is the show’s humor.

Super Hans tries to get Mark sectioned in Peep Show

The American version of The Office was too similar to its British counterpart in its infancy. Some important members of the cast were also yet to make their first appearances. The pilot episode failed to capture the idiosyncratic humor of the British version, but the show would go on to establish its own identity.

Steve Carell in The Office pilot

The pilot episode of New Girl focused more on gender satire and less on the relatable friendship-based sitcom that the show would eventually develop into. Winston replaces Coach after the New Girl pilot, but the show has a completely different dynamic without Lamorne Morris from the beginning.

The Guys New Girl Pilot