Debbie:
While it’s fun to look at the descriptions of the pilots the networks have ordered for next season, hoping to find the next possibility of a favorite show, it’s more fun to make fun of them. That’s why I wanted to take a look at NBC’s pilot orders with you and your snarky little heart. That poor little network can’t seem to make a good decision, and then when they do (like not canceling Community) no one watches anyway. I can’t imagine what show would turn things around for the network, but I certainly can guess which can’t. …
Sure, they hit it right with The Office, but does that warrant picking up two pilots based on UK series, one based on an Israeli series and several reinventions (including The Munsters?!)? Getting Roseanne Barr, Sarah Silverman and Anne Heche back on the air? OK, I really don’t have anything against any of those actresses, but at least two out of those three ships have sailed.
But seriously, I would definitely give a look to Revolution, not because of JJ Abrams‘ track record, but because of what Eric Kripke did with that little show called Supernatural. And if I must tell the truth, the Israeli series, Midnight Sun, does seem to have a bit of promise.
Anything jump out at you?
Bob:
There have actually been a few imports from Israel that have done well here in the states (including Homeland and In Treatment), so it’s not that surprising. Of course when it is described as a cross between Lost and Twin Peaks, you know I’m going to be there. That definitely stood out for me.
I was also happy to see Frances Conroy getting a large role in a pilot (Beautiful People). It sounded somewhat interesting, if not high concept (robots and people and living together… it could work).
What always amazes me is the number of hospital dramas and firefighters and every other overused trope that pops up year after year after year. And you just know that some boring drama about a bunch of mopey people in a hospital is going to get picked up over something that sounds infinitely more interesting.
I have to say that I am very curious about The Munsters remake. While I haven’t really been a huge fan of Bryan Fuller‘s work in the past, I recognize that he is talented (as is Bryan Singer). How could they possibly make The Munsters new and exciting though?
 Debbie:
The Munsters? They couldn’t make it new and exciting … but they could make it hokey! Or, how about a takes-itself-too-seriously drama about what it’s like living in a family of monsters? But no, Twilight has already done that. …
And that Frances Conroy pilot bears some similarities to BSG and Caprica, I think.
It bugs me that the shows aren’t listed by 1/2 hour comedy and hour-long drama, because some of them could go either way and I would probably enjoy them one way but not the other. Family Dinner, for example, could make a really cute sitcom. Isabel, on the other hand, I’d like to see in a drama format, though Kevin Nealon‘s involvement has me wondering if that’s that case.
Do you think this collective list gives any hope to NBC’s future? Can they get back on top?
Bob:
No.
Debbie:
Or, as they like to say around the globe …
Clacked by Debbie McDuffee
on Feb 09, 2012 @ 11:00 EST5EDT
all of these shows seem dreadful.
really? wtf NBC.
Why is it that their USA branch can come up with fun drama season after season but NBC proper can only copy what other networks have already done?
OMG, reading those lists was a horrible experience. Beautiful People, which I could swear was the name of Ashton Kutcher’s short-lived CW series, could be annoyingly heavy-handed, but I’d probably follow it for a while just for Parker and Echikunwoke. The rest just got worse and worse. I think I was most offended by the description for Revolution, a world in which “all forms of energy have mysteriously ceased to exist.” Except, presumably, kinetic and mechanical energy. And gravity and visible light. Heat and friction. Weak and strong nuclear forces. I’m betting cell phones and internal combustion engines won’t work, but the electrical and chemical processes that keep human beings alive will.
I think all the networks are seriously lacking pilots centered around attractive female FBI/CIA/NYPD agents with special powers/childhoods/families, though. The CIA agent in the untitled pilot is only 17 years old, so that’s like a completely different kind of show.
They’re seriously rebooting Beauty and the Beast? And why do a Green Arrow project that isn’t a Smallville spinoff?
I’d actually watch The Selection. It reminds me of Kings and will probably be equally as popular, but not nearly as well-acted.