Every May, the main broadcasters in the U.S. hold annual “upfront” meetings in New York City, which involve presentations of new television shows that are scheduled to air later in the fall, or even the following year. Often times, major network stars and actors appear to provide a bit of oomph to the events, which advertisers and journalists attend.
Despite the fact that Fox chairman Kevin Reilly announced
in January that they would be “bypassing pilot season” this year, and NBC
Entertainment president Jennifer Salke described
the ordeal as a “ridiculous process,” both companies still continued to make appearances
during upfront week, trumpeting their precise choices.
In the midst of celebrating all of the new programming that
has been picked up for series orders, what tends to be lost in the shuffle is
the unaired pilots that were decidedly not selected for a network run.
Unfortunately, in most cases these failed pilots are
abandoned to the studio shelves, and never see the light of day. In recent
years, though, several have found their way onto YouTube, like Lookwell, an early 1990s
show developed by Robert Smigel and Conan O’Brien. Other rejects have been
known to pop up on online auction website eBay.
According to Ben Feldman, who will be appearing in new NBC
comedy “A to Z,” actors learn
of their fate from the producers: “...If the show doesn’t go, what usually happens
is the producers call you, ‘Okay, we’re so sorry. The network is so stupid.
Don’t worry, we’re shopping it around,’ and then you’re supposed to be really
excited, ‘Oh, hopefully another network buys it.’ Usually that doesn’t happen.”
These 2014 pilots managed to fall by the wayside this year,
and received the red light. It’s entirely possible another network or service
like Netflix could decide to do something about it last minute, but such
occurrences are rare.
Hopefully, the actors, directors, producers and
writers will find other projects.
NBC:
Comedy:
LifeSaver
Love is Relative
The Mason Twins
The Pro
Two to Go
 |
| Rob Lowe |
Of particular note
here was “The Pro” – a single camera comedy starring Rob Lowe as former tennis
star Ben Bertrahm, an athlete who made some financial mistakes and ended up employed
at a local sports club. Comedic actors Rob Riggle and Andrea Savage (both
appeared in 2008’s “Step Brothers”), former model Rebecca Romijn and Spice Girl
Melanie Brown all were a part of the show.
Drama:
Salvation
Babylon Fields
 |
| Ashley Judd |
“Salvation,” a story of megachurch corruption filmed in and around Dallas,
Texas, was set to star Ashley Judd, Meg Chambers Steedle (best known for her
role as Billie Kent in HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire) and Warren Kole (FOX’s “The
Following”). Director Jeffrey Reiner previously executive produced television
series “Friday Night Lights,” “The Event” and “Awake.”
ABC:
Comedy:
 |
| Henry Winkler |
An American Education
Damaged Goods
Irreversible
Saint Francis
The Winklers
Out of this lot, “The Winklers” – helmed by “Everybody
Loves Raymond” creator Phil Rosenthal – featured a tale inspired by the life of
former Fonzie Henry Winkler himself – Domenick Lombardozzi appeared as construction
worker who must reside with his famous actor in-laws.
Drama:
 |
| Jennifer Carpenter |
Agatha
Clementine
Dangerous Liaisons
Exposed
Sea of Fire
Warriors
In “Sea of Fire,” “Dexter” alumna Jennifer Carpenter starred
as an FBI agent investigating the disappearance of a young girl in a town where
residents are upset about three teenagers appearing in an adult-themed movie.
CBS
 |
| Tom Papa |
More Time with Family
Save the Date
Executive produced by Academy Award-winners Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, “More Time with Family” featured standup comedian Tom Papa as a father looking to change his profession in order to be around his loved ones. Alyson Hannigan (“How I Met Your Mother”) and Joe Pantoliano (“The Fugitive,” “The Matrix”) also appeared.
Drama:
 |
| Anthony LaPaglia |
Red Zone
WallStreet
“Red Zone,” which also starred a former “Dexter” actress,
Aimee Garcia, focused on a character portrayed by Anthony LaPaglia (“Without a
Trace”) – a former CIA operative who returns to the job after an
inside-the-Beltway terrorist attack.
FOX
 |
| Jane Krakowski |
Fatrick
No Place Like Home
Tony Award-winner Jane Krakowski (“30 Rock”) starred in “Dead Boss,” an
adaptation of a BBC3 show about an individual who must demonstrate that she is
not responsible for killing her employer. Rachel Dratch, from “Saturday Night
Live,” also appeared.
Author: Brian Cameron
Follow @FYITV
Post a Comment