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If you know anything about the TV business, you know the chances of getting a show on the air are really, really poor. Each season, thousands of pilots are written (or “conceived,” in the case of unscripted reality programs). Out of those thousands, a hundred may be ordered. Of those scripts, dozens are actually shot (sometimes costing around $2 million each pilot). Of those dozens shot, only a handful are picked up and ordered to air.
Can you pick out the actual, failed pilots that never made it on the air from those we’ve totally made up? Some of these descriptions are taken directly from the networks’ press releases. How well can you navigate through the phonies?
Take the Quiz: Failed TV Pilot or Totally Made Up?
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A few years ago, the Sci-fi channel tried to make a show based on “Carrie.” Yes, “Carrie.” It was the only adaptation where Carrie survived. I saw the failed pilot; it ended with Sue using CPR to revive Carrie and driving her to florida. The show was supposed to be about Carrie living in florida and helping other telekinetic people. I think that was a new low for TV.
posted by Sara on 10-21-2009 at 8:01 pm