8 Extremely Good TV Shows With Pilots So Bad, Viewers Urge to Drop Them
Sometimes you just have to power through.
While viewers curse streaming platforms for canceling shows too early and not giving them another chance, they are just as quick to drop the entire series based on the impressions of the pilot episode. Although understandable, sometimes this logic deprives people of watching some of the best shows.
Here are 8 TV shows that redditors of the r/television subreddit dropped after watching only the pilot, but then picked up and grew to love.
Schitt's Creek (2015-2020)
Like most sitcoms, the pilot was just the writers testing the waters. It set up a backstory, put the characters in their niches, and was released with the hope that the show would hit the right spots for all genre fans. Fortunately, the brilliant cast and the talent of Dan Levy and his father, Eugene Levy, were enough to get the show off the ground.
Now the series is known as one of the funniest and most current sitcoms, and everyone who made it through the few episodes cannot get enough.
The Bear ( 2022-...)
With so many wonderful things said about the show and so many nominations under its belt, it is only a matter of time before someone tries to tune in. What people may not be ready for is the stress and intensity that this TV show exudes.
This is especially true for the entirety of season 1, which was the most emotionally intense season yet. And while the premise of the show and the acting have always been good, The Bear is not a simple comedy that anyone can tune in to on a weekend. You have to be prepared for the emotional roller coaster.
Breaking Bad ( 2008-2013)
Speaking of anxiety-inducing TV shows, Breaking Bad is certainly one of them. And while it is universally recognized as one of the best high-stakes dramas around, not everyone is going to be hooked the first time they see it.
However, this is the show you should revisit. When the emotions of the first viewing subside, the brilliance of the writing shines through and the excitement to see more kicks in.
Banshee (2013-2016)
Pre-The Boys Antony Starr 's action TV show is a great way to spend the days leading up to the season 4 premiere. However, the show doesn't pull viewers in quite as quickly as The Boys, so it might be worth trying to get past the first episode and sit through a few more.
If you enjoy a lot of well-choreographed action sequences and fight scenes, this show will definitely find a special place in your heart.
Community ( 2009-2015)
For many, Community remains one of the best TV shows of all time, thanks to its clever premise, constant breaking of the fourth wall, and various pop culture references. To get to all that greatness, though, you have to sit through the pilot, which is a struggle to say the least.
It's always hard to sell a concept like this to an audience, and Community tried very hard. Maybe they succeeded, considering the 6 full seasons and the upcoming movie based on the show. But trying hard is always obvious, and not in the best way.
Black Mirror ( 2011-...)
It's hard to call the very first episode of Black Mirror a pilot, since the show is an ontology series. However, because it is the introduction to the range of topics the show will continue to cover, it can be very intense and difficult to comprehend. Not everyone is a fan of dark shows, especially those that prophesy a bleak future.
However, Black Mirror keeps its place at the top of every sci-fi rating for a reason, and it is exactly as good as people say it is. So every fan of the genre should give it a try.
The Office ( 2005-2013)
If you've ever tried to watch The Office but couldn't get through the first episode, you're not alone. The show has its legacy, it has been memed to the point that everyone will remember it for years to come. However, to get into it, you have to embrace the cringe, and not many can do that from the get-go.
In the end, don't worry too much if you've decided that The Office just isn't for you. You've probably already seen the best scenes all over social media.
Physical (2021-2023)
Created by Annie Weisman for Apple TV Plus, the show is meant to be a social commentary on the issue of body shaming and body image among women. The show does just that, which has earned it a lot of positive reviews. However, everyone seems to fail to mention that the pilot was darker.
The level of self-hatred manifested in the way the main character thinks about herself is so devastating that viewers may want to drop the show altogether.
Source: Reddit