2013 edition of our annual feature 20 Pilots We Hope Get Made Into Series based on what little info we have.
This year's crop of potential series is a huge step up from last season's, This year I can almost tell the truth! To make the list, I divided my picks equally among comedy and drama, then instantly threw out any series about normal detectives or doctors, all comedies about 20-somethings navigating the dating world, and pretty much every show about parents moving back in with their kids (seriously, there are like 10 of those in development).
Instead, I paid close attention to high-concept loglines that jumped off the page, talented cast members, and creators' previous work in picking out winners.
== UNTITLED DAN GOOR/MIKE SCHUR COMEDY
Network: Fox
Genre: Single-camera Keystone Kops comedy
Starring: Andy Samberg (the penis-in-a-box guy from SNL), Andre Braugher (Last Resort), Terry Crews (the really muscly Old Spice guy), Melissa Fumero (Gossip Girl), Chelsea Peretti (Parks and Recreation). From Parks and Recreation writers Dan Goor and Mike Schur.
What it's about in one sentence: A diverse bunch of New York cops get into comedy capers!
Why we want to see it: Because everyone loves Police Academy! Samberg has been overdue for a TV series for a long time, and even though Brauer is known for drama, the man can do funny very well. What's not to like about a bunch of goofy cops?
Why it might not make it: This has to be a shoo-in to make the schedule, doesn't it? The only way it won't is if a network exec suffers a brain fart. So I guess a 75-percent chance it doesn't make it.
== INFLUENCE
Network: ABC
Genre: Manipulative drama
Starring: Christian Slater (Breaking In), Steve Zahn (Treme), Megalyn Echikunwoke (Made in Jersey). From Awake creator Kyle Killen.
What it's about in one sentence: Two brothers, one a genius and the other a con, start an agency to solve problems using the real science of manipulation and motivation.
Why we want to see it: Though this sounds much more grounded than Killen's other material, the man knows how to make good television. Zahn is also a favorite, and we're rooting for Slater to break his curse.
Why it might not make it: Are manipulation and motivation sexy enough to draw in a big audience? Yes they are, especially in Killen's hands, and I'll give you a dollar to believe me.
== PULLING
Network: ABC
Genre: Single-camera British adaptation of a pretty good show
Starring: Kristen Schaal (Flight of the Conchords, The Daily Show), June Diane Raphael (New Girl), Jenny Slate (House of Lies, Saturday Night Live), Matt Oberg (The Onion News Network, Ugly Americans)
What it's about in one sentence: Based on the British series of the same name, three 30-something ladies live like they're college kids and are clueless about settling down.
Why we want to see it: Look at that cast! Schaal and Slate are particular favorites, and they're ideal for roles like this. Plus, when Schaal stepped in to replace Mandy Moore, one of the pilot's original casting choices (WTF?), it was a great sign that the creators had refined their sense of direction. We're hoping this is the big break for the very funny Oberg, too.
Why it might not make it: A wise man once said, "STOP IT WITH THE BRITISH ADAPTATIONS ALREADY!" That wise man is dead now—he was killed when NBC announced it was adapting Free Agents—but his wisdom still lives on.
== BEVERLY HILLs COP
Network: CBS
Genre: The old banana-in-the-tailpipe cop procedural
Starring: Brandon T. Jackson (Tropic Thunder), Eddie Murphy (Beverly Hills Cop), Christine Lahti (Chicago Hope), David Denman (The Office), Kevin Pollack (The Usual Suspects)
What it's about in one sentence: It's an update of the classic comedy, following Axel Foley's son as he tries to live outside his famous cop dad's shadow. From Last Resort and Terriers creator Shawn Ryan.
Why we want to see it: We'd watch a puppet show by Shawn Ryan, simply because of his superb track record. But have you seen Beverly Hills Cop lately? That movie holds up VERY well even today, and if Ryan can wrangle the spirit of the film, this could be the type of procedural that's worth watching.
Why it might not make it: Beverly Hills Cop was one of those films where everything went right; the TV update will need that kind of luck, too.
== MIXOLOGY
Network: ABC
Genre: Boozy, single-camera comedy
Starring: Kate Simses (What's Your Number), Ginger Gonzaga (Ted, Legit), Blake Lee (Parks and Recreation)
What it's about in one sentence: Hot chicks and hunky dudes head to a chi-chi Manhattan bar looking for lust.
Why we want to see it: The logline makes it sound as plain as a vodka soda, but there's a catch: There are 10 lead characters (which explains the "Who?" casting) and the entire first season chronicles one night. So it's like The Nine but with less murder and more maraschino cherries. We're still trying to figure out whether having the writers of The Hangover behind it helps it or hurts it, though.
Why it might not make it: I'm waiting for more serialized comedy, you're waiting for more serialized comedy, but TV networks HATE serialized comedy. This sounds like a serialized comedy, and that means it'll have to be really funny to make it to air. Then it can be unceremoniously canceled.
== THE SELECTION
Network: The CW
Genre: Post-apocalyptic deja vu teen drama
Starring: Michael Malarkey, Yael Groblas, Anthony Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Lucien Laviscount (who cares, look at that name!)
What it's about in one sentence: Based on a book and set 300 years in the future, the drama follows a young woman who wins a lottery to compete to be the next queen of a war-ravaged country.
Why we want to see it: Because it didn't make it to air last year when it was also on this list, and we want to see why The CW decided to give it another try with a total overhaul. Plus, I look forward to typing the name "Lucien Laviscount" over and over again when we cover it. But really, the story here is sort of Hunger Games-ish but with less killing.
Why it might not make it: It didn't work the first time, why should it work the second time?
Culled from TV.com
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