or


[08/01/03 - 12:00 AM]
Trio Slates Failed Pilots for September
By Brian Ford Sullivan (TFC)

CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- Trio will celebrate failure in September as the network plans to dust off a handful of pilots that never made the cut as part of its new "Brilliant But Cancelled" ongoing series. The ten rare pilots include some of the early TV work of George Clooney, Edie Falco, Kiefer Sutherland, James Spader and Steven Spielberg. Also as part of the launch, Trio will debut a new documentary entitled "Brilliant But Canceled: Pilot Season" narrated by Paul Rudd ("Friends").

Here's a breakdown of everything you can expect from Trio beginning in September (taken from the network's press release):

LOOKWELL! (Monday, September 1 at 8:00/7:00c): This camp classic, written by Conan O'Brien and Robert Smigel, stars Adam West as a washed up former TV detective who decides to use his fake crime fighting skills to solve real crimes. (NBC, 1993)

BEAT COPS (Monday, September 1 at 8:30/7:30c): Filmed in a cinema-v�rit� style and without a laugh track, this low-budget half-hour comedy stars Sam Seder and Jon Benjamin as two NYPD desk cops sent out on the holiday beat. The two clueless policemen are oblivious to the city and the volatile citizens around them. Seder co-wrote the pilot with Charles Fisher. (FOX, 2002)

BRILLIANT BUT CANCELLED: PILOT SEASON (Monday, September 1 at 9:00/8:00c): Co-produced with World of Wonder, examines the pitch process - from idea to show order � and programs that should have, could have and would have, but never did, make it to air. The documentary showcases previously un-aired clips from pilots that have never seen the light of day. The full story behind these landmark pilots comes from producers, writers and stars caught up in the trenches of pilot season including Adam West (star, "Lookwell"); Conan O'Brien (creator, "Lookwell"), Warren Littlefield (former NBC Entertainment President); Darren Star (creator, "Sex and the City"); Marshall Herskovitz (creator, "thirtysomething"), Tom Fontana (creator, "Oz") and Bernie Brillstein (producer, "Just Shoot Me").

L.A. CONFIDENTIAL (Monday, September 1 at 10:00/9:00c): Starring Kiefer Sutherland as embattled police detective Jack Vincennes, this dramatic pilot is based on the critically acclaimed film of the same name and follows the glamour and seediness of 1950's Los Angeles. Eric Roberts is also featured. (FOX, 2000)

FARGO (Tuesday, September 2 at 9:00/8:00c): Based on the 1996 Academy Award winning film by Joel and Ethan Coen and starring pre-"Sopranos" Edie Falco, this pilot brings the very pregnant chief of police, Marge Gunderson, to the small screen. Developed by Bruce Paltrow and Robert Palm, and directed by Kathy Bates, the series features the quirky characters of a small Midwestern town and the investigative prowess of Chief Gunderson. (CBS, 1997)

DEAR DIARY (Tuesday, September 2 at 10:00/9:00c): A sort of love letter to New York City, the pilot chronicles a day in the life of a married New Yorker, played by Bebe Neuwirth. A reworked version of the show won the Oscar for best short film. (ABC, 1996)

SICK IN THE HEAD (Tuesday, September 2 at 10:30/9:30c): In this screwball comedy, a newbie shrink gets a suicide case as one of his first patients. Starring Kevin Corrigan, Andrea Martin, David Krumholtz as a new psychiatrist and Amy Poehler as hispatient. (FOX, 1999)

REWRITE FOR MURDER (Wednesday, September 3 at 10:00/9:00c): Pam Dawber stars as a prim female mystery writer who clashes with ex-con George Clooney both on and off screen when they are forced together to help revitalize her television show. (CBS, 1991)

SAVAGE (Thursday, September 4 at 9:00/8:00c): Steven Spielberg directs this pilot about a television news magazine show. Starring Martin Landau and Barbara Bain (real-life husband and wife) as an investigative journalist and a television producer for the politically charged television show. The pilot also guest stars Dabney Coleman and Will Geer. (NBC, 1973)

DINER (Friday, September 5 at 9:00/8:00c): Based on Barry Levinson's 1982 hit movie set in 1960 Baltimore, the pilot focuses on 5 men who are making an awkward transition into adulthood and who gather nightly at the local diner to hash out problems and grapple with responsibilities. Starring James Spader, Michael Madsen, Paul Reiser, and Michael Binder. (CBS, 1983)

BLACK BART (Friday, September 5 at 9:30/8:30c): Based on Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles, Louis Gossett, Jr. and Steve Landesberg star in this pilot that chronicles the adventures of a black sheriff and his quick-draw deputy working in a small, bigoted Arizona town in the Old West. (1975)

Each of the pilots will be repeated at various times during the week.

Then beginning Monday, September 8, "Brilliant But Cancelled" will being its regular run of weeknights at 8:00/7:00c. The one-hour block will feature one drama or two comedies from the network's current stable of programs such as "The Ernie Kovacs Show," "East Side/West Side," "The PJs," "God, The Devil and Bob" and "Gun," all of which have previously been showcased on the channel. The network has also acquired one "new" brilliant but cancelled series for its repeat stable:

BAKERSFIELD P.D. (1993): When successful D.C. detective Paul Gigante moves to the small town of Bakersfield, he joins the madcap adventures of the quirky police squad. From a Captain that can't make any decisions to a partner that is a little too obsessed with TV cop shows, this squad of misfits and imbeciles provides plenty of sitcom fodder. Ron Eldard, Giancarlo Esposito, Chris Mulkey and Brian Doyle Murray star. The series makes its cable premiere on Monday, September 8, with a new episode airing each night during the week at 8:00 p.m., ET/PT.

For complete showtimes of all its series, check the network's official web site for more information.





  [june 2026]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· FRIENDS (NBC)
· GOD, THE DEVIL AND BOB (NBC)
· JUST SHOOT ME (NBC)
· OZ (HBO)
· PJS, THE (WB)
· SEX AND THE CITY (HBO)
· SOPRANOS, THE (HBO)





[06/08/26 - 10:55 AM]
Production Begins on Season Two of CBS' "Marshals" - The #1 New Broadcast Series
Produced by Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios, the series averaged 20.4 million multiplatform viewers for the first eight episodes.

[06/08/26 - 10:01 AM]
Video: "The Bear" - Season 5 Official Trailer - Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach - FX
The final season premieres June 25.

[06/08/26 - 10:00 AM]
Rocket, Groot, Mr. Fantastic and Silk Join "Marvel's Spidey and His Amazing Friends" Season 5, Premiering July 13
This season will introduce a new "Rescue-Webs" story arc in which Team Spidey is able to tackle even more daring rescues with their new Spidey-themed firetruck and rescue gear.

[06/08/26 - 09:16 AM]
"Lupin" Part 4 Will Premiere on October 23rd on Netflix
Omar Sy reprises his iconic role as Assane Diop, the gentleman thief, in these new eight episodes alongside Ludivine Sagnier, Antoine Gouy, Soufiane Guerrab, Shirine Boutella, Théo Christine and Laïka Blanc-Francard.

[06/08/26 - 09:04 AM]
Chef Anna Gass Returns for Season 2 of "Instant Italian" Premiering Monday, June 29 on FYI Network
Season 2 of "Instant Italian" joins chef, cookbook author, recipe developer, and culinary influencer Anna Francese Gass back in the kitchen as she shares fresh takes on beloved Italian dishes.

[06/08/26 - 09:03 AM]
ESPN Scores Second Most-Watched WCWS Finals on Record; Game 2 Delivers Most-Watched College Softball Game Ever
Game 2 averaged 2.5 million viewers across ESPN/ESPNU, delivering the most-watched college softball game on record.

[06/08/26 - 08:31 AM]
Video: "The American Experiment" - Official Trailer - Netflix
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the new five-part documentary series The American Experiment reexamines the improbable achievement that was the nation's founding, and the radical question at the center of the revolution: Can a people govern themselves?

[06/08/26 - 08:01 AM]
Roku Originals Celebrates the Greatest Women in Sports with "Gamechangers: America's Top 25 Female Athletes," Executive Produced by Sue Bird, Alex Morgan, and Peyton Manning
This hour-long special, which is the second iteration of Roku's "Gamechangers" anthology series, will feature interviews with star athletes, sports media voices, and celebrities, celebrating the legacy and impact of 25 of the greatest female athletes in American sports history.

[06/08/26 - 08:01 AM]
BritBox Announces "Hercule," Starring Edward Bluemel as Agatha Christie's Legendary Detective Hercule Poirot
The series takes a magnifying glass to three of Christie's most celebrated stories, while also charting Hercule's burgeoning friendship with Captain Arthur Hastings, his early encounters with Scotland Yard's James Japp, and introducing him to one particular nemesis...

[06/08/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: Prime Video Drops Official Trailer for High-Octane Series "Ride or Die" Starring Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham
A Paramount Television Studios and Amazon MGM Studios production, the fast-paced series will debut all eight episodes on Wednesday, July 15, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories around the world.

[06/08/26 - 08:00 AM]
Video: New Teaser for "Descendants: Wicked Wonderland" Drops Down the Rabbit Hole, Debuting July 16 on Disney Channel and Next Day on Disney+
A new teaser was revealed today, along with the premiere date, poster art and casting news confirming that critically acclaimed actress and comedian Awkwafina will step into the twisted world of Wonderland as Chessy the Cat.

[06/08/26 - 07:01 AM]
Meet Scooby-Doo! Netflix Reveals Live-Action Take on the Iconic Canine
This marks the first time in the Scooby-Doo franchise that the character of Scooby-Doo will be portrayed by a real dog.

[06/08/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: Disney's Andscape Debuts Trailer for "They Fight," Starring Andre Holland, Wendell Pierce, and Samira Wiley Ahead of the Film's World Premiere at Tribeca
The film follows a reformed ex-con who finds purpose mentoring young boxers at a Washington, D.C. youth gym as they pursue their dreams in and out of the ring.

[06/08/26 - 07:00 AM]
National Geographic's Fin-Favorite Summer Event Returns with Even More Shark-Filled Fun, Kicking Off with Marquee Special "Hammerhead Sharks Up Close with Bertie Gregory
Additional fin-tastic programming will roll out throughout the month across Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo Mundo, Disney Channel and Disney XD, with select titles also streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.

[06/06/26 - 12:01 AM]
Video: New Teaser - Hulu Original Series "Rivals" Season 2 Return
The UK original returns this November on Hulu, and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers, in the US and Disney+ internationally.