Pilot Previews

I went to a television preview presentation today to watch pilots for two new programs that may be picked up by one or two of the networks. I got the ticket for it in the mail - for free. It was pretty interesting; I saw the pilots, I filled out a questionnaire on how I liked them (or didn't - more of which in a second), and I had to answer some silly questions about the products some television sponsors are advertising. They try to get all kinds of information like this from people.

The first show was a drama about a couple who knew each other in a past life and reconnect sixty years later. It was awful; the plot barely made any sense, the dialogue was inane, and the whole concept was something even Shirley MacLaine would have laughed at. Only the acting from the female lead (I can't remember her name) was redeemable.

The second program, a sitcom featuring Valerie Harper - the Valerie Harper - as a city manager was better, and it had some good jokes and a sense of humor, though I think it needs work before it gets picked up. The writing could be sharper, a little "Ed"-style mix of drama in with the comedy might help, and a couple of characters need to be written out. But Valerie Harper herself is still in top form; she needs a new TV series. It's been too long since she last had one.

Maybe I'll go to another one of these presentations.