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The Pilot Thread


Paul Raven

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From that same channel, Anything For Love, which failed to make NBC's 1985-86 schedule. With all due respect to Lauren Tewes and Vicki Lawrence, that this was under consideration seems less about their star power and/or chemistry and more that NBC wanted its own Kate & Allie. Still, kudos to Lauren for being rehabilitated enough in one year to already go on the comeback trail.

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I think one of the reasons that pilot didn't get picked up was because Vicki L was associated more with being Thelma Harper and playing older then she was playing her own age.  It was a blessing it didn't get picked up, or we would have been deprived of the syndicated era of Mama's Family.   Also, worth noting a Pre Night Court Marsha Warfield and pre Perfect Strangers Rebecca Arthur in the cast.  All talented women, but stuck with a bad script.

And the other pilot had a pre Fran Fine.. Fran Drescher as the best friend.  I think that pilot might have been picked up if Karen Valentine and Fran Drescher switched roles.

Edited by Soaplovers
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It's pilots like "Hurricane Sam" and "Anything for Love" that makes me so afraid to write professionally, because, my God, what if I actually tried and came up with something just as awful, if not worse (if that's even possible)?

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In my field (not that) I've written my share of dreck when it's what people wanted vs. something good. In the end what matters is the check. These pilots may not be great, but whether or not those writers intended otherwise they got paid.

Edited by Vee
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Some initial thoughts.

 

1) a Who's who back in the day with an assortment of well known performers.

2) Surprised Debra Messing would agree to play a conservative character

3) Not surprised a network didn't pick this up because showing a conservative that is human/likable is a no no in Hollywood LOL

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