Geektown’s Pick Of The Pilots – Early 2017
As we start to head into the second month of 2017, we’re beginning to see the US networks look at new shows to fill the gaps left by series that are ending, or that have been cancelled. As usual, there is a wide range on offer, from comedy, to sci-fi, to straight drama. In the list below, we’ve taken a look at what we think are the most interesting picks of the upcoming pilots this season.
For this list, we’ve only chosen pilots, and not shows which already have full season orders. Whilst we are looking forward to shows like the rebooted Strike Back, Altered Carbon, Lost In Space, Marvel’s The Inhumans, and Star Trek: Discovery, they have all been picked up to series, therefore aren’t listed below.
So bear in mind, the shows below are pilots orders only, and might not make it into production.
COMEDY
Start Up (production title) – ABC
Start Up sees Zach Braff return to tv comedy, both starring and directed in a new show with Scrubs co-EP Matt Tarses. Based on based on Alex Blumberg’s podcast of the same name, it start Braff as a 30yr old family man, with a wife and kids, who quits his high paying job to start his own business. Tarses is set to write the series.
Why are we excited?
Whilst the premise seems like a pretty standard sitcom set up, having the Scrubs team of Zach Braff and Matt Tarses back together again is something worth keeping an eye on.
Singularity – FX
Written by Sonny Lee (Silicon Valley, 2 Broke Girls, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), Singularity is a half-hour comedy based on Ray Kurzweil’s hypothesis that at some point in the next 50yrs, a supercomputer A.I. will enter a ‘runaway reaction’ of self-improvement cycles, becoming a superintelligence that would far surpass all human intelligence. This ‘singularity’ with create profound changes in human society. Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg are set to exec produce.
Why are we excited?
Apart from the fact Lee, Rogen and Goldberg really know their comedy, I think the most interesting thing about the idea is the fact the premise could easily play as a dystopian drama. We rather like the idea that it’s going the other way, and playing it for laughs.
DRAMA
Mayans MC – FX
A spin off from the brilliant Sons Of Anarchy focusing on their ‘frienamey’ biker gang. The show follows ‘EZ Reyes’, who is a prospect for a Mayans MC charter on the border of California & Mexico. He is struggling with his desire for vengeance against the local cartel, and his need for the women in his life to respect him. Kurt Sutter is back behind the camera, with Elgin James (Little Birds) joining on writing duties.
Why are we excited?
You really have to ask?… Anything that brings us back to the Sons Of Anarchy universe is something we’re excited about!
Killer Instinct (formerly known as Dr. Death) – CBS
Alan Cumming stars in an adaptation of James Patterson’s upcoming novel about a former CIA operative who now has a “normal” life as a gifted professor and writer. He is pulled back into his old CIA world when the NYPD needs his help to stop a serial killer.
Why are we excited?
Less excited, more a sense that this will probably ludicrous and fun. Patterson is the man responsible for the utterly ridiculous, but highly entertaining Zoo. So given that background, coupled with Alan Cumming taking the lead, it’s one to watch.
Marvel’s Runaways – Hulu
Runaways follows a gang of teens who, well… run away… when they discover their parents are part of a super-villain group called ‘The Pride’. Upon learning their true heritage, some discover they have abilities, so set out with their new found powers (along with magical items stolen from their evil parents), to defeat ‘The Pride’. It’s been written by Gossip Girl’s Josh Schwartz & Stephanie Savage, based on the comic book by Brian K. Vaughan (Buffy Season 8, Saga) and Adrian Alphona (Ms. Marvel, Uncanny X-Force).
Why are we excited?
Firstly, it’s another Marvel show, so yay. Secondly, the creative team behind it not only created Gossip Girl, but Schwartz was also co-creator of The O.C. and Chuck. Plus we love the source material.
Marvel’s ‘Untitled’ X-Men Series – Fox
From Burn Notice’s Matt Nix comes Fox’s first full-on X-Men tv series. It focuses on a family who find themselves on the run from a hostile government, when the parents discover their two children have mutant powers. The only way to save themselves it by joining an underground network of mutants and fight to survive. Bryan Singer, Lauren Shuler Donner, Simon Kinberg, Marvel’s Jeph Loeb and Jim Chory exec producing. Singer will also direct the pilot.
Why are we excited?
It’s an X-Men tv show… Need we say more? Also, we’re huge fans of Nix’s work on Burn Notice, and to have Mr. X-Men himself, Bryan Singer, direct the pilot, the show clearly has something going for it.
Happy! – Syfy
Nick Sax, a corrupt, intoxicated ex-cop turned hit-man, adrift in a stinking twilight world of casual murder, soulless sex, eczema, and betrayal. With a hit gone wrong, a bullet in his side, the cops and the mob on his tail, and a monstrous child killer in a Santa suit on the loose, Nick and his world will be changed forever… by a tiny blue horse called Happy! Based on the Grant Morrison’s graphic novel.
Why are we excited?
Grant Morrison himself is writing the adaptation, along with Brian Taylor (Jonah Hex, Crank). It’s one of Morrison’s suitably bonkers ideas. I mean, come on… Who doesn’t want to see a hit-man with his tiny blue horse on screen!
Krypton – Syfy
The show tells the story of Seg-El (Cameron Cuffe), grandfather to Kal-El, aka Superman. Set two generations before Krypton get’s all explodey, in a time when the House Of El has been ostracised and shamed, Seg fights to restore the family’s name and honour, and stop his world from descending in to chaos. David S. Goyer (Constantine, Man Of Steel, Da Vinci’s Demons, BvS: Dawn of Justice) is set to write the show with Ian B. Goldberg (Once Upon a Time, Terminator: TSCC). Damian Kindler (Sanctuary, Sleepy Hollow, Stargate SG-1) will serve as showrunner.
Why are we excited?
Goyer knows his DC inside out, so if anyone can pull this off, it’s him. It’s also an area he’s touched on before in Man Of Steel, but this goes even further back into Kryptonian history.
Deception – ABC
When his career is ruined by scandal, superstar magician Cameron Black has only one place to turn to practice his art of deception, illusion and influence: the FBI. He’ll become the world’s first consulting illusionist, helping the government solve crimes that defy explanation and trap criminals and spies by using deception. Written by Chris Fedak (Chuck, Forever, Legends of Tomorrow), with Greg Berlanti exec producing.
Why are we excited?
Interesting concept which could make for a really fun show. Fedak has a great track record of writing entertaining shows (even if they don’t always find an audience.) Plus you have the monolithic god of the DC/CW universe Greg Berlanti overseeing the project.
So that’s a rundown of the pilots that have caught our eye so far this season! We’ll update you as we get more information on how they’re progressing. In the meantime, if you want to know the latest uk air date information for any shows, come look at the UK Air Dates page here.
