{
  "id": 17631414,
  "title": "10 Great TV Shows That Had Bad Pilots",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/10-great-tv-shows-that-had-bad-pilots",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-01T16:02:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TVLine",
    "slug": "tvline",
    "url": "https://www.tvline.com/2301668/great-tv-shows-bad-pilots/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the realm of television, pilot episodes serve as a crucial test for new series, aiming to captivate audiences and set the tone for what's to come. However, not all pilots make a lasting impression. Some leave much to be desired, failing to entice viewers and hampering a show's eventual success. Here, we delve into 10 notable TV shows that had subpar pilots, but ultimately managed to rebound and achieve great acclaim.",
  "summary": "Some of the best TV shows of all time struggled to make a memorable impression out of the gate thanks to underwhelming pilot episodes.",
  "key_points": [
    "Ten TV shows featured weak pilots.",
    "Shows rebounded to become acclaimed.",
    "Pilots failed to entice viewers."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}