This is awesome. A sitcom pilot that was passed on by NBC and the WB may get a second chance after becoming a YouTube sensation. (That’s a NYTimes link which is good right now, I think, but may go behind a paywall at some point.) It’s called “Nobody’s Watching” (and yes, they actually reference the issues with that title in the show), and it’s about a couple of sitcom fanatics who get the chance to go to Hollywood and produce a sitcom…the twist is that they’re being filmed twenty-four-seven while they do it, and it’s being broadcast as a reality show. Sort of a Truman Show vibe, and a little Sports Night in places. It’s not the best show I’ve ever seen, but it’s more amusing than a lot of sitcoms that do get aired. You can see it on YouTube here (there are three parts, but you can get to them all from there).
The exciting thing is that networks are taking notice of the show’s YouTube success and reconsidering it–opening the door for networks to actually start “getting” the internet and what a great tool it could be. If networks would throw the pilots they get on YouTube, or heck, even on their own sites (prominantly, not like the half-hidden “Lazy Sunday” link) and let the public watch them, comment on them, discuss them over the summer, wouldn’t they have a much better idea of what could be a hit come fall? Especially since they were concerned that “Nobody’s Watching” wouldn’t make it because the plot was too convoluted for people to understand. Please. *eyeroll* I would love the opportunity to see pilots early. I really hope the networks wise up. Then at least we could have something interesting to watch over the summer, right?
jennifer
Your comparison to Sports Night makes me want to take a look at Who’s Watching. SN was a great show that didn’t last long enough for me. The writing and the way it was filmed gave it a very different feel that was refreshing. It also was my intro to Felicity Huffman, who is now one of my favorite actresses.
jennifer
Your comparison to Sports Night makes me want to take a look at Who’s Watching. SN was a great show that didn’t last long enough for me. The writing and the way it was filmed gave it a very different feel that was refreshing. It also was my intro to Felicity Huffman, who is now one of my favorite actresses.
Jandy
I don’t think it’s as good as SN, but then, SN is one of the best shows that was ever cancelled before its time. ;) I haven’t watched all of SN yet…I’m savoring them. Agreed, Felicity Huffman is amazing. Have you watched any of Desperate Housewives? She’s one of the more consistently impressive parts of it.
Jandy
I don’t think it’s as good as SN, but then, SN is one of the best shows that was ever cancelled before its time. ;) I haven’t watched all of SN yet…I’m savoring them. Agreed, Felicity Huffman is amazing. Have you watched any of Desperate Housewives? She’s one of the more consistently impressive parts of it.
Jennifer
i’ve been watching DH since it started. At first, it seemed like lots of christians I knew thought it was too tawdry to watch. But I have enjoyed the writing and the mystery elements. Recently I got Mark interested, and we just finished watching both seasons together on the computer. Lynette is one of our favorite characters.
Jennifer
i’ve been watching DH since it started. At first, it seemed like lots of christians I knew thought it was too tawdry to watch. But I have enjoyed the writing and the mystery elements. Recently I got Mark interested, and we just finished watching both seasons together on the computer. Lynette is one of our favorite characters.
Jandy
Yay, DH! I feel the same way…I’ve really enjoyed it, but I always hesitate to bring it up because of the perceived “tawdry” aspect. But in the first season particularly, the writing was nearly as high-quality as anything else on TV. I still have two episodes of S2 to watch.
Jandy
Yay, DH! I feel the same way…I’ve really enjoyed it, but I always hesitate to bring it up because of the perceived “tawdry” aspect. But in the first season particularly, the writing was nearly as high-quality as anything else on TV. I still have two episodes of S2 to watch.