2016 Bought Us These TV Gems

 Another Fall TV season is upon us, and I'm not sure if there aren't any new good shows on the horizon. I haven't been paying attention, or networks have thrown in the towel and just don't promote new series very much anymore. I couldn't tell you one new show that will debut this fall season.

What I can tell you though, is about 2016 and television. I started researching shows that debuted in the fall that year, and went down a rabbit whole of shows that debuted throughout the year. Man, that year with the rise of streaming and network and cable TV still in the fight. Bought us some major heavy hitters that are still loved today, and makes you say damn its been that long? Let's dive into the gems in television 2016 gave us.

The Crown

While it wasn't my cup of tea, Netflix's The Crown which told the story of Queen Elizabeth in her younger years, and the Royal family escapades. Became a major hit for the streamer and lasted 6 seasons.

Legends Of Tomorrow

In the mid-2010s when it came to superheroes and TV, the CW Arrowverse was unmatched. So its not surprising they took a time traveling show featuring mostly B characters from the DC lore and made it work. Running for 7 seasons, the show did tail off but that first season was a work of art

Luke Cage

When Marvel and Netflix partnered up to bring the MCU to the streamer, on the "ground" level. They couldn't have picked a better superhero to kickstart the iniative. Released September 30th, 2016 Cage proved to be a bad ass superhero Harlem needed.

Cage's success and long term plans led to associated shows which led to a eventual Defenders series. Yet, nothing was as good as the first season of Luke Cage.

Billions

Billions was a major hit for the showtime network (sad how far that network has fallen). It followed the world of hedge funds and corruption, which if you read headlines is like a every second occurrence. Paul Giamatti shines as a U.S. states attorney after a billionaire played by Damian Lewis.

In a show that covered the corruption of wall street and designed to make you hate billionaires. It sure had the opposite effect as audiences flocked in every week for the show, which ran for 7 seasons.

Westworld

HBO's sci fi dystopia series Westworld, was based on a film from the 1970's. Set at a adult theme park featuring androids, the series had a cast of heavy hitters. Along with thought provoking stories regarding humans dependence on technology. It last for four seasons but only produced 36 episodes, due to the sheer cost of making it. HBO's inconsistencies in deciding when to renew or cancel the show didnt help the shows chances.

Animal Kingdom 

One of my favorite TV shows of all time, cause you know I love a good heist movie/series. Animal Kingdom was probably TNT's last big hit or one of the last ones. Adapted from  a 2010 Australian film. The series followed a young man who moves in with ruthless controlling Queenpin grandmother, and his uncles. All grown men who she keeps a tight lease on to keep her empire running.

Family drama and action was abound in this series which ran for 6 seasons.

Vice Principals

Now, I personally believe Danny McBride's style of comedy is a acquired taste. Hot damn Vice Principals was a laugh riot though. This HBO show co starring Walter Foggins was a gem that flew under the radar. Which is such a shame because it was so damn funny.

Atlanta

Ah Atlanta, Donald Glovers masterpiece that may have been ahead of its time. The FX series was a combination of several genres, that you never knew which would be the primary genre in any given episode. Episodes were straight comedy, another one fantasy, another horror, some where even of the what the f is this genre?

It all worked within the world that the series created though. Those 4 seasons of genius TV were something special.

Insecure

Man HBO was on a roll in 2016 with their series. Insecure starring Issa Rae who found fame on YouTube, was the perfect coming of age series for Millennials at that time. Taking a honest look at the Millennial struggles through family drama, careers, and of course relationships. Running for 5 seasons, audiences got to grow with Issa and crew. Making us feel like we were apart of the world.

This Is Us

If you love Hulu's Paradise and for some reason have not watched This Is Us, you are doing yourself a disservice. Both series were created by Dan Fogelman and have the same story structure. When This Is Us debuted on NBC in 2016, I was hooked at the end of episode one. The series became absolute Must See TV for me when it aired live, and I felt like shedding a tear during the series finale in 2022.

Following the Pearson family through several decades. The show always tugged at your heart strings or asking what big reveal is next? I could go on and on about that show, just know it is a masterpiece.

Stranger Things

Netflix's first big juggernaut property debuted in the summer of 2016. Taking inspiration from several films from the 1980s, this nostalgic sci fi, coming of age blend captured audiences attention worldwide. Literally in the snap of a finger!

It soon became a pop culture phenomenon and each season was met, with even higher expectations than the season before. It became so popular that the final episode was released in theaters as well as streaming, New Years Day this year. And theaters were packed! 

This little engine that could got its start in 2016 and didn't brake for 5 seasons. 

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TV Pilots That Didn't Make The Cut

 It's upfront week, which in the world of Hollywood is when networks and streamers announce new show lineups. They also announce what shows are not returning This is to entice sponsors to buy ad time and start building promotion for the coming shows. While it's still a pomp and circumstance week, it's nowhere near the spectacle it once was.

All the debuting shows that make it, were given the go ahead based on their respective pilots. A pilot is simply a prototype episode of a series, to gauge the potential of it attracting an audience and being a success. So I started thinking about all of the pilots filmed, and came up with ten you may not know existed. Or know it existed but didnt know the story behind it

10. Powerpuff Girls

This live action adaption of the Cartoon network classic, was set for a fall 2021 debut on the CW network. Chloe Bennett, Yana Perrault, Dove Cameron rounded out the trio. While Donald Faison and Robyn Lively also were members of the cast. 

The pilot received negative reviews, and after several attempts to rework it. The show was officially considered DOA in 2023. Clips of it have found their way to YouTube.

9. Sisqo/Bob Newhart Pilot

                                                      

Back in 2021, Sisqo was still kind of on top of the world. Still riding strong from his solo debut album Unleash The Dragon and it's hit song Thong Song. Around this time, if a network thought they could make some money off your star appeal they would try. So, a pilot was developed with Sisqo at NBC with Bob Newhart co-starring.

The two would star as an odd couple business partners. The show wasnt picked up, and internet lore says the pilot was honestly horrible. Which probably tracks since there is no trace of footage online anywhere.

8. Marvel's Most Wanted

A spin-off of Agents Of Shield, this 2015 pilot featured Adrianna Palicki and Nick Blood reprising their characters from the series. It would focus on two separated from the spy agency, and on the run from various parties. Presumably to clear their names from something, but details about the series other than they would be on the run are scant.

7. Wonder Woman 

Another Adrianna Palicki failed superhero pilot, 2011's Wonder Woman. Filmed for NBC, this pilot was supposed to bring Wonder Woman into the 21st century. Written by David E. Kelly who created and wrote beloved dramas like Doogie Howser, Picket Fences, Ally McBeal, Boston Public, Boston Legal, The Practice and Chicago Hope to name a few. With Pedro Pascal who later starred in the 2020 Wonder Woman '84 movie, Cary Elwes, Elizabeth Hurley, Tracie Thoms, and Edward Herrman rounded out the cast.

Switching up Wonder Woman's origin story a bit, the pilot followed the typical superhero trope of being a public figure running a corporation and a superhero. Far cry from what Wonder Woman is, and apparently it did not go over well. Clips of the pilot can be found on YouTube, and you can quickly see why it was cancelled.

6. Problem Child

An adaptation of the 1990 film which spawned 2 sequels and a cartoon, this planned 2015 pilot was set to bring the story to the 2010's. 

Matthew Lillard and Erinn Hayes were attached to star in the pilot. Playing the roles made famous by John Ritter and his wife Amy Yasbeck. The series was intended to be a single camera comedy (filmed like other comedies such as Modern Family, Bernie Mac Show etc.) The plot would of course feature the couple trying to prevent their mischievous son from getting into trouble. This actually could have worked and it's a shame it was not picked up.

5. Cruel Intentions 

Before Prime Video bought Cruel Intentions to the screen as a TV series last year. NBC filmed a pilot back in 2016 that was an continuation of the original film. Set 17 years after the film, Sarah Michelle Gellar reprised her role as Kathryn Mertueil. She would have the villain in the series trying to wrest control of the family company, from her step-nephew Sebastian and Annette's son Bash. Bash find's his father's old journal which introduces him into a strange world as he learns more about his father he never knew.

This was the second attempt at a series for Cruel Intentions, Fox tried in 2000. Just like that one, this series was not picked up. The actually had a good foundation to be an engaging series continuing the legacy of the original film.

4. Bow Wow Pilot

Many may see him as a clown, but at one time Bow Wow was one of the biggest stars walking the planet.  He had conquered the music demographic of teenage girls and stepped into the movie world already. So it only seemed right that in 2005 he tried to follow in the foot steps of Will Smith and Eve, and star in his own comedy series. He filmed a pilot for the WB network simply titled Bow, with Hollywood veterans like Kim Fields and Joey Lawrence joining the cast. The series followed Bow Wow as he was transitioning from a child star to an adult, which mirrored his life at the time.

The pilot is available on YouTube and actually had potential. With a lot of viewers leaving comments that they would have watched the show had it aired.

3. Supernatural: Bloodlines

The CW's long running and successful show Supernatural was planned to start a franchise. In 2014 the network conducted a "backdoor pilot" which is an episode of the original series, meant to introduce the characters for a new series. That episode occurred in season 9, episode 20 featured two characters Ennis Ross and Freddie Costa who are in the world of hunters and monsters in Chicago. It wasn't well received when it aired, likely because the Dean brothers weren't the focus of the series. Thus CW decided against making it a TV series and passed on the pilot.

2. Beverly Hills Cop TV series

In 2013 CBS network decided to revive The Beverly Hills Cop franchise. Brandon T. Jackson was tapped to lead the show as the son of Axel Foley. Unable to make a name for himself in the Detroit Police department, he decides to move to Beverly Hills where he still lives in his dad's shadow. The pilot featured Judge Rheinhold returning to the franchise, and Eddie Murphy himself passing the torch. Fortunately I think everyone realized a network TV show was not the right platform for this series, and without Eddie Murphy regularly appearing no one would likely tune in. 

The pilot is available on YouTube, while it had potential it was wisely passed over.

1. Aquaman

In the mid-2000's before the MCU kicked off and the Arrowverse ruled the CW network, the WB network aired Smallville. The origin story of Superman which was highly successful, the network decided to try the formula again and in 2006 produced Aquaman for a pilot. Starring Justin Hartley who later played Green Arrow in Smallville and became famous for This Is Us as Arthur Curry/Aquaman. Ving Rhames and Lou Diamond Phillips provided the veteran steady hands for the pilot. It took the Smallville formula, updating the source material and applying the "good looking" lead to bring in female fans. 

The pilot was not picked up but was offered through itunes to purchase, which was a huge deal back in 2006. The pilot shows that the series actually had potential and you could tell money was put into it to really sell the show. The pilot was on YouTube for years but seems to be taken down, however the trailer which got you looking forward to the series is still available.

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10 Late Night Talk Shows You Forgot

 Netflix is stepping back into the late night TV space as it pushes the limits of streaming. Premiering  Everybody's Live With John Mulaney this week on the platform. New episodes will be released every Wednesday for the next 12 weeks. The show got the wheels running in my brain about late night talk shows.

More specifically late night shows that did not last, often times because the host wasn't the right fit. There are other reasons as well, but it led me down my rabbit hole. Here are 10 Late Night talk shows you likely don't remember 

10. The Jay Leno Show

In 2004 Jay Leno announced that he would retire from The Tonight Show in 2009, and Conan O'Brien would take the reigns. Well 2009 comes and Leno has a change of heart, so to keep peace NBC gave Leno a show as the lead in to The Tonight Show.

After initial curiosity fans tuned out, and after a debacle of PR and talent nightmares. Conan O'Brien was out and moved on to another network, and Leno was back hosting The Tonight Show.

9. Whoopi Goldberg Show

Before she became a co-host of The View on weekday mornings. Whoopi Goldberg attempted to rule late night TV. Likely riding the wave of Arsenio Hall, Whoopi Goldberg was given her own show in 1992.

The half hour syndicated program featured Whoppi interviewing one guest in a sit down format. It was able to last a full season, producing 112 episodes before being canceled in 1993.

8. Chevy Chase Show

Back in 1993 Fox was still working to compete with the big three networks (ABC, CBS, NBC). They figured all those networks had late night talk shows, so they needed one. They hired comedy "legend" Chevy Chase to host his own talk show.Show.

Debuting in September that year, Chase's style of comedy and likely his personality. Just didn't resonate with a new generation, along with other hiccups the show was canceled by October. 

7. The Jon Stewart Show

Before he gained fame talking politics on The Daily Show, Jon Stewart had a little show that could on MTV. Debuting on MTV in 1993, The Jon Stewart Show was a 30 minute late night show that appealed to Gen X. With topics and guests that they could connect to.

The show gained so much popularity on the network, that it was reformatted and aired in syndication in the fall of '94. However the goodwill didn't extend in syndication and the show was canceled in June of '95.

6. Late Night With Zach

In 2002 long before gaining fame as the eccentric member of the wolfpack. Zach Galifianakis hosted a late night show on VH1. Well it was kind of a hybrid late night show and mockumentary. And Galifianakis's style of humor may have been too zany for alot of folks.

Debuting in March, the series was done and over with by May. It would take Zach another 7 years of grinding, before The Hangover made him a star.

5. VH1 Live

Before VH1 went full throttle into reality shows and reruns, they tried to expand their programming. VH1 Live! was born, hosted by a relatively unknown Marc Lamont Hill. Debuting in July of 2016, I'm not sure if people didn't know about the show. Or just didn't care for it, but it was canceled in September of that year. Helping pave the way for the VH1 we know today.

4. Busy Tonight

Busy Phillips is a Hollywood actress best known for playing the bubbly sidekick role. A lucrative career for her so far, someone came up with the  idea to give her a talk show. Airing on E! network in 2018, the show was able to produce over a 100 episodes. 

However Busy's style, topics, and guests seemed to cater to a niche audience, and the masses couldn't vibe with her. Resulting in the show ending in May of 2019.

3. Brand X With Russell Brand

In the early 2010's Russell Brand was one of the hottest comedians on the planet. After achieving success in a few film roles, FX decided to give him a late night talk shows. 

Debuting in 2012, Brand X with Russell Brand offered an unique concept initially as Brand did a monologue the entire time. The format switched up a bit later on to include guests, but Brand's style of comedy wasn't for everyone. It was a less is more approach for him and the show ended in May of 2013.

2. Too late with Adam Carolla

In 2005 after The Man Show ended and Jimmy Kimmel moved to ABC. Comedy Central wanted to keep his co-host Adam Carolla on the network, and Too Late With Adam Carolla was born. Debuting August that year, the show featured Carolla's brand of humor in a 30 minute format.

By himself he didn't connect with audiences, resulting in the show ending in November.

1. ALF's Hit Talk Show

In 2004 TV Land did what I thought was a genius move. They revived the character from 80's sitcom Alf and gave him his own talk show. With Ed McMahon as his sidekick, Alf actually interviewed guests and had banter with them.

The concept may have been ahead of its time, and maybe too meta for the audience. It ended after 7 episodes, but bought eyeballs to the network to watch Alf reruns.

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