these shows started out on the right foot
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10 pilots in the history of TV drama that’s
pilots in the history of TV drama that’s
pilots in the history of TV drama that’s a good times have some good years here
a good times have some good years here
a good times have some good years here he goes now with the nostalgia hey all
he goes now with the nostalgia hey all
he goes now with the nostalgia hey all I’m saying is don’t marriage is perfect
I’m saying is don’t marriage is perfect
I’m saying is don’t marriage is perfect well havin a coup mod on the side helps
well havin a coup mod on the side helps
well havin a coup mod on the side helps for this list we’re excluding miniseries
for this list we’re excluding miniseries
for this list we’re excluding miniseries and focusing on shows that were popular
and focusing on shows that were popular
and focusing on shows that were popular successful and well-received by critics
successful and well-received by critics
successful and well-received by critics oh I understand completely and this is
oh I understand completely and this is
oh I understand completely and this is an official procedure really number 10
an official procedure really number 10
an official procedure really number 10 the x-files
how many other shows do you know that
how many other shows do you know that had a cult following and then went on to
had a cult following and then went on to
had a cult following and then went on to hit the mainstream
hit the mainstream
hit the mainstream well the x-files did just that in the
well the x-files did just that in the
well the x-files did just that in the sci-fi series pilot Special Agents Fox
sci-fi series pilot Special Agents Fox
sci-fi series pilot Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully
Mulder and Dana Scully
Mulder and Dana Scully are assigned to their first case
are assigned to their first case
are assigned to their first case together are you familiar with the
together are you familiar with the
together are you familiar with the so-called x-files I believes they have
so-called x-files I believes they have
so-called x-files I believes they have to do with unexplained phenomena more or
to do with unexplained phenomena more or
to do with unexplained phenomena more or less the reason you’re here agent Scully
less the reason you’re here agent Scully
less the reason you’re here agent Scully is we want you to assist mole to run
is we want you to assist mole to run
is we want you to assist mole to run these x-files right off the bat it’s not
these x-files right off the bat it’s not
these x-files right off the bat it’s not hard to see that Mulder believes in the
hard to see that Mulder believes in the
hard to see that Mulder believes in the paranormal oh yeah the episode doesn’t
paranormal oh yeah the episode doesn’t
paranormal oh yeah the episode doesn’t only showcase the partners chemistry
only showcase the partners chemistry
only showcase the partners chemistry people that have made you a close ID
people that have made you a close ID
people that have made you a close ID they’ve reported unexplained time left
they’ve reported unexplained time left
they’ve reported unexplained time left just like that but also introduces us to
just like that but also introduces us to
just like that but also introduces us to important characters and left us wanting
important characters and left us wanting
important characters and left us wanting to find out if the truth was really out
to find out if the truth was really out
to find out if the truth was really out there Cuba theory I have plenty of
there Cuba theory I have plenty of
there Cuba theory I have plenty of theories maybe what you can explain to
theories maybe what you can explain to
theories maybe what you can explain to me is why it’s Bureau policy to label
me is why it’s Bureau policy to label
me is why it’s Bureau policy to label these cases as unexplained phenomena and
these cases as unexplained phenomena and
these cases as unexplained phenomena and ignore them number 924 the following
ignore them number 924 the following
ignore them number 924 the following takes place between midnight and 1:00
takes place between midnight and 1:00
takes place between midnight and 1:00 a.m. on the day of the California
a.m. on the day of the California
a.m. on the day of the California presidential primary
presidential primary
presidential primary 24:00 had our hearts racing from the
24:00 had our hearts racing from the
24:00 had our hearts racing from the first tick of the clock beginning at the
first tick of the clock beginning at the
first tick of the clock beginning at the stroke of midnight the series first
stroke of midnight the series first
stroke of midnight the series first episode throws us into the action with
episode throws us into the action with
episode throws us into the action with Jack Bauer
Jack Bauer
Jack Bauer as he’s called to protect presidential
as he’s called to protect presidential
as he’s called to protect presidential candidate David Palmer from
candidate David Palmer from
candidate David Palmer from assassination we have reason to believe
assassination we have reason to believe
assassination we have reason to believe that by the end of the day an attempt
that by the end of the day an attempt
that by the end of the day an attempt will be made on David Palmer’s life how
will be made on David Palmer’s life how
will be made on David Palmer’s life how good’s his security very good maybe not
good’s his security very good maybe not
good’s his security very good maybe not good enough to handle what’s coming at
good enough to handle what’s coming at
good enough to handle what’s coming at him today
him today
him today a shooter well-funded from overseas
a shooter well-funded from overseas
a shooter well-funded from overseas meanwhile his daughter’s disappearance
meanwhile his daughter’s disappearance
meanwhile his daughter’s disappearance prompts a citywide search and divides
prompts a citywide search and divides
prompts a citywide search and divides Jack’s focus do you hear anything no
Jack’s focus do you hear anything no
Jack’s focus do you hear anything no what’s wrong
what’s wrong
what’s wrong I found three joints in her desk Hayden
I found three joints in her desk Hayden
I found three joints in her desk Hayden what’s what the end of the world but I
what’s what the end of the world but I
what’s what the end of the world but I don’t like it I don’t either
don’t like it I don’t either
don’t like it I don’t either realistic and viscerally thrilling the
realistic and viscerally thrilling the
realistic and viscerally thrilling the pilot was actually preempted due to the
pilot was actually preempted due to the
pilot was actually preempted due to the events of 9/11 but even so Jack Bauer
events of 9/11 but even so Jack Bauer
events of 9/11 but even so Jack Bauer quickly became one of TV’s favorite
quickly became one of TV’s favorite
quickly became one of TV’s favorite flawed heroes and captivated fans for
flawed heroes and captivated fans for
flawed heroes and captivated fans for multiple seasons you have no idea what
multiple seasons you have no idea what
multiple seasons you have no idea what you’re getting yourself into here why
you’re getting yourself into here why
you’re getting yourself into here why don’t you explain it
you’ve got five seconds inna pitched to
you’ve got five seconds inna pitched to me or not number eight madmen I am over
me or not number eight madmen I am over
me or not number eight madmen I am over and they’re finally gonna know it next
and they’re finally gonna know it next
and they’re finally gonna know it next time you see me there will be a bunch of
time you see me there will be a bunch of
time you see me there will be a bunch of young executives picking meat off my
young executives picking meat off my
young executives picking meat off my ribs that’s a pretty picture
ribs that’s a pretty picture
ribs that’s a pretty picture thanks to intelligent writing and a
thanks to intelligent writing and a
thanks to intelligent writing and a retro tone Mad Men’s Pilate had critics
retro tone Mad Men’s Pilate had critics
retro tone Mad Men’s Pilate had critics raving and audiences mixing themselves
raving and audiences mixing themselves
raving and audiences mixing themselves some Tom Collins can I get you another
some Tom Collins can I get you another
some Tom Collins can I get you another drink
drink
drink yeah do this again old fashioned please
yeah do this again old fashioned please
yeah do this again old fashioned please set in 1960s America smoke gets in your
set in 1960s America smoke gets in your
set in 1960s America smoke gets in your eyes follows at exact Don Draper as he
eyes follows at exact Don Draper as he
eyes follows at exact Don Draper as he attempts to keep Lucky Strike cigarettes
attempts to keep Lucky Strike cigarettes
attempts to keep Lucky Strike cigarettes as a client the issue here isn’t why
as a client the issue here isn’t why
as a client the issue here isn’t why should people smoke it’s why should
should people smoke it’s why should
should people smoke it’s why should people smoke Lucky Strike suggesting
people smoke Lucky Strike suggesting
people smoke Lucky Strike suggesting that our customers have a what did you
that our customers have a what did you
that our customers have a what did you call it a death wish
call it a death wish
call it a death wish I just don’t see that on a billboard
I just don’t see that on a billboard
I just don’t see that on a billboard while the ins and outs of the industry
while the ins and outs of the industry
while the ins and outs of the industry are what realists in its the twists and
are what realists in its the twists and
are what realists in its the twists and turns of the characters personal lives
turns of the characters personal lives
turns of the characters personal lives that keep us glued to the show a lot of
that keep us glued to the show a lot of
that keep us glued to the show a lot of people love isn’t just a slogan
people love isn’t just a slogan
people love isn’t just a slogan oh you mean love you mean big lightning
oh you mean love you mean big lightning
oh you mean love you mean big lightning bolt to the heart where you can’t eat
bolt to the heart where you can’t eat
bolt to the heart where you can’t eat and you can’t work can you just run off
and you can’t work can you just run off
and you can’t work can you just run off and get married and make babies
and get married and make babies
and get married and make babies number seven Prison Break welcome to
number seven Prison Break welcome to
number seven Prison Break welcome to prison eel and fish
what do you get when you unite a
what do you get when you unite a prisoner wrongly accused of murder with
prisoner wrongly accused of murder with
prisoner wrongly accused of murder with his brother who’s willing to go to jail
his brother who’s willing to go to jail
his brother who’s willing to go to jail to save him
to save him
to save him all you want to see burrows so bad
all you want to see burrows so bad
all you want to see burrows so bad anyhow because he’s my brother an
anyhow because he’s my brother an
anyhow because he’s my brother an intriguing series hook that puts any
intriguing series hook that puts any
intriguing series hook that puts any other example of brotherly love to shame
other example of brotherly love to shame
other example of brotherly love to shame getting you out of here
getting you out of here
getting you out of here burrows roll it up happy hours over it’s
burrows roll it up happy hours over it’s
burrows roll it up happy hours over it’s impossible not if you designed the place
impossible not if you designed the place
impossible not if you designed the place it isn’t
it isn’t
it isn’t with Lincoln Burrows life on the line
with Lincoln Burrows life on the line
with Lincoln Burrows life on the line Michael Scofield devises a plan to get
Michael Scofield devises a plan to get
Michael Scofield devises a plan to get himself arrested to save his older bro
himself arrested to save his older bro
himself arrested to save his older bro the vault opening in addition to their
the vault opening in addition to their
the vault opening in addition to their relationship prison breaks pilot offered
relationship prison breaks pilot offered
relationship prison breaks pilot offered pulse-pounding action and thrilling
pulse-pounding action and thrilling
pulse-pounding action and thrilling suspense that carried over into the
suspense that carried over into the
suspense that carried over into the second episode and beyond you’ve seen
second episode and beyond you’ve seen
second episode and beyond you’ve seen the blueprints better than that I’ve got
the blueprints better than that I’ve got
the blueprints better than that I’ve got him on me
daddy daddy Carl Carl I found you daddy
daddy daddy Carl Carl I found you daddy I got the sumbitch I’m a smack I’m dead
I got the sumbitch I’m a smack I’m dead
I got the sumbitch I’m a smack I’m dead number six The Walking Dead if you want
number six The Walking Dead if you want
number six The Walking Dead if you want to stand out make sure your show about
to stand out make sure your show about
to stand out make sure your show about the zombie apocalypse has a great first
the zombie apocalypse has a great first
the zombie apocalypse has a great first episode in days gone by we quickly see
episode in days gone by we quickly see
episode in days gone by we quickly see that sheriff’s deputy Rick Grimes has
that sheriff’s deputy Rick Grimes has
that sheriff’s deputy Rick Grimes has quite a few problems first
quite a few problems first
quite a few problems first he’s just awoken from a coma second he’s
he’s just awoken from a coma second he’s
he’s just awoken from a coma second he’s alone third his wife and son have
alone third his wife and son have
alone third his wife and son have disappeared then there’s the little
disappeared then there’s the little
disappeared then there’s the little issue of Walker’s having taken over the
issue of Walker’s having taken over the
issue of Walker’s having taken over the planet while his shooting of a little
planet while his shooting of a little
planet while his shooting of a little girl zombie immediately shocks us it’s
girl zombie immediately shocks us it’s
girl zombie immediately shocks us it’s the pilots cliffhanger ending that puts
the pilots cliffhanger ending that puts
the pilots cliffhanger ending that puts us on edge of the most dumbass
number five Game of Thrones because of
number five Game of Thrones because of the popularity of the novels the first
the popularity of the novels the first
the popularity of the novels the first episode of this TV drama was highly
episode of this TV drama was highly
episode of this TV drama was highly anticipated
fortunately winter is coming wasn’t only
fortunately winter is coming wasn’t only faithful to its source material it also
faithful to its source material it also
faithful to its source material it also delivered strong performances stunning
delivered strong performances stunning
delivered strong performances stunning visuals and epic fantasy elements of the
visuals and epic fantasy elements of the
visuals and epic fantasy elements of the highest order
mainly focusing on Lord Eddard Starks
mainly focusing on Lord Eddard Starks immersion in court politics the pilot
immersion in court politics the pilot
immersion in court politics the pilot also follows Prince Viserys Targaryen ‘s
also follows Prince Viserys Targaryen ‘s
also follows Prince Viserys Targaryen ‘s plans to marry off his sister in
plans to marry off his sister in
plans to marry off his sister in exchange for an army Khal Drogo has
exchange for an army Khal Drogo has
exchange for an army Khal Drogo has never defeated he’s a savage of course
never defeated he’s a savage of course
never defeated he’s a savage of course because one of the finest killers alive
and he will be asking it achieved so
and he will be asking it achieved so much critical acclaim it was renewed for
much critical acclaim it was renewed for
much critical acclaim it was renewed for a second season within a few days never
a second season within a few days never
a second season within a few days never forget what you are the rest of the
forget what you are the rest of the
forget what you are the rest of the world would not wear it like armor and
world would not wear it like armor and
world would not wear it like armor and it can never be used to hurt you number
it can never be used to hurt you number
it can never be used to hurt you number 4 The Sopranos did you go Henry Hill on
4 The Sopranos did you go Henry Hill on
4 The Sopranos did you go Henry Hill on me no no he left is a selling
me no no he left is a selling
me no no he left is a selling screenplays and screwing everything up
screenplays and screwing everything up
screenplays and screwing everything up TV changed forever thanks to this pilot
TV changed forever thanks to this pilot
TV changed forever thanks to this pilot after collapsing from a panic attack
after collapsing from a panic attack
after collapsing from a panic attack series lead Tony Soprano seeks
series lead Tony Soprano seeks
series lead Tony Soprano seeks psychiatric help
psychiatric help
psychiatric help any thoughts at all on why you blacked
any thoughts at all on why you blacked
any thoughts at all on why you blacked out
out
out I don’t know stress maybe about what
I don’t know stress maybe about what
I don’t know stress maybe about what he’s not about to tell the doc the whole
he’s not about to tell the doc the whole
he’s not about to tell the doc the whole truth about his violent and illegal
truth about his violent and illegal
truth about his violent and illegal family business alright he’s broken the
family business alright he’s broken the
family business alright he’s broken the bones come on you prick let’s fuck give
bones come on you prick let’s fuck give
bones come on you prick let’s fuck give up but Tony does open up about his
up but Tony does open up about his
up but Tony does open up about his personal life which involves managing
personal life which involves managing
personal life which involves managing his rebellious teenage daughter stubborn
his rebellious teenage daughter stubborn
his rebellious teenage daughter stubborn aging mother and more sorry
aging mother and more sorry
aging mother and more sorry the line we adore if it’s how these
the line we adore if it’s how these
the line we adore if it’s how these so-called normal problems intersect with
so-called normal problems intersect with
so-called normal problems intersect with his life as a mobster combined with the
his life as a mobster combined with the
his life as a mobster combined with the excellent writing acting and directing
excellent writing acting and directing
excellent writing acting and directing that made this one of the show’s best
that made this one of the show’s best
that made this one of the show’s best episodes
episodes
episodes I got work to do do avenues everything’s
I got work to do do avenues everything’s
I got work to do do avenues everything’s gonna be all right from here on it come
gonna be all right from here on it come
gonna be all right from here on it come on well it’s a beautiful day
on well it’s a beautiful day
on well it’s a beautiful day Diane 11:30 a.m. February 24th entering
Diane 11:30 a.m. February 24th entering
Diane 11:30 a.m. February 24th entering the town of twin a-pink’s number three
the town of twin a-pink’s number three
the town of twin a-pink’s number three twin peaks ever seen so many trees in my
twin peaks ever seen so many trees in my
twin peaks ever seen so many trees in my life despite only lasting two seasons
life despite only lasting two seasons
life despite only lasting two seasons this series has an extremely devoted
this series has an extremely devoted
this series has an extremely devoted cult following the pilot certainly had a
cult following the pilot certainly had a
cult following the pilot certainly had a hand in this as critics and fans cited
hand in this as critics and fans cited
hand in this as critics and fans cited its effective creation of mystery it’s
its effective creation of mystery it’s
its effective creation of mystery it’s complimentary music and it’s disturbing
complimentary music and it’s disturbing
complimentary music and it’s disturbing storylines
this is gonna happen every damn time sir
this is gonna happen every damn time sir in addition to several notable
in addition to several notable
in addition to several notable characters we also meet series
characters we also meet series
characters we also meet series protagonist Dale Cooper in the pilot 54
protagonist Dale Cooper in the pilot 54
protagonist Dale Cooper in the pilot 54 degrees on a slightly overcast day with
degrees on a slightly overcast day with
degrees on a slightly overcast day with a man said range you can’t pay that kind
a man said range you can’t pay that kind
a man said range you can’t pay that kind of money for being wrong 60% of the time
of money for being wrong 60% of the time
of money for being wrong 60% of the time be working with his unique personality
be working with his unique personality
be working with his unique personality traits and unconventional investigative
traits and unconventional investigative
traits and unconventional investigative techniques the special agent helped the
techniques the special agent helped the
techniques the special agent helped the serial drama earn that TV seasons
serial drama earn that TV seasons
serial drama earn that TV seasons highest ratings Oh
number two Breaking Bad while you say
number two Breaking Bad while you say the word and take you on a ride-along
the word and take you on a ride-along
the word and take you on a ride-along you watch us knock down a meth lab kill
you watch us knock down a meth lab kill
you watch us knock down a meth lab kill it excitement in your life something
it excitement in your life something
it excitement in your life something chemistry teachers everywhere gained a
chemistry teachers everywhere gained a
chemistry teachers everywhere gained a bit of street cred after this pilot
bit of street cred after this pilot
bit of street cred after this pilot aired uh what are you doing he’s my good
aired uh what are you doing he’s my good
aired uh what are you doing he’s my good clothes I can’t go home smelling like a
clothes I can’t go home smelling like a
clothes I can’t go home smelling like a meth lab uh yeah you can I do
meth lab uh yeah you can I do
meth lab uh yeah you can I do opening with more questions than answers
opening with more questions than answers
opening with more questions than answers Breaking Bad’s pilot immediately pulls
Breaking Bad’s pilot immediately pulls
Breaking Bad’s pilot immediately pulls us into the complicated world of Walter
us into the complicated world of Walter
us into the complicated world of Walter White my name is Walter Hartwell white I
White my name is Walter Hartwell white I
White my name is Walter Hartwell white I live at 308 negra arroyo lane
live at 308 negra arroyo lane
live at 308 negra arroyo lane albuquerque new mexico 87104 through all
albuquerque new mexico 87104 through all
albuquerque new mexico 87104 through all law-enforcement entities this is not an
law-enforcement entities this is not an
law-enforcement entities this is not an admission of guilt the 50 year old
admission of guilt the 50 year old
admission of guilt the 50 year old doesn’t only have a pregnant wife and a
doesn’t only have a pregnant wife and a
doesn’t only have a pregnant wife and a son with cerebral palsy he’s dealing
son with cerebral palsy he’s dealing
son with cerebral palsy he’s dealing with terminal lung cancer as well
with terminal lung cancer as well
with terminal lung cancer as well naturally the way he chooses to deal
naturally the way he chooses to deal
naturally the way he chooses to deal with this is to become a meth cook and
with this is to become a meth cook and
with this is to become a meth cook and drug kingpin
before we get to our number one pick
before we get to our number one pick here are a few honorable mentions my
here are a few honorable mentions my
here are a few honorable mentions my name is Dexter Dexter Morgan I don’t
name is Dexter Dexter Morgan I don’t
name is Dexter Dexter Morgan I don’t know what made me the way I am but
know what made me the way I am but
know what made me the way I am but whatever it was left a hollow place
whatever it was left a hollow place
whatever it was left a hollow place inside people faked a lot of human
inside people faked a lot of human
inside people faked a lot of human interactions but I feel like I faked
interactions but I feel like I faked
interactions but I feel like I faked them all I know what I have to do good
them all I know what I have to do good
them all I know what I have to do good we’ll have a lot of nights like this
we’ll have a lot of nights like this
we’ll have a lot of nights like this making plans very little sleep I
making plans very little sleep I
making plans very little sleep I expected that you’ll denounce these
expected that you’ll denounce these
expected that you’ll denounce these people out you’ll do it publicly and
people out you’ll do it publicly and
people out you’ll do it publicly and until you do you can all get your fat
until you do you can all get your fat
until you do you can all get your fat asses out of my white house
asses out of my white house
asses out of my white house CJ show these people out I believe we
CJ show these people out I believe we
CJ show these people out I believe we can find the door find it now
can find the door find it now
can find the door find it now I don’t have time right now some damn
I don’t have time right now some damn
I don’t have time right now some damn fool
fool
fool Johnston what listen to me the
Johnston what listen to me the
Johnston what listen to me the alternatives mother died tonight and
alternatives mother died tonight and
alternatives mother died tonight and another explosion there’s been a lot of
another explosion there’s been a lot of
another explosion there’s been a lot of talk about expectation lately
talk about expectation lately
talk about expectation lately expectation of what we should be able to
expectation of what we should be able to
expectation of what we should be able to do to win people are expecting number
do to win people are expecting number
do to win people are expecting number one lost divided into two parts the
one lost divided into two parts the
one lost divided into two parts the first episode of this serial drama is
first episode of this serial drama is
first episode of this serial drama is considered one of the finest TV pilots
considered one of the finest TV pilots
considered one of the finest TV pilots ever
with the help of an over ten million
with the help of an over ten million dollar budget and with director JJ
dollar budget and with director JJ
dollar budget and with director JJ Abrams at the helm we find ourselves
Abrams at the helm we find ourselves
Abrams at the helm we find ourselves lost on an unknown island with multiple
lost on an unknown island with multiple
lost on an unknown island with multiple survivors of oceanic flight 815 Jack
survivors of oceanic flight 815 Jack
survivors of oceanic flight 815 Jack thanks to its special effects
thanks to its special effects
thanks to its special effects outstanding cast and writing that piles
outstanding cast and writing that piles
outstanding cast and writing that piles mystery upon mystery parts 1 & 2 kept us
mystery upon mystery parts 1 & 2 kept us
mystery upon mystery parts 1 & 2 kept us entranced throughout and launched the
entranced throughout and launched the
entranced throughout and launched the series to critical and popular success
series to critical and popular success
series to critical and popular success that’s fing fair she doesn’t kill the
that’s fing fair she doesn’t kill the
that’s fing fair she doesn’t kill the pilot
pilot
pilot no no that’s that tiny teeny version
no no that’s that tiny teeny version
no no that’s that tiny teeny version competitor do you agree with our list I
competitor do you agree with our list I
competitor do you agree with our list I did well which first episode got you
did well which first episode got you
did well which first episode got you hooked welcome to Washington for more
hooked welcome to Washington for more
hooked welcome to Washington for more entertaining top 10s published every day
entertaining top 10s published every day
entertaining top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com
be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com
be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com the things I do for love
”
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