Some of this fall’s most buzzed-about network shows cost big bucks to develop. Will big spending translate to big success?
Staff Report
<em>The Fugitive</em>, 2000The pilot for the TV show based on a movie (the 1993 Harrison Ford action flick) based on a TV show (David Janssen played the good doctor in 1963) starred Tim Daly (Wings) and reportedly cost $6 million, but money didn’t lead to success. DespiteThe pilot for the TV show based on a movie (the 1993 Harrison Ford action flick) based on a TV show (David Janssen played the good doctor in 1963) starred Tim Daly (Wings) and reportedly cost $6 million, but money didn’t lead to success. Despite high expectations, that show lasted just one season before CBS stopped the chase.Warner Bros. Television<em>Lost</em>, 2004Filmed on Oahu, the two-hour opener of J.J. Abrams’ plane-crash series reportedly cost $10 million to $14 million, making it the most expensive pilot in ABC history. You could say it was money well spent. The show ran for six seasons, became a pop cultureFilmed on Oahu, the two-hour opener of J.J. Abrams’ plane-crash series reportedly cost $10 million to $14 million, making it the most expensive pilot in ABC history. You could say it was money well spent. The show ran for six seasons, became a pop culture landmark, and racked up numerous awards, including the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series in 2005.ABC Studios<em>Fringe</em>, 2008For the first show he’d created since Lost, J.J. Abrams again spent big. The FBI sci-fi drama’s pilot cost a reported $10 million, thanks, in part, to its two-hour runtime and a For the first show he’d created since Lost, J.J. Abrams again spent big. The FBI sci-fi drama’s pilot cost a reported $10 million, thanks, in part, to its two-hour runtime and a pricey plot involving a flesh-eating virus wreaking havoc on an airplane. The show’s fourth season premiered on FOX last Friday.Bad Robot<em>Boardwalk Empire</em>, 2010The pilot for HBO’s sprawling Prohibition-era drama was once rumored to cost as much as $50 million, but more reasonable estimates place it closer to $18 million. With executive producer Martin Scorsese directing the episode, one can assume money was of lThe pilot for HBO’s sprawling Prohibition-era drama was once rumored to cost as much as $50 million, but more reasonable estimates place it closer to $18 million. With executive producer Martin Scorsese directing the episode, one can assume money was of little concern. In any case, it paid off: Scorsese won the Emmy for “Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series” for the episode, and the series garnered another 17 nominations in its first season.HBO<em>Terra Nova</em>, 2011Executive produced by Steven Spielberg, FOX’s ambitious new offering features time travel, dinosaurs, family drama, and a two-hour pilot that insiders say could have cost as much as $20 million. While some costs, like the pricey sets, will be spread overExecutive produced by Steven Spielberg, FOX’s ambitious new offering features time travel, dinosaurs, family drama, and a two-hour pilot that insiders say could have cost as much as $20 million. While some costs, like the pricey sets, will be spread over the first season’s 13-episode run, the money hasn’t been rewarded with critical acclaim. Reviewers have been quick to note that the pilot, originally scheduled to air in May, suffers from a clunky plot and flat characters.Amblin Entertainment
