The 13 Best TV Comedy Pilots

A first episode is a gamble, and these are the ones that paid off. A few hint at the show to come, others barely resemble it.

1. 1
   Seinfeld: The Seinfeld Chronicles

   The 1989 pilot of the show about nothing.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Modern Family: Pilot

   2009 pilot that introduced three interlinked families.
   833pts
3. 3
   Abbott Elementary: Pilot

   2021 pilot of Quinta Brunson's Philadelphia school mockumentary.
   577pts
4. 4
   Community: Pilot

   2009 pilot of the study-group comedy at Greendale.
   500pts
5. 5
   Ted Lasso: Pilot

   2020 pilot of the optimistic American football coach in English soccer.
   409pts
6. 6
   The Office (US): Pilot

   The American remake's 2005 opener introducing Dunder Mifflin.
   409pts
7. 7
   Arrested Development: Pilot

   2003 pilot introducing the dysfunctional Bluth family.
   409pts
8. 8
   Veep: Fundraiser

   2012 pilot of Julia Louis-Dreyfus's vice-presidential satire.
   409pts
9. 9
   The Office (UK): Downsize

   The 2001 BBC pilot that launched the mockumentary craze.
   409pts
10. 10
    Schitt's Creek: Our Cup Runneth Over

    2015 pilot introducing the formerly rich Rose family.
    409pts
11. 11
    Friends: The Pilot

    1994 pilot introducing six New York friends.
    300pts
12. 12
    Parks and Recreation: Pilot

    2009 pilot of Leslie Knope's Pawnee government comedy.
    0pts
13. 13
    Fleabag: Episode 1

    2016 opener of Phoebe Waller-Bridge's fourth-wall-breaking comedy.
    0pts

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