Take Us to the Pilot

Mad Men

Our next batch of pilots centers around mass media, starting with the award-winning premiere of Mad Men. As AMC's first original series, this acclaimed drama cemented its network as a major player in the golden era of television.

Hacks

We're wrapping up our series on female leads in comedy by discussing the pilot of Hacks. This series showcases multigenerational humor with a nod to the trailblazing women of prior decades.

Nora From Queens

Awkwafina's rise to fame in the 2010s culminated in the launch of her own TV series, Nora from Queens, which drew on her experience growing up in New York's Asian American community.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

In the premiere of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, creator Amy Sherman-Palladino pushes the title character into the world of stand-up comedy while exploring themes of family, gender, and tradition.

Broad City

When Broad City transitioned from YouTube to television, the series became an instant hit for Comedy Central and quickly cemented Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer as an iconic comedic duo.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Ellie Kemper's ability to convey innocence and strength inspired Tina Fey when developing Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, a comedy that emphasized how females are strong as hell.

Ugly Betty

When Ugly Betty premiered in 2006, the series stood out for its comedic take on telenovelas and propelled its star, America Ferrera, into becoming a household name.

Gilmore Girls

The pilot of Gilmore Girls kicked off a long-running series that earned a dedicated fan base for its lovable leads, quirky supporting cast, and compelling family drama.

Daria

The animated sitcom Daria may have originated as a spinoff, but its sarcastic lead character stood on her own as a unique comedic voice that resonated with young viewers in the late 90s.

Murphy Brown

Our next female led sitcom is Murphy Brown! This late 80s pilot stood out for its use of topical humor and comedic depiction of network journalism.