PILOT REVISITED: RUNNING WILDE
The Details:
Premiered: September 21, 2010 on FOX
Starring: Will Arnett, Keri Russell, Robert Michael Morris, Mel Rodriguez, Stefania Lavie Owen
Created by: Mitchell Hurwitz, Jim Vallely and Will Arnett
What I Thought Then:
"The weirdness that made Arrested Development so popular was endearing. Here it is not."
"It doesn't help that there is little to no chemistry between Arnett and Russell. They're following the time-tested pattern of being annoyed with each other only to (inevitably) fall for each other again, but it just isn't working yet."
"The writers seemed too focused on coming up with outlandish and funny things for Shatner to say that they failed to build a plot or story around those statements (which aren't that funny anyway)."
"It seems that the writers and producers got just a little too niche this time around to the point that it's not enjoyable anymore."
"The biggest issue is that Arnett - an adept physical comedian - is no leading man, and he and Russell don't always seem to connect, much less spark." - Randee Dawn, The Hollywood Reporter
"Fox's new comedy series doesn't pack the same punch that made Arrested Development the cult favorite series it is today and while there are a couple genuine laughs to be had, the series almost requires a laughtrack to gain the comedy label." - Ethan Anderton, Collider
"Although admittedly handed Halloween costumes rather than characters, the cast does little more than walk them across the set." - Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times
"The original pilot had funny moments, but also some pacing problems and dead spots - which the final version, unfortunately, if anything made worse." - James Poniewozik, Time Magazine
"The show would be better if it got a little closer to the ground, but Wilde, with unusually beautiful production values (for a sitcom), completes a one-hour, laugh-track free, absurdist block that gives Fox its best chance at comedy success since The Bernie Mac Show and Malcolm in the Middle." - Jonathan Storm, Philadelphia Inquirer
What I Think Now:
Running Wilde had an embarrassment of riches in terms of the talent involved. Not only was it notable for being a reunion between Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurwitz and co-star Will Arnett, it also had the eminently likable Keri Russell sharing top billing with Arnett while other comedy vets like Mel Rodriguez and David Cross (in a guest starring role) also turned up. At the time, I think Arrested Development was still pretty fresh in people's heads. I know it was in mine as I did not watch it during its original run but in the years right before Running Wilde debuted. It paled in comparison to that inspired comedy, but it has its merits watching it back and with more of a removed perspective. I think this show was stuck between being a wacky and absurd sitcom as evidenced by Arnett's character and some of the sight gags while also trying to be a really sweet comedy in the scenes with Russell and her daughter and even their relationship to Arnett. It didn't really want to plant its feet firmly in either camp so it struggled with an earnestness in an Arrested Development shell. But I still finished the pilot thinking it actually did show more promise than I thought back in 2010. I thought Arnett was more funny than annoying (and it's always a toss-up with him) and I found myself buying what this would have looked like as a series. With its winning cast and an interesting dynamic between Arnett and Russell (I'm still not sure they had chemistry), I think it could have found its voice if it had the time.
Running Wilde was already a show in trouble before it premiered as they scrapped the first version of the pilot. Expectations were high with critics thanks to the Arrested Development auspices but bad reviews (48 on Metacritic) and bad ratings out of the gate made it a dead show walking. It aired on a night that included mega-hit Glee and the more promising freshman Raising Hope so it stumbled through the fall and was off the air by the end of December with four episodes unaired until they surfaced on FX months later. Arnett stumbled through a couple other failed sitcoms in the 2010s (Up All Night, The Millers) while finding success on Bojack Horseman and cranking out two revival seasons of Arrested Development. The failure of this show meant Russell was free to star in the acclaimed The Americans a few years later. Mitchell Hurwitz is still looking to recapture the Arrested Development magic and the later seasons of Arrested did not do the trick. I only watched the pilot of Running Wilde if I remember correctly. From what I heard, it didn't show much improvement.
Final Episode: December 26, 2010
Episode Count: 13 (9 on FOX, 4 later aired on FX)
Where to Watch: Currently streaming on Prime Video and Tubi
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