Back in 1990, Conan O'Brien and Robert Smigel co-created a TV series
called "Lookwell," starring Adam West as a washed-up actor who takes his
old role as a TV detective too seriously and begins to investigate
(a.k.a. meddle in) actual crimes.
Now, if I told you this exact same premise was being used by a new show coming on the air today, you'd clearly watch, right? This is the kind of thing that would be a Comedy Central staple for five seasons minimum, or easily be picked up by Netflix/Amazon/Hulu/insert your favourite streaming service here. Unfortunately, "Lookwell" was too ahead of its time for the early 90's and the series wasn't picked up, but the original pilot did indeed come to light so we can enjoy at least one episode of this could've-been-classic series.
One wonders what would've happened if "Lookwell" had actually been picked up and run for even a season or two. Perhaps Conan would've focused on this show and not continued to write for SNL, or never written for the Simpsons, or never become the host of Late Night. Comedy history would've been irrevocably changed had perhaps just one more network executive been on board with watching Adam West wear the hell out of those mock turtlenecks.
Now, if I told you this exact same premise was being used by a new show coming on the air today, you'd clearly watch, right? This is the kind of thing that would be a Comedy Central staple for five seasons minimum, or easily be picked up by Netflix/Amazon/Hulu/insert your favourite streaming service here. Unfortunately, "Lookwell" was too ahead of its time for the early 90's and the series wasn't picked up, but the original pilot did indeed come to light so we can enjoy at least one episode of this could've-been-classic series.
One wonders what would've happened if "Lookwell" had actually been picked up and run for even a season or two. Perhaps Conan would've focused on this show and not continued to write for SNL, or never written for the Simpsons, or never become the host of Late Night. Comedy history would've been irrevocably changed had perhaps just one more network executive been on board with watching Adam West wear the hell out of those mock turtlenecks.
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