The mockumentary format became popular in the 2000s thanks to the American adaptation of The Office. The pilot episode had a mixed response from critics and viewers, but it set the stage for one of the most enduring TV comedies of all time.

Now the story of a wealthy family who lost everything, and the first episode that brought them all together. It’s Arrested Development, the ensemble comedy that gave us the Bluth family and more running gags than we can keep count of.

The 2000s saw the rise of single-camera comedies that moved away from the traditional sitcom format in favor of a more cinematic style. Malcolm in the Middle was one of the first shows of the decade to defy genre conventions, introducing in its pilot episode a cynical tone that would come to define the era.

It’s Halloween and we’re capping off our month of vampire pilots with What We Do In The Shadows. Directed by Taika Waititi and written by Jemaine Clement, the first episode of this mockumentary series established the same blend of horror and quirky comedy as the 2014 movie.

As the vampire craze peaked in the late 2000s, the CW put its spin on the genre by adapting The Vampire Diaries. The series featured teen soap drama typical for the network but with the added element of immortal blood-sucking monsters.

The next vampiric pilot we’re discussing is True Blood. This drama explored themes of politics, sexuality, and discrimination through the lens of vampires in the Deep South. As an HBO series, True Blood depicted violence and intimacy more explicitly than the TV landscape had ever seen before.

Continuing our discussion on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, part two of the premiere delivered more action than part one while still establishing the dangers facing the students at Sunnydale High.

We’re kicking off the month of October by discussing Buffy the Vampire Slayer! Starting with the two-part premiere, this series cleverly blended high school culture with vampire lore. The result is a snarky, action-packed teen drama that still retains a dedicated fanbase.

We’re wrapping up our series on 90s sitcom pilots with the first episode of Will & Grace. The premiere of this progressive comedy established the unbreakable friendship between Will Truman and Grace Adler, who support each other through the challenges they face living in New York at the turn of the century.

Before he was hosting The Price Is Right, Drew Carey starred in his own sitcom and showed American audiences that Cleveland rocks. From the first episode, The Drew Carey Show captured the spirit of Cleveland with its quirky yet laid-back characters and cozy hometown setting.