Trial and Error (TV series)
Trial and Error is an American sitcom that was broadcast on CBS from March 15 to March 29, 1988. It was cancelled after the third episode, leaving the remaining five episodes unaired.
| Trial and Error | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Don Seigel Jerry Perzigian |
| Starring | Paul Rodriguez Eddie Velez |
| Composer(s) | Ray Colcord |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 8 (5 unaired) (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Tommy Chong |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production company(s) | ELP Communications Columbia Pictures Television |
| Distributor | Sony Pictures Television |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBS |
| Original release | March 15 – March 29, 1988 |
Development
Trial and Error evolved from a pilot entitled The Family Martinez created by comedian Tommy Chong, about a reformed Latino gang member who became a trial lawyer and moved back in with his family in East L.A. CBS liked the concept, but wanted to change it from a family sitcom to a buddy comedy, and it was subsequently reworked as Amigos by Don Seigel and Jerry Perzigian. Chong remained on board as a producer, but "never showed up" to any of the writing sessions. Paul Rodriguez objected to the title Amigos, saying it was too stereotypical, and the title was changed to Trial and Error.[1]
Brad Pitt was cast as the bellboy in the second episode entitled Bon Appetit. According to executive producer Jerry Perzigian, this was Pitt's first paid Hollywood job, having arrived from Springfield, Missouri only three days before the shoot which took place on November 17, 1987.[2][3] The episode aired on CBS on March 22, 1988.
Premise
The series is about two Latino roommates living in Los Angeles. One is an attorney and the other is a T-shirt salesman.[4]
Cast
- Eddie Velez as John Hernandez
- Paul Rodriguez as Tony Rivera
- John de Lancie as Bob Adams
- Debbie Shapiro as Rhonda
- Stephen Elliott as Edmund Kittie
- Susan Saldivar as Lisa
- Brad Pitt as the bellboy (Episode 2)
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Pilot" | Andrew D. Weyman | TBA | March 15, 1988 | |
| John has an embarrassing first day at a prestigious law firm. | |||||
| 2 | "Bon Appetit" | Andrew D. Weyman | Steve Kunes | March 22, 1988 | |
| John invites his boss over for dinner. | |||||
| 3 | "Man's Best Friend" | Andrew D. Weyman | Al Aidekman | March 29, 1988 | |
| Tony wants John to testify against the canine movie star that bit him. | |||||
| 4 | "Deride and Conquer" | Andrew D. Weyman | TBA | Unaired | |
| 5 | "Ring of Truth" | Andrew D. Weyman | TBA | Unaired | |
| 6 | "Casino Night" | Andrew D. Weyman | TBA | Unaired | |
| 7 | "Strike Three, You're Out" | Andrew D. Weyman | TBA | Unaired | |
| 8 | "Born to Squirm" | Andrew D. Weyman | TBA | Unaired | |
References
- Irvin, Richard (2016). "Forgotten Laughs: An Episode Guide to 150 TV Sitcoms You Probably Never Saw".
- https://books.google.com/books/about/Single_Season_Sitcoms_of_the_1980s.html?id=70szDAAAQBAJ
- https://books.google.com/books?id=GqRWDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT276&lpg=PT276#v=onepage&q&f=false
- TV Guide. "Trial and Error Cast and Details". TV Guide. Retrieved October 27, 2012.