Atomic Abe created a YouTube series all about episodes of hit TV shows that were secretly pilots for spin-offs, AKA backdoor pilots.
It was an honor to sit down with Mitchell Kriegman to discuss Clarissa Explains It All, the business and craft of writing, from his beginnings with video art and SNL, onto Nickelodeon’s SNICK and later Disney’s Bear in the Big Blue House, plus Rugrats, The Ren & Stimpy Show, and the secrets of creating memorable TV.
It was “way cool” to write about Clarissa Explains It All. The show was influential and reminded the world that teenage girls have an interesting, thoughtful, and important POV.
Undeclared was Judd Apatow’s natural story progression following Freaks and Geeks. Both of these shows shaped my love of comedy, so it was a privilege to dive into the attempted Undeclared spin-off starring Jason Segel.
Rugrats attempted three spin-offs to varying results. My research for this video began as a childhood fan.
I wrote this video about everyone’s favorite fast-talking mother-daughter duo and the backdoor pilot that focused on bad boy Jess.
I wrote/narrated this one all about the 2007 CW gem Gossip Girl.
And then there’s The Office, one of the most influential comedies of our time. I wrote this one alongside producer Nick Nadel.
Jane Curtin and Susan Saint James? A grounded, heartwarming comedy dream team. I wrote this. Danielle Buntley voices it.
It was magical to co-write this Sabrina The Teenage Witch episode.
Punky Brewster’s failed spinoff was all about a group of scrappy boy orphans. I narrated this one.
And who could forget the Smallville episode that introduced “AC,” aka Aquaman? Written by myself and Nick Nadel. Narrated by Kevin Maher.
Emily Menez 