10 Most Expensive TV Show Pilots Ever

After the success of Boardwalk Empire, surely another collaboration between HBO and Martin Scorsese would reap similar rewards? Unfortunately, it was not to be for Vinyl, which was axed after just one season.

The show, which followed a record company attempting to navigate the changing musical-landscape of the 1970s, boasted an impressive ensemble cast, headlined by Bobby Cannavale and Olivia Wilde, and was even co-created by Mick Jagger.

And while the opening episodes received some praise, the quality definitely dropped off toward the end of the series and the formulaic storyline failed to engage viewers. This all may have had something to do with Scorsese himself. Following Vinyl’s cancellation, the director spoke of his disappointment in HBO’s decision, saying that he regretted not having more of a hands-on involvement in the show post the pilot episode, which he wrote and directed.

The pilot itself was nearly two hours long, and the lofty production values ramped up costs to $30 million for the opening episode alone, with a total of $100 million spent on the entire ten-part series.

Underwhelming reviews and terrible ratings are always a recipe for disaster and the planned, rebooted second season was scrapped. Sometimes, going all in on a pilot just isn’t worth the risk.