Pilot Mini Series question

[TMNTdude87]

Hey, all!

I've heard two accounts about how the pilot led to the 13 episode 1988 broadcast season.

1.) Was the pilot mini series intended to catch interest for a planned TV series, and broadcast to test the market, that for whatever reason being cost or hesitance on their part only funded 5 episodes?

2.) Was the pilot proposed as a one and done thing, and only through the success and acclaim it received did the producers change their mind and expand to a full series?

Or, does the answer lie somewhere in between?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

I guess most children's cartoons and comics are intended to become a major success.

[Andrew NDB]

Was the pilot proposed as a one and done thing

That's, like, the opposite of what a pilot is.

[CyberCubed]

The first 5 episodes were a miniseries which became Season 1. The show was popular so then they ordered a traditional 13 episode Season 2. The show exploded in popularity so Season 3 got a huge order totaling the show up to 65 episodes.

Then Turtlemania exploded so the show went on a whopping 10 seasons and 193 episodes. It's crazy to think how long it really lasted, especially when Power Rangers and eventually Pokemon would become the new kid fads in the early and late 90's respectively.

[pferreira]

2.) Was the pilot proposed as a one and done thing, and only through the success and acclaim it received did the producers change their mind and expand to a full series?This was actually what happened with Playmates. They were happy with just the one season. Fred Wolf didn't understand why they didn't want more so he asked if he could produce it himself. I guess he funded it as well? Playmates still made the toys after that but it was Fred Wolf that drove that show forward otherwise we'd probably have only ended up with just that season.