Lookwell was a television pilot written and produced by Conan O'Brien and Robert Smigel, the latter of whom would become a primary creative voice for O'Brien's late night show. It starred Adam West. Despite being a "personal favorite" of NBC chairman Brandon Tartikoff (who had left that position by the time the pilot aired and was replaced by Warren Littlefield), the pilot was not picked up as a series. It was broadcast on NBC on July 28, 1991, in a summer weekend timeslot reserved for burning off pilots which the network had passed on. The pilot has since become a cult classic. Plot A washed-up TV action hero—who at the peak of his career was ceremonially deputized by local law enforcement—falsely believes he can solve crimes in real life. His student Jason (played by Todd Field) becomes his sidekick. Cast Adam West as Ty Lookwell Todd Field as Jason Ron Frazier as Detective Kennery Ann Weldon as Hyacinth Bart Braverman as Alberti Deborah Richter as Miss Royster Brian Bradley as Alex Jeff Austin as Desk Sergeant Chris Barnes as Rental Agent John Capodice as Phil Molly Cleator as Casting Director Brixton Karnes as Actor #2 Sal Lopez as Manny John Riggi as Ben Steve Schubert as Policeman #1 Audree Chapman as Receptionist Sip Culler as Pimp Tom Dahlgren as Partygoer Jack Yates as Racing Official Ami Rothschild as Suzanne Stephen Prutting as Doorman Rif Hutton as Policeman #2 Michael Milhoan as Policeman #3 Terry Beaver as ??? Daniel Roebuck as Cop (uncredited) Production Development The pilot was filmed as a single-camera comedy, which was uncommon for the time it was being developed. Writer Robert Smigel later expressed doubt that the project could sustain itself as a full-fledged television series, questioning if "viewers would really want to view that every week? I'm not so sure they would have." Smigel recollects main star Adam West being enthusiastic for the role, despite poking fun at his acting style: Initial reception The pilot was scrapped, despite NBC chairman Brandon Tartikoff taking interest in developing the pilot. O'Brien jokingly stated that when the pilot aired, it "was the second-lowest rated television show of all time. It’s tied with a test pattern they show in Nova Scotia." Nielsen rated it 92nd out of 92 shows (2.3 million homes) for the week July 22–28. Smigel expressed his opinion on pitching for television in an interview with The