''Trial and Error'' is an American

sitcom A sitcom, a Portmanteau, portmanteau of situation comedy, or situational comedy, is a genre of comedy centered on a fixed set of characters who mostly carry over from episode to episode. Sitcoms can be contrasted with sketch comedy, where a troup ...

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.

Development

''Trial and Error'' evolved from a

pilot An aircraft pilot or aviator is a person who controls the flight of an aircraft by operating its directional flight controls. Some other aircrew members, such as navigators or flight engineers, are also considered aviators, because they a ...

entitled ''The Family Martinez'' created by comedian

Tommy Chong Thomas B. Kin Chong (born May 24, 1938) is a Canadian-American actor, comedian, musician, activist. He is known for his marijuana-themed Cheech & Chong comedy albums and movies with Cheech Marin, as well as playing the character Leo on Fox's ' ...

, about a reformed Latino gang member who became a trial lawyer and moved back in with his family in

East Los Angeles East Los Angeles ( es, Este de Los Ángeles), or East L.A., is an unincorporated area in Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2020 census it had a population of 118,786, a drop of 6.1% from 2010, when it was 126,496. For statistical purpo ...

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the ...

. 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''.

Brad Pitt William Bradley Pitt (born December 18, 1963) is an American actor and film producer. He is the recipient of various accolades, including two Academy Awards, a British Academy Film Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award. ...

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. Pitt had arrived from Springfield,

Missouri Missouri is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it is bordered by eight states (tied for the most with Tennessee ...

, only three days before the shoot, which took place on November 17, 1987. The episode aired on CBS on March 22, 1988.

Premise

The series is about two Latino roommates – John Hernandez and Tony Rivera – living in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the wor ...

. John is an attorney and Tony is a T-shirt salesman.

Cast

Eddie Velez Edwin Velez (born June 4, 1958) is an American film, stage and television actor. He is best known for playing Frankie Santana in the final season of the American action and adventure television series ''The A-Team''. Early life and education ...

as John Hernandez * Paul Rodriguez as Tony Rivera *

John de Lancie John Sherwood de Lancie, Jr. (born March 20, 1948) is an American actor, director, producer, writer, and comedian, best known for his role as Q in various ''Star Trek'' series (1987–present); beginning with '' Star Trek: The Next Generation' ...

as Bob Adams *

Debbie Shapiro Debbie Shapiro Gravitte is an American actress and singer. She was born in Los Angeles, California. Career Gravitte made her Broadway debut in the chorus of ''They're Playing Our Song'' in 1979. She performed on Broadway in '' Blues in the Nigh ...

as Rhonda *

Stephen Elliott Stephen Elliott may refer to: Entertainment *Stephen Elliott (actor), (1918–2005), American actor *Stephen Elliott (author) (born 1971), American author and activist Sport *Steve Elliott (footballer, born 1958), English footballer * Steve Ellio ...

as Edmund Kittie *Susan Saldivar as Lisa

Episodes

References

External links

*
TV.com''TV Guide''Opening credits
for ''Trial and Error'' and ''

Raising Miranda ''Raising Miranda'' is an American sitcom that aired on CBS in 1988 as part of its fall lineup. Starring James Naughton and Royana Black, it depicted the struggles of a father and his teenage daughter to adjust to their circumstances after thei ...

'' on YouTube 1988 American television series debuts 1988 American television series endings 1980s American sitcoms English-language television shows CBS original programming Television shows set in Los Angeles Television series by Sony Pictures Television Latino sitcoms {{US-comedy-tv-prog-stub