Vince Gilligan, the acclaimed creator of *Pluribus* and *Breaking Bad*, recently shared his experience with test screenings, expressing a strong aversion to the process after an event involving his earlier series, *The Lone Gunmen*. During a conversation hosted by Sony, Gilligan recounted a particularly disheartening audience test for his *X-Files* spin-off, which aired in 2001.
Gilligan reflected on the screening, stating, “I swore on the graves of my forefathers, I will never freaking do that again.” The testing method involved an audience using a dial to indicate their feelings about specific scenes. One scene, in which a character vomits into a golf bag, received overwhelmingly negative feedback. “All the needles went [to the left],” he recalled. The experience was further punctuated by a viewer’s remark directed toward the two-way mirror, where Gilligan was seated: “Well, it’s no *Will and Grace*.”
Despite being set in the same universe as *The X-Files*, *The Lone Gunmen* focused on themes like government conspiracy and corporate wrongdoing, diverging from the supernatural elements that made its predecessor famous. Although it garnered some positive reviews, the show was canceled after just thirteen episodes, leaving Gilligan with a lasting impression of the test-screening process.
As *Breaking Bad* approached its debut in 2008, Gilligan found himself unwilling to subject it to the same fate. “If you guys are going to test this, don’t tell me about it,” he insisted. “I want the tree that fell in the forest. I don’t want to know anything about it.” He later learned that the show underwent testing, although the results were never disclosed to him. Ultimately, *Breaking Bad* became a critical and commercial success, running for five seasons and earning multiple accolades, including numerous Emmy Awards.
Now, Gilligan is experiencing a resurgence in acclaim with *Pluribus*, his new science fiction series available on Apple TV. The show has debuted to rave reviews, achieving a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. With new episodes released weekly, *Pluribus* is quickly gaining a devoted fan base.
Gilligan’s journey highlights the unpredictable nature of television production and audience reception. In the face of past disappointments, he has forged ahead to create shows that resonate deeply with viewers. As he continues to evolve as a creator, Gilligan’s commitment to storytelling remains unwavering, evidenced by the compelling narratives he brings to life on screen.
