No green light, but at least the light of day

WRITER-director-producer-actor-comedian Bob Odenkirk has directed six TV pilots -- about four of which were good, says the “Mr. Show” alum. This Saturday, three of those four will be publicly screened for the first time as part of the Other Network, a series that has dusted off dozens of failed comedy pilots that never got the green light to make it to the little screen.

“Once a network passes [on a pilot], it goes into the vault and nobody ever hears about it again,” says producer Greg Miller, who, with Beth Lapides, began the series four years ago. “That’s sort of why we started doing the Other Network. A lot of that stuff shouldn’t be on TV, we agree, but some of it’s great.”

The Odenkirk shows being screened include “Highway to Oblivion,” a comedy, patterned after the “E! True Hollywood Story” series, that uses fake found footage to profile a scamming Hollywood wannabe and his interactions with various celebrities. The pilot, which features Andy Dick, was developed for Comedy Central three years ago but was killed when it tested poorly before an audience.

Next is “Next,” which Odenkirk describes as his “attempt to bring a ‘Mr. Show’ sensibility to network TV.” The sketch comedy, featuring Fred Armisen and Ray Romano, was developed for Fox TV four years ago.

Then there’s his most recently rejected pilot, “Derek and Simon.” Developed for HBO six months ago, the quirkily hip show with a “Curb Your Enthusiasm” sensibility follows two twentysomething L.A. guys and the unusual situations that prevent them from hooking up.

Odenkirk does not have the rights to any of the pilots. Unless the networks reconsider, which Odenkirk admits is unlikely, none will ever appear on TV.

“It’s really disappointing,” says Odenkirk, who recently finished directing the upcoming feature film “Let’s Go to Prison.” “You know it’s even better than a lot of stuff on TV, and you know that even if people wanted to see it, there’s no way they could.”

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-- Susan Carpenter

The Other Network, M-Bar, 1253 N. Vine, Hollywood. 8 p.m. Saturday. $15. (323) 993-3305, www.uncabaret.com