Within the past 10 years, there’s been a considerable shift in television programming from shows with independent, stand-alone episodes to ones with storylines that span entire seasons.  Nowadays, it often takes a big investment of time (and sometimes memory) to keep up with a television show, so you kind of want to know what you’re getting into before, say, borrowing Season 1 of Smallville from a friend.

It’s interesting to have followed a  TV show through ups and downs, character deaths, and shark jumping, especially when you take a look back at how the show started.  Or, in the case of stand-alone episodes (like sitcoms), to see how much the actors have aged and how the jokes have changed.

After the jump, take a look at 10 pilot and promo trailers of popular television shows.

Heroes:

V:

The Incredible Hulk:

Smallville:

Roseanne:

The Sopranos:

Lost:

Fringe:

Californication:

Prison Break: