A problematic pilot

The ‘MacGyver’ pilot was so "dreadful" that director Jerry Freedman demanded his name was removed from the episode.

Executive producer John Rich later said: “It was dreary … It was no good, it was an hour-and-a-half of dreadful.”

John had decided to recut the episode, which saw 30 minutes of footage end up on the cutting-room floor. Even so, Jerry was unhappy, and insisted his name was removed and be replaced.

In the credits "Alan Smithee” is listed as the director.