TL;DR
Creator Vince Gilligan told the Happy Sad Confused podcast that his Apple TV series Pluribus went through roughly 100 prospective titles before settling on its current name. He singled out one rejected option, "Be Kind, Remind," as the worst of the lot and said the team spent years in a "title desert."
What happened
With season 1 of Pluribus concluded, Vince Gilligan described the long search for a fitting series title in an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz. He said the creative team compiled nearly 100 prospective names over a period he called a "title desert" lasting two to three years. Gilligan did not share the full roster of rejected titles but identified one as particularly bad: "Be Kind, Remind." The chosen title, Pluribus, draws on the Latin phrase "e pluribus unum," which means "out of many, one," and Gilligan and others have presented it as carrying layered meaning for the show. He implied the naming process was much more protracted than typical and expressed a hope that future development—implicitly including a potential second season—might proceed more smoothly. Gilligan’s anecdote highlights how much behind-the-scenes iteration can go into a single creative decision.
Why it matters
- Series titles shape audience expectations and marketing; the final name ties directly to the show’s thematic framing.
- Revealing the long title search offers a window into the creative development process and the amount of iteration behind streaming series.
- The reference to the Latin phrase "e pluribus unum" signals an intentional, meaning-driven choice rather than a purely commercial one.
- Public discussion of rejected titles can influence perceptions of the show’s branding and the choices made by its creators.
Key facts
- Pluribus season 1 has finished its run.
- Vince Gilligan said the team considered nearly 100 alternate titles before selecting Pluribus.
- Gilligan described being in a "title desert" for two to three years while deciding on a name.
- On the Happy Sad Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz, Gilligan named "Be Kind, Remind" as the worst proposed title.
- The series title Pluribus was inspired by the Latin phrase "e pluribus unum," meaning "out of many, one."
- Gilligan did not disclose the full list of alternate titles he and the team considered.
- Pluribus is available on Apple TV, which the article notes as the series' streaming home.
What to watch next
- Announcements about a second season or official renewal status: not confirmed in the source
- Any interviews or commentary from Vince Gilligan revealing additional rejected titles: not confirmed in the source
- Promotional materials or press kits that explain the title choice in more detail: not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- Pluribus: The title of the Apple TV series; derived from the Latin phrase "e pluribus unum," chosen by the show's creators.
- E pluribus unum: A Latin phrase meaning "out of many, one," historically used as a motto and referenced for thematic naming.
- Title desert: An informal phrase used by creators to describe a prolonged period without finding a satisfactory title.
- Apple TV: Apple's streaming platform that distributes original series and films, available via subscription.
Reader FAQ
Did Vince Gilligan reveal all the alternate titles the team considered?
No. He said there were nearly 100 but did not share the full list.
What was the worst proposed title according to Gilligan?
He identified "Be Kind, Remind" as the worst of the alternate titles.
What does the title Pluribus refer to?
It references the Latin phrase "e pluribus unum," meaning "out of many, one."
Has a second season been confirmed?
Not confirmed in the source.
I think Apple should take this radical approach to the new Siri Ben Lovejoy Jan 5 2026 APPLE TV PLURIBUS Pluribus had many alternate titles, here’s ‘the worst one of…
Sources
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