The S1E1 Podcast

"The Monkees" is a sitcom that premiered on NBC in 1966, following the misadventures of a struggling four-piece rock band as they chase fame but somehow stumble into chaos wherever they go. Starring Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork, the series blended slapstick comedy and music videos years before MTV existed. Inspired by the success of A Hard Day's Night, the show quickly became one of the most energetic and inventive sitcoms of the 1960s.
Although initially dismissed by some critics as a manufactured attempt to cash in on Beatlemania, "The Monkees" became a cultural phenomenon and helped launch the group into genuine music superstardom. The show's groundbreaking visual style earned it a devoted fanbase that continues to discover it decades later. Will the S1E1 boys go bananas for this musical sitcom classic, or should this TV band have stayed in the garage? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode, "Royal Flush," and find out.
Starring: Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, & Peter Tork
www.S1E1POD.com
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

"Just Shoot Me!" is a sitcom that aired on NBC from 1997-2003. The show stars Laura San Giacomo as Maya Gallo, an outspoken journalist who reluctantly goes to work at her father's fashion magazine. Surrounded by an eccentric staff, Maya finds herself constantly clashing with the superficial world she's been thrown into. With its sharp ensemble cast and fast-paced writing, the series carved out its own place during NBC's legendary Must See TV era.
Just Shoot Me! was both a critical darling and a commercial hit, earning multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations while consistently delivering top-tier ratings across its seven-season run. Though it often lived in the shadow of NBC heavyweights like Friends and Frasier, the show proved it had plenty of laughs of its own. Will the S1E1 boys think this fashion magazine is cover-worthy, or should this issue have stayed on the newsstand? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode, "Back Issues," and find out.
Starring: Laura San Giacomo, George Segal, Wendie Malick, Enrico Colantoni, & David Spade
www.S1E1POD.com
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

"The Unicorn" is a sitcom that premiered on CBS in 2019 starring Walton Goggins as Wade Felton, a recently widowed father who's reluctantly encouraged to jump back into the dating world. Much to his surprise, Wade quickly discovers he's exactly what many single women are looking for, a rare "unicorn". The series manages to explore themes like grief without ever losing its sense of humor.
While "The Unicorn" only lasted two seasons, it earned praise from critics and audiences for its warm storytelling. Rather than relying on over-the-top sitcom antics, the show leaned on using genuine emotion with relatable laughs. Will the S1E1 boys fall for this rare television "unicorn," or should this dating comedy have stayed off the market? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode and find out.
Starring: Walton Goggins, Rob Corddry, Omar Miller, Maya Lynne Robinson, Ruby Jay, Makenzie Moss, Devin Bright, Michaela Watkins, & Natalie Ceballos
www.S1E1POD.com
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

"Newhart" is a sitcom that aired on CBS 1982-1990, starring comedy legend Bob Newhart as Dick Loudon, a New York author who trades city life for a quiet Vermont inn. Alongside his wife Joanna, Dick quickly discovers that running a country inn means dealing with an endless parade of eccentric guests and even stranger locals. Anchored by Newhart's signature dry wit and deadpan delivery, the series turned a simple fish-out-of-water premise into one of television's most beloved comedies.
Over the course of eight seasons, "Newhart" became a sitcom staple, earning critical acclaim and cementing its place in TV history with one of the most famous series finales of all time. The show remains a favorite among classic sitcom fans. But does the pilot live up to the legendary reputation that followed, or should the Stratford Inn close its doors for good? Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive the show's pilot "In the Beginning" and find out.
Starring: Bob Newhart, Mary Frann, Steven Kampmann, Jennifer Holmes, & Tom Poston
www.S1E1POD.com
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

"Son of a Critch" is a Canadian sitcom that premiered in 2023 on CBC. Based on comedian Mark Critch's bestselling memoir, the series follows him as an 11-year-old growing up in 1980s St. John's, Newfoundland. He possesses an "old soul" that makes him seem mature beyond his years, yet he remains vulnerable to the classic pitfalls of adolescence. Mark is often left feeling like an outsider in his own junior high.
While "Son of a Critch" may not be as well known in the United States, it has become one of Canada's most acclaimed modern sitcoms, earning multiple seasons and praise for its humor and heart. Can this charming Canadian import win over the S1E1 boys, or should this trip back to the '80s have stayed in the yearbook? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode, "Pilot," and find out.
(Special Guest: Jay's Brother, Chris)
Starring: Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, Mark Critch, Claire Rankin, Colton Gobbo, Sophia Power, Mark Rivera, & Malcolm McDowell
www.S1E1POD.com
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

"True Originals" is an unaired sitcom pilot produced for UPN in 2003. The comedy follows a group of eccentric twenty-somethings that work at a nostalgia and collectibles shop. This pilot is legendary in Hollywood circles because of the incredible ensemble of future stars it featured right before they broke out, and how its failure directly shaped TV history. Famously this pilot is directly responsible for John Krasinski landing his roll on The Office.
Unaired pilots rarely develop much of a legacy, but "True Originals" has become a cult curiosity. After leaking online, the show became the center of a lot of "what if" scenarios. So, does this lost sitcom deserve a second chance, or did UPN make the right call by leaving it on the shelf? Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive this never-aired television relic and find out.
Starring: John Krasinski, Natasha Lyonne, Jorge Garcia, Ken Marino, John Ross Bowie, Judah Friedlander, & Tessie Santiago
www.S1E1POD.com
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

“Brockmire” is a comedy that aired on IFC from 2017-2020. The show stars Hank Azaria as Jim Brockmire, a legendary baseball announcer whose spectacular on-air meltdown sends his career into a decade-long tailspin. After years of self-destruction, he gets a second chance calling games for the Frackers, a minor league team in Morristown, Pennsylvania. As he struggles to stay sober and rebuild his reputation, Brockmire discovers that redemption is never as simple as calling the next game. The series mixes sports comedy with dark satire.
Critics praised “Brockmire” throughout its four-season run, with particular acclaim going to Azaria's fearless performance and the show's razor-sharp writing. While it never became a mainstream ratings hit, the series developed a devoted fanbase and is frequently cited as one of the most underrated comedies of the late 2010s. Did this foul-mouthed broadcaster knock it out of the park? Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive the show's pilot episode, "Rally Cap" and find out.
Starring: Hank Azaria, Amanda Peet, Tyrel Jackson Williams, Hemky Madera, & Katie Finneran
www.S1E1POD.com
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

“My Two Dads” is a sitcom that aired on NBC from 1987-1990 about two friends turned rivals who need to reunite to raise a 12-year-old girl after her mother passes away. The series explored an unconventional family dynamic years before non-traditional households became a common television theme. What could have been a gimmicky setup instead became a surprisingly warm sitcom about friendship and the idea that family is about more than biology.
The Show was an immediate, albeit modest, success making its way into the Nielsen top 20 during its first season. While "My Two Dads" had a solid three-season run on NBC, a massive portion of the show's legacy comes from its relentless syndication on the USA Network throughout the 1990s. It became a core after-school viewing ritual for an entire generation of kids who missed its original prime-time run. Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive the pilot episode and find out if this one earns full custody of your attention.
Starring: Paul Reiser, Greg Evigan, Staci Keanan, & Florence Stanley
www.S1E1POD.com
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

"Emeril" is an NBC sitcom that premiered in 2001 and starred celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse as a fictionalized version of himself. Set behind the scenes of a successful television cooking show, the series was a workplace and family comedy rolled into one, attempting to cash in on Emeril's massive Food Network appeal at the time.
Despite boasting a talented cast and the popularity of Emeril Lagasse at the height of his fame, the series was short-lived and has largely faded from television history. Does this forgotten sitcom deserve a hearty "Bam!" or should it stay off the menu? Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive Emeril's pilot episode, "fat".
Starring: Emeril Lagasse, Lisa Ann Walter, Sherri Shepherd, Carrie Preston, & Robert Urich
www.S1E1POD.com
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

The Bob Newhart Show was a sitcom that aired on CBS from 1972-1978. The series stars Bob Newhart as Dr. Robert Hartley, a Chicago psychologist balancing the eccentric personalities of his patients with the equally colorful characters in his personal life. Unlike many sitcoms of its era, The Bob Newhart Show relied less on broad slapstick and more on sharp writing and dry wit.
Many fans consider The Bob Newhart Show to be Bob's finest work. Its realistic portrayal of adult relationships helped set it apart from the sitcom landscape of the time. More than fifty years after its debut, the series remains a staple of classic television. Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive the show's pilot episode, "Fly the Unfriendly Skies" to see if this one gets a green-light or cancel.
Starring: Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, Peter Bonerz, Bill Daily, Patricia Smith, Marcia Wallace, Noam Pitlik, Florida Friebus, Jack Riley, & Penny Marshall
www.S1E1POD.com
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD