The S1E1 Podcast

S1E1: Undeclared

"Undeclared" was a sitcom created by Judd Apatow that aired on the Fox network in 2001. It was the spiritual successor to "Freaks and Geeks," which had been critically acclaimed but canceled after just one season. The premise centered around a group of college freshmen as they navigate the challenges and adventures of college at the fictional University of Northeastern California. The show received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its humor, relatable characters, and realistic portrayal of college life. However, despite the critical acclaim, the show struggled to find a large audience and was canceled after just one season.
Despite its short-lived run, "Undeclared" has had a lasting cultural impact and helped launch the careers of several actors and comedians who went on to become prominent figures in Hollywood. But is the show as good as critics say or did it deserve to get the boot after one season? Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive the pilot episode, "Prototype" and find out.
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Carla Gallo, Charlie Hunnam, Monica Keena, Seth Rogen, Timm Sharp, Jason Segel, & Loudon Wainwright III
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S1E1: The Wayan's Bros

"The Wayans Bros." was a sitcom that aired on the WB network (now The CW) from 1995 to 1999. Its mix of slapstick comedy, witty banter, and the chemistry between the two real-life brothers helped the show build a strong and loyal fanbase. It offered a more diverse and inclusive representation of family dynamics and everyday experiences than most other shows did on mainstream television at the time.
"The Wayans Bros." helped solidify their reputation as comedic actors, writers, and producers, paving the way for future projects like "Scary Movie" and "White Chicks.". It remains a cult favorite among fans of '90s television. The show left a mark on television history as a charming and humorous sitcom that showcased the comedic talents of the Wayans family while providing representation for African-American audiences. But did this iconic show have its footing right from the start? Listen as the S1E1 guys deep dive the show's pilot episode, "Goop-Hair-It-Is" and find out.
Starring: Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, John Witherspoon, Lela Rochon, Gary Coleman, & Garrett Morris
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S1E1: 2gether

"2gether" was a sitcom that aired on MTV in 2000 following the movie of the same name that released earlier that year. The show was a satirical take on the boy band phenomenon of the late '90s and early 2000s. The show followed the fictional boy band 2ge+her as they moved in with one another in a house provided by their new label "What-Ev Records". The series provided audiences with a humorous look behind the scenes of the music industry and the manufactured personas of boy bands. One of the notable aspects of "2gether" was its ability to blend scripted comedy with musical performances. The band's songs, including "U + Me = Us (Calculus)" and "The Hardest Part of Breaking Up (Is Getting Back Your Stuff)," became legitimately popular among viewers and even received airplay on MTV and other music channels.
Overall, "2gether" remains a fondly remembered part of early 2000s pop culture. Will the show resonate with a group of guys who mostly distanced themselves from the boy band trends of the time? Listen as the S1E1 guys deep dive the show's pilot episode, "Lorelei" and find out.
Starring: Evan Farmer, Alex Solowitz, Noah Bastian, Kevin Farley, Michael Cuccione, Christine Chatelain, Roger Cross, Dave McGowan, Lauren Lee Smith, & Carson Daly
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S1E1: Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place

Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place (Renamed "Two Guys and a Girl" in its third season) was a sitcom that aired on ABC from 1998 to 2001. The show is about three twenty-somethings who share a Boston apartment and hang around (and work) at a pizza place. A lot of the motivation from the show came from show creator Kenny Schwartz's experiences working at a Massachusetts pizza shop. Modern day this sitcom might best be remembered as the launching pad for a young Ryan Reynolds.
In its premier, the show's pilot was watched by 17.94 million viewers. Unfortunately the pilot ended up being the shows most viewed episode. The show received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the chemistry of the cast and the witty dialogue, but criticized the formulaic plots and the frequent changes in tone and direction. But can that boy's attention? Listen as they deep dive "The Pilot" and find out.
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Richard Ruccolo, Traylor Howard Jennifer Westfeldt, Julius Carry, & David Ogden Stiers
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S1E1: How I Met Your Mother

"How I Met Your Mother" is an American sitcom that aired on CBS from 2005 to 2014. Created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, the show drew inspiration from their experiences as best friends living in New York City. Centered around Ted Mosby, who narrates the story of how he met the mother of his children to his two kids in the year 2030. The narrative is told through a series of flashbacks, with Ted recounting the events of his life, particularly his relationships with his close-knit group of friends.
"How I Met Your Mother" left a significant impact on television and pop culture. Known for its iconic moments and catchphrases, including but not limited to, "Suit up!", and "legen...wait for it...dary". HIMYM remains a significant cultural touchstone in television history, and lives strong among its die hard fan base. Will the S1E1 guys follow "Bro Code" and give the show the green-light? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode and find out.
Starring: Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris, Alyson Hannigan, & Bob Saget
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S1E1: Living Biblically

"Living Biblically" was a sitcom that premiered on CBS in February 2018. The show follows Chip Curry (Jay R Ferguson), a film critic who, after the death of his best friend, decides to live his life exactly as it's written in The Bible. As result Chip has to overcome the difficulties faced with having a modern life that's based around the litteral interpertation of an ancient book. 
Despite an interesting premise and talented cast, "Living Biblically" received mixed reviews from critics and struggled to find an audience. It was canceled by CBS after only eight episodes. Did the network get it right or will the S1E1 guys decide to give the show hige praise? Listen as they deep dive the pilot episode and find out.
Starring: Jay R Ferguson, Lindsey Kraft, Tony Rock, Ian Gomez, David Krumholtz, Camryn Manheim and Sara Gilbert
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S1E1: Blue Mountain State

"Blue Mountain State" is a comedy television series that aired on Spike TV from 2010 to 2011. Located at the fictional Blue Mountain State University, the show focuses on the wild lives of the "Mountain Goats" football team both on and off the field. The show follows Alex Moran (Darin Brooks), a laid-back second string quarterback, as he navigates college life alongside his eccentric teammates.
Despite its short run, "Blue Mountain State" developed such a loyal fanbase that they even went as far as to crowd fund a movie continuation called "Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland" in 2016. Will the S1E1 guys be as willing to donate to this franchize? Listen as they deep dive the pilot episode, "It's Called Hazing, Look It Up" and find out. 
Starring: Darin Brooks, Sam Jones III, Alan Ritchson, Chris Romano, Gabrielle Dennis, Chester Tam, & Ed Marinaro
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S1E1: Trial & Error

"Trial & Error" is a sitcom that premiered on NBC in March 2017. It was conceived as a mockumentary-style comedy series, following a New York City lawyer (Nicholas D'Agosto) who travels to a small town in South Carolina to defend a poetry professor (John Lithgow) accused of murdering his wife.
Inspired by true-crime documentaries the series employs a comedic blend of courtroom antics, absurd characters, and unexpected twists, providing a satirical take on legal proceedings while keeping viewers entertained with its lighthearted and witty humor.
Despite critical acclaim, the show faced challenges with viewership ratings and was ultimately canceled after two seasons. Was this show a victim of bad marketing strategies or was Trial & Error guilty of simply falling short? Listen as the S1E1 guys dissect the pilot episode of this seemingly unknown sitcom.
Starring: John Lithgow, Nicholas D'Agosto, Steven Boyer, Sherri Shepherd, Krysta Rodriguez, & Jayma Mays
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S1E1: Malcolm in the Middle

"Malcolm in the Middle" is a sitcom that first premiered on the Fox network on January 9, 2000, and ran for seven seasons. The series revolves around the Wilkerson family (Their last name which is only disclosed in the pilot episode), with the central character being Malcolm, played by Frankie Muniz. Malcolm is a highly intelligent and gifted young boy who finds himself in a middle-class family with often chaotic and dysfunctional dynamics.
"Malcolm in the Middle" received critical acclaim for its humor, writing, and performances. A pre "Breaking Bad" Bryan Cranston's portrayal of Hal earned him widespread recognition, and the show was praised for its realistic depiction of the challenges and dynamics within a large family. It won several Emmy Awards and Golden Globes during its run. The show remains fondly remembered as a standout sitcom from the early 2000s.
Starring: Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, Jane Kaczmarek, Christopher Masterson, Justin Berfield, Erik Per Sullivan, Catherine Lloyd Burns, & Craig Lamar Traylor
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S1E1: Out of This World

"Out of This World" was a sitcom that aired from 1987 to 1991. The premise of the show centers around a teenage girl named Evie who on her 13th Birthday discovers that her father is an alien. The show featured Donna Pescow as Evie's mother, and secretly featured Burt Reynolds as her father. The show followed Evie's adventures as she balanced teenage life with the secrets of her extraterrestrial heritage.
While "Out of This World" may not be as well-remembered as some other sitcoms of the era, it had a dedicated fan base and was known for its blend of science fiction and family comedy elements. Will the S1E1 boys enjoy this one or is it better left on another planet? Find out as they deep dive the show's first episode, "Evie's 13th Birthday".
Starring: Maureen Flannigan, Donna Pescow, Joe Alaskey, Doug McClure, & Burt Reynolds
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