The S1E1 Podcast

S1E1: Corner Gas

"Corner Gas" is a sitcom that aired from 2004 to 2009 on CTV. The premise centers around Brent Leroy (played by show creator Brent Butt), who runs the town's gas station. Known for its dry humor and character-driven storytelling, the show avoids traditional sitcom laugh tracks and instead leans on witty dialogue and understated situational comedy rooted in Canadian small-town life.
Reception for Corner Gas was overwhelmingly positive and became one of the highest-rated Canadian television comedies ever. Critics praised its relatable humor, and strong ensemble cast. Even after its finale, Corner Gas remains a beloved cultural touchstone, often cited as the Canadian equivalent of Seinfeld in its ability to find humor in everyday, “about nothing” situations. Will the S1E1 boys enjoy this comedy from the north? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode, "Ruby Reborn".
Starring: Brent Butt, Gabrielle Miller, Fred Ewanuick, Eric Peterson, Janet Wright, Lorne Cardinal, Tara Spencer-Nairn, & Nancy Robertson
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S1E1: The Building

"The Building" is a CBS sitcom that premiered in 1993. It was created, written, and executive-produced by Bonnie Hunt. The show centers on Bonnie Kennedy a commercial actress who returns to Chicago and moves into her old apartment building across from Wrigley Field after separating from her fiancé. "The Building" was theatrical in tone with many Second City alumni as cast members. Episodes featured improvisational dialogue, overlapping speech, and even the occasional mistake left intact to preserve an authentic feel 
Critics praised "The Building" for its freshness and charm. The Los Angeles Times praised Hunt’s intelligent writing and the cast’s comic timing. Yet reception from audiences was less enthusiastic. Despite critical acclaim, the show struggled in the ratings. CBS aired only five of the six produced episodes before canceling the series. Where will the S1E1 boys sit with this one? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode and find out.
Starring: Bonnie Hunt, Mike Hagerty, Richard Kulhman, Don Lake, Tom Virtue, Holly Wortell, & George Clooney
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S1E1: 227

"227" is a sitcom that aired on NBC from 1985 to 1990, spanning five seasons and 116 episodes. Created by C.J. Banks and Bill Boulware, it was adapted from a 1978 stage play of the same name. The show was set in a middle-class apartment building in Washington, D.C., and became one of NBC’s popular Saturday night staples in the mid-to-late 1980s. It was notable for being a vehicle for Marla Gibbs, who had gained fame on The Jeffersons, and for introducing Jackée and future star Regina King in her television debut.
227 was generally well-received during its early run, praised for Gibbs’s lead performance and the strong ensemble cast. Ratings were solid in the first few seasons, though they dipped in later years, leading to cast changes and retooling before the series ended in 1990. In syndication, 227 retained a loyal audience and is remembered as an important sitcom of the 1980s. Listen in as the S1E1 boys deep dive the show's pilot episode, "Honesty".
Starring: Marla Gibbs, Hal Williams, Alaina Reed, Regina King, Curtis Baldwin, Helen Martin, Ken Foree, & Jackée Harry
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S1E1: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is a sitcom that aired on NBC from 1990 to 1996. The show was produced by Quincy Jones and Warner Bros. Television and introduced Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, who moves from West Philadelphia to live with his affluent relatives in Bel-Air, California. Upon its debut, the show was met with solid ratings and quickly gained popularity. Its humor, and iconic theme song made it a cultural staple of the 1990s.
The legacy of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is substantial. It catapulted Will Smith into superstardom and remains a defining part of his career. The show continued to gain new fans through syndication and streaming, solidifying its status as a classic. Beyond entertainment, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" broke ground in mainstream media by blending hip-hop culture with traditional sitcom structure, making it one of the most influential shows of its era. Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive the show's pilot episode.
Starring: Will Smith, James Avery, Janet Hubert-Whitten, Alfonso Ribeiro, Karyn Parsons, Tatyana Ali, & Joseph Marcell
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S1E1: Gary Unmarried

"Gary Unmarried" aired on CBS from 2008-2010. Created by Ed Yeager, the show starred Jay Mohr as Gary Brooks, a recently divorced painting contractor navigating life as a single dad while re0e for the first time in thirty years. This was used as one of the shows in CBS’s effort to build a solid comedy block.
"Gary Unmarried" received mixed-to-positive reviews. Critics often praised Jay Mohr's likability and comic timing, but some found the writing predictable and derivative. It earned a 2009 People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Comedy, suggesting it had some fan support. Despite its early promise, CBS canceled the show after two seasons due to declining ratings. Despite never being on any of the S1E1 boys' radar originally will they take an interest in this one? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode.
Starring: Jay Mohr, Paula Marshall, Jaime King, Al Madrigal, Ryan Malgarini, Laura Marano, Ashley Farley, & Ed Bagley Jr.
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S1E1: $#*! My Dad Says

"$#*! My Dad Says" was a sitcom that aired on CBS from 2010-2011. Inspired by the popular Twitter feed created by Justin Halpern, the series starred William Shatner as Ed Goodson, a cantankerous and outspoken father whose blunt life advice often clashed with modern sensibilities. Jonathan Sadowski played his adult son, Henry, who moved back in with Ed after losing his job, setting up a premise filled with intergenerational humor, father–son banter, and sitcom hijinks.
The show drew attention because of its unusual origin as a Twitter account and Shatner’s star power, but critical reception was lukewarm at best. Many reviewers felt the humor leaned too heavily on Ed’s crude one-liners and never developed its characters beyond stereotypes. CBS canceled "$#*! My Dad Says" after its first season. Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive this mostly forgotten about show's pilot episode.
Starring: William Shatner, Jonathan Sadowski, Will Sasso, Nicole Sullivan, & Tim Bagley
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S1E1: Salute Your Shorts

Salute Your Shorts is a sitcom that aired on Nickelodeon from 1991-1992, set at the fictional Camp Anawanna. The show follows a group of teenage campers navigating a summer of friendships, rivalries, and pranks. All of which while under the half-watchful eye of their counselor, "Ug". The show's appeal lies in its ability to balance silly slapstick humor with a level of gritty realness and authenticity.
Despite only running for two seasons, Salute Your Shorts carved out a lasting legacy and became one of Nickelodeon’s top programs of all time with a loyal following that remains to this day. It stands as a beloved emblem of early '90s Nickelodeon. Will the S1E1 boys enjoy this trip back to their youth or will this show get an Awful Waffle? Listen as they deep dive the shows first episode, "Michael Comes to Camp".
Starring: Megan Berwick, Michael Bower, Danny Cooksey, Venus DeMilo, Trevor Eyster, Heidi Lucas, Erik MacArthur, & Kirk Baily
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S1E1: Suddenly Susan

Suddenly Susan is sitcom that ran from 1996-2000 on NBC. In it Brooke Shields starred as Susan Keane who begins a journey of self-discovery after leaving her fiancé at the altar. She then returns to her job at The Gate, a trendy publication owned by her ex’s brother. He offers her a new role: writing a column about navigating single life, aptly titled “Suddenly Susan.” This sets the stage for a workplace comedy filled with quirky colleagues and personal reinvention.
Critics were divided on Suddenly Susan, with some appreciating the ensemble cast and Shields’ comedic charm, while others found the writing uneven and the premise thin. Ultimately, changes to both the cast and creative team lead to a declining audience and a cancelation from the network. Will the S1E1 boys enjoy revisiting this 90s classic? Listen as they deep dive the shows first episode, "First Episode".
Starring: Brooke Shields, Nestor Carbonell, Kathy Griffin, Judd Nelson, David Strickland, Barbara Barrie, Anthony Starke, & Kurt Fuller
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S1E1: Florida Girls

Florida Girls is a Pop TV original sitcom that aired in 2019. The show follows the lives of four women living in a small, working-class town in Florida. Despite their ages they have not yet fully embraced adult responsibilities. Instead of pursuing typical career paths or higher education, they spend their time partying and making poor life choices.
The show was praised for its funny, fresh perspective on female friendship, and for its quirky, offbeat characters. Critics appreciated the show’s blend of light-hearted and serious moments. Despite the show recieving praise from most critics, Florida Girls never found its audience. Did this one come and go too soon? Listen as the S1E1 guys deep dive the show's pilot episode.
Starring: Laura Chinn, Patty Guggenheim, Laci Mosley, Melanie Field, Kyle S More, Courtney Pauroso, & Chris WIlliams
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S1E1: Two and a Half Men

"Two and a Half Men" is a CBS sitcom that aired from 2003 to 2015. The show was created by Chuck Lorre and Lee Aronsohn, and became one of the most successful sitcoms during its run. The story begins when Alan (Jon Cryer), a neurotic and unlucky-in-love chiropractor, is kicked out of his house by his ex-wife, Judith, and shows up at the Malibu beach house of his older brother, Charlie (Charlie Sheen). Charlie, a wealthy bachelor and jingle writer, leads a carefree life filled with alcohol, women. Despite being polar opposites, the two form a dysfunctional co-parenting duo when Alan brings along his 10-year-old son, Jake (Angus T. Jones).
The early seasons were a massive hit with audiences, thanks to sharp writing and the undeniable chemistry between Sheen and Cryer. Though often labeled “juvenile” or “lowbrow” by critics, viewers of "Two and a Half Men" embraced the crass humor and relatable family tension. Charlie Sheen’s erratic behavior, drug use, and public rants against producer Chuck Lorre led to his firing at the end of Season 8. Viewership dropped as result but remained strong enough for CBS to keep the show going. After another four seasons post Sheen creative fatigue finally kicked in and the decision to end the show was made. Listen as the we bring it back to Episode 1 when the boys deep dive the show's pilot episode.
Starring: Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, Angus T. Jones, Marin Hinkle, Melanie Lynskey, Holland Taylor, Kristin Bauer, & Tom Wilson
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