The S1E1 Podcast

S1E1: Punky Brewster

"Punky Brewster" is a sitcom that spanned four seasons from 1984 to 1988. The show is about a young girl (Soleil Moon Frye) with a vibrant personality and a knack for getting into misadventures being raised by a foster parent (George Gaynes). Punky often faces all types of struggles throughout the series but her resilience, and infectious spirit always shine through, which inspired viewers of all ages.
"Punky Brewster" struck a chord with audiences for its heartwarming portrayal of unconventional families, and its ability to tackle important issues in a relatable and accessible manner. The show's enduring popularity has led to revivals and reboots, including a sequel series titled "Punky Brewster" which premiered in 2021, further cementing its status as a beloved classic in television history.
Starring: Soleil Moon Frye, George Gaynes, Cherie Johnson, & Susie Garrett
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S1E1: I Love Lucy

"I Love Lucy" is a classic American television sitcom that aired from 1951-1957. The show starred Lucille Ball and her real-life husband Desi Arnaz. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential sitcoms in television history. The show follows the misadventures of Lucy Ricardo, a quirky housewife with aspirations of stardom, and her Cuban bandleader husband Ricky Ricardo, who often finds himself caught up in Lucy's schemes. The Ricardos live in a New York City apartment building, where they interact with their landlords and best friends, Fred and Ethel Mertz (played by William Frawley and Vivian Vance, respectively).
The show was the first to be filmed in front of a live studio audience using multiple cameras, a technique that became the standard for sitcom production. It was also one of the first television programs to portray an interracial marriage (Lucy being Caucasian and Ricky being Cuban). But will this groundbreaking show still hit over 70 years after originally airing? Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive I Love Lucy's first episode, "The Girls Want to Go to the Nightclub".
Starring: Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, & William Frawley
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S1E1: The Trades

"The Trades" is a sitcom about refinery employees that first debut March 2024 on the Crave network in Canada. The show is a production of Trailer Park Boys Inc. and stars Rob Wells as Todd, a red seal welder working towards a promotion to site manager at his refinery plant. The Trades has a deep ensemble cast featuring the likes of Tom Green, Enrico Colantoni, and Jennifer Spence to name a few. The show offers a comedic behind the scenes view of the the antics of blue-collar workers getting through the day at a stressful workplace.
Will the Trailer Park Boys machine driving this show come with its strong fan base? Will this gritty, down to earth comedy resonate with the S1E1 boys? Find out as they deep dive the shows pilot episode, "The German Robot".
Starring: Rob Wells, Anastasia Phillips, Jennifer Spence, Enrico Colantoni, Susan Kent, Dan Petronijevic, Jesse Comacho, Brandon Oakes, & Tom Green
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S1E1: Bob Hearts Abishola

"Bob Hearts Abishola" is a sitcom that aired on CBS from 2019-2024. Created by the legendary Chuck Lorre, the mastermind behind hit shows such as "Two and a Half Men", "The Big Bang Theory", & "Grace Under Fire" just to name a few. With this show, Lorre wanted to offer an interracial love story to a broad audience and by doing so gave us the first American sitcom to feature a Nigerian family.
The series follows Bob Wheeler (played by Billy Gardell), a middle-aged compression sock salesman in Detroit who suffers a heart attack and ends up in the hospital. There, he meets Abishola Oluwakemi (played by Folake Olowofoyeku), a Nigerian immigrant who works as a nurse. Despite their cultural differences and initial misunderstandings, Bob becomes infatuated with Abishola, sparking a charming and unconventional love story.
"Bob Hearts Abishola" has been praised for tackling important social issues with sensitivity and humor, while also celebrating the universal themes of love, family, and resilience. Will these themes resonate with the S1E1 guys who can often have offbeat senses of humor? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode and find out.
Starring: Billy Gardell, Folake Olowofoyeku, Christine Ebersole, Matt Jones, Maribeth Monroe, Shola Adewusi, Barry Shabaka Henley, Travis Wolfe Jr., Vernee Watson, & Gina Yashere
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S1E1: Herman's Head

"Herman's Head" was a sitcom that aired on the Fox network from 1991-1994. The show had unique concept, revolving around the inner thoughts and emotions of its protagonist, Herman Brooks (William Ragsdale), but here those thoughts and emotions were portrayed by 4 different characters that resided inside Herman's mind. Throughout its run, Herman navigated through various romantic relationships, friendships, and workplace scenarios, with his internal voices often providing conflicting advice and commentary. If you hear a couple familiar voices when Herman is at the office it's because two of his co-workers are played by long running Simpsons voice actors, Yeardley Smith (Lisa Simpson) & Hank Azaria (Moe, Apu, Chief Wiggum, etc).
Despite its innovative concept and initial critical acclaim, "Herman's Head" faced challenges with inconsistent scheduling and changes in time slots, which led to fluctuations in viewership. After three seasons and 72 episodes, the show was ultimately canceled in April 1994. Will the S1E1 guys enjoy watching this somewhat forgotten '90s classic? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode and find out.
Starring: William Ragsdale, Hank Azaria, Jane Sibbett, Yeardley Smith, Molly Hagan, Ken Hudson CampbellRick Lawless, Peter MacKenzie, Jason Bernard, Edward Winter, & Corinne Bohrer
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S1E1: Extended Family

"Extended Family" is a sitcom that premiered on NBC in 2023. The show is about Jim (Jon Cryer) and Julia (Abigail Spencer), a recently divorced couple that are trying to show the world that divorce doesn't need to have so much negativity attached to it. In the process they co-parent their two children and even take turns living in the house they once shared. The arrangement gets complicated when Julia starts seeing Trey (Donald Faison), who happens to be the owner of the Boston Celtics. As a matter of fact the show was loosely based on the life of the actual owner of the Celtics, Wyc Grousbeck.
This Mike O'Malley created show has been met with less than stellar reviews thus far. With heavy criticism going towards the writing. But maybe the S1E1 guys will enjoy watching another show set in their hometown of Boston? Listen as they review the first episode of "Extended Family" and find out.
Starring: Jon Cryer, Donald Faison, Sofia Campanna, Abigail Spencer, Finn Sweeney, & Lenny Clarke
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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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