The S1E1 Podcast
Join us every week where we’ll be picking a different sitcom and judging it solely on its very first televised episode. In doing so we’ll be challenging ourselves to erase any knowledge of future episodes so we can deliver an unbiased opinion. At the end of each show we’ll tell you if this is a show we would green light or cancel. Tune in to find out which mega shows wouldn’t make the cut, what forgettable mistakes we give a pass, and who started exactly where they should be.
Episodes
Thursday Feb 22, 2024
S1E1: How I Met Your Mother
Thursday Feb 22, 2024
Thursday Feb 22, 2024
"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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Thursday Feb 15, 2024
S1E1: Living Biblically
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
"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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Thursday Feb 08, 2024
S1E1: Blue Mountain State
Thursday Feb 08, 2024
Thursday Feb 08, 2024
"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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Thursday Feb 01, 2024
S1E1: Trial & Error
Thursday Feb 01, 2024
Thursday Feb 01, 2024
"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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Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
Thursday Jan 25, 2024
S1E1: Malcolm in the Middle
Thursday Jan 25, 2024
Thursday Jan 25, 2024
"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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Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
S1E1: Out of This World
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
"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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Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
Thursday Jan 11, 2024
S1E1: Greg The Bunny
Thursday Jan 11, 2024
Thursday Jan 11, 2024
"Greg the Bunny" is a television show that originally aired on the Fox network in 2002. The show uses a Muppet-like mix of live-action and puppetry, featuring both human and puppet characters interacting. In it, Greg is a puppet who's on his way to apply for a job as an assistant and somehow finds himself as the new star on the children's television show.
Despite the unique concept, "Greg the Bunny" was canceled after its first season. However, it developed a cult following and has since become a favorite among fans who appreciate its irreverent humor. Will this show be a fast favorite of the S1E1 guys? Listen as they deep dive the show's first episode, "Welcome to Sweetknuckle Junction".
Starring: Eugene Levy, Seth Green, Sarah Silverman, Bob Gunton, Dina Spybey-Waters, & Dan Milano
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Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
Thursday Jan 04, 2024
S1E1: Smart Guy
Thursday Jan 04, 2024
Thursday Jan 04, 2024
"Smart Guy" was a sitcom that aired on The WB network from 1997 to 1999. The show starred Tahj Mowry who had gained recognition for his role on the ABC sitcom "Full House" as T.J. Henderson, a child prodigy who moves up to high school at the age of 10 and has to try to fit in with his older peers. The show was generally well-received for its blend of humor and heart and is remembered fondly by those who watched it during its original run.
Will the S1E1 guys also look back at Smart Guy with the same fondness? Find out as they do a deep dive of the show's pilot episode.
Starring: Tahj Mowry, Jason Weaver, Essence Atkins, John Marshall Jones, Omar Gooding, Anne-Marie Johnson, & Venus DeMilo Thomas
www.S1E1POD.com
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
Thursday Dec 28, 2023
S1E1: Get A Life
Thursday Dec 28, 2023
Thursday Dec 28, 2023
"Get a Life" was a sitcom that aired on the Fox network from 1990 to 1992. The show starred comedian Chris Elliott as Chris Peterson, a 30-year-old paperboy who lived with his parents. The lose premise of the show being, "What if Dennis The Menace was an adult?". The series was a departure from traditional sitcom formats and embraced a more absurd and unpredictable style. Despite its cult following, "Get a Life" faced challenges in finding a mainstream audience and was eventually canceled after two seasons.Does Get A Life's unconventional humor line up with the somewhat offbeat humor of the S1E1 guys? Listen as they deep dive the show's first episode, "Terror on the Hell Loop 2000" and find out.
Starring: Chris Elliott, Sam Robards, Robin Riker, Elinor Donahue, Bob Elliott, & Mike Hagerty
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Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
S1E1: The Santa Clauses
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
"The Santa Clauses" is a show on Disney+ that serves as a legacy-sequel to The Santa Clause film series that originally started in 1994. Here we see Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) now in his 60s and coming to terms with the fact that he can't be Santa forever. He will now have to set out to find a suitable replacement Santa and also prepare his family for a life outside of The North Pole.
Is this show the perfect complement to the original film series that came before it. Or is Disney just using nostalgia to cash in for their streaming platform? Listen as the S1E1 guys deep dice The Santa Clauses first episode, "Chapter One: Good to Ho" and find out.
Starring: Tim Allen, Elizabeth Mitchell, Austin Kane, Elizabeth Allen-Dick, & Devin Bright
www.S1E1POD.com
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD