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 Nov 23, 2023
S1E1: Pretty Smart
Thursday Nov 23, 2023
Thursday Nov 23, 2023
Pretty Smart is a Netflix original sitcom created by Jack Dolgen and Doug Mand. The show is about Chelsea, a recent college graduate who unexpectedly finds herself in need of a place to live. Chelsea ends up in Los Angeles, moving in with her sister Claire and her friends. The two sisters are polar opposites and Chelsea needs to find a way to fit in with a crowd she very much stands out in.
Will this show be another failed attempt by Netflix to create a proper sitcom? Listen as the S1E1 guys deep dive Pretty Smart's pilot episode, "Guess what?! Claire's sister is coming!"
Starring: Emily Osment, Gregg Sulkin, Olivia Macklin, Michael Hsu Rosen, Cinthya Carmona
www.S1E1POD.com
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
S1E1: Night Court
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
"Night Court" is a classic sitcom that aired from 1984 to 1992. Set in a Manhattan court that runs after conventional hours, the show revolves around a quirky judge, and his eclectic team of court personnel. With its witty dialogue, eccentric characters, and lighthearted approach to the legal system, "Night Court" remains fondly remembered for its unique blend of comedy and courtroom drama.
Did this sitcom's take on a real life New York court create timeless entertainment or does it deserve to stay in the archives? Losten in as the S1E1 boys deep dive the show's pilot episode, "All You Need Is Love" and find out.
Starring: Harry Anderson, Karen Austin, John Larroquette, Gail Strickland, Richard Moll, & Selma Diamond
www.S1E1POD.com
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
S1E1: The Bernie Mac Show
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
"The Bernie Mac Show" is a sitcom that aired from 2001 to 2006. It follows comedian Bernie Mac as he takes in his sister's three children, trying to impart life lessons while hilariously navigating the challenges of parenthood.
The show's humor stems from Bernie's unfiltered, no-nonsense approach to parenting and his interactions with the kids. The show was praised for its humor, Bernie Mac's performance, and its portrayal of family dynamics. Will the S1E1 guys agree? Listen as they deep dive the show's Pilot episode.
Starring: Bernie Mac, Kellita Smith, Camille Winbush, Jeremy Suarez, & Dee Dee Davis
www.S1E1POD.com
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
S1E1: Lopez vs Lopez
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
In "Lopez vs Lopez" comedic great George Lopez returns to sitcom television but thie time does it alongside his daughter, Mayan. On the show George and Mayan portray a fictionalized version of their real-life father-daughter relationship. NBC's description of the series reads, "A working-class family comedy about dysfunction, reconnection, and all the pain and joy in between."
Can this show match some of the same magic we saw twenty years prior with "The George Lopez Show", a show that the S1E1 guys gave a perfect five out of five to? Find out as they deep dive the pilot episode for Lopez vs Lopez.
Starring: George Lopez, Mayan Lopez, Selenis Leyva, Brice Gonzalez, & Matt Shively
www.S1E1POD.com
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
S1E1: The New Addams Family
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
"The New Addams Family" was a television series that originally aired on the Fox Family Channel (now known as Freeform) from 1998 to 1999. The show was an attempt to bring "The Addams Family" back to television after the massive success of the movies earlier that decade. The New Addams Family however would be modeled as a modern spin on the classic TV series from the '60s. Like the original series, it combines dark humor and a love for all things spooky and eccentric, focusing on the family's day-to-day activities and the comical situations that arise from their unusual lifestyle.
The show sought to recapture the charm of the classic series while introducing it to a new generation of viewers. Although it may not have reached the same cultural status as the original, it remains a notable part of the Addams family legacy and a fun and spooky sitcom for those who appreciate dark humor and the supernatural. Will the S1E1 boys enjoy this one as much as they did the original series? Listen as they do a deep dive of the shows pilot episode, "Halloween with the Addams Family".
Starring: Glenn Taranto, Ellie Harvie, Michael Roberds, Nicole Fugere, Brody Smith, Betty Phillips, Steven Fox, & John DeSantis
www.S1E1POD.com
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
S1E1: Free Spirit
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
TGIF was ABC's block of television that ran on Friday nights for over a decade and became an iconic part of American television culture. There we've seen some of TV's all time greatest sitcoms. On September 22nd, 1989 we were introduced to its first ever lineup: Full House, Family Matters, Perfect Strangers, & Free Spirit...
Don't know that last one? Free Spirit was a short lived sitcom that had only one week on the infamous TGIF block before moving to a different time slot and faded away soon there after. It starred Corinne Bohrer as Winnie Goodwinn a witch who is summoned by 10-year-old boy's wish, and is subsequently hired as a live-in housekeeper by his father, a recently divorced lawyer and father of three.
Does Free Spirit deserve to share the honor of being a week 1 TGIF show or was this something that should have never been made in the first place? Find out as the S1E1 boys do a deep dive of the show's pilot episode.
Starring: Corinne Bohrer, Franc Luz, Paul Scherrer, Edan Gross, & Alyson Hannigan
www.S1E1POD.com
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
S1E1: Ghosts (UK)
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
"Ghosts" is a 2019 BBC One comedy series. The show revolves around a young couple who inherit a haunted country mansion and find themselves living with a diverse group of eccentric ghosts from different historical periods. The series combines humor, supernatural elements, and historical references to create a unique and entertaining story.
The show has been well received by viewers and critics alike and due to the its quick success an adaptation was created and aired in America 2 years later. Is this show a guaranteed green-light or will the S1E1 boys bury this one once and for all? Find out as they deep dive Ghosts' first episode "Who Do You Think You Are?"
Starring: Martha Howe-Douglas, Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard, Ben Willbond, Charlotte Ritchie, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Lolly Adefope, & Katy Wix
www.S1E1POD.com
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
S1E1: Bewitched
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
"Bewitched" is a classic sitcom that originally aired from 1964 to 1972. It revolves around the life of Samantha, a charming and lovely woman who also happens to be a witch with supernatural powers. Samantha marries a mortal man named Darrin Stephens, who at first is unaware of her magical abilities.
The central premise of the show revolves around the comedic situations that arise from Samantha's attempts to live a normal, suburban life while keeping her witchcraft a secret from the world around her. This often leads to humorous misunderstandings and magical mishaps.
"Bewitched" was an instant hit and soon became ABC's number one show in its first season. The show remained extremely popular throughout its entire eight season run and nearly 60 years after it first premiered is still enjoyed through streaming and syndication. But was the show a hit right from episode one? Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive the shows pilot episode, "I, Darrin, Take This Witch, Samantha".
Starring: Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, & Agnes Moorehead
www.S1E1POD.com
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
S1E1: Strangers with Candy
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
"Strangers with Candy" is a dark comedy television series that originally aired from 1999 to 2000. Created by Stephen Colbert, Paul Dinello, and Amy Sedaris, the show is a satirical take on the after-school specials of the 1970s and 1980s.Known for its dark humor, the series follows the misadventures of Jerri Blank, a 46-year-old, who after living as a prostitute and drug addict, decides to go back to high school in a misguided attempt to restart her life. Jerri's return sets the stage for a series of absurd situations as she navigates the challenges of being a high school student.
Nearly 25 years after it premiered will the S1E1 guys enjoy this satiracle take on after school specials? Find out as they deep dive the pilot episode, "Old Habits, New Beginnings".
Starring: Amy Sedaris, Stephen Colbert, Paul Dinello, Greg Hollimon, Roberto Gari, Deborah Rush, Larc Spies, Orlando Pabotoy, & Jenna Lamia
www.S1E1POD.com
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
S1E1: Abbott Elementary
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
"Abbott Elementary" is a workplace comedy series created by Quinta Brunson that premiered in 2021. The show is set in an underfunded Philadelphia public elementary school and follows a group of dedicated, but often quirky, teachers as they navigate the challenges of their profession. The series uses a mockumentary-style format to provide a fresh perspective on some of the unfortunate realities of public schooling while delivering laughs along the way.With high user ratings amongst all platforms Abbott Elementary became a fast hit with a large and dedicated fan base. But was episode one what hooked everyone? Listen as the S1E1 boys do a deep dive of their pilot episode.Starring: Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Chris Perfetti, Lisa Ann Walter, & Sheryl Lee Ralphwww.S1E1POD.comInstagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD