The S1E1 Podcast

"Newhart" is a sitcom that aired on CBS 1982-1990, starring comedy legend Bob Newhart as Dick Loudon, a New York author who trades city life for a quiet Vermont inn. Alongside his wife Joanna, Dick quickly discovers that running a country inn means dealing with an endless parade of eccentric guests and even stranger locals. Anchored by Newhart's signature dry wit and deadpan delivery, the series turned a simple fish-out-of-water premise into one of television's most beloved comedies.

Over the course of eight seasons, "Newhart" became a sitcom staple, earning critical acclaim and cementing its place in TV history with one of the most famous series finales of all time. The show remains a favorite among classic sitcom fans. But does the pilot live up to the legendary reputation that followed, or should the Stratford Inn close its doors for good? Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive the show's pilot "In the Beginning" and find out.

Starring: Bob Newhart, Mary Frann, Steven Kampmann, Jennifer Holmes, & Tom Poston

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"Son of a Critch" is a Canadian sitcom that premiered in 2023 on CBC. Based on comedian Mark Critch's bestselling memoir, the series follows him as an 11-year-old growing up in 1980s St. John's, Newfoundland. He possesses an "old soul" that makes him seem mature beyond his years, yet he remains vulnerable to the classic pitfalls of adolescence. Mark is often left feeling like an outsider in his own junior high.

While "Son of a Critch" may not be as well known in the United States, it has become one of Canada's most acclaimed modern sitcoms, earning multiple seasons and praise for its humor and heart. Can this charming Canadian import win over the S1E1 boys, or should this trip back to the '80s have stayed in the yearbook? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode, "Pilot," and find out.

(Special Guest: Jay's Brother, Chris)

Starring: Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, Mark Critch, Claire Rankin, Colton Gobbo, Sophia Power, Mark Rivera, & Malcolm McDowell

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"True Originals" is an unaired sitcom pilot produced for UPN in 2003. The comedy follows a group of eccentric twenty-somethings that work at a nostalgia and collectibles shop. This pilot is legendary in Hollywood circles because of the incredible ensemble of future stars it featured right before they broke out, and how its failure directly shaped TV history. Famously this pilot is directly responsible for John Krasinski landing his roll on The Office.

Unaired pilots rarely develop much of a legacy, but "True Originals" has become a cult curiosity. After leaking online, the show became the center of a lot of "what if" scenarios. So, does this lost sitcom deserve a second chance, or did UPN make the right call by leaving it on the shelf? Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive this never-aired television relic and find out.

Starring: John Krasinski, Natasha Lyonne, Jorge Garcia, Ken Marino, John Ross Bowie, Judah Friedlander, & Tessie Santiago

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“Brockmire” is a comedy that aired on IFC from 2017-2020. The show stars Hank Azaria as Jim Brockmire, a legendary baseball announcer whose spectacular on-air meltdown sends his career into a decade-long tailspin. After years of self-destruction, he gets a second chance calling games for the Frackers, a minor league team in Morristown, Pennsylvania. As he struggles to stay sober and rebuild his reputation, Brockmire discovers that redemption is never as simple as calling the next game. The series mixes sports comedy with dark satire.

Critics praised “Brockmire” throughout its four-season run, with particular acclaim going to Azaria's fearless performance and the show's razor-sharp writing. While it never became a mainstream ratings hit, the series developed a devoted fanbase and is frequently cited as one of the most underrated comedies of the late 2010s. Did this foul-mouthed broadcaster knock it out of the park? Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive the show's pilot episode, "Rally Cap" and find out.

Starring: Hank Azaria, Amanda Peet, Tyrel Jackson Williams, Hemky Madera, & Katie Finneran

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“My Two Dads” is a sitcom that aired on NBC from 1987-1990 about two friends turned rivals who need to reunite to raise a 12-year-old girl after her mother passes away. The series explored an unconventional family dynamic years before non-traditional households became a common television theme. What could have been a gimmicky setup instead became a surprisingly warm sitcom about friendship and the idea that family is about more than biology.

The Show was an immediate, albeit modest, success making its way into the Nielsen top 20 during its first season. While "My Two Dads" had a solid three-season run on NBC, a massive portion of the show's legacy comes from its relentless syndication on the USA Network throughout the 1990s. It became a core after-school viewing ritual for an entire generation of kids who missed its original prime-time run. Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive the pilot episode and find out if this one earns full custody of your attention.

Starring: Paul Reiser, Greg Evigan, Staci Keanan, & Florence Stanley

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