The S1E1 Podcast

Diff’rent Strokes is a classic sitcom that aired on NBC from 1978 to 1986. The show stars Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges as Arnold and Willis Jackson, two young brothers from Harlem who are taken in by wealthy businessman Philip Drummond (Conrad Bain) after the death of their mother. Uprooted from their old life and dropped into a Park Avenue penthouse. While often remembered for catchphrases and very special episodes, the show was more ambitious than that, frequently tackling issues such as racism and class disparity. Critics were mixed, but audiences made it a massive hit, turning Gary Coleman into one of the biggest child stars of the era and keeping the show alive through network moves and cast changes. Over time, it’s become a defining artifact of late-’70s and ’80s television: equal parts comfort and cultural time capsule. But can Diff'rent Strokes catch the eyes of the S1E1 boys with just the first episode? Listen as they deep dive "Movin' In" Starring: Conrad Bain, Gary Coleman, Todd Bridges, Dana Plato & Charlotte Rae www.S1E1POD.com Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

"The Moodys" is a holiday-themed sitcom that premiered on Fox in 2019. It was adapted from the Australian series "A Moody Christmas". The show centers on the wildly dysfunctional Moody family as they gather for Christmas. The series leans hard into awkward silences & brutal honesty. The show is full of the kind of family arguments that feel a little too real. Critics appreciated The Moody's dry tone and Leary’s perfectly calibrated cynicism. The Moodys lasted two seasons before Fox pulled the plug, leaving it as one of those modern network comedies that quietly came and went, but feels tailor-made for modern binge-watching during a stressful family visit. Now the boys sit down with the pilot to see if this holiday meltdown comedy delivers genuine laughs or just hits a little too close to home. Starring: Denis Leary, Elizabeth Perkins, Francois Arnaud, Chelsea Frei, Jay Baruchel, Josh Segarra, María Gabriela de Faría, & Gerry Dee www.S1E1POD.com Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

All in the Family is a sitcom created by Norman Lear that aired on CBS from 1971 to 1979. The show centers on Archie Bunker (Carroll O’Connor), a loud, stubborn, working-class man whose beliefs are constantly challenged by his son-in-law and daughter. What set the show apart was its ability to use comedy to put taboo subjects like racism, sexism, politics, and religion front and center. Initially divisive, All in the Family quickly became both a massive ratings hit and a cultural lightning rod. Critics recognized it as bold, as it trusted audiences to laugh while being uncomfortable. The series spent five consecutive seasons as the number-one show on television. Decades later, it remains one of the most influential comedies ever made. Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive the show's pilot episode, "Meet The Bunkers". Starring: Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, Sally Struthers, Rob Reiner, & Mike Evans www.S1E1POD.com Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

"The Dick Van Dyke Show" is a landmark sitcom that originally aired on #CBS from 1961 to 1966. The series stars #DickVanDyke as Rob Petrie, the head writer for the fictional Alan Brady Show, and #MaryTylerMoore as his wife, Laura. Arguably the blueprint for every witty, modern sitcom couple that followed. Splitting its time between Rob’s chaotic writers’ room and his suburban home, the show blended sharp workplace banter with warm, domestic storytelling. Its physical comedy, and clever scripts set a new standard for sitcom structure, pacing, and charm. Critics and audiences adored #TheDickVanDykeShow from the beginning. The show went on to win 15 Emmy Awards and became one of the foundational pillars of the modern sitcom. Even decades later, its influence is everywhere. Listen as the boys take a look at the pilot, "The Sick Boy and the Sitter", to see if this show was this iconic from the its first episode. Starring: Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, Larry Mathews, & Richard Deacon www.S1E1POD.com Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

"Rules of Engagement" is a sitcom that ran from 2007-2013 on CBS. Built around the different stages of a relationship, through two couples and their single friend. The series plays heavily on the contrast between cynicism and idealism, long-term comfort and honeymoon-phase cluelessness. Warburton’s deadpan delivery and Spade’s chaotic energy became the anchors of the series, helping it survive multiple schedule moves and inconsistent marketing. Though critics never fully embraced the show—often calling it formulaic or old-fashioned—it quietly developed a dedicated fanbase. The series become one of those sturdy, middle-of-the-road sitcoms that never topped the charts but always delivered exactly the kind of comfort-food comedy its fans wanted. Listen as the boys dive into the show's pilot to see if Rule's of Engagement long overstayed its welcome. Starring: Patrick Warburton, Megyn Price, Oliver Hudson, Bianca Kajlich, David Spade, Audra Blaser, Smith Cho, Lauren Stamile, Gloria LeRoy, & Don Perry www.S1E1POD.com Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD