Podcast
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
- 293
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 1 hr 30 min
- On air since
- 2021
- Latest episode
- 6 days ago
Episodes
293 episodes, newest first
-
1 hr 26 min
S1E1: Eternally Yours
Episode 290
Show notes
"Eternally Yours" is a sitcom that premiered on CBS in 2026 about a married vampire couple whose relationship has lost some of its spark after 500 years together. Living in modern-day Seattle with their eccentric coven, the couple's eternal routine is disrupted when their daughter Emma brings home her very human boyfriend.
Created by the duo behind CBS's successful adaptation of "Ghosts," "Eternally Yours" marks another attempt to bring supernatural comedy to network television. So will the S1E1 boys sink their teeth into this new vampire sitcom, or should this undead family have stayed in the coffin? Listen as they deep dive the "Eternally Yours" pilot episode and find out.
Starring: Ed Weeks, Allegra Edwards, Helen J. Shen, Jaren Lewison, Parker Young, Rose Abdoo, Steve Berg, Jonathan Langdon, Shylo Molina, & Tristan Michael Brown
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
-
1 hr 28 min
S1E1: Jennifer Slept Here
Episode 289
Show notes
"Jennifer Slept Here" is a sitcom that premiered on NBC in 1983, starring Ann Jillian as Jennifer Farrell, a glamorous Hollywood actress whose career came to an unfortunate end after a fatal encounter with an ice cream truck. After her death, the Elliot family moves into Jennifer's home, unaware that her ghost still lives there.
"Jennifer Slept Here" struggled to find an audience and NBC pulled the plug after just one season. Ironically, the series found some success in summer reruns, but it wasn't enough to bring Jennifer back from the dead a second time. So will the S1E1 boys find this ghostly sitcom to be a hauntingly good time, or is Jennifer better off resting in peace? Listen as they deep dive the "Jennifer Slept Here" pilot episode and find out.
Starring: Ann Jillian, John P. Navin Jr., Georgia Engel, Brandon Maggart, Mya Stark, & Glenn Scarpelli
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
-
1 hr 29 min
S1E1: Ghosts (AUS)
Episode 288
Show notes
"Ghosts Australia" is a sitcom that premiered on Network 10 and Paramount+ in 2025, following young couple as they inherit a rundown country mansion known as Ramshead Manor. Hoping to escape the expensive city housing market, the pair plan to renovate the property into a boutique hotel, but quickly discover that their new home is already occupied by six eccentric ghosts from different periods of Australian history.
Based on the hit British sitcom of the same name, "Ghosts Australia" marks another international adaptation of the popular series. The eight-episode first season introduces an entirely new collection of supernatural characters, putting a distinctly Australian spin on the familiar premise. So will the S1E1 boys find this latest adaptation to be a hauntingly good time, or is it just another pale imitation of the original? Listen as they deep dive the series premiere, "The Haunting of Ramshead Manor," and find out.
Starring: Tamala, Rowan Witt, Mandy McElhinney, Brent Hill, Ines English, Michelle Brasier, George Zhao, & Jackson Tozer
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
-
1 hr 19 min
S1E1: Garth Marenghi's Darkplace
Episode 287
Show notes
"Garth Marenghi's Darkplace" is a British comedy series that premiered on Channel 4 in 2004, starring Matthew Holness as fictional horror author Garth Marenghi. Presented as a long-lost television series from the 1980s that was considered "too radical" to air at the time, the show follows Marenghi as Dr. Rick Dagless, a doctor at Darkplace Hospital who battles supernatural forces. Intentionally terrible acting and bad dialogue help create a parody of low-budget '80s horror television.
"Garth Marenghi's Darkplace" lasted just six episodes and attracted little attention during its original run, but the years have been very kind to it. The series developed a devoted cult following. So will the S1E1 boys discover something special lurking inside Darkplace, or should this lost '80s series have stayed lost? Listen as they deep dive the series premiere, "Once Upon a Beginning" and find out.
Starring: Matthew Holness, Matt Berry, Richard Ayoade, & Alice Lowe
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
-
1 hr 14 min
S1E1: The Pitts
Episode 286
Show notes
"The Pitts" is a sitcom that premiered on Fox in 2003, following a seemingly normal suburban family who just happen to have the worst luck imaginable. The brainchild of "The Simpsons" veterans Mike Scully and Julie Thacker-Scully, the show stars Dylan Baker and Kellie Waymire as Bob and Liz, alongside a young Lizzy Caplan and David Henrie as their children. From satanic cults to psychotic nannies, nothing is uncommon in this family's household.
Unfortunately, bad luck followed "The Pitts" off-screen as well and Fox pulled the plug after just five made it to air. Years later, Fox surprisingly tried to resurrect the failed sitcom as an animated series, but that version never made it past the pilot stage. So will the S1E1 boys find some laughs in the Pitts' misery, or is watching this show just another stroke of bad luck? Listen as they deep dive "The Pitts" pilot episode and find out.
Starring: Dylan Baker, Kellie Waymire, Lizzy Caplan, David Henrie, Aaron Fors, Ben Donovan, & Melissa Peterman
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
-
1 hr 58 min
S1E1: Saved by the Bell (2020)
Episode 285
Show notes
"Saved by the Bell" is a sitcom revival that premiered on Peacock in 2020, returning viewers to the halls of Bayside High nearly three decades after the original gang graduated. When California Governor Zack Morris closes several underfunded high schools, students from those schools are transferred to the much wealthier Bayside, where they quickly discover just how different their worlds are.
Critics were surprisingly receptive to this return to Bayside, praising the show's sharp writing, self-aware humor. Audience reaction was more divided, due to its heavy handed satire and social commentary. So is this trip back to Bayside worthy of a time out, or should this bell have stayed unrung? Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive the "Saved by the Bell" pilot episode and find out.
Starring: Haskiri Velazquez, Mitchell Hoog, Josie Totah, Alycia Pascual-Pena, Belmont Cameli, Dexter Darden, John Michael Higgins, Elizabeth Berkley, Mario Lopez, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Tiffani Thiessen, & Ed Alonzo
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
-
1 hr 32 min
S1E1: Saved by the Bell (The College Years)
Episode 284
Show notes
"Saved by the Bell: The College Years" is a sitcom that premiered on NBC in 1993, following Zack Morris, Slater, and Screech as they leave High School behind and head off to California University. The series attempted to age up the "Saved by the Bell" formula, trading the halls of Bayside for dorm rooms and slightly more grown-up problems.
Unlike the original series, "The College Years" made the jump from Saturday mornings to NBC's primetime lineup, but the experiment didn't last long with only one season before cancelation. So do Zack and the gang make the grade at Cal U, or should they have called it quits after graduation? Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive the "Saved by the Bell: The College Years" pilot episode and find out.
Starring: Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez, Dustin Diamond, Anne Tremko, Kiersten Warren, Essence Atkins, & Bob Golic
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
-
1 hr 34 min
S1E1: Saved by the Bell (The New Class)
Episode 283
Show notes
"Saved by the Bell: The New Class" is a sitcom that premiered on NBC in 1993, picking up at Bayside High shortly after the original gang had moved on. With Mr. Belding (Dennis Haskins) still running the school, a brand-new group of students arrives to fill the familiar roles. The similarities to the original series weren't exactly subtle, but "The New Class" gave NBC a way to keep the halls of Bayside open and "Saved by the Bell" alive on Saturday mornings.
Despite never reaching the popularity of its predecessor, "The New Class" somehow outlasted it, running for seven seasons while cycling through a seemingly endless supply of Bayside students. So does this new class make the grade, or should Bayside have closed its doors when Zack and the gang graduated? Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive the series premiere, "The Date Lottery," and find out.
Starring: Robert Sutherland Telfer, Jonathan Angel, Isaac Lidsky, Natalia Cigliuti, Bianca Lawson, Bonnie Russavage, & Dennis Haskins
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
-
1 hr 34 min
S1E1: Good Morning, Miss Bliss
Episode 282
Show notes
"Good Morning, Miss Bliss" is a sitcom that premiered on the Disney Channel in 1988, starring Hayley Mills as Carrie Bliss, an eighth-grade teacher in Indianapolis. The series follows Miss Bliss as she attempts to guide her students through the trials and tribulations of adolescence. The show also features a young Zack Morris among the kids roaming the school's halls.
"Good Morning, Miss Bliss" lasted just 13 episodes, but cancellation wasn't the end of the road. NBC retooled the series, ditched Miss Bliss, and moved the surviving characters to Bayside High. The result was "Saved by the Bell," which went on to become one of the most recognizable teen sitcoms of all time. So will the S1E1 boys find bliss in the halls of JFK Junior High, or should this class be dismissed for good? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode, "Summer Love" and find out.
Starring: Hayley Mills, Dennis Haskins, Joan Ryan, Max Battimo, Dustin Diamond, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Heather Hopper, Lark Voorhies, T. K. Carter, & Carla Gugino
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
-
1 hr 43 min
S1E1: Z Rock
Episode 281
Show notes
"Z Rock" is a semi-scripted comedy that premiered on IFC in 2008, starring the real-life Brooklyn rock band ZO2 as fictionalized versions of themselves. The band spends their nights chasing rock stardom as ZO2, but by day they pay the bills performing children's birthday parties as The Z Brothers. The show follows the band's struggle to keep their kiddie-party gigs from completely destroying their hard-rock credibility.
"Z Rock" lasted two seasons and brought in an impressive collection of guest stars from the worlds of rock and comedy. The series never became a mainstream hit, but its bizarre mix of Spinal Tap-style rock comedy and real-life band struggles has helped it remain a cult curiosity. So will the S1E1 boys be ready to rock with ZO2, or should these guys stick to entertaining five-year-olds? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode, "Paul and David Nearly Miss a Huge Gig" and find out.
Starring: Paulie Zablidowsky, David Zablidowsky, Joey Cassata, Lynne Koplitz, Big Jay Oakerson, Alison Becker, Greg Giraldo, Sebastian Bach, & Joan Rivers
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
-
1 hr 10 min
S1E1: Tenacious D
Episode 280
Show notes
"Tenacious D" is a comedy series that premiered on HBO in 1997, starring Jack Black and Kyle Gass as fictionalized versions of themselves The show follows the duo as they chase rock & roll glory while dealing with everything from writer's block to encounters with Sasquatch. Each episode blends absurd comedy with live performances of songs that would eventually become staples of the real-life Tenacious D.
Despite premiering in 1997, "Tenacious D" had an unusual run, producing just three half-hour installments that aired sporadically. The TV show may have been short-lived, but Jack and Kyle certainly weren't, as Tenacious D went on to release albums, tour the world, and eventually star in their own feature film. But does their original HBO series totally rock, or is it one gig the D would rather forget? Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive "The Search for Inspirado / Angel in Disguise" and find out.
Starring: Jack Black, Kyle Gas, Paul F Tompkins, David Cross, Laura Milligan, & Laura Kightlinger
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
-
1 hr 50 min
S1E1: Girls5eva
Episode 279
Show notes
"Girls5eva" is a sitcom that premiered on Peacock in 2021 where members of a one-hit-wonder girl group from the late '90s unexpectedly get another shot at fame when their biggest song is sampled by a popular young rapper. Now juggling the realities of getting older, the girls decide to reunite and prove their pop-star dreams don't have an expiration date. The series combines ridiculously catchy original songs with the rapid-fire comedy you'd expect from the team behind "30 Rock."
Despite earning rave reviews, "Girls5eva" had almost as much trouble staying alive as the fictional group at its center. After two seasons on Peacock, the show was picked up by Netflix for a third, giving the girls yet another chance at a comeback. But will the S1E1 boys be ready to join the Girls5eva fan club, or will they be saying goodbye 4eva? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode and find out.
Starring: Sara Bareilles, Busy Philipps, Paula Pell, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Dean Winters, & Jimmy Fallon
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
-
1 hr 27 min
S1E1: The Monkees
Episode 278
Show notes
"The Monkees" is a sitcom that premiered on NBC in 1966, following the misadventures of a struggling four-piece rock band as they chase fame but somehow stumble into chaos wherever they go. Starring Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork, the series blended slapstick comedy and music videos years before MTV existed. Inspired by the success of A Hard Day's Night, the show quickly became one of the most energetic and inventive sitcoms of the 1960s.
Although initially dismissed by some critics as a manufactured attempt to cash in on Beatlemania, "The Monkees" became a cultural phenomenon and helped launch the group into genuine music superstardom. The show's groundbreaking visual style earned it a devoted fanbase that continues to discover it decades later. Will the S1E1 boys go bananas for this musical sitcom classic, or should this TV band have stayed in the garage? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode, "Royal Flush," and find out.
Starring: Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, & Peter Tork
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
-
1 hr 30 min
S1E1: Just Shoot Me!
Episode 277
Show notes
"Just Shoot Me!" is a sitcom that aired on NBC from 1997-2003. The show stars Laura San Giacomo as Maya Gallo, an outspoken journalist who reluctantly goes to work at her father's fashion magazine. Surrounded by an eccentric staff, Maya finds herself constantly clashing with the superficial world she's been thrown into. With its sharp ensemble cast and fast-paced writing, the series carved out its own place during NBC's legendary Must See TV era.
Just Shoot Me! was both a critical darling and a commercial hit, earning multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations while consistently delivering top-tier ratings across its seven-season run. Though it often lived in the shadow of NBC heavyweights like Friends and Frasier, the show proved it had plenty of laughs of its own. Will the S1E1 boys think this fashion magazine is cover-worthy, or should this issue have stayed on the newsstand? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode, "Back Issues," and find out.
Starring: Laura San Giacomo, George Segal, Wendie Malick, Enrico Colantoni, & David Spade
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
-
1 hr 35 min
S1E1: The Unicorn
Episode 276
Show notes
"The Unicorn" is a sitcom that premiered on CBS in 2019 starring Walton Goggins as Wade Felton, a recently widowed father who's reluctantly encouraged to jump back into the dating world. Much to his surprise, Wade quickly discovers he's exactly what many single women are looking for, a rare "unicorn". The series manages to explore themes like grief without ever losing its sense of humor.
While "The Unicorn" only lasted two seasons, it earned praise from critics and audiences for its warm storytelling. Rather than relying on over-the-top sitcom antics, the show leaned on using genuine emotion with relatable laughs. Will the S1E1 boys fall for this rare television "unicorn," or should this dating comedy have stayed off the market? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode and find out.
Starring: Walton Goggins, Rob Corddry, Omar Miller, Maya Lynne Robinson, Ruby Jay, Makenzie Moss, Devin Bright, Michaela Watkins, & Natalie Ceballos
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
-
1 hr 22 min
S1E1: Newhart
Episode 275
Show notes
"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
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
-
1 hr 26 min
S1E1: Son of a Critch
Episode 274
Show notes
"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
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
-
1 hr 30 min
S1E1: True Originals
Episode 273
Show notes
"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
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
-
1 hr 27 min
S1E1: Brockmire
Episode 272
Show notes
“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
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
-
1 hr 40 min
S1E1: My Two Dads
Episode 271
Show notes
“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
Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD
On these lists
The S1E1 Podcast is one of the shows picked out on this list
More in TV Reviews
Placed highest on Apple Podcasts' TV Reviews chart right now