TV Pilot’s License

Join TVPL this Halloween for our rewatch and breakdown on the pilot episode of the Emmy winning series “Widow’s Bay!” This episode has everything: fog, curses, disappearances and Stephen Root. We explore the history of this show from spec script to series and decide whether or not it scared us off from watching more. Is Widow’s Bay the next Martha’s Vineyard and definitely not cursed? Only one way to find out. So listen now…if you dare!

With:
Rich Inman
Geoff Kerbis
Max Singer

Substack

Youtube

A future Oscar winner. A future DCU star. A member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. Those are just three of the people who make up the ensemble of the short lived but culturally significant TBS original series The Bill Engvall Show. While this family friendly sitcom may feel like a forgotten relic of the 00s, it’s become a fascinating time capsule nearly 20 years later. Join us as we discuss stand ups recycling material for sitcom plots, a brief history of The Blue Collar Comedy Tour and the rise of Skyler Gisondo. If you’ve ever wondered how Jennifer Lawrence got her start, “here’s your sign” to check out the latest from TVPL!

With:
Geoff Kerbis
Max Singer

Substack

Youtube

In the suburbs, things are not always as they seem. Join TVPL for a brand new episode on Netflix’s “Santa Clarita Diet,” the horror comedy that’ll leave you hungry for more. Does Drew Barrymore with a taste for human flesh sound appetizing?This episode truly has it all from A-Z, that’s Andy Richter to Zombies for the folks at home. Rewatch the pilot and take a bite out of the latest from TV Pilot’s License!

With:
Geoff Kerbis
Max Singer

Substack

Youtube

From the producers that brought you Milf Island, The Rural Juror and Queen of Jordan comes TV Pilot’s License! This week we’re celebrating 20 years of 30 Rock with a rewatch of the pilot that introduced us to some of the 21st Century’s most iconic characters. We dive in to the insanely close proximity to that other sketch comedy show from NBC in 2006, the unique New York of the series and all things Tracy Jordan. Enjoy this episode on your phone, laptop and even your microwave*!

*podcasts may not compatible on all GE microwave models

WITH:
Rich Inman
Geoff Kerbis
Max Singer

This week TVPL packs up their RV and heads to Albuquerque for the pilot of Breaking Bad and our 200th episode! Fresh off of being named the Best TV Show of the 21st Century by the New York Times, we revisited its iconic pilot and discuss the long road from page to screen, the joys of watching someone be really good at their job even when it’s making meth and answer some bonus inflight questions in honor of 200 episodes of TVPL! Does this pilot live up to the lofty expectations set up by the New York Times? Well as Walter White himself once said, “someone cooked here.”

With:
Rich Inman
Geoff Kerbis
Max Singer

The Life of a Showgirl? You must mean Amy Sherman-Palladino’s “Bunheads.” This week on TVPL we turn-turn-kick-turn our way into this beloved although short lived series from the creator of Gilmore Girls and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. With a cast including Tony Award winners Sutton Foster and Kelly Bishop, does this dance series have the moves to have us wanting to watch episode two or was this pilot a little off rhythm for our liking? 5-6-7-8!

With:
Geoff Kerbis
Max Singer

Twenty years ago the pilot of My Name is Earl won Emmys for Outstanding Writing and Directing of a Comedy Series. Does a pilot full of beer drinking, blue humor and Carson Daly still have the juice to be a favorite two decades later? Join us on the latest TVPL as we travel to Camden County (state unknown) and try to learn what it means to be a good person alongside Earl Hickey played by Jason Lee (Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel).

With:
Rich Inman
Geoff Kerbis
Max Singer

Are *YOU* ready for some football? As the NFL season gets underway we take a look back on the pilot episode of Playmakers, an ESPN original from 2003 detailing the dark side of professional football. Despite strong ratings and reviews the series lasted just 11 episodes due to some alleged outside influences. Did we think this forgotten show was a touchdown or are we punting on episode 2? Tune in to a brand new TVPL to find out!

With:
Geoff Kerbis
Max Singer

There are countless shows about first responders that glue us to our TVs. From paramedics to police and now…Animal Control? This week on TVPL we watched the pilot of this Joel McHale starring sitcom on Fox about the lesser appreciated government agency you know and love. This show has everything and by everything we mean weasels and ostriches! Did Animal Control have us going wild? Find out on this week’s TVPL!

With:
Rich Inman
Geoff Kerbis
Max Singer

We’re heading to Nebraska on a brand new TVPL and a look back on the short lived sitcom Bless This Mess. Written and created by Emmy nominee Liz Meriweather (New Girl, The Dropout, Dying for Sex) and featuring an ensemble full of faces you know and love, we try to figure out what kept this farm fledged comedy from becoming a bountiful harvest for ABC. If you’ve ever thought about leaving the big city for a quieter life then this show might just be for you. It’s an episode full of Nebraska fun facts and it’s available now!

With:
Rich Inman
Geoff Kerbis
Max Singer

It’s a franchise spanning over three decades and countless spinoffs, but today we go back to 1990 and the pilot of the original Law & Order. Join us as we discuss which future Real Housewives cast member has the honor of being the first victim, the jazzy theme music you know and the history of the iconic “dun-dun.” All this and more on the latest from TVPL!

With:
Rich Inman
Geoff Kerbis
Max Singer

Reacher? I hardly know her! Now that we got that out of the way get ready for a brand new TVPL on Reacher, the Prime Video adaption of the best selling Jack Reacher book series. Reacher has become a smash for the streamer beloved by both dad’s browsing airport book stores and people wondering what Alan Ritchson has been up to since Blue Mountain State. Join us for an episode full of action, mystery and a pitch for a crossover episode so crazy you’ll have to hear it to believe it.

With:
Geoff Kerbis
Max Singer

Downtown lofts! American Apparel hoodies! Saying “well that happened!” It’s a millennial fever dream on this week’s TVPL talking about the pilot of New Girl. Join us for an in depth analysis on the phrase “adorkable,” delight in the musicality of this pilot, make plans to visit the real LA bar Nick works at and so much more. It’s a brand new TVPL out now!

With:
Rich Inman
Geoff Kerbis
Max Singer

This week we’re heading to New York City to talk about White Collar on the latest TVPL if we can just stop getting lost in Matt Bomer’s eyes long enough to watch the episode! While there’s no shortage of star power, does this USA original have us on board for episode two? Join us on a journey through prison breaks, how to pitch a tv show from a hot tub and a little detour to something called Shasta McNasty. If you’re a fan of heists and procedurals this one is for you!

With:
Rich Inman
Geoff Kerbis
Max Singer

Things are not always as they seem on a brand new TVPL on the pilot of SyFy’s “Resident Alien.” Join us for a conversation on the illustrious voiceover career of star Alan Tudyk, his uncanny resemblance to co-host Rich Inman, the ludicrous amount of beat boxing and the greatest question of all: can aliens be Barbs? This week’s TV Pilot’s License is truly out of this world!

With:
Rich Inman
Geoff Kerbis
Max Singer

We’re on a Rocky Mountain high this week with a look back at the pilot of the early 2000s WB classic, Everwood! Join us as we discuss two future MCU stars in early roles, the worst fake piano playing we’ve ever seen and oddly specific tv typecasting. You’re in for a real treat (williams) with this brand new episode of TV Pilot’s License!

With:
Geoff Kerbis
Max Singer

TVPL finally tackles the long-requested prequel series to "Joey" the hit NBC sitcom Friends! In this episode, we break down the classic 90s sitcom, discuss how many paleontologists we knew in our 20s, and dig into the Friends cast performances that won us over. We cover the staggering number of different working titles this show went through in development, and pay tribute to the life and legacy of legendary sitcom director James Burrows the director behind Friends, Cheers, Will & Grace, and Frasier.

Listen now to this Friends TV show podcast episode, and go back into the TVPL podcast archives for all the other James "Jimmy" Burrows-directed pilot episodes we've covered over the years your go-to source for sitcom history, TV retrospectives, and behind-the-scenes deep dives.

Hosted by:
Geoff Kerbis
Max Singer

Aloha from TV Pilot’s License as we embark on a trip to the Hawaiian islands and CBS’ gritty reboot of Hawaii Five-0! It’s a week full of big waves and even bigger car crashes. We talk about the keys to assembling a crew, the failed CBS shows of the late 00s and GOVERNOR JEAN SMART. So grab your board and paddle out for an adventure alongside TVPL, available now. Book ‘em Danno!

With:
Geoff Kerbis
Max Singer

*clears throat* GOOOOAAAALLLLLL! Ok now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, grab your cleats and hit the pitch for a brand new World Cup-centric TVPL on the pilot of Ted Lasso! Onboard this week back from his ten episode red card suspension is our very own Rich Inman! This soccer superstar comedy became a phenomenon when it debuted in 2020 so join us as we discuss the long road it took to your screen, plenty of football/fútbol related facts, and maybe even a detour into the muppets. TVPL’s coming home!

With:
Rich Inman
Geoff Kerbis
Max Singer

I HAVE THE PODCAST! On the heels of the Masters of the Universe film we take it back to 1983 and the original He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon series! Join us for a discussion on 80s pop culture, the unparalleled sassiness of Skeletor, bad haircuts and yes, Orko. Be sure to store your Power Sword in the overhead bin and we’ll see you at Castle Greyskull! It’s a brand new TVPL out NOW!

With:
Geoff Kerbis
Max Singer