The S1E1 Podcast

Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair is Hulu's 2026 revival of the iconic sitcom. The series finds an adult Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) still navigating through his life's struggles, only now from the perspective of a parent and overworked professional. The show brings back the beloved original cast, including Bryan Cranston as the ever-eccentric Hal and Jane Kaczmarek as the formidable Lois. In this 4 episode mini-series Malcolm attempts to break the cycle of his upbringing, only to realize that he’s becoming the parent he used to complain about. Critics and audiences alike greeted the nostalgic revival. Reviews highlighted the strong comedic chemistry that remains between the original cast. While some noted the shift to a more cynical tone, most praised the show for staying true to its roots. Was this show worth bringing back after all these years? Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive Episode 1 to find out if Malcolm’s return is a stroke of genius or if life is still just as unfair as ever. Starring: Frankie Muniz , Bryan Cranston, Justin Berfield, Christopher Masterson, Keeley Karsten, Vaughan Murrae, Kiana Madeira, Jane Kaczmarek, & Caleb Ellsworth-Clark www.S1E1POD.com Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

The Adventures of Pete & Pete is a surrealist masterpiece of 90s television that aired on Nickelodeon from 1993 to 1996. The series follows the lives of two brothers both named Pete. The show transformed mundane childhood struggles into epic, cinematic battles against the "International Adult Conspiracy". The world of their hometown of Wellsville was populated by characters like Artie, the Strongest Man in the World. The show is widely considered one of the greatest children’s programs ever produced, praised for its writing and indie-rock sensibility, famously exemplified by the house band, Polaris. Critics lauded Pete & Pete's ability to balance humor with deep insights into the fleeting nature of childhood. Will nostalgia take over when the S1E1 boys deep dive the show's first full-length episode, "The King of the Road"? Listen and find out. Starring: Michael Maronna, Danny Tamberelli, Alison Fanelli, Hardy Rawls, Judy Grafe, Toby Huss, & Geoff Pierson www.S1E1POD.com Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

"Stumble" is a mockumentary-style workplace comedy that premiered on NBC in November 2025. The series follows Courteney Potter (Jenn Lyon), a high-octane, fourteen-time national champion cheerleading coach whose career at a prestigious college ends abruptly after a viral scandal involving a team party. To salvage her reputation and chase a record-breaking fifteenth title, Courteney takes the only job she can find: a dual role as a typing instructor and head cheer coach at the obscure and cash-strapped Heådlston State Junior College. Critics have praised the series for its sharp, deadpan writing and the authentic chemistry between its ensemble cast. While the format is familiar territory for NBC, reviewers highlighted the show’s ability to find sincerity in the absurdity of competitive cheerleading. Despite concerns about its niche subject matter, the series has carved out a loyal following for its blend of small-town heart and biting sports satire. Will "Stumble" stick the landing or is the squad is destined to fall flat? Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive the show’s pilot episode. Starring: Jenn Lyon, Taran Killam, Anissa Borrego, Jarrett Austin Brown, Arianna Davis, Taylor Dunbar, Georgie Murphy, Ryan Pinkston, & Kristin Chenoweth www.S1E1POD.com Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

Quick Draw is a Western comedy that premiered on Hulu in 2013. The show follows Sheriff John Henry Hoyle (John Lehr), a recent Harvard graduate who attempts to bring the "cutting-edge" science of forensics to the Wild West. The show’s most distinctive feature was its largely improvised dialogue, which gave the historical setting a fast-paced, modern, and often absurdist comedic energy. Critics and viewers praised Quick Draw for its fresh take on the Western genre. While it never reached massive mainstream heights, it garnered a loyal cult following over its two-season run for its blend of slapstick and historical parody. Will the S1E1 boy find Quick Draw to be a real sharpshooter or a just a dud? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode, "Murder at the Webb Ranch," to find out. Starring: John Lehr, Nick Brown, Allison Dunbar, Bob Clendenin, Tasha Ames, Michael Anastasia, & Brian O'Connor www.S1E1POD.com Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

The Beverly Hillbillies is a landmark television sitcom that aired on CBS from 1962 to 1971. The series follows the Clampett family who find themselves overnight millionaires after oil is discovered on their property. With their newfound wealth the family decides to uproot themselves and head to Beverly Hills. The humor stems from the constant cultural clash between the Clampetts' backwoods simplicity and the superficiality of their high-society neighbors. Despite being panned by critics of the era for its lowbrow humor, The Beverly Hillbillies was a massive ratings juggernaut, holding the No. 1 spot for its first two seasons. Is this show going to be "Black Gold" or just "Texas Tea" with the boys? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode, "The Clampetts Strike Oil," and find out. Starring: Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, Donna Douglas, Max Baer Jr., Bea Benaderet, Raymond Bailey, Nancy Kulp, & Frank Wilcox www.S1E1POD.com Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

D.C. Follies was a syndicated comedy series that ran from 1987 to 1989 that was created by Sid and Marty Krofft. The show featured puppet caricatures of real-life celebrities and politicians, spending their free time hanging out at a bar. Unlike traditional sitcoms, the series relied on things like topical humor and musical numbers, with human celebrity guests occasionally interacting with the puppet cast. The series was one of the more unusual entries in late-’80s television, arriving at a time when political comedy was far less saturated than it is today. Critics were divided. Some appreciated the bold absurdity of turning some of Hollywood's elite into felt-faced vaudeville acts, while others felt the satire was broad and hit-or-miss. Still, D.C. Follies developed a cult following and even earned an Emmy Award during its run. Is this right up the S1E1 boy's alley or will the references be too dated? Listen as they deep dive the show's first episode, "Reagan Parachutes Into D.C. Follies". Starring: Fred Willard, Martin Mull, & The Krofft Puppets www.S1E1POD.com Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

"The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins" is a show that premiered on NBC in January 2026. The series follows Reggie Dinkins (Tracy Morgan), a former NFL superstar running back whose career was destroyed after getting banned for life from the league for betting on his own team. Desperate to reclaim his former glory Reggie hires Arthur Tobin (Daniel Radcliffe), a disgraced, high-brow British filmmaker to produce a "documentary" about his comeback. The series has been praised for the surprising but effective chemistry between Tracy Morgan and Daniel Radcliffe. Critics have noted that while the "odd couple" dynamic is a classic trope, the specific combination of Morgan's unpredictable energy and Radcliffe's nervous, high-strung performance creates a fresh comedic rhythm. Despite having a lot of the creative team behind 30 Rock working on the show, can The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins find a similar success? Listen as the boys deep dive the show's pilot episode. Starring: Tracy Morgan, Daniel Radcliffe. Erika Alexander, Precious Way, Jalyn Hall, Bobby Moynihan, & Barry Hu www.S1E1POD.com Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

Miracle Workers is a TBS comedy series that aired from 2019-2023, created by Simon Rich and based on his book What in God’s Name. The first season is set in Heaven, where God (Steve Buscemi) has grown bored and cynical about humanity and decides it might be time to wipe Earth off the board entirely. Standing in the way of total annihilation are two low-level angels—Craig (Daniel Radcliffe) and Eliza (Geraldine Viswanathan). The result is a workplace sitcom filtered through divine bureaucracy, with Heaven run like a deeply inefficient corporate office. Critics responded positively to Miracle Worker's absurd premise and offbeat tone, praising its willingness to commit fully to big swings and philosophical jokes wrapped in dumb humor. While later seasons reinvent the series entirely, the first season stands out for its tight concept and clear emotional stakes. Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive the pilot episode, "2 Weeks". Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Geraldine Viswanathan, Karan Soni, Jon Bass, Sasha Compère, Lolly Adefope, Angela Kinsey, & Steve Buscemi www.S1E1POD.com Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

Dweebs was a short-lived CBS sitcom that premiered in 1995, arriving right in the middle of the ’90s tech boom—before most network TV really knew what to do with computer nerds. The show centered on a group of socially awkward but intellectually gifted twenty-somethings working at a wildly successful software company called "Cyberbyte" and the computer illiterate woman hired to be the new office manager. Long before The Big Bang Theory or Silicon Valley, Dweebs leaned hard into stereotypes of tech culture, cubicle life, and the gap between brains and basic social skills. Critics didn’t quite know what to make of it, and audiences never really found it, leading CBS to pull the plug after just seven episodes. Still, Dweebs has gained a niche reputation as a proto-tech sitcom that arrived a decade too early. Watching it now feels like peeking into an alternate timeline where network TV briefly tried to understand programmers and immediately gave up. Listen as the boys dive into Dweebs pilot episode to see if this forgotten dot-comedy was ahead of its time or doomed from the start. Starring: Farrah Forke, Peter Scolari, Stephen Tobolowsky, Corey Feldman, David Kaufman, Adam Biesk, & Holly Fulger 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

"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

"Some of My Best Friends" was a short-lived sitcom that premiered on CBS in 2001. After Warren (Jason Bateman) is dumped by his boyfriend, he posts and add as a GWM ("Gay White Male") looking for a roommate. Macho Italian guy, Frankie (Danny Nucci) responds assuming that GWM stands for "Guy With Money". The show is loosely based on the 1997 indie film, "Kiss Me, Guido" and provides us with a new twist on the odd-couple dynamic. Despite a strong cast and a premise that tried to blend culture clash with early-2000s LGBTQ-inclusive humor, the show struggled to find an audience. After airing only a handful of episodes, CBS pulled the plug, leaving it as one of those “blink-and-you-missed-it” sitcoms that sitcom nerds still bring up when listing Bateman’s pre-Arrested Development projects. So how will the boys feel about this mismatched-roommate relic from the early millennium? Listen as they deep dive "Some of My Best Friends" pilot episode. Starring: Jason Bateman, Danny Nucci, Alec Mapa, Joe Grifasi, Camille Saviola, Michael DeLuise, & Jessica Lundy. www.S1E1POD.com Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD

"The Ugliest Girl in Town" was an ABC sitcom that aired from 1968–1969. In it Timothy Blair (Peter Kastner), a Hollywood talent agent who falls in love with a British actress and through a series of truly sitcom-level circumstances, ends up becoming a fashion model in London… while disguised as a woman. Under the persona “Timmie,” he becomes an overnight sensation, forcing him to juggle his double life, hide his secret identity, and somehow keep his long-distance romance alive. Critics at the time were confused, and the show quickly became an instant punchline for its outlandish setup and broad humor. Ratings weren’t kind, leading ABC to cancel it after just 20 episodes. Over the years it’s earned a strange cult curiosity status as one of the most “What were they thinking?” sitcoms ever put on television. How will the boys react? Listen as they dive into The Ugliest Girl in Town's pilot episode, and see what they make of this oddball artifact. Starring: Peter Kastner, Patricia Brake, Gary Marshal, Jenny Till, Nicholas Parsons, Rose Alba, Michael Balfour, Jeffry Wickham, & Richard Steele www.S1E1POD.com Instagram & X (Twitter): @S1E1POD