set sail with its maiden voyage, and we’re not easing into calm waters. In this debut episode, John Siuntres and Franco dive headfirst into Season One, Episode One of The Love Boat, the episode that launched a TV institution and defined late-’70s comfort viewing for decades to come. Joining them as this week’s guest passenger is Margaret Larkin from The Radio Girl Podcast, bringing sharp insight,  and zero tolerance for shallow nostalgia. Together, the crew breaks down:

• The episode’s multiple guest-star storylines and how the rotating-romance format was established right out of the gate
• Who these guest stars really were beyond their Love Boat appearances—career highs, unexpected turns, and pop-culture context
• Behind-the-scenes facts, network strategy, and why this show worked when it absolutely shouldn’t have
• What holds up, what’s already dated, and what still weirdly works

This isn’t a breezy recap. It’s a smart, funny, occasionally skeptical re-watch that treats The Love Boat as both a time capsule and a television machine built to last. Climb aboard. The champagne is cheap, emotions are high, and the seas may get choppy.