The S1E1 Podcast

The Mindy Project was a sitcom created by and starring Mindy Kaling that aired on Fox from 2012 to 2015 and later transitioned to Hulu, where it continued until its conclusion in 2017. The series follows Dr. Mindy Lahiri, an obstetrician-gynecologist in New York City who is determined to balance her career, friendships, and romantic aspirations all while she searches for her "happily ever after."

Initially well-received, The Mindy Project garnered praise for Kaling’s performance and the show’s humor. It has since become a beloved part of Kaling’s creative legacy, celebrated for its blend of romance and comedy and its fresh perspective on a female lead. Listen as the S1E1 boys deep dive the show's pilot episode.

Starring: Mindy Kaling, Chris Messina, Ed Weeks, Anna Camp, Zoe Jarman, Amanda Setton, Stephen Tobolowsky, Bill Hader & Ed Helms

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"Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" is a 2015 Netflix sitcom created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. The show follows the life of Kimmy Schmidt (Ellie Kemper), a relentlessly optimistic woman who, after being rescued from a doomsday cult where she was held captive for 15 years, decides to start a new life in New York City.

After four seasons, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt ended when its creators felt that the story had reached a natural conclusion. Rather than stretching the premise or compromising the quality of the show, they decided to wrap it up while it was still fresh and beloved by fans. Will the S1E1 guys want to bunker up and binge this one? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode, "Kimmy Goes Outside!" and find out.

Starring: Ellie Kemper, Tituss Burgess, Carol Kane, Jane Krakowski, Lauren Adams, Sara Chase, Sol Miranda, Matt Lauer & Jon Hamm

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The Hotwives of Orlando is a 2014 Hulu Original comedy series. The show spoofs on reality shows like The Real Housewives, focusing on a fictional group of women in Orlando who lead extravagant, dramatic lives. Each character embodies a different reality TV stereotype, from the ditzy trophy wife to the volatile diva, and the show follows their ridiculous feuds, parties, and over-the-top personal dramas.

Critics generally appreciated The Hotwives for its clever satire and comedic performances, especially by the ensemble cast, though it remained a niche favorite. Its commitment to skewering reality TV conventions earned it praise from fans of parody and satire. Can a show like this be appreciated by a group of guys who generally don't watch the genre that The Hotwives of Orlando is parodying? Listen as they deep dive the show's first episode, "Meet The Hotwives".

Starring:  Casey Wilson, Angela Kinsey, Danielle Schneider. Tymberlee Hill, Andrea Savage, Kristen Schaal, Matt Besser, Jerry Minor, Joey McIntyre, Paul Scheer, Stephen Tobolowsky, & Jeff Hiller

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"Splitting Up Together" is a comedy series that aired on ABC from 2018 to 2019. The premise revolves around a married couple, Lena (Jenna Fischer) and Martin (Oliver Hudson), who decide to divorce but choose to continue living in the same house for the sake of their three children. The unique arrangement has the two taking turns living in the house with the kids, while the other stays in the garage apartment. The show humorously explores the challenges and benefits of their unconventional living situation, while highlighting the importance of communication and compromise in relationships. ABC cancelled the series after two seasons. Listen as the S1E1 guys deep dive the show's pilot episode.

Starring: Jenna Fischer, Oliver Hudson, Bobby Lee, Diane Farr, Lindsay Price, Olivia Keville, Van Crosby, Sander Thomas, Kelsey Asbille, & Geoff Pierson

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We have a special bonus episode this week. Due to us now covering both the original UK and US adaptation versions of "Ghosts" we thought it would be fitting to take a little time to compare the two. So listen in as we focus on the major differences between the two pilots and find out which we thought was the better of the two.

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"Ghosts" is a sitcom that premiered on CBS in 2021 that was adapted from the British series of the same name. The story centers on Sam Arondekar (Rose McIver) and her husband Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar), who inherit an old mansion. After a near-death experience, Sam starts seeing and interacting with ghosts from various time periods who inhabit the house.

The US version aimed to create a more optimistic tone and highlight the achievements of the main characters, Sam and Jay, rather than their failures. "Ghosts" has received a positive reception from both viewers and critics. After being fans of the UK version after covering it the year before, will the S1E1 guys give this adaption the green-light as well? Listen as they deep dive the show's pilot episode.

Starring: Rose McIver, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Brandon Scott Jones, Danielle Pinnock, Richie Moriarty, Asher Grodman, Sheila Carrasco, Devan Chandler Long, Rebecca Wisocky, Román Zaragoza, & Hudson Thames

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"Death Valley" is a comedy horror mockumentary series that aired on MTV in 2011. The show follows the Undead Task Force (UTF), a newly formed division of the Los Angeles Police Department, as they combat supernatural creatures like vampires, werewolves, and zombies in the San Fernando Valley. The series is presented in a documentary style, with a camera crew filming the task force's encounters with these monsters.

Despite Death Valley's unique concept (created by Powerman 5000 frontman Spider One) and interesting cast, including Bryan Callen, Caity Lotz, and Bryce Johnson, MTV decided not to renew it for a second season. Did this one just fail to find its audience or was MTV right in driving a steak through its chest? Listen as the S1E1 guys deep dive the show's pilot episode.

Starring: Bryan Callen, Charlie Sanders, Bryce Johnson, Caity Lotz, Tania Raymonde, & Texas Battle

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Struck by Lightning is a short-lived American sitcom that aired on CBS in 1979. The plot revolves around Ted, a modern-day science teacher who inherits an inn in Maine. Soon after Ted arrives he finds out that he is a descendant of Dr. Frankenstein and the inn's groundskeeper "Frank" is the legendary reanimated monster.

Struck by Lightning struggled to find an audience and was canceled after only 3 of the 11 episodes made it to air. Though it wasn't a success, Struck by Lightning remains a quirky footnote in television history for its unusual blending of sitcom humor and the Frankenstein mythos. Should this show stayed burried in the past or should it be brought back to life? Find out when the S1E1 guys deep dive the show's pilot episode.

Starring: Jack Elam, Jeffrey Kramer, Millie Slavin, Jeff Cotler, Richard Stahl, & Bill Erwin

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"Holliston" is a horror-comedy television series that aired on FEARnet from 2012-2013. The show revolves around two down and out aspiring filmmakers, Adam and Joe, who struggle with life, career, and the opposite sex as they attempt to make it out of the small town they're trapped in and into the big time.

"Holliston" is set in show creator Adam Green's actual hometown of Holliston, Massachusetts, and features various cameos from horror icons. The main cast also features Twisted Sister's Dee Snider and Dave Brockie from GWAR playing his classic alter ego "Oderus Urungus". All the pieces are there to match the interests of the S1E1 boys, but will they give it the Green-light? Listen as they deep dive the show's first episode, "The Hooker".

Starring: Adam Green, Joe Lynch, Laura Ortiz, Corri English, Nick Ballard, Michele Santopietro, Dave Brockie, Dee Snider, & DeAnna Pappas

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“Stark Raving Mad” is a sitcom that aired on NBC from 1999-2001. The show stars Tony Shalhoub as Ian Stark, an eccentric horror novelist known for his practical jokes, and Neil Patrick Harris as Henry McNeely, a neurotic book editor who is assigned to work with Stark. The series revolves around the odd-couple dynamic between the two main characters.

Despite the star power of its lead actors and being ranked 19th among all programs with an average of 15.5 million viewers, the show was canceled after one season. Stark Raving Mad even won a People's Choice Award for Favorite New Television Comedy. Was the cancelation of this show a wild mistep by its network? Listen as the boys deep dive the show's pilot episode to find out.

Starring: Tony Shalhoub, Neil Patrick Harris, Eddie McClintock, Heather Paige Kent, Stanley DeSantis, & Harriet Sansom Harris

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