TV Pilot’s License

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!

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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!

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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

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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.” 

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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!

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).

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!

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!

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!

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!