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PODCAST

TV Pilot’s License

TV Pilot’s License

Unlock TV"s secrets with the TV Pilot"s License Podcast! Geoff, Max, and Rich dissect pilots from classics to cult favorites. Expect deep TV reviews, first episode breakdowns, and pilot analysis. We cover must-watch TV, one-season wonders, and cancelled series. Get honest show reviews, funny recaps, and sharp commentary. Need show recommendations? We"ve got you! Dive into TV history and decide which pilots earn their "license." Comedy, analysis, and passion await. Subscribe for your weekly TV

tv & film tv reviews

All Episodes

64:22

30 Rock: Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, NBC Comedies, and...

TV Pilot’s License ·

2026/10/08

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

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76:31

Breaking Bad: Our 200th Episode, Bryan Cranston, New...

TV Pilot’s License ·

2026/10/01

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

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57:23

Bunheads: Amy Sherman-Palladino, Gilmore Girls, Life...

TV Pilot’s License ·

2026/09/24

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 KerbisMax Singer

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57:53

My Name Is Earl: Jason Lee, Emmy Award Winning...

TV Pilot’s License ·

2026/09/17

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 InmanGeoff KerbisMax Singer

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59:38

Playmakers: ESPN Drama, Football Scandals, And NFL...

TV Pilot’s License ·

2026/09/10

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 KerbisMax Singer

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54:32

Animal Control: Joel McHale, Fox Comedies, And...

TV Pilot’s License ·

2026/09/03

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 InmanGeoff KerbisMax Singer

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46:09

Bless This Mess: Dax Shepard, Lake Bell, Farm Life,...

TV Pilot’s License ·

2026/08/27

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

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60:34

Law and Order: Crime Procedurals, Medical...

TV Pilot’s License ·

2026/08/20

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 InmanGeoff KerbisMax Singer

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54:31

Reacher: Alan Ritchson, Dad Books, Tom Cruise, and...

TV Pilot’s License ·

2026/08/13

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 KerbisMax

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60:18

New Girl: Quirky Comedy, Zooey Deschanel, Jake...

TV Pilot’s License ·

2026/08/06

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 InmanGeoff KerbisMax Singer

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58:59

White Collar: Matt Bomer, Hot Tub TV Shows, Prison...

TV Pilot’s License ·

2026/07/30

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 InmanGeoff KerbisMax

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64:16

Resident Alien: Sci-Fi Network, Alan Tudyk, Alien...

TV Pilot’s License ·

2026/07/16

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 InmanGeoff KerbisMax Singer

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60:50

Everwood: WB Family Dramas, Brenda Strong, The CW,...

TV Pilot’s License ·

2026/07/09

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 KerbisMax Singer

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48:01

Friends: James Burrows, NBC Sitcoms, Jennifer...

TV Pilot’s License ·

2026/07/02

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

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46:48

Hawaii 5-0: Reboots, CBS Action shows, Hawaiian...

TV Pilot’s License ·

2026/06/25

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 KerbisMax Singer

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67:17

Ted Lasso: Jason Sudekis, The World Cup, NBC...

TV Pilot’s License ·

2026/06/18

*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

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47:55

He-Man: Toys into TV Shows, Gay Icons, Masculinity,...

TV Pilot’s License ·

2026/06/11

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 KerbisMax Singer

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51:58

The Summer I Turned Pretty: Summer Jobs, Teen...

TV Pilot’s License ·

2026/06/04

It’s the start of summer and you know we’re turning pretty. We revisit the pilot of the show that had everyone asking the all important question: “Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah?” Join TV Pilot’s License for a discussion on the impossibly expensive soundtrack, summer vacation memories, Black Cat/Golden Retriever dynamics and the 1998 film “Belly” starring Nas and DMX. See you at Cousins Beach!With:Geoff KerbisMax Singer

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00:47:51

Hacks: Jean Smart, Women In Comedy, Hannah Einbinder,...

TV Pilot’s License ·

2026/05/28

Before watching the finale of Hacks, let’s take a trip down memory lane back to its pilot episode. As we prepare to say farewell to Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels we’ve assembled a list of topics stacked higher than the third plate at a Vegas buffet. From car chases, to improv weddings and the upcoming 2026 Philadelphia Eagles season this episode has something for everyone! We’ve recapped this pilot in about the length of time it takes to fly from LA to Vegas. What a tribute!With:Geoff KerbisMax

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00:42:42

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Tina Fey, Ellie Kemper,...

TV Pilot’s License ·

2026/05/21

UNBREAKABLE! In what felt like a revelation when it premiered on a streamer back in 2015, we revisit the pilot of The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt from Tina Fey and Robert Carlock of 30 Rock fame. Tune in as we discuss cancelled celebrity jump scares, Autotune the News, the allure of Dylan’s Candy Bar and whether or not dancing really is all about butts now. It’s a brand new episode of TV Pilot’s License!With:Geoff KerbisMax SingerThanks To Riverside For Sponsoring The Pod! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click this

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