Finishing up our ____ & ____ theme month, we talk the cult favorite "The Adventures of Pete & Pete." The Nickelodeon program, along with its indie scene roots, is explored by way of history, modern day comparisons, and the road trip concept being used in a pilot. Next up? Murder month.
Continuing our ____ & ____ theme month, we talk the pilot episode of "All That" spinoff, "Kenan & Kel." We get into the Coolio-penned title sequence, Kel's changes from episode 1 to 2, and the comedic stylings of '90s live action Nick. Timeline 2:14, Episode Specs “All That” spinoff 4:40, Title talk 6:50, “Kel Stuff” 12:00, Episode plot “Chappelle ripped off Kenan Thompson” 17:40, In Chicago wearing a Knicks jersey
Continuing our ____ & ____ theme month, we talk the pilot episode of Dharma & Greg. From its charming first few minutes, to the avalanche of plot that follows, we come out with relative enjoyment of the '90s laugh track sitcom and its very '90s title sequence. Stay tuned to the end for a preview of next week's episode.
Episode 35 of Pilot Study takes on the cult-favorite Adult Swim show, "Rick and Morty." It's show 1 in our Blank & Blank theme month (aka shows with two characters in the title). We start with its history and "cease and desist" inspiration, along with the ending message and what it possibly says regarding learning disabilities. We'll continue the theme month in the next episode.
As part of its 10-year anniversary, we welcome "Friday Night Lights" to the Pilot Study Hall of Fame. Chris makes his case for the honor, while we also talk the changing state of football, a thankless Tami Taylor pilot role, and monkey studies (don't ask). Coming up, we have the start of our _____ & _____ theme month. Timeline 1:30, Hall of Fame Induction 2:10, Our relationship to the show 7:20, Plot Breakdown 13:35, Kyle Chandler’s next move 16:12, Best looking athlete on the show 19:00, Sp...
As part of its 20-year anniversary, we welcome "Spin City" to Pilot Study. The Michael J. Fox series also stars Richard Kind, Connie Britton (more on her next episode), Carla Gugino and Alan Ruck, in a really stacked cast. We get into Fox's alternate career, had illness not been a factor, along with fancy camera work and much more. Timeline 1:10, Start of Spin City talk Alternate Michael J. Fox Timeline 5:30, Filmed in front of a live studio audience The camera work 9:06, Michael J. Fox bed flip...
The latest episode of Pilot Study is all about Donald Glover's new show, "Atlanta." Over at FX, Glover's put together something that avoids the Entourage "show about fame" pitfalls, gets by without using the musical talents of Childish Gambino, and that lives up to those Twin Peaks comparisons, for a couple very different reasons. The pilot was previously free on YouTube, but has since expired. You can find it now at the typical digital outlets.
"Unaired" month continues with a look at Kanye West's mysterious HBO pilot. The pilot has only been publicly displayed once, by co-star Wyatt Cenac, which makes for a fascinating dive into the history and lone 3 minutes available online. We talk its relation to "Curb Your Enthusiasm," director Larry Charles and somehow, Tom Cruise. Next week, we talk the new Donald Glover series, "Atlanta." Note: I'm sick. My apologies. HBO Kanye Clip Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjcPXO2utRM...
"Unaired" month continues with our look at the U.S. version of "The IT Crowd." Starring Joel McHale, the show attempts to transition the UK property, utilizing one of the original lead actors in the process. We talk McHale's casting, a terrible pratfall and Moss' glasses. Special guest Alan Miller (The Vinyl Crawl, real life IT guy) joins us and plays a round of The IMDB game. Special Guest: Alan Miller.
The newest episode of Pilot Study continues our "Unaired" month with "Revenge Of The Nerds," the movie to TV adaptation. It's racist, sexist and well, probably a show written by white dudes. All this, plus a plot that makes little to no sense, gave us the "worst pilot we've ever done." Special guest Nick Spacek (Modern Vinyl/From & Inspired By) joins us once again. Timeline 3:14, Title Talk 8:00, Movie vs. Show Plot 10:44, “The Worst Pilot We’ve Ever Done” 14:40, Privileged white people 19:2...
We kick off our "Unaired" theme month with the previously lost pilot for Clerks, the sitcom (+ laugh track) adaptation of the Kevin Smith film. Jim Breuer makes a pre-SNL appearance, the writers can't use Jay or Silent Bob and Keri Russell even makes an appearance as typical '90s bimbo. Special guest Nick Spacek (Modern Vinyl/From & Inspired By) talks the show with us and impresses with his round of The IMDB game. Timeline 1:25, Introducing the theme month 2:00, Introducing Clerks/The Lost P...
The newest episode of Pilot Study takes on the new Danny McBride/Jody Hill project, "Vice Principals." Chris and Grimes discuss whether we've hit "McBride Saturation" and if his character here deserves the same sympathy given to Kenny Powers. Grimes also talks getting in-school suspension for being a "high school bad boy." 2:20, Development of Vice Principals/Bill Murray 5:30, "McBride Saturation" and his performance 12:40, Guessing the season's plot/Goggins' motivation 22:49, Random Notes Great...
Episode 26 of Pilot Study centers on "The West Wing," premiering in 1999 and taking home a slew of Emmy awards for its first season and beyond. The pilot, by itself, was responsible for three Emmy wins and another nomination (somehow it didn't win for writing). Guest Julio Anta (The Native Sound) brings in a long history with the show, and for that generosity, we punish him with a tough round of the IMDB game. I've left a couple time markers below, as we do get into some spoilers at the end. 42:...
Pilot Study returns for its second season with a television endurance test of which no human should readily attempt. Yep, we're doing a "Full House"/"Fuller House" doubleheader. We talk the truly bizarre Olsen moment in the reboot, along with how both pilots are kinda, sorta the same script. We also finish with a new feature, The IMDB Game. I put the rules below, just in case my explanation was not sufficient. — 10 shows are given. — Player is tasked with naming anyone (actor name) in the top 5 ...
Episode 24 of Pilot Study (and the season 1 finale) has us inducting Lost into the Pilot Study Hall Of Fame. We talk the early script for the related Nowhere, the opening (expensive) beach scene and Michael Keaton turning down the lead role.
Episode 23 of Pilot Study hits on "Eastbound & Down," in honor of baseball signaling the (hopeful) approach of warm weather. We talk who Kenny Powers was possibly based on, the direction of Jody Hill and an early pilot script. Next week, we'll be inducting our first pilot into the Pilot Study Hall of Fame.
Episode 22 of Pilot Study looks to honor Garry Shandling with a look at his landmark achievement, "The Larry Sanders Show." We talk guest hosting in today's late night landscape, the greatness that is "Artie" and much, much more. And stick around for a preview of next week.
Episode 21 of Pilot Study is all about the newest addition to Hulu, The Path. Chris and Grimes discuss the stacked cast, why the journey needed to start elsewhere and what exactly the ending means.
Theme Month: Superheroes Is Bruce Wayne a pimp? Chris and Grimes discuss one of the greatest animated/superhero shows of all time, Batman: The Animated Series. The pilot, titled "On Leather Wings," introduces villain Man-Bat to a general audience and re-introduced a Batman cartoon following Burton's films. Note: On Leather Wings is actually the second episode to be broadcasted, but is still considered the pilot. It's also the first episode on the DVD volumes you can buy or stream on Amazon....
Theme Month: Superheroes Is parkour a power? Chris and Grimes discuss Daredevil on the newest Pilot Study (numero 19), the first in the Marvel/Netflix extended universe. We talk Daredevil's power, the hatred of Foggy Nelson and much, much more. Next week, we finish up Superhero month with a Reader's Choice. Only 5 more episodes in the first season!
Theme Month: Superheroes David Banner loves juice, The Hulk can't swim and everyone needs to change their damn tires. Today we're talking the pilot episode/TV movie for The Incredible Hulk, which premiered in 1977. And stick around to the end for a preview of the next episode.
Theme Month: Superheroes Episode 17 of Pilot Study starts up Superhero Month in style with "The Tick." The Fox show, which only ran for a season, has become a cult treasure in recent years, so much so that a revival was just announced through Amazon. We talk Patrick Warburton, the great "Batmanuel" and killing Jimmy Carter. And stick around to the end for a preview of the next episode.
Theme Month: Wrong Side Of The Tracks Episode 16 of Pilot Study focuses on the Canadian show, Trailer Park Boys, while finishing up our "Wrong Side Of The Tracks" month. Stick around for talk on the show's extensive pre-pilot history, Cyrus' great pilot role and of course, a little Title Talk. Next month is all about superheroes in honor of Netflix's Daredevil coming back. First up, a cult Fox cancellation.
Episode 15 of Pilot Study is all about Roseanne. We talk about Grimes' personal connection to the show, the great George Clooney making an appearance and much more. Make sure to check out EW's oral history of the show. And stay tuned at the end for a preview of our next episode.
TIMELY EPISODE ALERT The newest episode of Pilot Study is all about the brand new Stephen King adaptation, "11.22.63." The James Franco-led Hulu program is an 80-minute premiere (so an 80-minute pod, you get it by now), so we talk the time travel mechanics of the show, our history with King and even dive into our Top 5 James Franco performances.
Theme Month: Wrong Side Of The Tracks Episode 13 of Pilot Study focuses on Orphan Black, the Tatiana Maslany-led, Hot Topic-loved BBC American show. We talk the show's pitch perfect visual style, changes from the pilot script and "Vic The Dick." And stick around until the end for a preview of next week.
Theme Month: Wrong Side Of The Tracks Could this be peak Pilot Study? Are we talking about the greatest television show of all time today? Possibly. Episode 12 takes on The O.C., including Ryan Atwood tanks, "Cool Sandy" and of course, Seth Cohen's wall posters.
Theme Month: Monster Hunters Episode 11 of Pilot Study (and our finale in Monster Hunter month) is all about Hannibal. Our first big disagreement centers around Will Graham's special powers, possible vegetarian propaganda and "procedurals." This is also a Reader's Choice episode, which was voted on via Twitter. And stick around for a preview of episode 12 at the end.
Theme Month: Monster Hunters Episode 10 of Pilot Study (and the 3rd in our Monster Hunters series) focuses on the first Scooby Doo series, "Scooby Doo Where Are You!". Chris and Grimes talk the inability to define a set mystery in this first episode and why serialization could have destroyed this show.
Theme Month: Monster Hunters Episode 9 of Pilot Study takes on the Joss Whedon-penned series, "Buffy The Vampire Slayer." We discuss exactly how the concept went from film to television, along with Buffy being terrible at hiding her "slayer" status and Whedon dialogue. Stick around for the first ever appearance of "Spin Out," a feature which has us taking a Buffy character and giving them a proper spinoff.
