TV Pilot's License

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 Kerbis Max Singer

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 Inman Geoff Kerbis Max Singer

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! With: Rich Inman Geoff Kerbis Max Singer

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 Inman Geoff Kerbis Max Singer

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 Kerbis Max Singer

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 Inman Geoff Kerbis Max Singer

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 Inman Geoff Kerbis Max Singer

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 Inman Geoff Kerbis Max Singer

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 Kerbis Max Singer

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 Frasier. Listen now to this Friends TV show podcast episode, and go back into the TVPL podcast archives for all the other James "Jimmy" Burrows-directed pilot episodes we've covered over the years your go-to source for sitcom history, TV retrospectives, and behind-the-scenes deep dives. Hosted by: Geoff Kerbis Max Singer

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 Kerbis Max Singer

*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 home! With: Rich Inman Geoff Kerbis Max Singer

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 Kerbis Max Singer

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 Kerbis Max Singer

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 Kerbis Max Singer Thanks To Riverside For Sponsoring The Pod! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click this link to learn more!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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 Kerbis Max Singer Thanks To Riverside For Sponsoring The Pod! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click this link to learn more!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Think of a 90s sitcom. Any one. Now think of the stereotypes of a 90s sitcom. That’s right, you’re thinking of The King of Queens. Featuring the legendary Jerry Stiller, a baby faced Patton Oswalt and a shorts wearing Kevin James, it was the last comedy to premiere in the 90s to finish its run on network tv. We’re talking NY sports, old school big screen TVs and the most wait a minute moments we’ve had in a while. With Geoff Kerbis Max Singer Thanks To Riverside For Sponsoring The Pod! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click this link to learn more!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You get the best of both worlds this week on a brand new TVPL looking back on 20 years of Hannah Montana! Joining us this week is returning guest J. W. Crump (Pod Ledom) to discuss our favorite pop music from artists both fictitious and real, the acting prowess of Billy Ray Cyrus and so much more! Hannah’s concert may be sold out but you’ve got a front row seat to all the action as we recap one of Disney’s biggest hits! Thanks To Riverside For Sponsoring The Pod! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click this link to learn more!With:Geoff KerbisMax SingerGuest: J. W. Crump

What happens when two of TV’s hottest comedy writers team up? On the latest TVPL we’re taking a look at Netflix’s new series “Big Mistakes” from Dan Levy and Rachel Sennott. Join us for a discussion on all things Laurie Metcalf, the pulse racing score from Peaches and an appreciation for the humble veal cutlet. Does this brand new crime-comedy series make our must watch list? Listen to TV Pilot’s License and find out! With: Geoff Kerbis Max Singer Thanks To Riverside For Sponsoring The Pod! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click this link to learn more!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Hi-ho! Hi-ho! It’s off to podcast we go! All your favorite TVPL characters have found themselves in the real world this week as we look back at the pilot of ABC’s “Once Upon a Time!” It’s a Disney crossover extravaganza featuring the fairy tales you know and love in the most enchanting place of all, Coastal Maine! Did we fall under the spell of this fantasy series or are we closing the book on watching more? Tune in to TV Pilot’s License to find out! Thanks To Riverside For Sponsoring The Pod! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click this link to learn more!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ With: Geoff Kerbis Max Singer