Pilot SZN: Recent Episodes
Mike Clark
Grace Leeder joined me to talk all about the pilot episode of HBO Max's The Other Two, "Pilot"!
Jordan Kalish (@jordankalish) returns to the podcast to talk with me all about the pilot episode of HBO's Boardwalk Empire, "Boardwalk Empire".
The great Tom Conway (@the_conzz) joined me to talk all about the pilot episode of NBC's Freaks and Geeks, "Pilot"
PJ Gaughan (@peejaygawhan) returned to, once again, talk all about the pilot episode of HBO's Succession, "Celebration".
The women from the wonderful Shit 90s Shows Taught Us podcast, Jess and Sara, joined me to talk all about the pilot to ABC's My So-Called Life, "Pilot".
Seeds baby!
Jordan Kalish returns to Pilot SZN to talk all about the pilot episode of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm, "The Pants Tent".
Naomi Calhoun, Nicole Horn, and Chappell joined me for a draft of the most iconic television episodes of the 2000s!
Pilot SZN Hall of Fame guest Will Affourtit returns to the podcast to talk all about the pilot episode to Apple TV+'s Ted Lasso, "Pilot".
Phil T (@philerd) returns to the podcast to talk all about the pilot episode of HBO Max's How To with John Wilson, "How to Make Small Talk".
Brazilian Dragon Podcast's Felipe Chamon and Wombat Water's Karen (from Canada) joined me to talk all about the pilot episode of Disney's Pepper Ann, "Ziterella"
Nicole Horn joined me to talk all about the pilot episode of Bravo's Real Housewives of New York City, "Meet the Wives"
Sara Fergensen joins me to talk all about the pilot episode of Netflix's The Politician, "Pilot".
Matt Eichel joins me to talk all about the pilot episode to Fox's Beverly Hills, 90210, "Class of Beverly Hills".
Dr. Amanda Rabinowitz joins me to talk all about the pilot to Netflix's Russian Doll, "Nothing in This World Is Easy"!
Five-timer Jess Sterling (@thejesssterling) joined me to talk all about the pilot episode of HBO Max's Love Life, "Augie Jeong".
Mark Levy (@marklevy85) joins me to talk all about the pilot episode of NBC's 30 Rock, "Pilot".
Stephanie Barilaro (4 time guest!) returns to talk all about the pilot episode of Netflix's The Baby-Sitters' Club, "Kristy's Great Idea".
The great Jordan Kalish (@jordankalish) makes his Pilot SZN debut to talk all about the pilot episode of Netflix's Lovesick, "Abigail"!
Pooya Zand Vakili (@pooyaism, not @pooya) made his return to the podcast to rap with me all about the pilot episode of FXX's Dave, "The Gander".
Raj Rawal (@asaprajy) makes his return to Pilot SZN to talk with me all about the pilot to TNT's Snowpiercer, "First, The Weather Changed".
KFC rejoined me on Pilot SZN to talk all about the pilot episode of Netflix's Never Have I Ever, "Pilot".
Fan favorite Naomi Calhoun (@naomicalhoun) joins me to talk all about the pilot of HBO's Barry, "Chapter 1: Make Your Mark".
Sean Tucker returned to Pilot SZN to chat with me all about the pilot to Hulu's Little Fires Everywhere, "The Spark".
Brent Showerman joins me to talk all about the pilot episode of USA's Mr. Robot, "eps1.0_hellofriend.mov"
Megan Elizabeth makes her record tying 4th appearance on Pilot SZN, covering the pilot to Showtime's Homeland, "Pilot".
I was joined by returning favorite Scott Chupack to talk all about the pilot episode of NBC's Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, "Pilot".
My brother(!) Jay Clark (https://www.ropeandladder.com/) joined me to (begrudgingly) talk all about the pilot episode of FX's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, "The Gang Gets Racist".
3 time guest Stephanie Barilaro joins me to talk all about the pilot episode of Netflix's Merry Happy Whatever, "Welcome, Matt!"
The great Brendan Fitzpatrick joined me to talk all about the pilot episode of Disney+'s The Mandalorian, "Chapter One".
Naomi Calhoun joined me for a deep dive into the pilot of Starz's Party Down, "Willow Canyon Homeowners' Annual Party".
Geordie Connell (The Thunderblog!) joined me for his Pilot SZN debut, talking all about the pilot episode of ABC's Stumptown, "Forget It Dex, It's Stumptown".
DJ LaBelle-Klein makes his triumphant return to the podcast to talk with me about the pilot to TNT's Rizzoli & Isles, "See One, Do One, Teach One".
It's a walk down memory lane as we revisit my favorite clips from the podcast since its inception. A great journey!
Jessica Sterling opens up the 4 Timers Club, joining me to talk all about the pilot episode of Showtime's United States of Tara, "Pilot".
Bonus coverage alert! Returning favorite Edwin Johnson and I chat about the past and present of HBO's Hard Knocks.
Kirsten MacInnis makes her long-awaited return to Pilot SZN to talk about the pilot episode of Schitt's Creek, "Our Cup Runneth Over".
The great Graham from the Bay joined me to talk all about the 2004 pilot to The Office (U.S.A.), "Pilot".
Dr. Amanda Rabinowitz joined me to drop some knowledge about the pilot episode of ABC's Twin Peaks, "Pilot".
UPN superfan Laura Effinger-Dean returns to Pilot SZN to talk all about the pilot episode of Veronica Mars, "Pilot".
I was joined by first-timer Pooya to talk all about the pilot of Fox's Prison Break, "Pilot".
Opening Theme: The Kill, 30 Seconds to Mars Closing Theme: Breakdown, Tom Petty
The great Jason Curtis Rivera made his Pilot SZN debut, joining me to talk all about the pilot episode of USA's Psych, "Pilot".
Jenny and Kari joined me to talk all about the pilot episode of Netflix's American Vandal, "Hard Facts: Vandalism and Vulgarity".
Josh Wigler (@roundhoward) and Emily Fox (@emelette) made their Pilot SZN debut, joining me to talk about the pilot episode of HBO's Oz, "The Routine".
Chris Barrows from The Five Favorites podcast makes his return to Pilot SZN to talk with me all about the pilot episode of NBC's Chuck, "Chuck vs. The Intersect".
Jenny Autumn makes her return to the podcast to talk all about the 2012 pilot episode of HBO's Girls, "Pilot".
Matt Eichel made his second Pilot SZN appearance to chat all about the 2019 pilot of Netflix's The Society, "What Happened?"
For my 50th Pilot SZN, I welcomed Phil T back to talk about the 2004 pilot to the HBO show Entourage, "Entourage".
Mike was joined for the first (but definitely not last) time by his friend Corey Blakeborough to talk all about the pilot episode to Netflix's No Good Nick, "The Catfish".
I was joined by first-time guest Scott Chupack to talk all about the 2002 pilot episode of HBO's The Wire, "The Target".
I was joined by Laura Effinger-Dean to talk about the pilot episodes to Buffy The Vampire Slayer, "Welcome to Hellmouth" and "The Harvest".
I was joined by Sean Tucker to talk all about the FX pilot for The League, "The Draft".
I was joined once again by Megan Elizabeth to talk about the TV Land pilot for Younger, "Pilot".
I was joined by PJ Gaughan to talk all about the pilot to Showtime's Billions, "Pilot".
It's Finale RLY, boys and girls! I sat down with Brent Showerman to talk about the season finale of A Million Little Things, Goodbye.
Mike was joined by Will Affourtit and Jess Sterling to talk about the pilot to NBC's Great News, "Pilot".
After season 5, I can't imagine anyone wanting to hear about the pilot of Arrested Development.
(Narrator) He should have imagined it.
I was joined by the phenomenal Jenny Autumn to talk all about Lifetime, er, Netflix's You. This one was...fun?
Naomi Calhoun joined me to talk about why Bruce Springsteen shouldn't be on Twitter, roast the Poughkeepsie bar scene, and the pilot of Scrubs.
The great Karen from Canada (@kareplane) joined me to talk all about the Andy Cohen reboot of Love Connection. We swap dating stories, celebrate the greatness of Andy Cohen, and get some answers from Robert Bacon himself!
You will not say "oy" as Doris Gutenkunst returns to Pilot SZN to talk all about the awards season juggernaut Amazon's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. We stole zero material from Bob Newhart!
Fitzy and I traveled all the way to Minnesota (metaphorically, of course) to talk all about the F/X pilot of Fargo. Shout out Colin Hanks.
Jen Manning returned to the show to chat all about the Botwin family from Showtime's Weeds. It's a real fun one!
I got back together with Phil from Canada to banter, laugh at each other's jokes, and sometimes talk about the Showtime pilot for Dexter.
CONTENT WARNING: This one should most definitely not be played in the car with young children or my mother.
Self described TV fanatic Raj Rawal joined Mike this week to talk about the great Fox pilot for The O.C. Just a real fun gab about the state of television and the 9th ranked TV show of the 21st century, according to The Ringer. And Bill Simmons has never lied to me, so that has to be true.
Brent Showerman makes his triumphant return to Pilot SZN to talk all about the brand new Amazon series "Homecoming". It's a podcast about a tv show based on a podcast. Maybe one day, they'll do a tv show about this podcast. That'd be dope.
I welcome back a real 10/10 dude, Will Affourtit, to talk all about the pilot of the 2009 CBS series Harper's Island Whap, which does not stand for Will Has A Podcast. We talk Uncle Marty Parties, the Cassidy family tree, and why creepy kids in horror movies are THE WORST. Pilot SZN, more fun than a mariachi band on a boat.
Matt Eichel joins me to talk all about CW's Arrow. Did this first-timer enjoy it? Did we have perfect audio?
It was my destiny to talk again with Stephanie Barilaro as we take a deep dive into what the heck happened on the pilot episode of NBC's Manifest. What other new show does this remind me of? Is this just a procedural in disguise? And did I really choose THAT to be the new theme song? All these questions and more answered on a podcast which will hopefully still be in existence in five years.
The terrific Brent Showerman joins me to talk all about the super light, laugh-a-minute pilot for ABC's A Million Little Things, our first 2018 Fall Premiere podcast.
I welcomed on my first repeat guest, Jess Sterling, to talk all about one of our favorite comedies, Community!
I welcome on the blonde, Canadian version of Penny, the amah-zing Kirsten MacInnis, to talk all about the very fun pilot of ABC's Happy Endings. I aggressively defend the honor of John Mayer and brussels sprouts, while Kirsten keeps a tally of the "not for 2018" jokes and has my favorite reaction to the new proposed theme song. Be the Michael Jordan of Pilot SZN fans and listen to this show!
As the NFL Season kicks off, I kicked off a discussion about the wonderful Friday Night Lights pilot with Kari Dalia (Dal-ee-uh). We talk about everything, from the low percentage of people who look good winking and Kari's connection to Johnny Manziel to seemingly twelve hour sports talk radio shifts and the importance of kids going to school. We watched this one with clear eyes and full hearts. By rule, we can't lose! Texas forever, folks.
Mike is joined by Phil T to discuss the greatness of the Nathan For You pilot episode. This one goes off the rails a bit, but it is a lot of fun.
Mike is joined by one of his podcasting idols, the great Colin Stone, to talk about a show near and dear to both, Fox's The Grinder. Some great discussion about a nearly perfect comedy pilot and some great discussion about spoiler culture and how Netflix has changed the way we consume tv. Just a really fun discussion in between the fits of laughter. Enjoy!
Click click click...nice! I welcome one of my favorite gladiators in a suit Megan Elizabeth to put a bow on Shonda Week. We talk all about the pilot episode of Scandal, "Sweet Baby". We talk cleavage levels, DC's deep dish pizza, and what it means when you wear a Dartmouth tshirt to bed. Show discussion starts at 20:15, dramatic reading starts at 1:13:20, and new theme song starts at 1:20:30. It's handled.
Mike is joined by Jen Manning as they break down the 2005 pilot episode of Grey's Anatomy, a show that is miraculously still on the air. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll emote like you're actually watching an episode of Grey's.
BONUS EPISODE.
If you enjoy the timbre of Mike's voice and can tolerate a bum note or two, this is the podcast for you. We look back at a month's worth of proposed new theme songs for the ten pilots already covered in previous Pilot SZN episodes.
TIME CODES
This Is Westworld (2:42) Who Is A (5:41) Amy (8:18) Valley (11:28) The Pies (13:32) Creek (15:44) It's Castle Rock (19:24) Break Bad/The Middle (20:03) I Just Haven't Got There Yet (21:58) Danson Scenes (23:54)
Everything is fine. Welcome to The Good Place. Mike is joined by Stephanie Barilaro for a great conversation about all the wonderful things about this gem of a pilot. It's a good forking time.
Mike Clark welcomes his second Jessica to the podcast as he and Jessica Frey chat about the pilot episode of How I Met Your Mother. They discuss the signal, how dissimilar Josh Radnor and Bob Saget sound, and why these guys actually still hang out with someone like Barney. This podcast is legendary! Dramatic reenactment starts at 52:15 and new theme starts at 1:21:45.
Mike welcomes on the second half of the Wessica power couple, Will Affourtit, to Captain Cook all about the Breaking Bad pilot. The boys talk about Jamie Foxx, purple Marie, and how much they love Hank Schrader. Come for the recap of Aaron Paul's Price is Right performance, stay for the takedown of the Albequerque and Miami police departments. Plus, another dramatic reenactment (47:28) and our first remix theme song (1:07:00).
Mike is joined by Stephen King fanboy and good friend Brendan Fitzpatrick to break down the brand new Hulu pilot of Castle Rock. Mike and Fitzy talk the trope of "Sean Bean"ing, crack open some classic King easter eggs, and dangle mysteries like we're holding a chicken for a gator. Plus, Mike debuts his longest ever new theme song.
Mike plays good cop and bad cop as he tackles the pilot of the other Vince Gilligan 2015 vehicle, the ol 13 episode special before getting the axe, Battle Creek. Mike talks ultimate That Guy Dean Winters, the joys of characters saying episode names, and goes to town on the name (ugh) Milt Chamberlain.
Ello, govnas! Mike welcomes baker extraordinare and admitted Anglophile Doris Gutenkunst as they talk all about the pilot episode of the Great British Bake Off. New theme song comes at 1:18:30.
On a Weisman scale of 1 to 9, this ep is definitely a 9. Mike is joined by Lancelot Draper as we talk all about the HBO pilot for Silicon Valley. Listen to us laugh our way through some great writing, awkwardly dance around any TJ Miller reference, and enjoy the brand new proposed theme song. You should always pick Wozniak. Jobs was a poser.
After the euphoria of his first guest, Mike goes solo for this round. He breaks down everything he saw (or thinks he saw) from the pilot of HBO's new miniseries Sharp Objects. Pilot SZN, a podcast to fall asleep to in your car!
A 32 year old subjects himself for the first time to the drama of Rosewood, PA. And he didn't hate it!
Mike welcomes on his friend Jessica Sterling to discuss, among other things, the whereabouts of these girls' parents, what does Freeform mean, and who would be the alpha of the Mt. Rushmore of 2000s girl pop solo artists. Come for the laughs, stay for the dramatic script reading. Plus, another new theme song! You know you want to. -M
Welcome to the inaugural episode of Pilot SZN, where we watch, recap, and review pilot episodes of TV Shows. For the first episode, I am rewatching the 2016 pilot to the HBO series Westworld. Will I accomplish the unthinkable and be able to recap an hour of Westworld? Issalot.