Pilot Study Pilot Study

"Reno 911!," the cult "Cops" spoof, is the subject of Episode 68 of Pilot Study. This begins a dive into some of the more memorable programming choices in the history of Comedy Central. Chris and Grimes talk the unaired pilot and the program's history at Fox, using the "blurry face" to their advantage, and more.


Note: The pilot is available at the Comedy Central website.
Note 2: "The State" ran for 4 seasons ('93-'95).

"Alex, Inc.," the (loose) adaptation of Alex Blumberg's "StartUp" podcast, is the newest series opening to be dissected on Pilot Study. Chris and Grimes discuss Zach Braff's return to network TV, the utilization of real-life investor Chris Sacca, and Pilot Study categories like Most Pilot-y Moment and MVP.


Note: You can watch the pilot through ABC.go.com for free.

Pilot Study returns with a look at "Mulaney," the John Mulaney Fox pilot that was cancelled following its first season. Chris and Grimes discuss a poorly written female lead, botched sitcom stereotypes and the Pilot Study categories of Title Talk, Pilot Study MVP, Name Change and Most Pilot-y Moment.


Note: The Griffin Newman part from the previous pilot was not just recast. He was originally cast as someone named "Seymour." Courtesy of Deadline Hollywood: "Gould and Pedrad will reprise their roles, while Smith’s character Motif will now be one of John’s roommates, replacing Seymour, played in the pilot by Griffin Newman. Zack Pearlman has been cast for a newly conceived character that wasn’t in the pilot."
And they even have an old cast photo: https://tinyurl.com/yd34gepo


Note 2: Of course that's Ice T in the title sequence. Confirmed. Book it.


Note 3: The first

On its 10-year anniversary, the Pilot Study crew talks "Breaking Bad" and its depiction of Walter White's first steps into anti-hero territory. Assisted by Andrew Bloom (The Andrew Blog, Consequence of Sound), we talk the show's inception and pitch process, some casting what-ifs, and wonder if "Wipe Down This" would be an appropriate title change for this episode.
Special Guest: Andrew Bloom.

"It's a show for no one."


The newest episode of Pilot Study takes on the short-lived Fox drama, "Profit." An attempt at Peak TV before Peak TV, the title character of Jim Profit (really giving away his goals with that fake moniker) attempts to scheme his way up the corporate ladder. Oh...btw, he makes out with his stepmom a bunch and sleeps in a cardboard box.
Special Guest: Brock Wilbur.

Podcasts aren't the thing. They're the thing that gets us to the thing.


The spiritual successor to AMC's "Mad Men" wasn't a ratings bonanza, but grew into a critically-adored, cult hit. The pilot for "Halt and Catch Fire" is the next to be dissected on Pilot Study, including talk on its beautiful title sequence, the "Power Move Power Rankings" of Joe MacMillan, and much more.