How It Started, How It Ended

Bobby Meadows and Angela Johnson Meadows

A monthly podcast where hosts Bobby Meadows and Angela Johnson Meadows revisit the first and last episodes of a classic TV series.

Episodes

  1. Jul 1

    Everybody Hates Chris

    In this episode of How It Started, How It Ended, Angela and Bobby revisit the pilot and series finale of Everybody Hates Chris, the semi-autobiographical sitcom inspired by the early life of Chris Rock. Before diving into the episodes, they look back at Chris Rock's rise from stand-up comedy and Saturday Night Live to films, HBO specials, and eventually one of television's most beloved family sitcoms. They also reflect on why they somehow missed the series during its original run—even though, after watching the pilot and finale, both realize it was exactly the kind of show they would have loved. The conversation explores the show's authentic portrayal of family life, growing up Black in the early 1980s, attending predominantly white schools, and the emotional weight carried by Chris as he tries to find where he belongs. Angela shares how much of Chris's experience resonated with her own childhood, while Bobby highlights the show's humor, memorable narration, and surprising cinematic influences. When they reach the finale, they discuss how remarkably consistent the series remained over five seasons, the show's homage to The Sopranos, and whether its famously ambiguous ending delivers a satisfying conclusion. Verdict: They both agree that Everybody Hates Chris sticks the landing. In this episode: Chris Rock's career before Everybody Hates ChrisWhy Angela and Bobby never watched the series during its original runHow the pilot establishes Chris's struggle to fit in at school and at homeTerry Crews and Tichina Arnold's memorable performances as Chris's parentsThe show's realistic portrayal of family, race, and adolescenceWhy the finale feels like a natural continuation of the pilotReferences to The Godfather and The Sopranos woven throughout the seriesWhether the open-ended finale works Shows and people discussed: Everybody Hates ChrisChris RockTerry CrewsTichina ArnoldTyler James WilliamsSaturday Night LiveThe SopranosThe GodfatherNew Jack CityBoomerangMartinThe Wonder YearsIf you enjoy the show, follow How It Started, How It Ended wherever you get your podcasts, and follow us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok for more conversations about the TV shows that got us hooked—and whether they delivered the ending they deserved.

  2. Jul 1

    Family Matters

    In the premiere episode of How It Started, How It Ended, Angela and Bobby revisit the first and final episodes of Family Matters to answer one question: Did the series stick the landing? They begin by exploring the show's origins as a spin-off of Perfect Strangers and ABC's effort to recreate the success of The Cosby Show during the TGIF era. Looking at the pilot, they discuss how Family Matters was originally conceived as a warm, multi-generational family sitcom centered on the Winslow family and the everyday challenges of living under one roof. The conversation then turns to one of television's most unexpected pivots: the arrival of Steve Urkel. Originally intended as a one-time guest character, Urkel became a pop culture phenomenon who transformed the series from a grounded family comedy into something far more outrageous. After watching the two-part series finale, Angela and Bobby debate whether that dramatic evolution helped or hurt the show. They discuss everything from space travel and artificial gravity to missing cast members, changing networks, and whether the finale provided enough emotional closure. Verdict: Bobby says Family Matters mostly sticks the landing, while Angela isn't convinced the series ever truly landed at all. In this episode How Family Matters spun off from Perfect StrangersABC's search for another family sitcom after The Cosby ShowThe original vision for the Winslow familyWhy Steve Urkel was only supposed to appear onceHow Urkel became the center of the seriesThe surprising changes between the pilot and the finaleWhat happened to several original cast membersWhether the finale delivered a satisfying ending Shows and people mentioned Family MattersPerfect StrangersThe Cosby ShowJaleel WhiteJo Marie PaytonReginald VelJohnsonTelma HopkinsRosetta LeNoireDarius McCraryDie HardLouis ArmstrongTGIFIf you enjoy the show, follow How It Started, How It Ended wherever you get your podcasts, and follow us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok for more conversations about the TV shows that got us hooked—and whether they delivered the ending they deserved.

  3. Season 1, Episode 1 Trailer

    How It Started, How It Ended Trailer

    “How It Started, How It Ended” is a monthly podcast hosted by Bobby Meadows and Angela Johnson Meadows, the couple that watches TV together. In each episode, they’ll revisit the first and last episodes of a classic TV series to answer one question: Did it stick the landing? From beloved sitcoms to iconic dramas, Bobby and Angela will share their reactions and perspectives on the characters, storylines, cultural impact and finales of programs that shaped generations.  If you enjoy the show, follow How It Started, How It Ended wherever you get your podcasts, and follow us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok for more conversations about the TV shows that got us hooked—and whether they delivered the ending they deserved.

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

A monthly podcast where hosts Bobby Meadows and Angela Johnson Meadows revisit the first and last episodes of a classic TV series.

Information

  • Creator
    Bobby Meadows and Angela Johnson Meadows
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ain't We Cute Productions
  • Show Website
    How It Started, How It Ended