Pilot Program

Chase Koeneke & Pierce Courchaine

Hosts Chase Koeneke and Pierce Courchaine watch and discuss the first episode of every television show ever made (eventually...probably). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Jun 3

    Episode 48 - He-Man & The Masters of the Universe (1983)

    With a new He-Man movie hitting theaters, we thought there was no better time to get to know the world of this '80s toy-turned-tv show than right now. Uh...we didn't like it. But we still ended up having a lot of fun talking through the political atmosphere that allowed He-Man to thrive, the production quirks of making a cartoon on a shoestring budget and the cadre of losers that comprise most of the cast of characters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 26m

  2. May 11

    Episode 47 - Good Eats (1999)

    Cooking shows have historically been a pretty consistent breed: A chef running you through a recipe step by step while maybe throwing in a pithy story or anecdote every once in a while. But Alton Brown's Good Eats had a different mission. Rather than teach you a recipe, Brown's goal was to teach you the mechanics of food, giving you a baseline understanding of the science of cooking, and putting you on a path to make better meals. On the inaugural episode of the show, Alton takes Chase and Pierce through the surprisingly complex world of steaks (as well as bad '90s fashion). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 37m

  3. Apr 22

    Episode 46 - The Pitt (2025)

    Medical shows are a dime a dozen these days, but HBO Max's The Pitt has been dominating both award shows and social feeds with its brand of intense medical drama, compelling characters and technical prowess. Chase and Pierce watch the first hour of this "24" structured show, and see if we can identify what makes it tick. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    2h 3m

  4. Mar 23

    Episode 45 - The Muppet Show (1976)

    The Muppets are an institution, with films, music albums, cartoons and merch galore. But it wasn't always this way. Despite the success of Sesame Street, Jim Henson didn't want to be pigeonholed into just a children's entertainer. And thus, The Muppet Show was born, a variety musical sketch show pairing a celebrity guest star with the zany cadre of puppet characters -- something for everyone! But does the first episode of The Muppet Show hold up? And what actually counts as the pilot of The Muppet Show anyway? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 38m

  5. Feb 28

    Episode 44 - Mission Hill (1999)

    Well, we finally made it: It's time for Chase's favorite show, Mission Hill. Expensive to make and stuck on a network that couldn't find a place for it, Mission Hill never achieved mainstream success. But the show has achieved cult status, with a small, but dedicated fanbase. Obviously, Chase is part of the cult, but how will Pierce react when he sees it for the first time? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 48m

  6. Feb 8

    Episode 43 - The Golden Girls (1985)

    The Golden Girls is not just one of the most popular shows of the '80s -- It's a television icon. What started as a parody became a show whose popularity has endured for over 40 years. But how much did they have figured out in their first episode? Chase and Pierce take on this TV classic on this edition of Pilot Program. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 43m

  7. Jan 16

    Episode 42 - Star Trek: The Original Series (1966)

    Chase and Pierce boldly go where many, many, many people have gone before. That's right, we've set our sights on 1966's Star Trek. Created by Gene Roddenberry and starring William Shatner, Star Trek delves into complex topics with thoughtful analysis. Or, in the case of this episode, showcases a rather poorly-written monster mystery. Eh, they can't all be winners. Still, the magic and promise of Star Trek shines through, even in its rougher beginnings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 52m

  8. 12/09/2025

    Episode 41 - Friday Night Lights (2006)

    2006's Friday Night Lights was a massive critical (yet not always commercial) success. Inspire by a book written by his cousin, director Peter Berg adapted the work into a 2004 film. Feeling there was more to dig into though, Berg would rework the concept into a TV show, with a (mostly) all-new cast and story. Does NBC's cult classic still have what it takes to make the varsity squad in 2025? And why does everyone in this town want to sleep with these football players? Chase and Pierce clear their eyes, fill their hearts and attempt to not lose the plot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 42m
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About

Hosts Chase Koeneke and Pierce Courchaine watch and discuss the first episode of every television show ever made (eventually...probably). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Chase Koeneke & Pierce Courchaine
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Chase Koeneke & Pierce Courchaine
  • Show Website
    Pilot Program