Best TV Pilot Episode
Television shows can live or die based on their premiere episodes – so-called “pilots” designed to make a series take off with viewers and critics alike. A great first episode can almost instantly cement a show’s place in the television pantheon, and catapult a series into the cultural conversation. So join us as the Great Pop Culture Debate looks back at 16 of the most successful first episodes of all time as we attempt to name the Best TV Pilot Episode. Premiere episodes discussed include Breaking Bad, Lost, The West Wing, Six Feet Under, Schitt’s Creek, How to Get Away with Murder, Dexter, Friends, Glee, The Walking Dead, Pushing Daisies, Twink Peaks, Stranger Things, Game of Thrones, Desperate Housewives, E.R.
Join host Eric Rezsnyak and GPCD panelists Amma Marfo, Joelle Boedecker, and Karissa Kloss as they discuss 16 of TV’s most notable first episodes.
Play along at home by finding the listener bracket here. Make a copy for yourself, fill it out, and see if your picks match up with ours!
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Related Content
TOP 10 Failed Television Pilots
Round 1 Match-Ups:
Not a Patreon subscriber? Here’s a primer on how we came up with the bracket.
Match-Up 1: Lost (1) vs. Breaking Bad (4)
Match-Up 2: The West Wing (3) vs. Six Feet Under (2)
Match-Up 3: Schitt’s Creek (1) vs. How to Get Away with Murder (4)
Match-Up 5: Glee (1) vs. The Walking Dead (4)
Match-Up 6: Twin Peaks (3) vs. Stranger Things (2)
Match-Up 7: Game of Thrones (1) vs. Pushing Daisies (4)
Match-Up 8: Desperate Housewives (3) vs. E.R. (2)
Want to play along at home?
Download the Listener Bracket and see if your picks match up with ours!
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Episode Credits
Host: Eric Rezsnyak
Panelists: Amma Marfo, Joelle Boedecker, Karissa Kloss
Producer: Derek Mekita
Editor: John Higgins
Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch
