Dead Pilots Society

This is the After Show for Valley Heat, featuring Andrew’s interview with creator Christian Duguay.

Transcribed - Published: 28 May 2026

Set in Burbank’s Rancho Equestrian neighborhood, Valley Heat captures the bizarre rhythms of suburban life in a way that’s both deeply specific and completely unhinged.

Transcribed - Published: 21 May 2026

As a special bonus for MaxFunDrive 2026, we bring you the top five funniest openings in Dead Pilots Society history, as voted by the DPS staff. It was a challenge to narrow it down to just five, but that just means you’re getting the best of the best.

Transcribed - Published: 1 May 2026

This is the After Show for Gimme Five, featuring part two of Andrew’s conversation with Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, creators of How I Met Your Mother.

Transcribed - Published: 30 April 2026

As a special bonus for MaxFunDrive 2026, we bring you the top five funniest openings in Dead Pilots Society history, as voted by the DPS staff. It was a challenge to narrow it down to just five, but that just means you’re getting the best of the best.

Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2026

As a special bonus for MaxFunDrive 2026, we bring you the top five funniest openings in Dead Pilots Society history, as voted by the DPS staff. It was a challenge to narrow it down to just five, but that just means you’re getting the best of the best.

Transcribed - Published: 28 April 2026

It's 1985, and Gimme Five is the number two family sitcom in America. But behind the scenes of this feel-good show is a dysfunctional workplace family on the verge of self-destruction. Showrunner Cliff McConnell must somehow keep it together and keep being funny in the midst of his newborn son's health crisis.

Transcribed - Published: 27 April 2026

This is the After Show for New York Mythological, featuring Andrew’s conversation with Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, creators of How I Met Your Mother.

Transcribed - Published: 25 April 2026

As a special bonus for MaxFunDrive 2026, we bring you the top five funniest openings in Dead Pilots Society history, as voted by the DPS staff. It was a challenge to narrow it down to just five, but that just means you’re getting the best of the best.

Transcribed - Published: 23 April 2026

As a special bonus for MaxFunDrive 2026, we bring you the top five funniest openings in Dead Pilots Society history, as voted by the DPS staff. It was a challenge to narrow it down to just five, but that just means you’re getting the best of the best.

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2026

It's MaxFunDrive. And here, for the first time, we give you an exclusive look (well, listen) at the craft of podcasting: presenting Casters on Casters. In this episode, Ben Blacker (Dead Pilots Society), Hal Lublin (Tights and Fights & We Got This with Mark and Hal) and Alonso Duralde (Maximum Film!) take listeners behind the scenes and swap stories about the ups and downs of podcasting. Plus, why does every TV reboot have a character that's a podcaster? And how did COVID change the podcasting game? Listen to find out! If this glamorous, in-depth journey into what makes your favorite hosts tick inspires you, support them by joining as a member at maximumfun.org/join. Edited and Produced by Laura Swisher for Maximum Fun.

Transcribed - Published: 20 April 2026

A new arrival joins the team at a museum devoted to exploring supernatural and paranormal phenomena in New York City.

Transcribed - Published: 20 April 2026

This After Show features Andrew’s interview with Emmy and WGA Award–winning writer Georgia Pritchett, the writer of this month’s dead pilot, Bump.

Transcribed - Published: 26 March 2026

Bump follows a British couple coming to America to meet their surrogate, since surrogacy is illegal in the UK, only to discover she’s very different from what they imagined.

Transcribed - Published: 19 March 2026

Many listeners know Ginger from her roles in Marvel’s She-Hulk, CBS’s True Lies, Showtime’s Kidding, I’m Dying Up Here, HBO’s Togetherness, and Room 104. But in this episode, the spotlight shifts to her as a creator as well as a performer.

Transcribed - Published: 26 February 2026

After being arrested, following a very public hypomanic episode Pepper, A witty visual artist is court ordered to live in a halfway house with an ensemble of lovable misfits that she deems crazier than herself. This soulful and at times surreal dramedy follows pepper as she navigates her artistic career.

Transcribed - Published: 19 February 2026

This special episode of Dead Pilots Society brings together the writers behind the last two pilots for a sort of Text Thread Dead Pilot Summit. The conversation features Aaron Brownstein and Simon Ganz, writers of Guy Text, alongside Mike Gagerman and Andrew Waller, writers of The Thread.

Transcribed - Published: 29 January 2026

This week’s After Show features Andrew’s conversation with Mike Gagerman and Andrew Waller, writers of the film Search Party (not the TV show), creators of the viral Twitter thread Shh… Don’t Tell Steve, and currently writing the pilot for Last Chance Lawyer on NBC, with Henry Winkler set to star.

Transcribed - Published: 22 January 2026

A modern ensemble comedy about a group of longtime friends leading diverse chaotic lives who stay connected through a long running daily text thread.

Transcribed - Published: 15 January 2026

In this After Show Andrew talks with writing partners Aaron Brownstein and Simon Ganz about their long road to Guy Text.

Transcribed - Published: 25 December 2025

Four geriatric millennial friends struggle with what it means to be sensitive, thoughtful, emotionally available modern men. It’s a fast paced and funny pilot that you’ll really enjoy.

Transcribed - Published: 18 December 2025

Lisa traces her remarkable journey from Camden, New Jersey, to writing on standout series like Black-ish, The Four Seasons, Man on the Inside, and Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.

Transcribed - Published: 4 December 2025

When her son graduates from college, former teen mom Dream Morgan turns her life upside down to pursue her dream of becoming a famous singer. This is a musical, single camera comedy about one fierce and funny woman who uses her voice to find her voice.

Transcribed - Published: 20 November 2025

Welcome to this month’s after-show interview with Brian Singleton and Jim Brandon.You heard their hilarious pilot Humans of the Americas last week on Dead Pilots Society

Transcribed - Published: 30 October 2025

A single camera comedy set in a small town neighborhood, that is actually a human exhibit. At a zoo. Run by robots.

Transcribed - Published: 23 October 2025

Andrew sits down with writer David S. Rosenthal, whose career spans some of television’s most iconic series.

Transcribed - Published: 25 September 2025

A close-knit group of emotionally and intellectually stunted friends whose world is shaken when one of them begins dating a brainy and sophisticated medical student.

Transcribed - Published: 18 September 2025

This after-show episode dives deeper into Here She Lies with its creator, Gracie Glassmeyer.

Transcribed - Published: 28 August 2025

The story centers on a fascinating main character, originally conceived by Yael Grobglas, who also leads the cast. She’s joined by Dustin Ybarra as the agoraphobic co-lead.

Transcribed - Published: 21 August 2025

Chris and Sam have been through it all. They’ve seen more writers’ rooms than most, and they’re still at it, working together and “Semi-separately”. They get into what that means and what it looks like for two longtime creative partners to evolve their collaboration.

Transcribed - Published: 31 July 2025

A rookie pastor struggling to keep her progressive Baptist church afloat while dealing with megachurch competition, financial strain, and the looming presence of her father—the church’s legendary former pastor.

Transcribed - Published: 24 July 2025

Andrew chats with Ilana Peña (Diary of a Future President) and Anne Sundell (writer and comedian) about their pilot How to Get Over Bryan Byers.

Transcribed - Published: 26 June 2025

The show follows two former enemies, Anna and Izzy, who become best friends after realizing they’ve both dated—and been dumped by—the same guy.

Transcribed - Published: 19 June 2025

In this after-show interview, Andrew talks with writer/producer Austen Earl about his pilot Letters to Beyoncé, inspired by his own mom. Austen shares how he went from a tiny town in Vermont to a Hollywood writing career—with a surprising assist from his athletic background.

Transcribed - Published: 29 May 2025

The script, Letters to Beyoncé, tells the story of a middle-aged schoolteacher in rural New England who decides to reclaim her life—with a little inspiration from an unlikely source: Beyoncé. Inspired by Earl’s own mother

Transcribed - Published: 22 May 2025

In this after-show episode of Dead Pilot Society, we're joined by writer Lauren Herstik, who brought us Camp Friends

Transcribed - Published: 24 April 2025

Camp Friends is about best friends who spend every summer at Camp Wigeon. This is their CIT (counselor-in-training) year, the last before becoming counselors, and the last chance to have the best summer ever. So when a new, hot, mystery girl shows up at camp and threatens to derail those plans it’s a big problem.

Transcribed - Published: 17 April 2025

This is the After Show episode for Buffalo Tens featuring Andrew’s interview with Riki Lindhome and Natasha Leggero (Another Period). It’s also our last episode of MaxFunDrive 2025. If you haven’t joined, boosted or upgraded yet, what are you waiting for?! You’re reading the show notes! You’re obviously a fan! Go to maximum fun.org/join right now! And then you can enjoy the insane story of how malaria brought Riki and Natasha together, how Another Period came to be, and the many times Buffalo Tens almost made it to a screen big or small. But first go to maximum fun.org/join and check out all the cool gifts that are only available for a few more days! And help Maximum Fun reach their goal of 15,000 new, boosting or upgrading members. If they make it, they are going to have a blow-out party and invite everyone! Please show your love for our show today, before it’s to laaaaaate!!!! Go to maximumfun.org/join! Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joindeadpilots

Transcribed - Published: 27 March 2025

MaxFunDrive 2025 continues with a second episode of Buffalo Tens from Riki Lindhome and Natasha Leggero (Another Period). Fox liked this show about two Matchmakers from Hell in Buffalo, New York enough to order a second episode from Riki and Natasha. And then they passed, but we have revived it and are bringing it to you here! Remember, this is the time of year where we celebrate MaxFun members and remind you that this show exists because listeners like you support it. We recorded this live at the Elysian Theater with a cast that included Riki as Sherri, Natasha as Cami, Joshua Malina from the West Wing as Phil, Luke Tennie from Shrinking and Nickel Boys as Tony, Olivia Liang from Kung Fu as Kensley and Coco, Kyla Kennedy from Mr. Mayor and Speechless as Lacey, Eric Edelstein from We Bare Bears and Jurassic World as Ken, Will Greenberg from Wrecked and The After Party as Dr. Lockport, Duane and The Pawn Shop Owner, Punam Patel from Special and Kevin From Work as Marcy, and John Clarence Stewart from Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist as Martin. You can support Dead Pilots Society and get access to all of our bonus content, and the bonus content from every other Maximum Fun show, by becoming a member at maximumfun.org/join. And if you're already a member, first of all - thank you!, you can upgrade or boost your membership and get some cool gifts. Go to maximumfun.org/join now! Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joindeadpilots

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2025

It is MaxFunDrive! The time of year where we celebrate MaxFun members and remind you that this show exists because listeners like you support it. And this is our first MaxFunDrive table read episode of 2025. It's Buffalo Tens written by and starring the incredible Riki Lindhome and Natasha Leggero. Riki and Natasha co-created and starred in the Comedy Central show Another Period. But you know them from so many other things as well. Riki is one half of Garfunkel and Oates and you’ve seen her in everything from Big Bang Theory to Knives Out to Wednesday. Natasha you know from her comedy and Chelsea Lately and as a voice actor in one million things. They wrote a wild pilot about two dating consultants in Buffalo, NY for Fox. Fox liked it enough to commission them to write a second episode. And then they passed, so here it is on Dead Pilots Society! We recorded this live at the Elysian Theater with a cast that included Riki as Sherri, Natasha as Cami, India De Beaufort from Night Court and One Day at a Time as Melanie, Joshua Malina from the West Wing as Phil, Luke Tennie from Shrinking and Nickel Boys as Tony, Olivia Liang from Kung Fu as Kensley, Kyla Kennedy from Mr. Mayor and Speechless as Lacey, Eric Edelstein from We Bare Bears and Jurassic World as Ken, Will Greenberg from Wrecked and The After Party as Bryce and the Restaurant Manager, Punam Patel from Special and Kevin From Work as Paisley and Kershalla, and John Clarence Stewart from Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist as Martin.

Transcribed - Published: 22 March 2025

This is the After Show for Rich Dan Poor Dan by John Enbom, co-creator and showrunner of Party Down. You’ll hear about John’s Hollywood beginnings as a screenwriter, including writing the unsung slacker cinema classic, The Low Life. Then his transition into TV when his friend Rob Thomas hired him onto the staff of Veronica Mars. Andrew and John get deep into the unusual yearslong process that led to Party Down, and the insane story of how that show was made. Veronica Mars and Party Down fans definitely won’t want to miss this one.

Transcribed - Published: 27 February 2025

We have a treat for Party Down fans this month. Our dead pilot, Rich Dan, Poor Dan comes from the co-creator and showrunner of Party Down, John Enbom. Here's the logline: When handsome, aimless Danny finds himself without prospects, he takes a job with the estate staff of an insecure finance Billionaire – without realizing that his new boss used to be the nerd he bullied in high school.

Transcribed - Published: 20 February 2025

This is part two of our first rerun, featuring Andrew’s interview with Joe Port and Joe Wiseman, the creators of Eternally Yours which we reran last week. Joe and Joe are maybe best known for being the showrunners of the hit CBS show Ghosts.

Transcribed - Published: 30 January 2025

This is the table read for Eternally Yours written by Joe Port & Joe Wiseman (Ghosts, The Office, New Girl)

Transcribed - Published: 23 January 2025

Our interview with Amy Reed (The Diary of a Future President) & Brendan Scannell (Bonding)

Transcribed - Published: 25 December 2024

This is the table read for The 14th Floor written by Amy Reed (The Diary of a Future President) & Brendan Scannell (Bonding)

Transcribed - Published: 20 December 2024

This is our interview with Bill Callahan (Scrubs, Spin City).

Transcribed - Published: 29 November 2024

This is the table read for Massholes written by Bill Callahan (Scrubs, Spin City, The Goldbergs)

Transcribed - Published: 21 November 2024

This is our interview with Al Madrigal & Chris Harris regarding the pilot Mr. Macho.

Transcribed - Published: 31 October 2024

This is the table read for Mr. Macho written by the hilarious Al Madrigal (The Daily Show, Lopez vs. Lopez, Night School)

Transcribed - Published: 24 October 2024