Episode 189: The Thread Written By Andrew Waller and Mike Gagerman

This month’s episode features The Thread, written by Andrew Waller and Mike Gagerman, the second of two dead pilots built around a shared group text that’s been running for years.

Here is the log line for this show, A modern ensemble comedy about a group of longtime friends leading diverse chaotic lives who stay connected through a long running daily text thread.

Waller and Gagerman previously wrote the cult favorite film Search Party and were behind one of the first viral serialized Twitter threads, Shh… Don’t Tell Steve. They’re currently developing Last Chance Lawyer for NBC, with Henry Winkler attached to star.

The pilot feels authentic and grounded, capturing the accumulated history, shorthand, and emotional honesty of friendships that have lasted for decades.

Coming up next week is the interview with Andrew and Mike, followed by a four-way discussion the week after with Andrew, Mike, Aaron Brownstein, and Simon Ganz, the writers of last month’s pilot, Guy Text.

The cast includes Matt Porter (Family Guy, Good Cop / Great Cop), Krysta Rodriguez (Smash, Halston), Paul Telfer (Vampire Diaries; Days of Our Lives), Andrew Leeds (Ghosts, Barry), Suzy Nakamura (Exploding Kittens, Dead to Me), Beth Stelling (comedian), Malcolm Barrett (The Boys, Timeless), Daniel DiMaggio (American Housewife), Brittany Curran (The Magicians), and Neska Rose (Drama Club).

Video of the Zoom table read is available exclusively to Maximum Fun members. Become a member for as little as $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join.

And don’t forget to check out Andrew’s documentary Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story at https://www.reddkrossfilm.com/

Episode 188: Aaron Brownstein & Simon Ganz Interview

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

They share what they learned working under Jason Katims (Friday Night Lights, Parenthood, About a Boy) and Victor Fresco (Santa Clarita Diet), including lessons about character, tone, and why even a waiter with two lines should feel like a real person.

Aaron and Simon dig into the personal inspiration behind Guy Text, a modern sitcom about male friendship built around a constantly active group text thread. They discuss the realities of modern masculinity, parenting, ambition, and the challenge of making something deeply personal in an industry that often wants a trend instead.

Aaron also recounts his start as a child actor: He appeared in a commercial featuring Christopher Reeve—a moment that gave him an early, unforgettable brush with the industry that would later become his career. You can see it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRD3QD17HuU

Episode 187: Guy Text
Written by Aaron Brownstein & Simon Ganz

This month’s dead pilot is Guy Text, written by Aaron Brownstein and Simon Ganz, whose credits include Santa Clarita Diet, Beavis and ButtHead, and About a Boy.  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.

This episode launches a special two-month experiment on Dead Pilots Society. Two pilots built around the same premise—male group text threads—landed on Andrew’s radar, and both received table reads. In January we will be posting the second pilot, the after show interview, and a special roundtable episode featuring the writers of both pilots, diving into their approaches, creative choices, and the challenges of tackling the same premise.

The cast includes Ben Feldman (Superstore), Ritesh Rajan (Definition Please, Ken in animated Barbie TV shows), Alex Klein (Guardians of the Galaxy 2), Josh Banday (Upload), Jonathan Slavin (Better Off Ted), Holly Chou (X-Men 97), Jessica Lowe (Minx), writer and comedian Megan Gailey, Anna Seregina (The Civil Dead), and Andrew Reich with stage directions.

Video of the Zoom table read is available exclusively to Maximum Fun members. Become a member for as little as $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join.

And don’t forget to check out Andrew’s documentary Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story at https://www.reddkrossfilm.com/.

Episode 186: Lisa Muse Bryant Interview

This month’s After Show features Andrew’s conversation with Lisa Muse Bryant, the powerhouse behind our latest dead pilot Dream. 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. She dives into the real-life inspiration behind the pilot and the serendipity of her collaboration with Amber Riley. We also get to hear her wonderful insights about carving out a career and making the most of every opportunity that came her way.

Don’t miss the Dead Pilots Society live show at the Elysian Theater this Sunday, December 7th. The evening will feature a pilot from actress Ginger Gonzaga, joined onstage by Luke Tennie, Lauren Potter, and Kyle Bornheimer, along with a script by Georgia Pritchett whose cast includes Sarah Solemani and Ed Weeks. Get your tickets at elysiantheater.com.

Episode 185: Dream Written by Lisa Muse Bryant

This month’s Dead Pilots Society features Dream, a musical comedy pilot from Lisa Muse Bryant, whose work includes Black-ish, The Four Seasons, Man on the Inside, and Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. The show centers on Dream Morgan, a former teen mom who finally goes after her long-delayed ambition of becoming a singer once her son finishes college. This is a musical, single camera comedy about one fierce and funny woman who uses her voice to find her voice.

From the very first pages, the script announces itself with a bold, memorable opening and a world full of sharp, engaging characters. The live reading only amplified that energy. Yvette Nicole Brown, Cedric Yarbrough, Stakiah Lynn Washington, and Amber Riley delivered powerhouse performances, with Riley’s vocals bringing the audience to its feet for a standing ovation.

The Cast Includes: Lisa Muse Bryant, Amber Riley (Glee), Yvette Nicole Brown (Community), Sarah Francis (Hairspray), Vinny Thomas (Platonic), Cedric Yarbrough (Reno 911), Cyrina Fiallo (High Potential, Good Luck Charlie), Marcel Spears (The Neighborhood), Christina Anthony (Mixed-ish), Stakiah Lynn Washington (Primo), Brittany Curran (The Magicians), and Andrew Reich with stage direction

Dead Pilots Society is also gearing up for a live show at the Elysian Theater on Sunday, December 7th. The evening will feature a pilot from actress Ginger Gonzaga, joined onstage by Luke Tennie, Lauren Potter, and Kyle Bornheimer, along with a script by Georgia Pritchett, whose cast includes Sarah Solemani and Ed Weeks. Tickets are available at elysiantheater.com.

The video of the table read is available exclusively to Maximum Fun members. Become a member for just $5 a month and get access to the video and lots more. Sign up at maximumfun.org/join.

And don’t forget to check out Andrew’s documentary Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story at reddkrossfilm.com/rent.

Episode 184: Jim Brandon & Brian Singleton Interview

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. You may know Brian and Jim from their work on Mixed-ish (ABC), Black Monday (Showtime), Arrested Development (Netflix), or their current show Animal Control (FOX), now on it’s fourth season.

Their viral web series Dorm Life, which they wrote, cast, and produced while in college in 2011, caught Andrew’s eye and earned them their first paid show business job. In this interview, you’ll get to hear Brian and Jim’s journey from Dorm Life, through many writers’ rooms, and into Humans of the Americas. You’ll even get a glimpse into where the show was headed, had it been made.

Also, save the date for our next live show, which will be Sunday, December 7th, at the Elysian Theater in Los Angeles. Tickets aren’t on sale yet, but follow us on social media for updates.

Episode 183: Humans of the Americas Written by Jim Brandon & Brian Singleton

This month’s dead pilot is Humans of the Americas by Jim Brandon and Brian Singleton, whose credits include Animal Control (FOX), Mixed-ish (ABC), Black Monday (Showtime), and Arrested Development (Netflix).

Here’s the logline: A single camera comedy set in a small town neighborhood, that is actually a human exhibit. At a zoo. Run by robots.

It’s high concept, but not self-limiting—funny, heartfelt, and full of inventive world-building and great character work.

Humans of the Americas was read second at the last live show, following Dream by Lisa Muse Bryant, a musical pilot starring Amber Riley, who earned a standing ovation with her closing number. Despite that tough act to follow, the audience loved Humans of the Americas just as much—and listeners will too.

The live cast includes Christina Anthony (Mixed-ish), Brittany Curran (The Magicians), Cyrina Fiallo ( High Potential), Dan Gregor (The Naked Gun), Tai Leclaire (King of The Hill), Jessica McKenna (Dropout), Jordan Riggs (Dorm Life), Bryan Safi (Throwing Shade), Chris Smith (Dorm Life), Nick Smith (Dorm Life), Stakiah Lynn Washington (Primo), Cedric Yarbrough (Reno 911), and Andrew Reich with stage direction

The next Dead Pilots Society live show is set for Sunday, December 7th at 3:00 PM at the Elysian Theater, featuring a brand-new pilot from the multi-talented Ginger Gonzaga. More details coming soon!

The video of the table read is available exclusively to Maximum Fun members. Become a member for just $5 a month and get access to the video and lots more. Sign up at maximumfun.org/join.

And don’t forget to check out Andrew’s documentary Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story at reddkrossfilm.com/rent.

Episode 182: David S. Rosenthal Interview

In this after show for The Cheap Seats, Andrew sits down with writer David S. Rosenthal, whose career spans some of television’s most iconic series.

Andrew and "Rosie" go way back to their days at summer camp, and their longtime friendship adds a personal dimension to this conversation. Rosenthal’s career took off quickly—soon after his first writing job, he became the creator and showrunner of Ellen, kicking off a career that would include Spin City, Gilmore Girls, The Middle, and Jane the Virgin. With an equally deft hand at comedy and drama, he has built a body of work that’s both varied and enduring.

This interview covers the wild ride of his career, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and reflections on navigating show business with resilience and humor. It’s a rich, insightful conversation.