Episode 191: Text Thread Dead Pilot Summit

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.

Andrew brings all four writers together for a deeper, side-by-side look at their creative processes.What makes the conversation especially unique is the generosity on display. Rather than competing, the writers openly praise what they admired in each other’s pilots, offering thoughtful insight into how similar ideas can emerge independently, without imitation.

It’s a rare, candid conversation about writing partnerships, creative overlap, and the realities of comedy writing, presented without ads or interruptions—just four writers talking honestly about the work.

Episode 190: Andrew Waller and Mike Gagerman Interview

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.

Mike and Andrew walk through how they became a writing team, from high school collaborators to professional comedy writers. Along the way, they dig into creative partnership, long-term friendship, and the kind of strange, specific experiences that only come from working together for decades.

The episode also tees up next week’s special four-way conversation with Mike and Andrew joined by Aaron Brownstein and Simon Ganz, the writers of last month’s pilot, Guy Text.

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/