How It Started, How It Ended cover art

How It Started, How It Ended

How It Started, How It Ended

By: Bobby Meadows and Angela Johnson Meadows
Listen for free

A monthly podcast where hosts Bobby Meadows and Angela Johnson Meadows revisit the first and last episodes of a classic TV series.

© 2026 Ain't We Cute Productions Art
Episodes
  • Scrubs: Pilot vs Finale

    Scrubs: Pilot vs Finale
    Aug 1 2026
    In this episode of How It Started, How It Ended, Angela and Bobby revisit the pilot and Season 8 finale of Scrubs, the medical sitcom that blended absurd comedy, surreal fantasy sequences, and surprisingly emotional storytelling during its run at Sacred Heart Hospital.Before diving into the episodes, they look back at how creator Bill Lawrence developed the series, drawing inspiration from the experiences of a college friend who became a doctor. They also discuss the cast, including then-relative newcomer Zach Braff as JD, Donald Faison as Turk, Sarah Chalke as Elliot, Judy Reyes as Carla, and John C. McGinley as Dr. Cox—and the real-life friendship between Braff and Faison that grew out of the show.The conversation explores how the pilot establishes nearly everything that would make Scrubs distinctive: JD's fantasies, his bromance with Turk, his immediate attraction to Elliot, the intimidating Dr. Cox, the seemingly friendly Dr. Kelso, and the Janitor's grudge over a penny stuck in a door. Angela and Bobby also discuss how the episode moves between comedy and more serious moments as JD confronts the realities of being a doctor, including losing his first patient.When they reach the finale, they look at how much the characters have changed—and how much has remained remarkably consistent—over eight seasons. They discuss JD and Elliot's relationship, Turk and Carla's marriage, the resolution of the Janitor's eight-year penny mystery, and JD's complicated final goodbye to Dr. Cox. They also revisit the finale's emotional closing sequence, as JD walks past familiar faces from his years at Sacred Heart before imagining the future he hopes awaits him.Verdict: Angela calls it a perfect, “chef's kiss” finale, while Bobby ranks it among his favorite sitcom endings. Scrubs sticks the landing.In this episode:• How Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence drew inspiration from a real-life friend in medicine• Zach Braff and Donald Faison's friendship on and off screen• How the pilot introduces JD, Turk, Elliot, Carla, Dr. Cox, Dr. Kelso, and the Janitor• The surreal fantasies that helped set Scrubs apart from other sitcoms• How the show balances absurd comedy with the realities of working in medicine• JD's evolution from overwhelmed intern to experienced doctor• The relationships that changed over eight seasons—and the character dynamics that didn't• The payoff to the Janitor's long-running penny grudge• Why JD's relationship with Dr. Cox is central to the finale• The emotional hallway sequence featuring familiar faces from JD's past• JD's vision of his future set to Peter Gabriel's “The Book of Love”• Why the finale feels like a complete ending to JD's journeyShows and people discussed:• Scrubs• Zach Braff• Donald Faison• Sarah Chalke• Judy Reyes• John C. McGinley• Bill Lawrence• Spin City• Friends• Clueless• Roseanne• M*A*S*H• Doogie Howser, M.D.• My Wife and Kids• Peter GabrielWhere to watch Scrubs:HuluDisney+|Apple TVAmazon PrimeIf you enjoyed the show, follow How It Started, How It Ended wherever you get your podcasts, and follow us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok for more conversations about the TV shows that got us hooked—and whether they delivered the ending they deserved.
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • Everybody Hates Chris: Pilot vs Finale

    Everybody Hates Chris: Pilot vs Finale
    Jul 1 2026

    In this episode of How It Started, How It Ended, Angela and Bobby revisit the pilot and series finale of Everybody Hates Chris, the semi-autobiographical sitcom inspired by the early life of Chris Rock.

    Before diving into the episodes, they look back at Chris Rock's rise from stand-up comedy and Saturday Night Live to films, HBO specials, and eventually one of television's most beloved family sitcoms. They also reflect on why they somehow missed the series during its original run—even though, after watching the pilot and finale, both realize it was exactly the kind of show they would have loved.

    The conversation explores the show's authentic portrayal of family life, growing up Black in the early 1980s, attending predominantly white schools, and the emotional weight carried by Chris as he tries to find where he belongs. Angela shares how much of Chris's experience resonated with her own childhood, while Bobby highlights the show's humor, memorable narration, and surprising cinematic influences.

    When they reach the finale, they discuss how remarkably consistent the series remained over five seasons, the show's homage to The Sopranos, and whether its famously ambiguous ending delivers a satisfying conclusion.

    Verdict: They both agree that Everybody Hates Chris sticks the landing.

    In this episode:

    • Chris Rock's career before Everybody Hates Chris
    • Why Angela and Bobby never watched the series during its original run
    • How the pilot establishes Chris's struggle to fit in at school and at home
    • Terry Crews and Tichina Arnold's memorable performances as Chris's parents
    • The show's realistic portrayal of family, race, and adolescence
    • Why the finale feels like a natural continuation of the pilot
    • References to The Godfather and The Sopranos woven throughout the series
    • Whether the open-ended finale works


    Shows and people discussed:

    • Everybody Hates Chris
    • Chris Rock
    • Terry Crews
    • Tichina Arnold
    • Tyler James Williams
    • Saturday Night Live
    • The Sopranos
    • The Godfather
    • New Jack City
    • Boomerang
    • Martin
    • The Wonder Years

    If you enjoyed the show, follow How It Started, How It Ended wherever you get your podcasts, and follow us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok for more conversations about the TV shows that got us hooked—and whether they delivered the ending they deserved.
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • Family Matters: Pilot vs Finale

    Family Matters: Pilot vs Finale
    Jul 1 2026

    In the premiere episode of How It Started, How It Ended, Angela and Bobby revisit the first and final episodes of Family Matters to answer one question: Did the series stick the landing?

    They begin by exploring the show's origins as a spin-off of Perfect Strangers and ABC's effort to recreate the success of The Cosby Show during the TGIF era. Looking at the pilot, they discuss how Family Matters was originally conceived as a warm, multi-generational family sitcom centered on the Winslow family and the everyday challenges of living under one roof.

    The conversation then turns to one of television's most unexpected pivots: the arrival of Steve Urkel. Originally intended as a one-time guest character, Urkel became a pop culture phenomenon who transformed the series from a grounded family comedy into something far more outrageous.

    After watching the two-part series finale, Angela and Bobby debate whether that dramatic evolution helped or hurt the show. They discuss everything from space travel and artificial gravity to missing cast members, changing networks, and whether the finale provided enough emotional closure.

    Verdict: Bobby says Family Matters mostly sticks the landing, while Angela isn't convinced the series ever truly landed at all.


    In this episode

    • How Family Matters spun off from Perfect Strangers
    • ABC's search for another family sitcom after The Cosby Show
    • The original vision for the Winslow family
    • Why Steve Urkel was only supposed to appear once
    • How Urkel became the center of the series
    • The surprising changes between the pilot and the finale
    • What happened to several original cast members
    • Whether the finale delivered a satisfying ending


    Shows and people mentioned

    • Family Matters
    • Perfect Strangers
    • The Cosby Show
    • Jaleel White
    • Jo Marie Payton
    • Reginald VelJohnson
    • Telma Hopkins
    • Rosetta LeNoire
    • Darius McCrary
    • Die Hard
    • Louis Armstrong
    • TGIF

    If you enjoyed the show, follow How It Started, How It Ended wherever you get your podcasts, and follow us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok for more conversations about the TV shows that got us hooked—and whether they delivered the ending they deserved.
    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.