Episode 173: Letters to Beyoncé written by Austen Earl (Up All Night, The Millers, Happy Together)

Episode 173

22nd 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

Episode notes

Episode 173: Letters to Beyoncé written by Austen Earl (Up All Night, The Millers, Happy Together)

In this episode of Dead Pilots Society, we bring you a heartfelt and hilarious pilot from Austen Earl (Up All Night, The Millers, Happy Together, About My Father). 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 (who was in attendance for the table read on Zoom!), the pilot balances sweetness with big laughs.

The cast this month is, Stephnie Weir ( Happy Together, A Million Little Things), Jamila Velazquez (Law and Order: SVU, Empire), John Gemberling (The Great North), Steve Agee (Peacemaker), Will Choi (Central Park, BoJack Horseman), Kira Kosarin (The Thundermans), Karan Menon (comedian), Clare Gillies (Sprung), Nancy Lenehan (Veep, People of Earth), and Andrew Reich with stage directions.

To watch a video of the table read, become a Maximum Fun member at maximumfun.org/join for as little as $5 a month.

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

In this episode...

Guests

  • Stephnie Weir
  • Jamila Velazquez
  • John Gemberling
  • Steve Agee
  • Will Choi
  • Kira Kosarin
  • Karan Menon
  • Clare Gillies
  • Nancy Lenehan

About the show

In Dead Pilots Society, scripts that were developed by studios and networks but were never produced are given the table reads they deserve. Starring actors you know and love from television and film, a live audience, and a good time in which no one gets notes, no one is fired, and everyone laughs. Presented by Andrew Reich (Friends; Worst Week) and Ben Blacker (The Writers Panel podcast; co-creator, Thrilling Adventure Hour).

Email them at info@deadpilotssociety.com and follow @deadpilotspod on Twitter and Instagram.

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