Episode 209: Michael Colton and John Aboud Interview

Episode 209

24th September 2026

As we continue to celebrate ten years of Dead Pilots Society, we bring you this month’s after show with Michael Colton and John Aboud, writers of Weekly World News, which was featured on last week’s episode.

Episode notes

Episode 209: Michael Colton and John Aboud Interview

As we continue to celebrate ten years of Dead Pilots Society, we bring you this month’s after show with Michael Colton and John Aboud, writers of Weekly World News, which was featured on last week’s episode.

The two longtime collaborators take a look back at their path from journalism to founding the early-internet comedy magazine Modern Humorist, becoming VH1 talking heads on Best Week Ever and I Love the ’80s, and eventually building a career writing for television and film.

Colton and Aboud talk about their work on Penguins of Madagascar, their time working in animation, Home Economics, and the many pilots and projects that never made it to the screen. They also discuss the mysterious death of National Lampoon creator Doug Kenney, and how it became the inspiration for A Futile and Stupid Gesture, a film the two co-wrote and produced, starring Will Forte and directed by David Wain

The conversation digs into what drew them to the bizarre world of Weekly World News, how they approached turning the tabloid into a TV workplace comedy, and the advantages of combining familiar genres in unexpected ways.

 

Dead Pilots Society Comes to Brooklyn!

Tickets are now on sale for the first-ever Dead Pilots Society live show in New York City! The show takes place Sunday, October 25th at The Bell House in Brooklyn, featuring two brand new dead pilots from two incredible writers: Allison Silverman (Russian Doll, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Colbert Report, Portlandia) and Chris Kelly (Saturday Night Live, The Other Two).

A star-studded cast will be announced soon. Andrew Reich and Ben Blacker will both be there, so New Yorkers and fans throughout the tri-state area can finally experience Dead Pilots Society live. Follow Dead Pilots Society on social media for cast announcements.

Click this link for tickets! https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/3000651E456BB0C6

In this episode...

Guests

  • Michael Colton
  • John Aboud

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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