The Westies, Ann Droid, and The Five Star Weekend. With guests JK Simmons and Tom Brittney

The Westies, Ann Droid, and The Five Star Weekend. With guests JK Simmons and Tom Brittney

Author: Empire Magazine July 13, 2026 Duration: 2:06:04

We finally unveil (in typically shambolic fashion) our shows of the year (so far) list in this week’s episode as an arcane mathematical formula is applied to our individual favourites, distilling them into the definitive (probably) top 10 of everything out in 2026 to-date (17:33). Plus JK Simmons and Tom Brittney join us to chat MGM+’s new gangster show The Westies (37:18-50:58). We also watch Diane Morgan’s new comedy, Ann Droid, on BBC1 (1:42:17), and Jennifer Garner’s girls’ weekend drama The Five Star Weekend on Sky Atlantic (1:51:38). All that and se do a drop-in to discuss this year’s Emmy nominations (1:06:32) and James makes a landmark admission while discussing what we’ve all been watching.

Note: time stamps are approximate as the ads throw them out, so are only meant as a guide. If you want to avoid this and would like the podcast entirely ad-free (as well as 17 hours early, with a second weekly show and spoiler specials) then sign up to Pilot+!


If you’re trying to keep up with the sheer volume of television arriving each week, it’s easy to feel adrift. That’s where Pilot TV comes in. Brought to you by the team behind The Empire Film Podcast at Empire Magazine, this weekly discussion cuts through the noise to highlight the series truly worth your time. Each episode finds hosts James Dyer, Boyd Hilton, Steph Seelan, and Kay Ribeiro gathered for a lively, informed chat that feels like eavesdropping on the best kind of TV-loving friends. They deliver a smart, comprehensive rundown of new releases across every platform-from streaming services to terrestrial broadcasts-ensuring you never miss a must-see show. Beyond the reviews, the podcast brings you breaking industry news and sits down for conversations with some of television’s most influential creators and stars. It’s the perfect companion for anyone who wants to navigate the modern TV landscape with insight and a critical eye, transforming the weekly deluge into a curated viewing guide. Tune in for a genuinely essential, and thoroughly entertaining, take on the small screen.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 50

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