SeriesFest 8 Pilot Spotlight: ‘Syd & Mike’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Photo Courtesy of Ryan Scafuro.

It is definitely safe to say, that the pilot episode, is something that is highly sought after by both casual and hardcore fans of television. Simply because, the vast majority of pilots are rarely seen by the viewing public. Sure, there are focus groups that take a look at them, and a few out there on the internet. But more often than not, pilots come and go and the ones we do see… often serve as the series premiere of a new show. But that doesn’t stop television fans from wanting to see them and pour over what this early stage in the creative process looks like and see what kind of incredible creativity is out there, and there is one event that is working to make that happen.

For SeriesFest holds a pilot competition annually, one that features pilots from around the globe. Allowing for attendees that want to see what pilots look like, a chance to enjoy them at last, and it also allows for them to meet some of the creators of these shows, since they’re in attendance. But above all else, it allows for fans at this event, the chance to really see some special pilots. The kind that speaks to the future of television and likely harbors future stars. If anything, the pilot episode and SeriesFest are top of mind today, simply because... of the many pilots present at this year’s competition, one stood out above the rest, in our eyes… and we thought it would be fun to spotlight the sketch-comedy pilot, Syd & Mike.

Which at first glance, is a sentence that likely raised a few eyebrows. Because let’s be honest, sketch comedy is everywhere these days, and if you’re not watching some form of it on television… you’re watching it via YouTube and other streamers, so why spotlight more of the same? Well, the answer to that question is simple. Because this particular pilot, is rip-roaringly hilarious… and that’s no small feat. Because making people laugh and laugh heartily is no easy task, but Syd & Mike make it happen on screen courtesy of some wonderfully written and well-thought-out sketches that are filled with the perfect jokes and perfect comedic timing. The kind that motivates the viewer to just bust out laughing and that’s special for certain, and the wonder of this pilot, doesn’t end there.

Because what makes the jokes work so well and what makes this series so engaging… is that it is grounded in intelligent comedy. For instance, there is a sketch where Syd & Mike play a pair of characters that are polar opposites. One loves the outdoors, and one does not, and the extremes the latter goes to in order to avoid an outdoor excursion is not only hilarious, but painfully relatable. Since there are so many of us that just don’t subscribe to the hiking life, and that sketch also offers up some biting satire and commentary on our world, and that’s just something you don’t see in sketch comedy all of that often. But what really impressed this writer, was the sheer fact that every single sketch in this pilot, featured all of those elements and that every single sketch stuck the landing.

Which is incredibly impressive, since most sketch comedy shows tend to have at least one misfire sketch per episode. But this dynamic duo hit on all cylinders, and they did such a fine job, that they won the Late Night Audience Choice Award at SeriesFest and while we cannot show you the pilot here, we wanted to make sure it was on your radar and that Syd & Mike were as well. Because they’re hilarious. Which is why you should follow their Instagram page for updates on the pilot and to enjoy their wonderful brand of humor, and as an added bonus… we landed an interview interview with Syd & Mike and the show’s co-creator Carl Conway. So check back with us to learn more about the formation of this duo and how they assemble their sketches. But in the meantime, to make sure you get a proper understanding of how great this show really is… here is the trailer for all of you to enjoy.

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