Atlanta’s Pilot Changed TV Forever—Here’s Why

When Atlanta premiered, it redefined what a TV show could be. The Emmy-winning series, created by Donald Glover, blends surrealism, comedy, and social commentary like nothing before it. But how did it all start? On this episode of In the Cut Podcast, host Rae Benjamin is joined by TV writer Racquel Callahan (The Chi, Swagger, Good Trouble) to break down the Atlanta pilot. They explore why Donald Glover tricked FX into greenlighting the show, how the pilot follows classic sitcom structure despite its experimental style, and why the series resonated across so many different audiences. From Earn’s struggle to get Paper Boi’s song on the radio to the genre-bending moments that make Atlanta unique, we dive into what makes this pilot one of the most important of the last decade.

Watch the video below or listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.