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Comedy Central 25th Anniversary

Happy Birthday Comedy Central?

April 7, 2016

The comedy-only channel debuted 25 years ago this month. Since then it’s launched lots of iconic shows, including The Daily Show, South Park, and Inside Amy Schumer. Here are some short-lived Comedy Central shows that are…not so widely remembered.
Comedy Central 25th Anniversary

Comics Only (1990)

This talk show hosted by stand-up comedian Paul Provenza only looked like a talk show. Suggested by the title, the only guests were stand-up comedians, and Provenza’s interview questions were all scripted, leading questions that the comedians would use to segue into bits from their act.

Crossballs (2004)

Airing after the cable news sendup The Daily Show, this show was a satire of cable news debate shows, like Crossfire or Hardball. (The title even combined those two shows’ names.) Each night, four improve comedians would play different debaters and square off against a real newsmaker or expert, unaware that they were sharing the panel with actors.

Lil’ Bush (2007)

An animated series that imagined then-President George W. Bush, and members of his administration (Dick Cheney, Condoleeza Rice) as children.

That’s My Bush! (2001)

Another series making fun of George W. Bush, this series by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone presented life in the White House as a cheesy 1980s sitcom. Characters even included a sassy maid and a neighbor who dropped by unannounced. (The show was delayed for months due to the unclear results of the 2000 election. Had Al Gore won, the show would’ve been titled Everybody Loves Al.)

I’m With Busey (2003)

A reality series in which comedy writer Adam de la Peña follows around actor Gary Busey in his daily life, while Busey doles out life lessons and wisdom.

Halfway Home (2007)

A sitcom set in a halfway house for drug offenders.