From The TV IV
The Ben Stiller Show (1992–1993) was a sketch comedy series spun-off from the MTV series of the same name broadcast by FOX. The show was created by the series' namesake Ben Stiller as well as future filmmaker Judd Apatow and starred four central players: Stiller, Andy Dick, Janeane Garofalo and Bob Odenkirk.
In its time, The Ben Stiller Show was the only FOX comedy not to make use of a laugh track or a studio audience, a move which allowed it to stand out as biting satire in the form of sketch comedy. Much of the show parodied popular 1980s and early 1990s culture with sketches like "Low Budget Tales of Horror," which mocked Tales from the Crypt, and "The Grungues," a sitcom in the style of The Monkees set in Seattle during grunge's heyday.
Though critically acclaimed, the series was cancelled after 12 episodes by the network. It was awarded the 1993 Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Variety Series posthumously, but the network did not see fit to bring it back. The series has been resurrected in reruns several times by networks like Comedy Central over the years, but the central players all went on to find success in other venues.
Cast
Seasons
| Season | Premiere | Finale | #
|
| FOX
|
| Season One | September 27, 1992 | January 17, 1993 | 13
|
In-Depth
DVD Releases
External Sites
