- Several comedians, including Wanda Sykes and Jim Carrey, had their own TV shows that may have been forgotten over time.
- Margaret Cho starred in All-American Girl, the first U.S. network sitcom centered on an Asian American family, which explored themes of identity and culture.
- John Mulaney’s Fox sitcom, Mulaney, was canceled after one season due to low ratings and poor reviews, but he continued to find success in stand-up comedy and as a writer on Saturday Night Live.
Many comedians have made the jump from the stand-up stage to starring in their own TV shows, but not all of those series are still widely remembered. While some became long-running hits, others were canceled after just a season or two despite featuring some of comedy’s biggest names. Here are 11 comedians who once had their own TV shows that you may have forgotten about
Wanda Sykes
Known for her sharp wit and biting humor, Wanda Sykes found success on both sides of the camera. She starred in her own Fox sitcom, Wanda at Large, in 2003, and later hosted The Wanda Sykes Show, a late-night talk show on Fox that premiered in November 2009, according to IMDb
Aziz Ansari
Aziz Ansari made the leap from ensemble cast member on Parks and Recreation to creator and star of Master of None, which he co-created with writer Alan Yang. His unique perspective and storytelling flourished in the series
Sarah Silverman
Sarah Silverman’s signature mix of satire and deadpan delivery made her a standout on the stand-up circuit, but The Sarah Silverman Program,which aired on Comedy Central from 2007 to 2010, showcased just how far she could take comedic boundaries, as
Margaret Cho
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Margaret Cho starred in All-American Girl, which made history as the first U.S. network sitcom to center on an Asian American family Although the series was canceled after two seasons, it broke new ground by exploring themes of identity, family, and culture, per PBS
Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres brought her cheerful style and quick wit to several TV ventures, most notably breaking barriers with her sitcom Ellen. In 2003, she launched a syndicated talk show that ran for 19 seasons, per HISTORY
Kenan Thompson
Kenan Thompson’s versatility was on full display in his own NBC sitcom Kenan, which ran from 2021 to 2022 It was a natural next step for someone who started in kid comedy on Nickelodeon before becoming the longest-tenured cast member in Saturday Night Live history, as
Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey captivated audiences with physical comedy and wild characters, but his television roots are where many first discovered his talent. From 1990 to 1994, Carrey was a regular cast member of the ensemble comedy series In Living Color, where he honed the high-energy physical style that would define his film career
Billy Eichner
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Billy Eichner became a fan favorite as Craig Middlebrooks on Parks and Recreation, but he also headlined his own hit series, Billy on the Street,per IMDb.His project’s unique energy and unapologetic humor quickly won over a dedicated audience and made him a recognizable force in unscripted TV, even earning him a 2013 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Game Show Host, per Rotten Tomatoes
John Mulaney
John Mulaney starred in his own Fox sitcom, Mulaney, which aired for one season from 2014 to 2015 before being canceled because of low ratings and poor reviews, as Although the show was short-lived, Mulaney remained one of comedy’s biggest names thanks to his acclaimed stand-up specials and his years as a writer on Saturday Night Live. He has since won multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, per IMDb
Steve Harvey
Steve Harvey’s comedic charisma has fronted several TV projects, including his own sitcom, The Steve Harvey Show, as He later became one of television’s most recognizable hosts when he took over Family Feud. His mix of humor and quick wit has made him a longtime staple of both comedy and game shows
Taylor Tomlinson
Taylor Tomlinson has quickly risen as a fresh voice in stand-up and television. She went on to host CBS’s After Midnight in 2024, as Her self-deprecating humor and candid takes on millennial life have resonated with a new wave of viewers. She has released multiple Netflix stand-up specials
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