The State was the MTV sketch show that launched the careers of Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, David Wain, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Thomas Lennon, Kevin Allison—and several more (the troupe had 11 members).

From dorm-room sketches at NYU to comedy milestones like Reno 911, Stella, Viva Variety, and the cult classic Wet Hot American Summer, The State helped redefine alternative comedy for a generation.

Director Matthew Perniciaro joins CH101 to talk about his new documentary Long Live The State and how this pioneering sketch group shaped the future of alt-comedy.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mr. Bill is one of the most iconic characters in the history of Saturday Night Live.

This lovable, unlucky bundle of Play-Doh first appeared in the very first season of SNL as a viewer-submitted Super 8 film—and quickly rose to cult status. At the peak of his fame, Mr. Bill was ranked the third most beloved character on SNL, right behind John Belushi and Gilda Radner.

We talk to Walter Williams, the creator of Mr. Bill, who later became an SNL staff writer. Walter shares behind-the-scenes stories from the early days of SNL, what it was like working with Lorne Michaels, the time Andy Kaufman got his Christmas special bumped, and how Mr. Bill evolved from a $10 homemade short into a fan-favorite SNL sketch series.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Nubian Show — created by comedian Kenny Robinson — changed Canadian comedy forever.

Kenny and his monthly showcase at Yuk Yuk’s are also the subject of the new documentary People of Comedy (now streaming on Crave).

The Nubian Show helped launch comedians Russell Peters and Kevin Hart, and has welcomed the likes of Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, and Jamie Foxx through its doors.

For over 30 years, The Nubian Show has given voice to comics of color, becoming a launchpad for global stars, a stage for fearless material, and a blueprint for what inclusive comedy can look like.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Broad City and Inside Amy Schumer producer Ryan Cunningham and Gold Comedy founder Lynn Harris take us deep into the world of inclusive comedy and comedy as social change.

From behind-the-scenes Broad City stories (yes, that pegging episode) to how diverse voices are reshaping the comedy landscape, we explore why women being “gross” on screen was a cultural breakthrough—and how laughter can be a tool for empowerment, visibility, and social impact.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CH101 Select: Just for Laughs is the largest comedy festival in the world. Based in Montreal, the festival has helped launch the careers of such comedians as Jerry Seinfeld, Mitch Hedberg, Jimmy Fallon, Ali Wong, Amy Schumer, etc...

Last year, the festival was canceled due to bankruptcy, but its back for 2025.

We talk to Darren Frost - a Canadian comedian who started performing at the festival in the mid-90s - on the history of Just for Laughs.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We dive deep into the life and career of the comedian who gets “no respect,” Rodney Dangerfield.

Author Michael Seth Starr joins Comedy History101 to talk about his new biography Nothin’ Comes Easy, revealing how Dangerfield clawed his way back into comedy at age 45, the origins of his famous catchphrase, how he rewrote his persona, and finally got the respect he deserved. From aluminum siding to The Ed Sullivan Show to Caddyshack, we trace the underdog rise of one of comedy’s most iconic voices.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We dive headfirst into the wonderfully weird world of comedian Andy Kaufman with director Alex Braverman, helmer of the new documentary Thank You Very Much.

The doc explores Kaufman’s legendary career of comedy as performance art, wrestling women, and the high art of confusing audiences. We talk Foreign Man, performance-as-prank, and what it’s like digging through Kaufman’s surreal legacy.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin McDonald is best known as a founding member of the legendary Canadian sketch comedy troupe – The Kids in the Hall –which appeared on CBS, HBO, and Comedy Central, and had a revival season aired on Amazon Prime Video in 2022.

Kevin joins CH!01 with tales of KITH, comedy in general, and his upcoming appearance at

The Second City on April 11th & 12th.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Comedy History 101 wraps up the year with our best interviews from 2024. Featuring episode excerpts from Arrested Development’s Emmy-winning writer Jim Vallely, Paul Bellini from Kids in the Hall, Joel Thurm – casting director Airplane and Grease, plus histories of The Comedy Cellar, Yuk-Yuks, Moms Mabley with Rhonda Hansome, Sean Cullens, Susan Silver, Stan Zimmerman, directors Brent Hodge, Josh Forbes, Alan Bernstein, and more…

Also, our friend Jean-François Brisson gives a recap of all our Canadian comedy episodes from the year.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CH101 Select: Chris Farley was one of the most dynamic and beloved comedians to ever grace the stage at both Second City and Saturday Night Live.

And I talk to Brent Hodge, director of the documentary, I Am Chris Farley. We do a deep dive into the life and times of this amazing comedian.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices