The State
Show Type: Comedy
MTV
Produced: 1993-1995
Premiered: December 17, 1993
Regulars
Kevin Allison
Michael Ian Black
Ben Garant
Todd Holoubek
Michael Patrick Jann
Kerri Kenney
Thomas Lennon
Joe Lo Truglio
Ken Marino
Michael Showalter
David Wain
SYNOPSIS
Some say America wasn't exactly ready for The State, an elaborately produced sketch-type comedy series satirizing TV shows, movies, forgetful parents, baby-sitters and even MTV itself.
One stand-out sketch was called "Porcupine Racetrack," a send-up of big Hollywood musicals (like "Guys & Dolls" crossed with "My Fair Lady"), complete with hilarious, tuneful and even touching songs.
What made The State different from a lot of sketch comedy groups is that they always treated their targets with respect and rarely went for just the cheap laugh. Sometimes the jokes required a bit of thought to be fully appreciated, but that is one of the elements that made this show appealing to both young and old.
The comedy was primarily from a younger adult point of view and often had a sexual edge to it. The original group was made up of New York University students.