Each week, we will be taking an in depth look at some of the best sitcoms and comedy shows from both the UK and the USA.

Today we will be looking at a comedy that parodied the middle of the 1980s to beginning of the 1990s pop culture – The Ben Stiller Show

About the Show

Summary of Plot

This comedy/variety show specialized in parodies of movies and television shows and commercials. Often, they would also have a special guest (e.g., a TV actor) join them.. iMDB

Number of Seasons / Episodes

1 season

Characters:

Ben Stiller – Various
Andy Dick – Various
Janeane Garofalo – Various
Bob Odenkirk – Various

Trivia

• The show won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program after it had been canceled.
• The tune that plays in the background after the opening credits by Dweezil Zappa is an alternate version of the instrumental track “Groove Holmes” by the Beastie Boys, from their 1992 album “Check Your Head.” Ben Stiller is a noted fan of the Beastie Boys.
• In college, playwright Jenelle Riley wrote her graduate thesis on The Ben Stiller Show’s effect on comedy. It was subsequently published rumored to be used as an aid when putting together the DVD.
• aired on MTV from 1990 to 1991, and then on Fox from September 27, 1992 to January 17, 1993
• parodied middle of the 1980s to beginning of the 1990s pop culture

Clips

Die Hard

U2 The Early Years