The State

Watch The State

  • TV-14
  • 1993
  • 4 Seasons
  • 8.4  (2,991)

The State is a sketch comedy show that premiered on MTV in 1993 and ran for 4 seasons until its cancellation in 1995. The show is known for its irreverent and offbeat humor, as well as its willingness to take on some controversial topics. The State was created by a group of comedians who had previously worked together on a sketch comedy show called You Wrote It, You Watch It. The original members of The State included Kevin Allison, Michael Ian Black, Robert Ben Garant, Todd Holoubek, Michael Patrick Jann, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Thomas Lennon, Joe Lo Truglio, Ken Marino, and David Wain.

The show's format was similar to other sketch comedy shows like Saturday Night Live, but with a few key differences. For one, the sketches on The State tended to be longer and more elaborate than those on SNL, often featuring recurring characters and longer storylines. Additionally, the show often employed surreal and absurdist humor, such as a recurring bit featuring a character who talked to a giant cow.

Despite its relatively short run, The State quickly gained a cult following and became known for its edgy and boundary-pushing humor. One of the show's most famous sketches, "Porcupine Racetrack," featured a group of people betting on which of several porcupines would cross a finish line first. The sketch was considered controversial at the time and was eventually cut from the show's DVD release.

Another signature feature of The State was its musical performances. The show's cast members often wrote and performed their own songs, which were usually comedic in nature. One of the most popular songs from the show was "I Wanna Dip My Balls in It," a song about dipping various objects in a mysterious substance.

While The State was never a huge ratings success, it gained a devoted following among comedy fans and helped launch the careers of many of its cast members. After the show's cancellation, several of its stars went on to work on other successful comedy projects, including Michael Showalter and David Wain's film Wet Hot American Summer.

In 2009, the members of The State reunited for a one-hour comedy special on Comedy Central called The State: Reunited. The special included many of the show's most popular sketches, as well as new material.

Overall, The State remains a beloved and influential piece of 90s comedy history. Its unique blend of surreal humor, musical performances, and absurdist sketches set it apart from other sketch comedy shows of its time, and helped pave the way for other shows like Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! and Key and Peele.

The State is a series that is currently running and has 4 seasons (32 episodes). The series first aired on December 17, 1993.

The State
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Seasons
Episode 7
7. Episode 7
August 26, 1995
L.A. Open, James Dixon: Jedi Talent Agent, Tough Choices, Gas Station, Gunter Brothers, Desert Extras, Real Estate Broker, Adventures of Young God, Farewell and Hi-lite Reel.
Episode 6
6. Episode 6
August 19, 1995
Blinking Contest, Dentist, Sci-Fi Laboratory, High Plains Magic Fairy, Jerry?s Audition, Bacon, Kiss My Grits, Last Will & Testament, and One Camper.
Episode 5
5. Episode 5
July 22, 1995
Great Moments, Prison Break, Sideways House Family, Super Robby, Mr. Flemming?s Arrival, Prom, Inbred Bros: Army, Borscht Boy, and Walton?s Theme.
Episode 4
4. Episode 4
July 15, 1995
Hitchhiker, Terrorist Situation, Leonard Harris Show, Permanent School Record, Free Market Economy, Beach, Fragments, Billy?s Play, Coffee Family, and Cannonball Run.
Episode 3
3. Episode 3
July 29, 1995
Ghost Story, Sal & Frankie, SAT?s Pt. 1, Dysfunctional Family, Prince?s Reception, Cutlery Barn, Tuxedo, Lil? Brown Dog Food, Die For Love, SAT?s Pt. 2, and Laupin Variety Programme.
Episode 2
2. Episode 2
August 5, 1995
Hokey Pokey, Bikini Thong, Buddy?s Home From Finals, Normal Pervert, Taco Man, ?The Jew, The Italian and The Red Head Gay II, Pt. 1,? Senator Cavanaugh, ?The Jew, The Italian and The Red Head Gay II, Pt. 2,? Sports Beat, Alcoholism, and Dead Montage.
Episode 1
1. Episode 1
August 12, 1995
Narcolepsy Today, Race, Howard Report, H?s & M?s, Slinkys, Hot Dogs, Tenement, Cleaners, Hallmark, and Monkeys Do It II.
Description
Where to Watch The State
The State is available for streaming on the MTV website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch The State on demand at Paramount+, Amazon Prime, Amazon, Vudu, Microsoft Movies & TV, Google Play and Apple TV.
  • Premiere Date
    December 17, 1993
  • IMDB Rating
    8.4  (2,991)
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