Watch Upright Citizens Brigade

The Upright Citizens Brigade was a sketch comedy show aired on Comedy Central from 1998 to 2000, created by Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh. The show was based on the popular improvisational and sketch comedy group that had the same name. The Upright Citizens Brigade comedy group was established in Chicago in the early 1990s, and they became well known for their unconventional and absurdist humor that often challenged the norms of traditional comedy. They moved to New York in 1996 and began performing at a theater in Chelsea. The group's popularity grew quickly, and they soon became one of the most respected comedy groups in the city.

Upright Citizens Brigade the TV show followed a loose narrative that centered around the four main cast members. Each episode was composed of a series of loosely related sketches, all of which shared a common theme, and often broke the fourth wall, with characters addressing the audience directly.

The show's unique style and humor were quickly embraced by a passionate fan base, and it gained a reputation for its intelligent and subversive style of comedy. Upright Citizens Brigade was hailed as a critical success, and over the years, it has become a cult classic that's still beloved by fans today.

One of the defining traits of the show was its improvisational nature. Most of the sketches were created on the spot, with the cast improvising around a loose premise. This led to a raw and loose feel that viewers found refreshing, and it also allowed the cast to mine new comedy material that was unique and unexpected.

The Upright Citizens Brigade was also notable for its use of recurring characters and running jokes. The famous running joke "Ass Pennies" was a standout feature of the show. In this sketch, Matt Walsh played a man who claimed to have "ass pennies," which he claimed would make people ill if they ever touched them.

Throughout the series, this joke would be referenced in numerous sketches, with Walsh's character often making absurd claims about his ass pennies. It became one of the most iconic moments of the series and is still quoted by fans today.

Another notable aspect of Upright Citizens Brigade was its willingness to tackle taboo subjects. The show was unafraid to tackle subjects such as racism, sexism, and controversial political issues. It did so in a way that was often hilariously absurd, but it also brought attention to important issues in a way that was both thought-provoking and entertaining.

The performances of the four main cast members were also praised by critics and fans alike. Besser, Poehler, Roberts, and Walsh all brought their unique comedic sensibilities to the show, and they had excellent chemistry on screen. Their performances were often a mix of physical comedy and verbal wit that was both impressive and hilarious.

In addition to the core cast, the show featured many guest stars who would go on to become famous in their own right. Some of these guests included: David Cross, Tina Fey, Horatio Sanz, and many others.

Overall, Upright Citizens Brigade was a groundbreaking show that helped redefine what was possible in sketch comedy. It was a cutting-edge, daring, and intelligent show that was unafraid to push boundaries and challenge viewers. While it only ran for three seasons, Upright Citizens Brigade has left a lasting legacy in comedy and remains a beloved classic to this day.

Upright Citizens Brigade is a series that is currently running and has 3 seasons (40 episodes). The series first aired on August 19, 1998.