The State (TV series)
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The State was a sketch comedy television show broadcast on MTV from 1994 to 1995. The show combined kooky characters and bizarre scenarios to present sketches that won the favor of its target twenty-something audience. The cast consisted of 11 twenty-something comedians and actors (who, with exception of Kevin Allison, were also the show's writers.) Several memorable characters were created for the show, and for a short time their catch-phrases entered into popular lingo (see below.) Network television politics caused the show's premature cancellation when American network CBS optioned to buy the show after its second year on MTV. The show switched networks and CBS intended to test the water with a Halloween special, which bombed. The show was not continued after that.
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"The State" also refers to the comedy troupe that made up the cast of the show, as they have continued to successfully work together on film, television and in the world of journalism (in various groupings.) A book, State by State With the State (ISBN 0786882131) was a best-seller. Rumor has it MTV will be releasing The State on DVD although nothing has yet materialized.
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Cast list
- 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
Theme song
The opening sequence was set to Boys and Girls -- Action by Craig Wedren of Shudder To Think and Eli Janney of Girls Against Boys.
Recurring characters and sketches
The cast (most notably David Wain) have repeatedly said that they were not really interested in creating recurring characters, but were repeatedly pressured by the network to emulate Saturday Night Live in this matter. Ironically, these characters are probably what their fans remember most.
- Louie, played by Ken Marino
- Doug and his Dad, played by Michael Showalter and Thomas Lennon, respectively
- The Jew, the Italian and the Redhead Gay, played by David Wain, Ken Marino and Kevin Allison, respectively
- Barry and Levon, played by Thomas Lennon and Michael Ian Black, respectively
Popular catch-phrases
- "I wanna dip my balls in it!"
- "Ah yeah...pudding!"
- "Two hundred and forty dollars...worth of pudding."
- "I'm outta heeere."
- "Chicken sandwich, Carl!"
- "Show me... far"
- "Goodbye, mailbox"
Other shows featuring the cast
- Viva Variety (Kenney, Lennon, Black)
- Reno 911! (Kenney, Lennon, Garant, Jann)
- Stella (Black, Showalter, Wain)
Related Articles
- Wet Hot American Summer Written and directed by David Wain, features many of the cast members (Marino, Showalter, Black, Lo Truglio)
- I Love the 90s features commentary from many State members, including Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter and David Wain