11 Comedians You Forgot Had Their Own TV Shows

Many comedians have made the jump from the stand-up stage to starring in their own TV shows, but not all of those series are still widely remembered. While some became long-running hits, others were canceled after just a season or two despite featuring some of comedy’s biggest names. Here are 11 comedians who once had their own TV shows that you may have forgotten about.

Wanda Sykes

Known for her sharp wit and biting humor, Wanda Sykes found success on both sides of the camera. She starred in her own Fox sitcom, Wanda at Large, in 2003, and later hosted The Wanda Sykes Show, a late-night talk show on Fox that premiered in November 2009, according to IMDb.

Aziz Ansari

Aziz Ansari made the leap from ensemble cast member on Parks and Recreation to creator and star of Master of None, which he co-created with writer Alan Yang. His unique perspective and storytelling flourished in the series.

Sarah Silverman

Sarah Silverman‘s signature mix of satire and deadpan delivery made her a standout on the stand-up circuit, but The Sarah Silverman Program, which aired on Comedy Central from 2007 to 2010, showcased just how far she could take comedic boundaries, as reported by Rotten Tomatoes.

Margaret Cho

Margaret Cho starred in All-American Girl, which made history as the first U.S. network sitcom to center on an Asian American family, according to Yahoo Entertainment. Although the series was canceled after two seasons, it broke new ground by exploring themes of identity, family, and culture, per PBS.

Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres brought her cheerful style and quick wit to several TV ventures, most notably breaking barriers with her sitcom Ellen. In 2003, she launched a syndicated talk show that ran for 19 seasons, per HISTORY.

Kenan Thompson

Kenan Thompson‘s versatility was on full display in his own NBC sitcom Kenan, which ran from 2021 to 2022, according to IMDb. It was a natural next step for someone who started in kid comedy on Nickelodeon before becoming the longest-tenured cast member in Saturday Night Live history, as reported by NBC.

Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey captivated audiences with physical comedy and wild characters, but his television roots are where many first discovered his talent. From 1990 to 1994, Carrey was a regular cast member of the ensemble comedy series In Living Color, where he honed the high-energy physical style that would define his film career, according to Britannica.

Billy Eichner

Billy Eichner became a fan favorite as Craig Middlebrooks on Parks and Recreation, but he also headlined his own hit series, Billy on the Street, per IMDb. His project’s unique energy and unapologetic humor quickly won over a dedicated audience and made him a recognizable force in unscripted TV, even earning him a 2013 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Game Show Host, per Rotten Tomatoes.

John Mulaney

John Mulaney starred in his own Fox sitcom, Mulaney, which aired for one season from 2014 to 2015 before being canceled because of low ratings and poor reviews, as reported by SlashFilm. Although the show was short-lived, Mulaney remained one of comedy’s biggest names thanks to his acclaimed stand-up specials and his years as a writer on Saturday Night Live. He has since won multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, per IMDb.

Steve Harvey

Steve Harvey‘s comedic charisma has fronted several TV projects, including his own sitcom, The Steve Harvey Show, as reported by Biography. He later became one of television’s most recognizable hosts when he took over Family Feud. His mix of humor and quick wit has made him a longtime staple of both comedy and game shows.

Taylor Tomlinson

Taylor Tomlinson has quickly risen as a fresh voice in stand-up and television. She went on to host CBS’s After Midnight in 2024, as reported by CBS News. Her self-deprecating humor and candid takes on millennial life have resonated with a new wave of viewers.  She has released multiple Netflix stand-up specials.