TV's 'Comedians' through the years
Billy Crystal and Josh Gad are goofing around as The Comedians (FX, Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT), playing fictionalized versions of themselves (and reluctant partners) in a sketch series. USA TODAY looks at other TV shows that have turned the spotlight on comics' semi-autobiographical stories:
It's Garry Shandling's Show
Showtime, 1986-90; Garry Shandling
Shandling played a loose version of himself on this unconventional, self-aware comedy, set in a replica of his living room. Similar to The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show in the '50s, Shandling and other cast members frequently broke the fourth wall: addressing the camera directly, interacting with the studio audience, and even allowing them to step into his "home" (or rather, occasionally walk on to the set).
Seinfeld
NBC, 1989-98; Jerry Seinfeld
The long-running "show about nothing" followed the misadventures of Seinfeld and his self-absorbed cohorts Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), George (Jason Alexander) and Kramer (Michael Richards) on New York's Upper West Side. Earlier episodes were book-ended by Seinfeld's stand-up routines, which typically drew from the plot's events or themes. Now, Seinfeld is back on the small screen with Web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, where he's treated Richards, Alexander (as George) and Seinfeld co-creator Larry David to — you guessed it — coffee and car rides.
Curb Your Enthusiasm
HBO, 1999-2011, and maybe more; Larry David
David played a semi-retired TV writer/producer on this largely improvised meta-comedy, which drew laughs from its revolving door of guest stars and button-pushing takes on class, religion and stereotypes. Cheryl Hines played his wife and Jeff Garlin (The Goldbergs) his manager. Curb has not been canceled, but David, who's now starring in a Broadway play he wrote, has not informed HBO of any plans to continue.
Louie
FX, 2010-present; Louis C.K.
In real life, Louis C.K. can sell out three Madison Square Garden shows, but his alter ego on Louie struggles just to get recognized. Now in its fifth season, the show follows his hapless efforts at raising his daughters and landing a date, but occasionally plunges into more controversial territory with story lines involving body image and date rape.
Mulaney
Fox, 2014-15; John Mulaney
The 32-year-old comedian (and former Saturday Night Live writer) took a cue from Seinfeld for his semi-autobiographical sitcom, produced by Lorne Michaels. Incorporating stand-up routines, and featuring Nasim Pedrad and Seaton Smith as his roommates, the critically lambasted comedy was canceled in February after 13 episodes.
The Comedians
FX, 2015-present; Billy Crystal, Josh Gad
Crystal is a stubborn comic named Billy Crystal who clashes with the younger, narcissistic Gad when the network pairs them for a rebranded sketch show. The freshman comedy premiered to merely so-so reviews and modest ratings, drawing 827,000 viewers within three days of last week's second episode.