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Jerry Seinfeld

TV's 'Comedians' through the years

Patrick Ryan
USA TODAY
Josh Gad, left, and Billy Crystal star in the new FX comedy 'The Comedians,' airing Thursdays (10 p.m. ET/PT).

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:

Garry Shandling in a scene from "It's Garry Shandling's Show"

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).

From left, Michael Richards, Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jerry Seinfeld in a scene from NBC's "Seinfeld."

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.

Larry David and Cheryl Hines on HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

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.

Louis C.K. (c) as Louie with Hadley Delaney (l) as Lilly and Ursula Parker as Jane in FX's "LOUIE."

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.

John Mulaney (C) as John with Nasim Pedrad (l) as Jane and Seaton Smith as Motif on the short-lived FOX series "MULANEY."

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.

Billy Crystal, left, and Josh Gad team up for "The Comedians."

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.

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