10 Hit TV Series That Originated from Comedy Sketches

Many great TV shows have been born from successful comedy sketches, where characters from the sketch get their own show. Sketch comedies have the power to quickly introduce characters that audiences can understand, sometimes within just moments of their appearance. It's impressive when a sketch becomes so popular that it leads to the creation of an entire show dedicated to its characters.

It is remarkable to see how many characters created by comedians or creatives end up having their own show. This can also apply to a show's premise or concept, especially in an industry that has continued to grow and evolve over the years. While there have been countless brilliant sketches, only a select few have been able to make the leap to becoming a fully realized TV show.

Ted Lasso

Started On NBC Sports

Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein), Beard (Brendan Hunt), and Ted (Jason Sudeikis) cheering in Ted Lasso season 3 episode 11 Mom City. - Started On NBC Sports

The hit Apple TV series Ted Lasso originally started as a sketch. Jason Sudeikis first portrayed the outspoken coach Ted in skits for NBC Sports in 2013. His humorous yet inaccurate comments about Premier League football in the UK quickly gained popularity. Due to the character's success, Sudeikis decided to explore Ted's backstory and develop the character further.

"The Simpsons"

After collaborating with Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence to develop a full Ted Lasso series, Apple TV picked up the show in October 2019. The first season premiered in 2010, and the series ran for a total of three seasons before concluding in 2023. This achievement is noteworthy considering Ted Lasso's origin as a character from an advertisement. Following the show's conclusion, there has been a growing desire for more Ted Lasso content in the future. While the likelihood of this happening remains uncertain, neither Sudeikis nor Apple TV has officially ruled out the possibility.

Started On The Tracey Ullman Show

Homer does a cannonball into a hot tub in The Simpsons season 35 trailer - Started On The Tracey Ullman Show

The origins of The Simpsons can be traced back to The Tracey Ullman Show, despite it being one of America's longest-running TV series. Producer James L. Brooks approached Matt Groening after being impressed by his previous work, asking him to create shorts for the show. This led to the creation of the iconic Simpson family, even though the animation style was different from what we see today.

The sketches first aired on The Tracey Ullman Show from 1987 to 1989 before being developed into a full series by Fox. The show quickly gained immense popularity, leading Tracey Ullman to file a lawsuit in hopes of sharing in the profits. However, the courts ruled against her as she was not involved in the actual creation of the characters.

Mama's Family

Started On The Carol Burnett Show

Carol Burnett as Eunice and Beverly Archer as Iola in Mama's Family - Started On The Carol Burnett Show

The hit sitcom Mama's Family started off as The Family on The Carol Burnett Show. The first sketch aired in 1973 and continued on Carol Burnett & Company in 1979, introducing Eunice (played by Burnett) and her family to the world. The sketches were so popular that they were turned into the TV movie Eunice in 1982, which eventually led to the creation of the sitcom Mama's Family in 1983.

Mama's Family was initially canceled in 1984 but was brought back in 1986 by Lorimar-Telepictures through first-run syndication. Despite its initial success, the show only lasted three more seasons before coming to a final end in 1990. However, Burnett did not return for Mama's Family's second run, and the character of Eunice was no longer part of the show when it returned for season 3.

The Honeymooners

Started On Cavalcade Of Stars

Ralph and Alice in The Honeymooners. - Started On Cavalcade Of Stars

The Honeymooners, a sitcom that began as a sketch by Jackie Gleason on her variety show, Cavalcade of Stars and The Jackie Gleason Show, became a full TV series in 1955. Despite its popularity, the show only lasted one season. Initially, The Honeymooners had high ratings, but after a 39-episode run in 1956, it came to an end. However, Burnett occasionally brought back the characters in later years.

Letterkenny

Started On Youtube As A Web Series

The Letterkenny gang in a hot tub - Started On Youtube As A Web Series

The sitcom Letterkenny is well-known for its mockumentary style and running gags, which actually originated from the YouTube series Letterkenny Problems. This web series of shorts served as inspiration for many elements in the subsequent Letterkenny show, such as the humorous one-liner showdowns between Jared Keeso and Nathan Dales. Initially airing on YouTube in 2013, Letterkenny Problems was a huge hit, even earning a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Original Fiction Program or Series Created for Digital Media.

"Don't Hug Me, I'm Scared"

This success eventually led to Crave picking up Letterkenny for a full series in 2015. The show reached season 12 in 2023, concluding the tales of the town's residents. Despite this, the potential for more Letterkenny spin-offs remains high, especially with the popularity of Shoresy, which has been approved for a third season.

Started On Youtube As A Web Series

The red guy, yellow guy, and duck in the back of a car in Don't Hug Me, I'm Scared - Started On Youtube As A Web Series

Beavis And Butt-Head

The animated TV show Beavis and Butt-Head first gained popularity as a series of short films on MTV in the early 1990s. The show followed the misadventures of two teenage boys, Beavis and Butt-Head, as they navigated through life with their unique sense of humor. The crude animation style and humor of the show quickly attracted a dedicated fan base.

Despite its controversial content and criticism from some parents and educators, Beavis and Butt-Head became a cultural phenomenon and was credited with shaping the humor of a generation. The show also spawned a feature film in 1996, further solidifying its place in pop culture history.

After a hiatus, Beavis and Butt-Head returned to television in 2011 with new episodes on MTV. The revival of the show continued to attract fans both old and new, proving that the antics of Beavis and Butt-Head still resonated with audiences. While there have been talks of another revival or spin-off, as of now, there has been no official announcement regarding the future of Beavis and Butt-Head.

Started On MTV's Liquid Television

Beavis and Butt-Head standing next to each other - Started On MTV's Liquid Television - Beavis And Butt-Head

Beavis and Butt-Head, the animated TV show, first introduced its two main characters in 1993. However, their true debut was in the short film Frog Baseball, part of MTV's Liquid Television. Creator Mike Judge was then asked to develop a full TV show around the obnoxious Texan teenagers. The show aired until 1997, spanning 7 seasons. It was revived in 2011 for season 8 and returned once more in 2022 as Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head.

The show's popularity led to various media spin-offs under the same name. These included the theatrical releases Beavis and Butt-Head Do America and Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe. Additionally, Marvel released the Beavis and Butt-Head comic series from 1994 to 1996. The latest installment, season 3 of Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head (season 10 overall), premiered in 2023 on Paramount+. As of now, there have been no announcements regarding another season.

MacGruber

Started On MTV's Liquid Television

Will Forte as MacGruber in the TV series MacGruber - Started On MTV's Liquid Television

The comedy series MacGruber was originally a skit on Saturday Night Live before becoming a movie in 2010. It started as a parody of the action-adventure series MacGyver and featured Will Forte as the main character, a special operations agent named MacGruber. The character's popularity grew due to his struggles to prevent a bomb from exploding because of his personal issues. This led to Forte bringing back MacGruber for the 2010 movie. In 2021, Peacock decided to pick up a full series of MacGruber, with Will Forte and Kristen Wiig from SNL reprising their roles.

Catherine Tate's Nan

Started On The Catherine Tate Show

Catherine Tate as her character Nan (Joanie Taylor) in Catherine Tate's Nan - Started On The Catherine Tate Show

British comedian Catherine Tate gained fame for her various feisty characters, with teenager Lauren Cooper being the standout. In 2004, as Tate worked on advancing her acting career, the BBC suggested she bring her well-known characters to life on stage and at festivals. Lauren, with her famous line "Am I bovvered?", quickly became a fan favorite and paved the way for The Catherine Tate Show.

Aeon Flux

The show Aeon Flux aired for three seasons from 2004 to 2006. However, the character of Joan Taylor, known as Nan, gained the most success. After The Catherine Tate Show ended, Nan had several one-off specials dedicated to her. These specials included 2009's Nan's Christmas Carol and multiple episodes under the name Catherine Tate's Nan from 2014 to 2015. The character became extremely popular, especially in the UK. Tate even appeared in public as Nan, including on the red carpet of 2022's The Nan Movie.

Started On MTV's Liquid Television

Aeon Flux upside down holding a pistol in the series Aeon Flux. - Started On MTV's Liquid Television

Aeon Flux, a sci-fi TV series, is well-known for its ****adaptations into films, comics, and video games. Similar to Beavis and Butt-Head, it originally debuted on MTV's Liquid Television. The show started with six short parts, followed by five individual episodes in 1992, and eventually a full standalone series in 1995. Although the dystopian series only lasted one season as a full show, it continued to expand in other formats.

In 2005, Charlize Theron took on the role of the titular character in the movie adaptation of Aeon Flux. This led to a reimagined cover art for the Aeon Flux: The Herodotus File graphic novel and the release of a video game, both of which were connected to the movie's promotional efforts. Despite this, as of 2023, the live-action remake of Aeon Flux has yet to be given a release date, although the project has been officially confirmed.

Editor's P/S:

This article provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of television shows that have evolved from successful comedy sketches. It highlights the incredible power of sketch comedy to create memorable characters that resonate with audiences. The examples presented, such as "Ted Lasso," "The Simpsons," and "Mama's Family," demonstrate the remarkable journey that these characters have taken from their humble beginnings to becoming fully realized TV series.

The article also sheds light on the collaborative efforts and creative processes involved in transforming sketch characters into successful shows. It showcases the talent