"The Dana Carvey Show"

-created by dana carvey and robert smigel
1996
This beautiful little burp in the history of sketch comedy, had all the potential to be one of the best ever.
So they cancelled it. Of course. Breastmilkgate? In the opening sketch of the premier episode, dana played bill clinton, breastfeeding a baby (and puppies). Viewership dropped from 16 million to less than one, in under three minutes. Which was basically the end, although six more episodes drew the breath of airtime. People talk about the talent pool of writers and performers (and rightly so) - steven colbert, steve carell, louis c.k., charlie kaufman, and bob odenkirk. Carvey, smigel, carell, and colbert are all over the place...and brilliant. The cameos are perfect - hartman, randall, vigoda, channing, degeneres, letterman, philbin...
The network gave carvey free rein, and he responded so admirably that it was either going to be one of the biggest hits ever, or...very much not. Curiously, it aired in prime time...right after "Home Improvement".
If you were culturally conscious in '96, you deserve to see every moment. The best sketch? "Skinheads in Maine". The series-stealer? Elon gold's impression of jeff goldblum.
Well done, dana. You didn't play it safe. We're not worthy.