Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist

Original Air Date: 1995-1999

Network: Comedy Central

Using a therapist's couch as a forum for stand-up shtick was a great idea. Comedians are usually just complaining most of the time anyway, so you might as well just work it into a show. And instead of just giving a comedian their own sitcom, why not just have a show that gives a bunch of comedians a chance to run with their best material. And let's animate it in Squigglevision. Of course, a lot of the comedians actually went on to get their own shows anyway; Ray Romano, Sarah Silverman, Denis Leary, Joy Behar, and Jon Stewart to name a few. But the show really wouldn't have worked without Jonathan Katz as Dr. Katz and H. Jon Benjamin as his lethargic son, Ben. Listening to the two of them together was like having two Bob Newharts collide in an endearing stammer-fest of love. The animation was crude, but the heart and humor were there.