Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11926 in VHS
• Released on: 1995-12-26
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 30 minutes

Amazon.com
Way back in 1988, New York University sophomore Todd Holoubek had a dream: to form a new group of comedians called the New Group. He would be joined by schoolmates Michael Showalter and Joe Lo Truglio. The trio performed sketch comedy on and off campus, shot some videos, and even opened for Dennis Miller. Soon Michael Ian Black and David Wain were recruiting the group to work for MTV and, with the addition of other New York University students Kevin Allison, Ben Garant, Michael Patrick Jann, Kerri Kenney, Thomas Lennon, and Ken Marino, they became the flop called the State, which would run for two years on MTV, mount one CBS special, record an unreleased album, publish a book, and dissolve, as Holoubek left the group and the State's fate was uncertain.

Fortunately, the State never took itself seriously, and would regularly poke fun at its own lowbrow appeal as well as at its network. MTV: The State: Skits and Stickers (stickers not included) has one such moment, as the cast members pause and gather to allow Ian Black a "Personal State" of embarrassing confessions. The video collects 30 other zany skits, such as "The Jew, the Italian, and the Redhead Gay," a parody of stereotyping sitcoms; "Monkey Torture," a parody of late-night talk shows; and "Tenement," a parody of gritty but bowdlerized Hallmark Hall of Fame productions. Other low points include "Service with a Smile," where the abusiveness typical of New York delis turns in on itself; "The Inbred Brothers," who fall down and light themselves on fire; and "The Bearded Men of Space Station 11," which takes a species of childish argument to absurd limits.

The video also features three skits that were never shown on TV: "Krispy Pops," in which a man on the street is invited to breakfast by a voiceover; "Carter's Lineage," in which a bridegroom-to-be is rejected by his fiancée's father, who wants to protect the plantation from the poor sap's mixed blood; and "Super VIII," a low-budget slasher pic starring the killer camera of the title. Although this videotape must omit the bulk of the material the State filmed, it serves as a good introduction to the group's smart comedy, and provides initiates with a collector's item--even if the stickers aren't included. --Robert Burns Neveldine

Customer Reviews

A great little gem to tide you over until the DVDs are released
I happened upon this VHS in a Blockbuster clearance rack about 10 years ago and grabbed it right away. The State had been one of my favorite shows and I needed my 'fix.'

The selection of skits here is great and quite varied. There are a couple notable omissions including Captain Monterey Jack, Old Fashioned Guy and Hits from the 70s. However, if you love off-beat humor and want a good sample of what The State had to offer, this is a great introduction.

One of the greatest sketch comedy groups out there
i have been a fan of the state for some time. they had a real good thing going until the leader disbanded from the group ( Todd Holoubek ). i thought viva variety was gonna be the next "state" but it fell short. reno 911, various snicker commercials, wet hot american summer, and out cold are all i have to remember the group by. mostly just thom lennon though. dude is hilarious. that stella show is alright too. though the state was way more classic, and had the entire cast. tough to beat


im sure they will release the season 1 DVD soon. i just wish this VHS didnt cost 80 bucks.........

Not Long Enough
I agree, this is a fantastic tape. The tape is only an hour and a half long. I wish it could be longer :(
I am so happy that some of the best skits are on the tape. I too recorded my own tapes but they are getting old and worn out. I guess it helps to see the actors on random movies and tv shows, but it never compares to the show.
I will join the crew of Statelites who put Comedy Central up to the challenge.