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On April Fool's Day in 1991, Comedy Central (formely known as Comedy TV) began broadcasting. The channel was the result of two former comedy chanels that were merged together, HBO's Comedy Channel and Viacom's Ha! During earlier development, the channel mostly featured sitcom reruns and sketch comedy. Comedy Central has been known for kickstarting the careers of many comedians.
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The debut of "The Daily Show" airs with host Craig Kilborn, an ex-ESPN anchor. Kilborn was the host from the debut in 1996 until December 1998.
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In August 1997, an animated sitcom about four foul-mouthed boys called South Park debuts and takes the world by storm. Both a critical and commercial success, South Park is still on the air today, making it the 3rd longest-running animated series in the U.S. (behind the Simpsons and Arthur)
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Former host of the Daily Show, Craig Kilborn leaves to host a show on CBS, while welcoming new host Jon Stewart. Taking a more political approach to the show, it is made aware that Stewart appeals to a wider audeince and continues to host until 2015.
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Comedian and host Dave Chapelle debuts his sketch comedy show to commercial success. While Chapelle was offered a hearty contract, but turned it down, ending the show after only two seasons.
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In the summer of 2003, Reno 911!, a satrical show following the lives of police officers in Reno, Nevada. Mocking the popular show, Cops, Reno 911! succeeded with its style of humor and impressive comedic cast, the show was cancelled in 2009, after six seasons.
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After the success of the Daily Show, a correspondent for the show, Stephen Colbert, was given his own spin-off series, dubbed The Colbert Report, to critical acclaim. The show was centered around current events and has created a cultural influence, making it just as successful as The Daily Show.
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On February 1st, 2007, comedian Sarah Silverman also gets her own TV show, a sitcom about a fictionilized version of herself. The show touches on many controversial topics but receives critical acclaim. The show ended in 2009, after a disagreement about the show's budget per-episode.
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an HD simulcast of the channel launched
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In June 2009, Tosh.0 hits the air, changing the way we see Internet videos. Comedian Daniel Tosh provides sarcastic and offensive commentary on numerous Internet videos, while earning the #1 ratings for it's time slot for males 18-24.
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Comedy Central debuted their new logo
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Comedians Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele debut their comedy sketch show, Key and Peele. The show was met with immediate success and it's focus on African-American culture. The show was cancelled after five seasons for the creators to work on different projects.
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After ten seasons, Stephen Colbert leaves the Colbert Report on Comedy Central to his new late-night, talk show on CBS, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
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After Colbert's departure to his new show on CBS, it was replaced by the Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore. Filling in the time slot that was taken by the Colbert Report for the last ten years, comedian Larry Wilmore takes over with the same style political show as its predecessor.
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Succeeding Jon Stewart, a young, African-American comedian, Trevor Noah, becomes the new host of the Daily Show.
