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"COMICS ONLY" was one of the first original programs on the brand-new upstart Comedy Central network. The very first episode featured BILL HICKS and CATHY LADMAN, both old friends of Provenza's. He particularly wanted to debut the show with Bill as the very first guest as it was difficult for Bill to get on television with his bold and often controversial material, and Paul wanted the show to be seen as a new potential home for great comedians few other shows would bring onto television - or if they did, would do so only with many constraints. That category of under- appreciated comedy artists included not only challenging comedians like Bill and SAM KINISON, but also icons like PHYLLIS DILLER and STEVE ALLEN, who most networks considered irrelevant at the time, and new, up-and-coming comedians like LOUIS CK and ELLEN DEGENERES who were still under the radar of most other comedy/talk shows.
Much of the material Bill does here went on to become signature bits that defined his persona and have become classics in his ouvre, appearing on his all-too-few recordings and specials.
Hicks had just released his CD, "Dangerous," which has gone on to become an important staple in the modern stand up pantheon.
NOTE: In early 1990, smoking had not yet been banned on all airplane flights - it had only been banned on US domestic flights of under 2 hours duration. Bill had flown to the taping directly from the UK.
See the description in the playlist heading for more details on "COMICS ONLY".