Watch The Jeselnik Offensive

The Jeselnik Offensive was a late-night comedy show that aired on Comedy Central from February to May 2013, hosted by comedian Anthony Jeselnik. It was a mix of stand-up comedy, topical commentary, and celebrity interviews, with a unique twist on what audiences were used to seeing from late-night TV.

The show featured a monologue where Jeselnik would deliver punchy one-liners, often touching on taboo or controversial subjects. He had a dry, deadpan delivery that made even the most cringe-worthy jokes land with aplomb. The monologue was a showcase for Jeselnik's signature style of humor, which was irreverent, dark, and often shocking.

After the monologue, the show typically transitioned into a sketch or a pre-taped segment. These segments varied in format but usually had a similar edgy vibe to Jeselnik's monologues. For example, one segment had Jeselnik do a fake documentary-style deep dive into how he became such a great comedian. Another segment had him provide sarcastic commentary on old clips of himself doing stand-up early in his career.

In addition to sketches, The Jeselnik Offensive featured interviews with celebrity guests. However, these weren't your typical late-night interviews, where the host asks softball questions and the guest plugs their latest project. Instead, Jeselnik would often use the interview time to engage in banter that pushed the boundaries of good taste. For example, he once grilled rapper DMX about his legal troubles and asked him if he "had any plans to rape anyone in the near future."

One of the show's recurring segments was called "Sacred Cow," where Jeselnik would take a topic or person that was considered untouchable or off-limits and mercilessly roast them. This segment was always a highlight, as Jeselnik's sharp wit and fearless approach made for some truly hilarious moments. For example, in one episode, he tackled the topic of cancer, joking that it was a "blessing in disguise" for people who didn't like their hair or had unsightly moles.

Throughout the show, Jeselnik was backed up by a panel of other comedians, who would weigh in on various topics and offer their own jokes and commentary. The panelists varied from week to week, but some were recurring characters, like Jeselnik's former writing partner, Amy Schumer. The banter between Jeselnik and the panelists was always lively, with everyone trying to outdo each other with the most outrageous joke.

Overall, The Jeselnik Offensive was a unique comedy show that earned a cult following during its short run. It was not for the faint of heart or those easily offended, as Jeselnik and his team of comedians were always pushing the envelope. However, for fans of edgy humor and irreverent commentary, it was a must-watch. Even though it only lasted for one season, The Jeselnik Offensive remains a memorable and influential comedy show that helped pave the way for more boundary-pushing content in late-night TV.

The Jeselnik Offensive is a series that ran for 2 seasons (19 episodes) between February 19, 2013 and on Comedy Central