Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Nostalgia Central
    Banner
    • Home
    • Blog
      • Lists
      • Playlists
    • Television
      • Shows by Decade
        • 1950s Television
        • 1960s Television
        • 1970s Television
        • 1980s Television
        • 1990s Television
      • Shows by Genre
        • Comedy
        • Drama
        • Kids TV
        • Variety
        • News & Sport
        • Advertisements
      • Shows by Country
        • UK TV
        • USA TV
        • Australia & NZ TV
        • Canada TV
        • Europe TV
        • Japan TV
      • Shows A to K
        • Shows A
        • Shows B
        • Shows C
        • Shows D
        • Shows E
        • Shows F
        • Shows G
        • Shows H
        • Shows I
        • Shows J
        • Shows K
      • Shows L to Z
        • Shows L
        • Shows M
        • Shows N
        • Shows O
        • Shows P
        • Shows Q
        • Shows R
        • Shows S
        • Shows T
        • Shows U
        • Shows V
        • Shows W
        • Shows X
        • Shows Y
        • Shows Z
      • Shows 0 to 9
    • Music
      • Music by Decade
        • 1950s Music
        • 1960s Music
        • 1970s Music
        • 1980s Music
        • 1990s Music
      • Music A to K
        • Music A
        • Music B
        • Music C
        • Music D
        • Music E
        • Music F
        • Music G
        • Music H
        • Music I
        • Music J
        • Music K
      • Music L to Z
        • Music L
        • Music M
        • Music N
        • Music O
        • Music P
        • Music Q
        • Music R
        • Music S
        • Music T
        • Music U
        • Music V
        • Music W
        • Music X
        • Music Y
        • Music Z
      • Music 0 to 9
      • Genres
      • Music on Film & TV
      • One-Hit Wonders
      • Online Radio
    • Movies
      • Movies by Decade
        • 1950s Movies
          • Movies 1950
          • Movies 1951
          • Movies 1952
          • Movies 1953
          • Movies 1954
          • Movies 1955
          • Movies 1956
          • Movies 1957
          • Movies 1958
          • Movies 1959
        • 1960s Movies
          • Movies 1960
          • Movies 1961
          • Movies 1962
          • Movies 1963
          • Movies 1964
          • Movies 1965
          • Movies 1966
          • Movies 1967
          • Movies 1968
          • Movies 1969
        • 1970s Movies
          • Movies 1970
          • Movies 1971
          • Movies 1972
          • Movies 1973
          • Movies 1974
          • Movies 1975
          • Movies 1976
          • Movies 1977
          • Movies 1978
          • Movies 1979
        • 1980s Movies
          • Movies 1980
          • Movies 1981
          • Movies 1982
          • Movies 1983
          • Movies 1984
          • Movies 1985
          • Movies 1986
          • Movies 1987
          • Movies 1988
          • Movies 1989
        • 1990s Movies
          • Movies 1990
          • Movies 1991
          • Movies 1992
          • Movies 1993
          • Movies 1994
          • Movies 1995
          • Movies 1996
          • Movies 1997
          • Movies 1998
          • Movies 1999
      • Movies A to K
        • Movies A
        • Movies B
        • Movies C
        • Movies D
        • Movies E
        • Movies F
        • Movies G
        • Movies H
        • Movies I
        • Movies J
        • Movies K
      • Movies L to Z
        • Movies L
        • Movies M
        • Movies N
        • Movies O
        • Movies P
        • Movies Q
        • Movies R
        • Movies S
        • Movies T
        • Movies U
        • Movies V
        • Movies W
        • Movies X
        • Movies Y
        • Movies Z
      • Movies 0 to 9
    • Pop Culture
      • Fads
      • Toys & Games
      • Fashion
      • Decor
      • Food & Drink
      • People
      • Radio
      • Technology
      • Transport
    • Social History
      • 1950s Year by Year
      • 1960s Year by Year
      • 1970s Year by Year
      • 1980s Year by Year
      • 1990s Year by Year
      • Events
    Nostalgia Central
    Home»Television»Shows by Decade»1980s Television
    1980s Television Comedy Shows I 2 Mins Read

    It’s Garry Shandling’s Show

    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email

    1 9 8 6 – 1 9 9 0 (USA)
    72 x 30 minute episodes

    This imaginative situation comedy series was rejected by all three major US television networks before it was finally bought by the innovative FOX network.

    garryshandlingshow2

    The series, which starred comedian Garry Shandling, was based around his fictitious life, with Shandling basically playing himself – an offbeat neurotic comic who found it difficult to deal with the world outside.

    Shandling broke the fourth wall and talked to viewers from a set modelled around his real-life sitting room, made observations as the various scenes on the show were being seen, allowed his studio audience to roam about the set, and took phone calls from viewers while playing a character who was himself the star of a TV show.

    It’s Garry Shandling’s Show was given rave reviews by critics, who were delighted with its new approach to TV situation comedy.

    garryshandlingshow3

    Regular visitors to his Sherman Oaks condominium were Shandling’s mother, Ruth (Barbara Cason), who owned a pet shop called Ruth’s Pet Corral; his friend Pete Schumaker (Michael Tucci); Pete’s bright young son, Grant (Scott Nemes); Jackie Schumaker (Bernadette Birkett); Nancy Bancroft (Molly Cheek), Garry’s friend from childhood who worked for the Going Places Travel Agency, and Garry’s nosy next door neighbour, Leonard Smith (Paul Willson).

    Also appearing on the show were Ian Buchanan as Ian, and Jessica Harper as Phoebe Bass, who became Garry’s girlfriend and eventually married him on the show.

    The series was created by Shandling and former Saturday Night Live writer Alan Zweibel.

    Garry Shandling
    Garry Shandling
    Pete Schumaker 

    Michael Tucci
    Phoebe Bass

    Jessica Harper 
    Grant Schumaker 
    Scott Nemes
    Jackie Schumaker 

    Bernadette Birkett
    Nancy Bancroft 
    Molly Cheek
    Leonard Smith 

    Paul Willson
    Ruth Shandling
    Barbara Cason
    Ian
    Ian Buchanan

    Video

    Related Posts

    • Rab C. Nesbitt
      Rab C. Nesbitt
      1 9 8 9 - 1 9 9 9 (UK) 2 0 0 8, 2 0 1 0 - 2 0 1 1,…
    • Jackie Gleason Show, The
      Jackie Gleason Show, The
      1 9 5 2 - 1 9 5 9 (USA) 1 9 6 2 - 1 9 7 0 (USA) Comedian Jackie…
    • Make Me Laugh
      Make Me Laugh
      1 9 8 3 (UK) 13 x 30 minute episodes Based on an American show of the same name, this Friday…
    • Let's Make A Deal
      Let's Make A Deal
      1 9 6 3 - 1 9 7 7  (USA) 1 9 8 4 - 1 9 8 6 (USA) 1…
    • Bit Of Fry and Laurie, A
      Bit Of Fry and Laurie, A
      1 9 8 9 - 1 9 9 5 (UK) 26 x 30 minute episodes Amidst the 'alternative' comedy chaos of…
    • I've Got A Secret
      I've Got A Secret
      1 9 5 2 - 1 9 6 7 (USA) 1 9 7 2 - 1 9 7 3 (USA) 1 9…
    • Martha Raye Show, The
      Martha Raye Show, The
      1 9 5 5 - 1 9 5 6 (USA) Although she was one of four stars who alternated every…
    • Kelly Monteith
      Kelly Monteith
      1 9 7 9 - 1 9 8 4 (UK) 36 x 30 minute episodes A comedy series in which…

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleI Married Joan
    Next Article HI-DE-HI!

    Comments are closed.

    NC Radio Player
    Search the site

    Nostalgia Central has been a labour of love since 1998. The site carries no advertising, and I rely on donations to help with running costs and to keep the site running for your entertainment and education.

    If you find the site informative or enjoyable, please consider a donation – no matter how small. 

    Thank you so much.
    Enjoy your trip in the time machine!

    You may also like

    • Larry Sanders Show, The
      Larry Sanders Show, The
      1 9 9 2 - 1 9 9 8 (USA) 89 x 30 minute episodes After the success of the innovative It's…
    • Dr Katz, Professional Therapist
      Dr Katz, Professional Therapist
      1 9 9 5 - 2 0 0 2 (USA) 81 x 30 minute episodes Dr Katz (voiced by Jonathan Katz)…
    • Alan Young Show, The
      Alan Young Show, The
      1 9 5 0 - 1 9 5 3 (USA) In 1950, when network television was still in its infancy in…
    • Graham Stark Show, The
      Graham Stark Show, The
      1 9 6 4 (UK) 7 x 25 minute episodes This short-lived series from the BBC starred scouse comedian Graham Stark.…


    Nostalgia Central covers the period 1950 to 1999 and contains some words and references which reflect the attitudes of those times and which may be considered culturally sensitive, offensive or inappropriate today.
    Copyright © 1998, 2023 Nostalgia Central. Run by volunteers. Funded by donations.
    • About Nostalgia Central
    • Contact
    • FAQ

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.