The best TV shows starring stand-up comedians

Maybe it's not technically stand-up, but Benny's monologues over the years certainly had sides splitting. The famed comedian's program began as a radio show that blossomed into one of the best popular TV shows in the history of the genre. It grew from a variety format to one of the early situational comedies that opened the door for the kind of television we enjoy today. 

Back when comedy records were all the rage, Redd Foxx was among the stars of that era. His acts were raunchy and filled with obscenities but also hilarious. So while he tamed down his act for network television in the 1970s, Foxx pushed the envelope with his cantankerous and sometimes oft-color portrayal of the popular junk man, Fred Sanford.

Another comedian who earned great success from his records, Newhart's foray into the sitcom television world picked up where he left off on vinyl. Newhart's comedy was never over-the-top or loud, and his role as Chicago psychologist Robert Hartley was kind of what one would expect from seeing him in action. While "The Bob Newhart Show" is a classic piece of television, his 1980s' hit, "Newhart" could more than hold its own. 

A rising star on the New York City comedy club circuit, Freddie Prinze hit it big alongside Jack Albertson in this popular 1970s sitcom. However, Prinze's battle with depression led to his death from a self-inflicted gun shot to the head at the age of 22, with the series still a hit. The show can still be found in reruns as part of the legacy of the talented but troubled young comedian.

This ABC hit was based on some stand-up material of Gabe Kaplan, who starred as the popular high school teacher to a group of motivationally challenged students known as the "Sweathogs." The show's characters were similar to friends, classmates and adult figures from Kaplan's own life and comedy material growing up in Brooklyn.

Robin Williams was one of the most popular stand-up comedians working during the mid-1970s, and that landed him a guest role as "Mork from Ork" on an episode of "Happy Days."That in turn, earned Williams' his own series alongside actress Pam Dawber. On "Mork & Mindy," Williams showed off his impeccable timing, sensational improvisational skills and knack for hilarious physical comedy 

While Bill Cosby's legacy has been properly damaged for his heinous treatment of women over the years, his stand-up prowess was displayed through "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids" (1972-1985), and more prominently with "The Cosby Show." Of course, Cosby's supporting cast members were often far more entertaining than the star himself. 

The first of two times we'll here from the late, great Garry Shandling. One of the more unique comedic sitcoms, Shandling, pretty much playing himself, is a comedian who interacts as much with his studio audience as he does with other cast members. In a lot of ways, the show was a window into the real, and often narcissistic life, of Shandling himself. 

Roseanne Barr's legacy was tarnished by a bad joke turned racist last year and actually knocked her off the reboot of her own sitcom. However, Barr has never been PC and always spoke her mind whether doing stand-up or when this sitcom was in its prime back in the day. That's partially why the show was hit then and now with it's recent return.

Jerry Seinfeld's stand-up act revolved around his unique take on random observations. He then parlayed those bits into one of the most successful television sitcoms in history. Playing himself in the show, Seinfeld often poked fun at his act. Like the "Heil Five." Paraphrasing Jerry, "It was a good bit in the '80s and still relevant today." We agree.

Tim Allen's early days as a comedian were interrupted by some jail time done for possession of cocaine at a Michigan airport. When it resumed, Allen gained popularity in Los Angeles and carried that stand-up success over to television with Home Improvement, which took bits from his routines. In addition to also enjoying a successful film career, Allen continues to live large in the comedic world with Last Man Standing.

A major hit for Fox in the 1990s, the show took some of Martin Lawrence's stand-up work from his days in New York City and with "Def Comedy Jam." Though Lawrence was the star, the show was widely popular thanks to the numerous side characters he played throughout the series run, perhaps none more comically disturbing and popular than "Sheneneh."

This is another great offering from Garry Shandling, who stars as a late-night talk show host. Though it's not as autobiographical as "It’s Garry Shandling’s Show," it does offer loose experiences from his time doing stand-up on late-night shows and even guest-hosting "The Tonight Show." It's still considered one of the best original programs in the history of HBO.

Ellen DeGeneres was one of the top stand-up comedians in the 1980s, and that led to her shot at a series. "Ellen" was a hit and ultimately became groundbreaking when DeGeneres' starring character came out as gay. Considering what DeGeneres has accomplished since in film, with her popular talk show and as host of the Academy Awards, Grammys and Emmys, "Ellen" tends to get lost in the shuffle on her resume.

A former marine, Carey enjoyed a rather meteoric rise in the stand-up ranks from local Cleveland comedy clubs to "Star Search" to the likes of Carson and Letterman. Carey was a co-creator for his self-titled TV show that also helped launch the careers of Diedrich Bader, Crista Miller and Craig Ferguson. It also paved the way for Carey to take over as host of "The Price is Right."

Ray Romano enjoyed stand-up success, among several other places, on the "Late Show with David Letterman" while on CBS. That reportedly led the network to giving him his own show. Romano incorporated a good chunk of his real-life experiences into "Raymond," which ran for nine seasons and is lauded as one of the most popular sitcoms in television history — thanks, mostly to its great ensemble cast that included fellow stand-up comedian Brad Garrett.

Keeping on the "Everybody Loves Raymond" tip, Kevin James, who enjoyed a widely successful stand-up career, guest-starred in Ray Romano's hit show. That led to CBS developing for James his own sitcom, "King of Queens," which featured a few crossover episodes with "Raymond" in some of the early seasons. With James as the king, the show ran for nine fun-loving years.

While Larry David might always be known as one of the creative geniuses behind "Seinfeld" and "Curb," his early days as a stand-up comedian opened the door for material that would ultimately translate on the TV set in both shows. David served bit roles on "Seinfeld," but "Curb" is his own. At times his character's issues with other people can be a little too much but funny nonetheless.

Before there was the mega-popular U.S. version of "The Office," there was the British original that was co-created, co-written and co-directed by the show's star and stand-up comedian, Ricky Gervais. As noted, stand-up is just one part of his entertainment repertoire but a prominent one in the late 1990s. That work opened the door to Gervais becoming the multi-talented star he is today.  

Part of "The Original Kings of Comedy," the late Mac's stand-up career earned him roles in film and ultimately his own popular TV show. The Chicago native received Emmy consideration for his role on "The Bernie Mac Show," in which he starred as a family man — and based some of the show's plot lines on his stand-up work. 

This is another sitcom in which a comedian (Lopez) plays a fictionalized version of himself and bases some of the episodes on personal experience or stand-up material. Though Lopez enjoyed success in comedy clubs, it wasn't an easy process nailing down his own sitcom. In the end, Lopez's show was praised for a positive portrayal of a stable Latino family.

Like most quality stand-up comics, Chris Rock used his often struggling childhood as fodder for his stage material. Some of those bits played prominently in this sitcom he created and narrated. While "Everybody Hates Chris" was fun and genuine, Rock still seems to be at his best with a mic in hand, telling stories and making live audiences laugh at his jokes — raunchy and wholesome.

There was plenty of great talent on this smash NBC sitcom based on the network's own "Saturday Night Live." However, it was Tracy Morgan who more often than not stole the show and earned an Emmy nomination for his work as comedian Tracy Jordan on the series . Morgan began his career doing stand-up, even on the streets, and he was even a guest star on "Martin."

Like Bill Cosby, Louie C.K.'s image has taken a major hit, and rightfully so, for some sexual misconduct allegations that he said were true. That should make it hard for many to look at C..K., a multi-talented entertainer who enjoyed a strong stand-up career, in a positive light these days. That being said, the show, which features the star as a comedian raising two daughters, was genuinely entertaining.

Aziz Ansari" is still probably best known for his work as Tom Haverford on "Parks and Recreation," but he's elevated his stock as one of the most multi-dimensional entertainers in the business, thanks to this Netflix smash. Ansari, who did stand-up while attending New York University, co-created and stars in the comedy-drama as an actor trying to find professional and personal success. Even with the success of its first two seasons, it's uncertain when No. 3 will actually come to light.