SYNOPSIS

Some say America wasn't exactly ready for The State, an elaborately produced sketch-type comedy series satirizing TV shows, movies, forgetful parents, baby-sitters and even MTV itself.

One stand-out sketch was called "Porcupine Racetrack," a send-up of big Hollywood musicals (like "Guys & Dolls" crossed with "My Fair Lady"), complete with hilarious, tuneful and even touching songs.

What made The State different from a lot of sketch comedy groups is that they always treated their targets with respect and rarely went for just the cheap laugh. Sometimes the jokes required a bit of thought to be fully appreciated, but that is one of the elements that made this show appealing to both young and old.

The comedy was primarily from a younger adult point of view and often had a sexual edge to it. The original group was made up of New York University students.