FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. WHAT IS THE STATE?

The State is a group of ten writer/filmmaker/performers who have created sketch comedy together in various media starting in 1988.

2. HOW DID YOU GUYS GET STARTED?

The group was formed in October of 1988. We were freshman and sophomore film and drama majors at New York University. We performed in theatres, clubs and colleges while also making films and videos for our shows. In 1992 we were hired by MTV to contribute segments to "You Wrote It You Watch It", a series hosted by Jon Stewart. As a result of our work on that show, The State was hired to create its own pilot then series for MTV.

The MTV show premiered in January of 1994, at which time it received some extremely bad reviews, which were proudly displayed in the highly talked about "more miserable crap" promo on MTV. Since then, the series was renewed twice, garnering increasingly good ratings, reviews and feedback as the critics and audiences caught on. (including being one of the top 10 shows of the year in the Wall Street Journal and highest rated sketch show in Entertainment Weekly and Rolling Stone.)

3. TELL ME ABOUT THAT THEME SONG.

The words to the theme song on MTV were "Boys and Girls - Action." The words to the CBS State theme song are "El Estados Es Amour" (french/spanish for The State Is Love). Both themes were done by Craig Wedren of the band Shudder To Think and Eli Janney of the band Girls Against Boys. Both bands have many great CDs, although neither State theme is available for purchase at this time. Craig's latest projects include the soundtracks to the films "High Art", "First Love, Last Rites", "Velvet Goldmine", "Wet Hot American Summer", "Laurel Canyon", and "Roger Doger".

4. ARE YOU STILL ON MTV?

We did 26 episodes of The State on MTV in the mid 90s and they stopped showing them long ago.

5. CAN I BUY A VIDEO? (most frequently asked question.)

MTV owns those shows, and released a home video compilation, called "Skits and Stickers" on Sony Home Video several years ago. It's no longer in print.

There is NO WAY to get any episodes of The State on tape, unless you trade with other fans or buy bootlegs on ebay. The only other recourse is to beg MTV to rerun the show or to release episodes on video. Try writing MTV Home Video, 1515 Broadway, NY NY 10036, or MTV Programming Dept, same address. Or write to Comedy Central, 1775 Broadway, NYC, 10019.

6. WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR MTV SHOW?

Contrary to rumor, The State WAS NOT cancelled by MTV. We decided to leave the network for many reasons, one of which was a desire to establish ourselves as an entity that exists apart from any particular employer or TV Network.

7. WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE STATE?

The State was not assembled by a producer, casting director or corporation. The members of the State created the group and the show, and we wrote, directed, edited and performed our material ourselves.

8. WHERE ARE YOU ALL FROM? WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

The State was based in New York City. For hometowns and current cities, see bios.

9. WHAT ABOUT YOUR CBS SHOW?

Our network debut, the CBS special ("The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special") aired on October 27, 1995. Musical guest was Sonic Youth. The reviews were great, but there was no promotion nor ratings, and CBS decided not to renew us. So ended The State on TV.

10. ARE YOU GOING TO BE BACK ON TV AGAIN?

It's unlikely there will be another State series in the immediate future, but State projects may happen again someday.

11. IS THERE A STATE NEWSGROUP?

Yes - it's alt.tv.the-state.

12. OTHER WEB PAGES?

There are many unofficial State Pages. They have photos, sounds, transcripts and other fan stuff. 


13. WHO RUNS THE WEBSITE?

The site is run by David Wain. The original design was done by Sam Stinson, a fan who graciously volunteered his time.


14. WHAT'S YOUR ADDRESS?

We have no mailing address anymore. Mail to us c/o MTV probably will not get to us. Best bet is e-mail info@the-state.com , or c/o Principato-Young Entertainment, 9465 Wilshire Blvd #430, Beverly Hills CA 90212. 

15. WILL MTV PLAY THE STATE AGAIN?

If you want MTV to play the old episodes, please get in touch with MTV programming because we have nothing to do with that!

MTV Programming
1515 Broadway
New York, NY 10036 

16. WILL YOU SEND A PHOTO/T-SHIRT/VIDEO etc.?

Sorry, but we are not set up financially or logistically at this time to send autographed photos. And there is no State merchandise right now.

17. WHO ARE THE MEMBERS OF THE STATE? 

Kevin Allison
Michael Ian Black
Ben Garant
Michael Patrick Jann
Kerri Kenney
Thomas Lennon
Joe Lo Truglio
Ken Marino
Michael Showalter
David Wain

18. WHAT DOES THE NAME "THE STATE" MEAN?

Nothing in particular.

19. WHERE CAN I FIND ARTICLES/PHOTOS OF THE STATE IN MAGAZINES & NEWSPAPERS?

Wall St. Journal - June 20, 1994 p. A12 (Top 10 TV Shows of the Year)
USA TODAY - March 31, 1994; Oct 27, 1995 (review)
SMUG Magazine - March 1995 (cover story)
Hollywood Reporter - Oct 27, 1995 (review of CBS special)
Entertainment Weekly - January 27, 1995 (10 Stupid Questions)
New York Times - January 8, 1995 - (extensive article)
Daily News TV Guide January 16, 1994 (negative review: "It's so terrible it deserves to be studied. Every scene and performance should be examined in detail so that MTV is sure never, ever to produce anything like it again...a historic mess.")
Mademoiselle November 1995 - Photo spread of us naked.
PAPER Magazine Review Oct. 1994
Chicago Sun-Times - Jan 21, 1994
Details Feb 1996 (very extensive article w/photos)
GQ - May 1995 (Photo spread of us modeling raincoats)
Saks Fifth Avenue Men's Sportswear Catalog Spring 1995 (The State modeling Izod shirts)