Every HBO Comedy Ranked From Worst To Best

Another entry from the list of shows that once seemed quite wild but have dated like milk, Hardcore TV at least lays out its stall early doors. From the title alone you can just about guess what you’re going to be getting: a form of sketch comedy that, the producers would have you believe, simply wouldn’t fly on mainstream telly.

As this is the early ‘90s, this basically means there’s swearing, a bit of sex, and some boundary-pushing un PC content that’s a little jarring to watch these days. In terms of actual, transgressive material, though, you can rest easy - Hardcore TV’s grit comes entirely from its presentation rather than the targets of its humour.

Its opening salvo sums it up nicely, a skit in which Wayne and Garth from Wayne’s World are beaten to death. Mildly amusing, sure, but unlikely to shock and appal even NBC’s most dedicated fans.

Some recurring sketches were fine, others (eg “Rastapiece Theatre”, in which an elderly Jamaican gent read from a storybook) were pretty lazy, but the whole show is a forgettable if mostly adequate time capsule.