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ComicView on BET was a staple during BET’s late-night T.V. run for what seemed like decades. Numerous comedians matriculated through the doors of ComicView to reach their audience, and it’s hard to recall just how many were made famous by ComicView, ranging from D.L. Hughley and Cedric the Entertainer to Don “D.C.” Curry and Kevin Hart. Truly, ComicView was one of the most influential comedy platforms for elevating comedy talent — primarily African American comedians — into the national spotlight.

ComicView debuted on BET, also known as Black Entertainment Television, in 1992, and it only had HBO’s Def Comedy Jem to compete with. The latter was the only other comedy show that focused on African American comedians, and it’s actually credited for propelling Martin Lawrence and Chris Tucker’s careers. During its time on air (1992 to 2006) ComicView kept to its original format and aired short stand-up segments of various comedians on each episode. However, in 2008, the show evolved into a spin-off called ComicView: One Mic Stand, featuring longer segments.

Over the years, during its initial run, ComicView had several hosts, some of whose careers were propelled to new heights by the very platform they hosted, enabling them to establish their own movie and television careers. Now, it’s time to discuss who the top five comedians are who owe their careers to the stage of ComicView.

D.L. Hughley

D.L. Hughley is perhaps best known as the original host of ComicView from 1992 to 1993. His tenure on the show allowed him to reach a wider audience and set the foundations for becoming a household name in the future. The exposure he got on the platform led to other opportunities, as well. In 1993, he also appeared in the third season of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as Keith Campbell, a comedian from Philadelphia.

He’s also known for his very own sitcom. From 1998 to 2002, Hughley wrote, produced, and starred in the T.V. sitcom series The Hughleys, which was based on his real-life experiences of growing up in an upscale neighborhood. He now hosts a talk show, The D.L. Hughley Show, that premiered on T.V. One in 2019.

Cedric the Entertainer

Known for his charisma and vibrant stage presence, Cedric the Entertainer found a perfect outlet in ComicView, which he hosted during the 1993-1994 season, after which he switched to Def Comedy Jam in 1995. Just like with D.L. Hughley, Cedric’s time on ComicVIew was a stepping stone to greater heights, which he achieved by co-starring in The Steve Harvey Show as one of The Original Kings of Comedy.

Cedric the Entertainer — the name that stuck after someone introduced him as an entertainer rather than just a comedian — went on to act in numerous movies and television shows, including The Neighborhood. His fruitful career resulted in him receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019. However, and in most recent news, comedian Katt Williams called Cedric out for (allegedly) stealing some of his jokes.

Sommore

Sommore, also known as the Diva of Contemporary Comedy, first gained fame as the first female ComicView host (1995 to 1996) and as one of the four female comedians that headlined the Queens of Comedy tour. She attributes her success as a comedian to her writing skills and the fact that she extensively researched both the art and the business of comedy.

After gaining fame in ComicView, she also appeared on Def Comedy Jam and Showtime at Appollo but also made guest appearances on T.V. sitcoms The Hughleys and The Parkers, as well as Ice Cube’s Friday After Next movie.

Rickey Smiley

Though he had been a professional stand-up comedian for quite some time, Rickey Smiley’s career was propelled by his appearances on both Def Comedy Jam and ComicView (2000-2001). Smiley’s career exploded during the early 2000s, and he soon found himself as the host of the nationally syndicated Rickey Smiley Morning Show for the WHTA.

Smiley is best known for his prank calls, many of which have been compiled into six albums. However, he’s also known for his television, radio, and comedy acting work, particularly in his own sitcom, called The Rickey Smiley Show, which aired for one season in 2012.

Lavell Crawford

Though he’s probably best known for playing Huell Babineaux in Breaking Bad (2011–2013) and its spin-off Better Call Saul (2017–2022), Crawford’s rise to success is owed to his frequent performance on ComicView during the 1990s — he actually wasn’t the host. His other comedic roles also include It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Tosh.0, The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, and Aqua TV Show Show.

Honorable Mention: Kevin Hart

By the time he hosted ComicView, the show had already changed its format, and Kevin Hart was already an established comedian. But what makes his mention honorable is the fact that he understands the importance of ComicView as a platform for comedians to showcase their talent and he was the sole reason that ComicView had a “revival” of sorts for four days in 2023, which also featured performances by Tommy Davidson, Tacarra Williams, Tony T. Roberts, Bresha Webb, D.C. Young Fly and rapper Tip “T.I.” Harris.

Summary

In the end, ComicView paved the way for many comedians road to the mainstream, proving that the show was more than just entertainment. It was a platform that shaped the landscape of American stand-up comedy and helped incubate the talent that has gone on to entertain, educate, and enlighten us to this day.