[7][8] One writer said its "balance between control and chaos" involves Gethard being put up to a concept "and being totally willing to have the result be awkward or scary or funny or boring".

In 2000, Chris Gethard began taking classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade while he was still a college student.

There he met most of the people who went on to contribute to The Chris Gethard Show including current UCB Artistic Director, Shannon O'Neill.

While initially popular, the show's audience began to dwindle and Gethard, on the advice of a friend, moved it to public access television.

[11] The first episode of The Chris Gethard Show on public access channel MNN aired on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 11pm.

[15] The final episode of The Chris Gethard Show on public access aired on Wednesday, January 30, 2015.

The first season of the Fusion era brought several changes to the show's format, most notably the cut in time from one hour to thirty minutes.

However, the new set, increased production capacities, and bigger budget presented more opportunities for bits, more famous guests, and musical acts.

Gethard wrote it was the only episode where they "begged our network" for complete creative control, and "a lot of people say it's one of the greatest hours of television ever.

[19][20][21] The public-access run of the show consisted of hour-long episodes broadcast live at 11pm on Wednesday nights on MNN.

Many characters appeared on multiple occasions, forming running jokes and loose subplots for the show.

The cable incarnation of the show featured a new set, more structured roles for cast members, and shorter episodes.

Celebrity guests, such as Will Ferrell, Maria Bamford, and Ira Glass, were featured in every episode of the Fusion seasons.