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The Sarah Silverman Program.

The Sarah Silverman Program.

2007–2010Ended3 seasons33 episodes~22 min/epTV-14Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

Sarah Silverman plays a character named Sarah Silverman, whose absurd daily life unfolds in scripted scenes and songs. With her sister and her gay neighbors by her side, Sarah always manages to fall into unique, unsettling and downright weird predicaments.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch The Sarah Silverman Program.?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists The Sarah Silverman Program. streaming on Paramount+ and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Highlights

What stands out about The Sarah Silverman Program.?

The Sarah Silverman Program. earns 2 badges, led by Cult Classic and Fun.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is The Sarah Silverman Program. worth watching?

The Sarah Silverman Program.'s Midcredits score is the 40th percentile of all shows, from 8.4K ratings across 2 sources. 67% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

40th percentile

Better received than 40% of shows

37th percentile among Comedy34th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)37th
Approval (how many liked it)44th

Acclaim

Cult Classic: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

68 /100

37th percentile of all shows

36th percentile among Comedy31st percentile among 2000s

Rating distribution

Big peaks at both ends — people either love this or bounce off it hard.

Approval

How many liked it

67% liked it

44th percentile of all shows

38th percentile among Comedy38th percentile among 2000s
67% rated it 7–1033% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

87th percentile

8.3K ratings across platforms

79th percentile among Comedy81st percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 11% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

The show is deliberately offensive, juvenile, and centers on an obnoxious, self-centered protagonist.

Fans praised

  • savagely funny satire of selfishness
  • daring, envelope-pushing taboo humor
  • creative originality and experimental structure

Detractors panned

  • crude, juvenile potty and shock humor
  • unlikable lead character with no redeeming qualities
  • repetitive, low-effort writing that feels lazy

What stands out

ActingDivisive65

Silverman nails the self-absorbed persona; supporting cast hit-or-miss

OriginalityDivisive65

fresh, surreal approach that feels like nothing else on TV

DialogueDivisive60

sharp satirical lines undercut by juvenile bathroom humor

HumorDivisive55

polarizing: fans find it brilliant satire, detractors see juvenile crudeness

CharactersDivisive50

lead is a satire of narcissism but one-note; neighbors add flavor

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 9 points apart
  • US vs non-US 1 point apart

Episodes

3 seasons

Season 3 · 2010 · 10 episodes

  • S3E1

    The Proof is in the Penis

    Feb 4, 201022 min
  • S3E2

    The Silverman and the Pillows

    Feb 11, 201022 min
  • S3E3

    A Slip Slope

    Feb 18, 201022 min
  • S3E4

    Nightmayor

    Feb 25, 201022 min
  • S3E5

    Smellin' of Troy

    Mar 11, 201022 min
  • S3E6

    A Fairly Attractive Mind

    Mar 19, 201022 min

Watch experience

What is The Sarah Silverman Program. like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Ironic, light and intense — an even-paced watch that leaves you entertained.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
AbsurdManicWarm
Heaviest: throughout
Register
Deadpan · 1% of shows: Delivered flat and unsmiling, which is the joke.Absurdist · 6% of shows: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Resets each episode · 10% of showsStatus quo each season
ToneThe show plays its absurd situations and Sarah's self-absorption with a knowing, deadpan sincerity—she never seems to realize how ridiculous she is.
The rideThe series maintains a consistently frenetic and unpredictable energy, punctuated by bursts of genuine sentimentality that soften the edge.
StructureEpisodes follow a conventional sitcom structure with setup, escalation, and resolution.
Episode formatEach episode follows a self-contained comedic plot that resets to status quo by the end, with running gags for continuity.
Season formatThe show maintains a consistent status quo and comedic format across seasons, with no serialized arcs or major character development.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayEach episode leaves you grinning at the absurdity and somewhat warmed by the family bonds underneath the chaos.
How it ends · evidence
Cyclical ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).ComedyFarce
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12% (this title): Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% (this title) · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Farce: Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).

12% of shows fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe typical episode follows Sarah through a series of self-centered misadventures that escalate into absurd chaos, played for laughs.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31% (this title): Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% (this title) · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% (this title) · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsSelf-worth · 7% of showsFriendship
Satirizes its theme: Attacks its theme through ridicule.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe series explores the dysfunctional but ultimately loving bond between Sarah and her responsible sister Laura, while also probing Sarah's low self-worth beneath her brash exterior and her misfit friendships.
StanceThe show skewers self-absorption and social norms through Sarah's outrageous behavior, though it retains a warmth toward her character's flaws.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticStylized realism
PopBackground music · hybrid
SettingSarah's messy Studio City apartment and the surrounding Los Angeles neighborhood
MusicLight-hearted, comedic cues punctuate gags, with occasional original songs performed by Sarah.

Content guide

Is The Sarah Silverman Program. okay for kids?

TV-14

The Sarah Silverman Program. is rated TV-14. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (11/100), sexual content at moderate (39/100), language at moderate (48/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (47/100) and frightening material at minimal (11/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Profanity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (7 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (3 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (24 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does The Sarah Silverman Program. have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in The Sarah Silverman Program.?

Cast

At least 2 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen.

Sarah Silverman
as Sarah Silverman
Emmy nominee: Primetime Emmy nomination — Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy SeriesTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Laura Silverman
as Laura Silverman
Brian Posehn
as Brian Spukowski
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Steve Agee
as Steve Myron
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Jay Johnston
as Officer Jay McPherson
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Rob Schrab
as Driver
Georgie Kidder
as Concert Fan
Tig Notaro
as Tig
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Eddie Pepitone
as Eddie Pepitone
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Justin Roiland
as Blonde Craig
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.

More like this

What are shows like The Sarah Silverman Program.?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like The Sarah Silverman Program. include Wild 'N Out (2005), A Black Lady Sketch Show (2019) and Three's Company (1976).

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What other shows share a tag with The Sarah Silverman Program.?

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