Sarah Silverman Program: Season 3

by Dylan P. Gadino

For its first two seasons, The Sarah Silverman Program did a fine job of turning Sarah Silverman’s demented onstage material into an even more demented weekly series for Comedy Central.

Judging by the first two episodes of season three, thankfully, very little – in the way of style and theme – has changed. If anything, this season will turn out more thematically absurd (and dare I say, more intense) than its first two.

Truth be told, “intense” is a euphemistic way of saying that the first episode, “The Proof is in the Penis,” written by Eric Schaar, made me laugh and want to vomit in equal parts. Please note, I don’t mean laughter-induced vomiting. I’m talking about the kind of vomit coaxing that comes from seeing Sarah wearing a severed infant penis around her neck after having swallowed the shriveled and dirty, pinky-like member and saying things like, “I’d love to help you guys but I think I’m about to poop out my own penis.”

So why the fleshy jewelry? In order to encourage Sarah to stop grubbing off her, Laura tricks her sis into thinking she was born a man. If I told you why, in Laura’s head, this plan would work, I’d spoil the whole episode. I’ll leave it at this: Laura turns out to be just as conniving and simple as Sarah– and it’s awesome.

While the second episode is less visually disgusting, it beats out the first in plain wackiness. Written by comedian Chelsea Peretti, this installment finds Sarah taking the name Sarah St. Claire, donning a fairy princess-type costume and hosting her own children’s “story time” show, which ultimately has very few stories and, of course, no morals and instead includes nap time with Ambien, Sarah watching Lost and songs about the importance of protecting your neck with wooden mittens.

The pair of episodes kick off the season perfectly and illustrate what the Sarah Silverman Program became during its first two seasons. That is to say, the hilarious, smelly ball sack ruining the fun for all the mindless sitcoms on network television.

The first episode premieres Feb. 4 at 10:30 pm EST on Comedy Central. Check out the official show site here. Check out a preview of season three below.

The Sarah Silverman Program
Season Three Preview
www.comedycentral.com