Top 10 Times TV Shows Made Fun of Their OWN Network
#10: The Dark Stephen Era
“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (2015-26)
Despite being reported as one of their most successful late-night programs, CBS announced in July of 2025 that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” would be cancelled due to “Financial reasoning”. Coincidentally, this decision occurred shortly after Paramount had settled a $16 million lawsuit with President Donald Trump –an act that Stephen described as a “big fat bribe”. In the months leading up to his final episode, Colbert took every opportunity to throw a little shade towards CBS for their sudden “Financial woes”. On the night of the big finale, Stephen threw one last punch by letting the band perform a non-copyright-friendly song on the show, leaving CBS to deal with the copyright issues.
#9: The BOX Network
“Futurama” (1999-2003; 2008-2013; 2023-)
It was a dark time in 2003 when Fox pulled the plug on “Futurama”. But then, in 2007, a miracle occurred when the Planet Express crew returned in their first TV movie, “Bender’s Big Score”. In the very first scene, the Professor solemnly announces that their company had been fired by the “brainless drones” at the Box Network. For a brief moment, the Box Network’s logo flickers to read Fox Network, and there isn’t a shadow of a doubt who’s really to blame. “Futurama” didn’t get mad at their cancellation; they got even, then got another chance to thrive on other networks.
#8: Cancellation Shade
“Community” (2009-15)
Before it was renewed for its sixth and final season, “Community’s” Season Five finale originally spelled the end of the show. If this had been the case, it had a savage note to end on. During the episode’s end tag, it highlights several fake shows NBC would likely try to replace them with if they didn’t get renewed –followed by the end tag “Depends on what fails”. Unfortunately for the show, they probably hit a sore spot, as NBC didn’t renew them for a sixth season. Instead, they were picked up by Yahoo Screen, where they snuck in one last jab at NBC for the final episode –mocking them for their obsession with ratings.
#7: No Password Sharing
“Big Mouth” (2017-25)
While visiting Gina’s house, Nick tries to sweet-talk her into getting a Netflix account. It starts as a tongue-in-cheek product placement to support the show’s streaming network. However, once Nick brings up the idea of sharing his Netflix password with her, the scene cuts off and is redacted from the episode. Netflix has garnered a reputation for not allowing users to share their passwords with others, and it only got worse in the 2020s. This gag made fun of Netflix’s most infamous rule, while also serving as a warning to anyone who would dare to break it –not that it really stopped them from trying.
#6: The Cancelled Finale
“The Angry Beavers” (1997-2003; 2006)
Despite its popularity, “Angry Beavers” had an ongoing battle with Nickelodeon’s censors, where they’d periodically push the envelope on the infamously “kid-friendly” network. When the end of the show was in sight, the cast and the crew decided to go out with a bang and have Norbert and Dag OBLITERATE the fourth wall. They discover that they’re cartoon characters and take any chance they have to take shots at the network themselves. Acknowledging Nickelodeon’s bumbling executive choices, and triumphantly screaming the channel’s least favorite phrase, “Shut up”. Tragically, the episode never made it past the recording phase, probably because it was too truthful for Nick to bear.
#5: Nathan Stands up to Paramount
“The Rehearsal” (2022-)
With Paramount’s controversial plans to merge with Warner Bros looking more and more imminent, Nathan decided to use the opportunity to confront his old bosses. Paramount+ had removed an episode from his previous show, “Nathan for You,” due to it containing what they deemed “sensitive topics”. Reflecting on this, Nathan staged how he’d physically confront Paramount... but had the office depicted like a Nazi office. It’s meant to be an insightful moment, but it’s unintentionally hilarious as it portrays Nathan’s feelings towards the network. “The Rehearsal” never shied away from uncomfortable topics, but one can only imagine how much Paramount winced after seeing Nathan’s honest thoughts on display.
#4: Fox’s Failed Shows
“Family Guy” (1999-2003; 2005-)
Before their original cancellation, “Family Guy” never shied away from ragging on the Fox Network –and facing the consequences for doing so. On the very first day the show was revived, Peter announces their cancellation to the rest of the family. While doing so, he lists nearly every Fox show that was cancelled while they were away... and it is a high body count. With all those programs down the tube, the Griffins finally get a second chance to shine on Fox... big mistake on Fox’s part because they came back with a vengeance. The shots they take at the network only get more vicious from there, especially when it comes to Fox News.
#3: Jesus Tried to Warn Us
“South Park” (1997-)
Turns out Stephen Colbert wasn’t the only one upset with Paramount’s settlement with Donald Trump. In the Season 27 opener, “South Park” made their own outrageous caricature of the 47th president, modeled after Saddam Hussein’s animation, voice and mannerisms in the show back in the day. He threatens to sue the town if they don’t do as he says. Jesus tries to warn the town not to fight back, and outright says that if they don’t, they could end up like Colbert. We can always count on “South Park” to weigh in on an issue and crank it up to 11, and not even their own network is safe from their scorching satire.
#2: The Series Built on Roasting NBC
“30 Rock” (2006-13)
Making fun of NBC was practically “30 Rock’s” bread and butter. Using its bizarre sense of humor, it satirizes the network’s very business structure –from its scheduling issues to Jack being a caricature of an executive. In Season 4, they did a whole arc about a Philadelphia company buying the network to parody the real-life merger between NBC and Comcast. What was Jack’s response to the transaction? Greenlighting some of the dumbest show ideas ever... only for them to turn out to be hits. Does it still count if NBC ENCOURAGES its show to make fun of it? We’re not sure, but it’s still too funny.
#1: The Simpsons vs. Fox News
“The Simpsons” (1989-)
Yes, even the golden goose of Fox Animation isn’t afraid to bite the hand that feeds it, especially when it comes to Fox News. One infamous incident nearly resulted in Fox suing... themselves? In Season 14’s “Mr. Spritz Goes to Washington”, Fox News is doing an election report, and they have a heavy bias towards the Republican candidate. This was a not-so-subtle jab at Fox News allegedly being politically biased, and Fox threatened to sue their own show. They decided against it, of course, and “The Simpsons” was free to use the network as a punching bag another day because, face it, they’ve kept the network afloat more than once.
Did we miss any scathing roasts? Let us know in the comments.
