July 6, 2005 (2005-07-06) – July 23, 2008 (2008-07-23)
Mind of Mencia is an American comedy television series on the cable channelComedy Central. Hosted by comedian Carlos Mencia, it aired over the course of four seasons from July 6, 2005 to July 23, 2008.
History
The first season of Mind of Mencia ran from July 6, 2005 to September 28, 2005, premiering on Comedy Central with an initial order of ten episodes. Soon after that the series was renewed for a second season, set to air in winter of 2006.[1] Season 2 premiered on March 22, 2006. The first season was released on DVD on March 21, 2006 to coincide with the premiere. The second season became Comedy Central's ninth highest rated program.[2]
In a May 2006 Wall Street Journal article, Mencia said he initially resisted requests by his network to take a deal to do a stand-up comedy album on the Comedy Central label, but would now likely appear on one.[3]
The series ended in 2008 after four seasons when Mencia decided against filming a fifth season, explaining "It would have felt repetitive and redundant. There's a lot of different doors that are opening for me...I truly have no idea what's next."[4]
Punji is a Hindu storekeeper who insults customers with obvious physical and/or social problems, before telling them to "get the park out of my store". He often expresses the wish to be reincarnated as something the person is not likely to ever see/use (for example, he says "I hope I am reincarnated as your feet, so you will never see me again" to an obese woman). Before going on his tirades, he begs for forgiveness from various Hindu gods such as Shiva and Vishnu. Punji has been a storekeeper at "Heaven-11", a store that sells wives, and an electrical store.[citation needed]
Carlosaurus Rex
Carlosaurus Rex is a call-in kid's show that deals with serious/mature matters. The show is a parody of Barney & Friends and was originally hijacked from a Barney-like character, Larry the Lizard. Examples of the mature matters the show deals with include:
A kid telephones the show, saying that his parents sent their dog "to live on a farm" (a euphemism parents use to explain the death of a family pet). Carlosaurus sings him a song explaining that the kid's dad shot the dog and dumped the body into a river.
A boy calls, saying that "all my other friends like girls, but I think I like boys!". Carlosaurus sings him a song, "If you think you might be gay then you're gay!" (to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It"), whereupon the boy is then heard saying, 'Hey, Mom, I'm gay!".
Carlos plays a judge, and with the help of the ghost of Johnnie Cochran looks at real life recent court cases.[citation needed]
The Adventures of Carlitos
An animated cartoon based on Carlos' life as a child.[citation needed]
DVD releases
Each DVD set includes uncensored versions of each season's episodes with bonus features including commentary, a behind the scenes featurette, and deleted scenes.
