Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell

Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell

Company type	Television program
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	August 9, 2012 (2012-08-09)
Founder	W. Kamau Bell
Defunct	November 14, 2013 (2013-11-14)
Headquarters	United States
Products	Stand-up comedy television show

Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell is a U.S. stand-up comedy television program that debuted on FX on August 9, 2012, featuring comedian W. Kamau Bell as the host. Bell delivered observational humor centered around recent news and contemporary issues. Episodes typically included a PowerPoint-driven monologue, pre-recorded segments outside the studio, and performances by correspondents—often the show's own stand-up comedy writers—who presented their own monologues. Each episode concluded with Bell conducting an interview with a celebrity guest. To ensure relevance, the majority of episodes were recorded on the day they were broadcast. The series premiere included an interview with executive producer Chris Rock.

The show was canceled on November 13, 2013, with its final episode airing the next day.

Season 1 (2012–13)

Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell season 1 episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Guest(s)	Original air date Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list {{Episode list	EpisodeNumber=8	EpisodeNumber2=8	RTitle= David Webb	OriginalAirDate= October 18, 2012 (2012-10-18)

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   '|' RTitle=Aisha Tyler   
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  '|' EpisodeNumber2 =22   
  '|' RTitle=Wyatt Cenac & George Takei   
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  '|' EpisodeNumber =23   
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  '|' RTitle=Jim Norton, Lindy West, Doug Benson, and Mike Lawrence   
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  '|' EpisodeNumber =24   
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  '|' RTitle=Doug Benson, Unlocking the Truth, and Vernon Reid   
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   '|' EpisodeNumber =25    
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   '|' RTitle=Trevor Noah and Eddie Pepitone    
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   '|' EpisodeNumber =26    
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   '|' RTitle=Billy Porter and \Zach "MC Mr. Napkins" Sherwin    
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Season 2 (2013)

Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell season 2 episodes

Overall Episode No.	Season Episode No.	Featured Guest(s)	Original Broadcast Date Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list {{Episode list	EpisodeNumber=37	EpisodeNumber2=11	RTitle= Jeffrey Wright	OriginalAirDate= September 24, 2013 (2013-09-24)

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Production

On September 18, 2012, FX extended its order for Totally Biased by adding seven more episodes, with the new installments beginning on October 11, 2012, airing at 11:30 PM Eastern Time. Due to an extended broadcast of Brand X with Russell Brand, episode 12 was pushed to a midnight slot on November 16, 2012. Subsequently, on November 27, FX revealed that the first season would receive an additional 13 episodes starting January 17, 2013. After a short break in early 2013, the series resumed on May 9 and continued through to the season's conclusion on June 20. With the inauguration of FXX, the show transitioned to a daily schedule at 11:00 PM Eastern Time and commenced its second season on September 4, 2013.

Reception

Critical responses to the premiere were varied. The A.V. Club assigned it a B+, describing the show as "a significantly improved iteration of Chocolate News," featuring more incisive social critique combined with aspects reminiscent of The Daily Show. The Los Angeles Times commended Bell’s delivery, considering it a more suitable approach compared to earlier projects such as Brand X. The San Francisco Chronicle emphasized the program’s boldness, remarking that it "makes The Daily Show appear like content your father would watch." Conversely, Newsday gave the show a B−, suggesting that faster pacing was needed. After evaluating the initial season, The A.V. Club awarded a B grade, acknowledging the show's improvements while stressing that Bell should work on enhancing segments filmed outside the studio and refining interview techniques to ensure sustained success.

See also

• List of late-night American network TV programs