Art Bell | Founding Comedy Central and Reinventing Court TV

Art Bell was the Founder of Comedy Central and former President of Court TV. He is a writer and former media executive known for creating, building, and managing successful cable television channels. While working at HBO, Art pitched the idea of a 24-hour comedy network and helped develop and launch HBO’s The Comedy Channel, which became Comedy Central. He went on to hold senior executive positions in both programming and marketing. 

After leaving Comedy Central, Art became President of Court TV, where he was a guiding force behind one of the most successful brand evolutions in cable television. In addition to writing, Art plays piano and drums and co-hosts The Constant Comedy Podcast with Art Bell and Vinnie Favale. His memoir is Constant Comedy: How I Started Comedy Central and Lost My Sense of Humor.

In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Art Bell, the Founder of Comedy Central and former President of Court TV, to talk about Art's journey of launching a comedy channel. They also discuss people's response to the launch of Comedy Central, Art's work at Court TV, and the people who guided Art in his career.