<P> The series had its original run from July 1, 1992 to May 2, 1997 . Simmons was inspired to make Def Comedy Jam by Jerry Lewis' movie The Nutty Professor . The show returned on HBO's fall lineup in 2006 . Def Comedy Jam helped to launch the careers of several African - American stand - up comedians . </P> <P> The show was criticized for excessive foul language and negative representations of African Americans . These criticisms were brought up and discussed by some of the comedians who got their start on the show in a Netflix Original special celebrating the 25th anniversary of the show called Def Comedy Jam 25 . </P> <P> The show produced a spinoff called Loco Slam . </P> <P> The show is currently available in DVD boxsets in the USA and the UK . </P>

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