Earlier today, Adult Swim announced that it has picked up a new half-hour comedy series starring Jack McBrayer and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, the legendary cigar-smoking Rottweiler puppet created and voiced by Robert Smigel. Always dependable for raunchy punchlines, inappropriate celebrity insults, and uninvited butt-sniffing, Triumph made his television debut in 1997 on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and soon became a regular. Since then, Triumph has appeared all over, from various segments on O’Brien’s later talk shows to the MTV Movie Awards to The Daily Show and more. Here’s what Smigel told Vice about his many years playing Triumph back in 2010:
Oh my God, it’s so degrading! Sometimes the only reason people will talk to me is because I look so pathetic. I’m this balding, middle-aged guy and I’m crouched in this weird position. That’s how I got Jennifer Lopez, I think. I looked so unthreatening and like such a loser she thought she was doing me a favor. I remember one time in particular when Triumph was supposed to be getting a blowjob from a poodle in the back of this limo. I was literally on the floor of the limousine with my legs sticking out of the door. There’s a trainer on top of me, and food is being passed in order to keep this poodle interested in Triumph’s crotch. I’ve suffered for my art.
To celebrate Triumph’s forthcoming return to television and all the wonderful art Smigel has created through him, here’s a comprehensive guide to the many appearances of America’s favorite Rottweiler.
Triumph in one of his earliest Late Night appearances
Triumph visits the Westminster Dog Show
Triumph interviews some Star Wars fans
Triumph goes to a Bon Jovi concert
Triumph hosts a Christmas special
Triumph makes fun of Tom Arnold
Triumph talks to Moby and Eminem at the MTV Movie Awards
Triumph covers the Michael Jackson trial
Triumph visits a presidential debate
Triumph guest stars on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Triumph shows up on Hollywood Squares
Triumph chats with Dr. Phil
Triumph visits American Idol
Triumph goes to the Tony Awards
Triumph hangs out with Joan Rivers and Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush
Triumph gives the Hawaiian weather report
Triumph visits The Daily Show
Triumph visits Colorado’s Great American Beer Festival
Triumph and Jack McBrayer visit the Chicago Wiener’s Circle
Triumph visits the Real Housewives of Atlanta
Triumph speaks at Comic-Con
Triumph visits the set of This Is 40
Triumph stars in a music video
Triumph visits the Golden Collar Awards
Triumph visits another presidential debate
Triumph insults Jennifer Lopez
Triumph visits Occupy Wall Street
Triumph visits Howard Stern
Triumph shows up at the Night of Too Many Stars