The show's creator, stand up comedian Mark Allen, pitched the project as a way to showcase the life story of semi-known up and coming comedians. The documentary format of the show allowed editors to inter-cut interviews with stand up material and recreations. Late in development a friend of the network president pitched a puppet show featuring puppets made from popsicle sticks. Thrilled with the comedy potential of the puppets Network Management notified the production staff of Inside Joke that their new, serious, documentary would now feature popsicle stick puppets as the hosts of the show.
