Kovacs's visually experimental and often spontaneous comedic style influenced numerous television comedy programs for years after his death. Kovacs has been credited as an influence by many individuals and shows, including Johnny Carson, David Letterman, "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In", "Saturday Night Live", "Monty Python's Flying Circus", Jim Henson, "Max Headroom", Chevy Chase, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, "Captain Kangaroo", "Sesame Street", "The Electric Company", "Pee-wee's Playhouse", "The Muppet Show", Dave Garroway, Andy Kaufman, "You Can't Do That on Television", "Uncle Floyd", among others. Chevy Chase thanked Kovacs during his acceptance speech for his Emmy award for "Saturday Night Live".