The Nickelodeon network introduced Roundhouse as part of its original SNICK lineup on Saturday nights in 1992. The show was a variety show for kids, including comedy sketches, songs and dance numbers.

Roundhouse was created by In Living Color writer Buddy Sheffield, who brought a fresh hip-hop style to the series. The quirky Anyfamily were recurring characters in the many skits, featuring a rapping mom and a dad who rode a tricked-out La-Z-Boy. The skits were short and fast, peppered with dance numbers and performances by the 12-member cast and the house band.

The show was modeled as a Saturday Night Live for kids, with a heavy MTV ethos of loud music, strobe lights and rapid-fire set changes. The majority of the skits fell into the category of movie and TV parodies, advertising spoofs and the Anyfamily cast.

Roundhouse was nominated for and won many youth media awards over its four years on the air, enjoying a healthy rerun schedule on various cable networks after the show's original run.