MADtv (1995–2009)

Late night sketch-comedy show based on the humor of MAD magazine. Material includes impersonations, fake commercials, mock movie trailers, and even Spy vs. Spy segments. Competes against ... See full summary »

Creators:

Fax Bahr, Adam Small

Stars:

Michael McDonald, Debra Wilson, Aries Spears

Won 5 Primetime Emmys. Another 10 wins & 63 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Michael McDonald	...	Various (233 episodes, 1998-2009)
Debra Wilson	...	Various (191 episodes, 1995-2009)
Aries Spears	...	Various (189 episodes, 1997-2005)
Bobby Lee	...	Various (162 episodes, 2001-2009)
Mo Collins	...	Various (154 episodes, 1998-2009)
Nicole Sullivan	...	Various (141 episodes, 1995-2005)
Alex Borstein	...	Various (125 episodes, 1997-2009)
Will Sasso	...	Various (124 episodes, 1997-2009)
Stephnie Weir	...	Various (121 episodes, 2000-2006)
Frank Caliendo	...	Various (117 episodes, 2001-2006)
Nicole Parker	...	Various (115 episodes, 2003-2009)
Phil LaMarr	...	Various (113 episodes, 1995-2003)
Ike Barinholtz	...	Various (112 episodes, 2002-2007)
Keegan Michael Key	...	Various (107 episodes, 2004-2009)
Jordan Peele	...	Various (94 episodes, 2003-2008)

Storyline

Late night sketch-comedy show based on the humor of MAD magazine. Material includes impersonations, fake commercials, mock movie trailers, and even Spy vs. Spy segments. Competes against Saturday Night Live in it's time slot, but aimed at a younger adult audience.

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Plot Keywords:

sketch comedy | mad magazine | late night | commercial | impersonation | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Official Sites:

Official Website

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 October 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mad TV

Filming Locations:

Hollywood Center Studios - 1040 N. Las Palmas Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Girl Group Co., Bahr-Small Productions, David Salzman Entertainment (QDE)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Eddie Pepitone was considered to replace Artie Lange in the second season.

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Quotes

[in a remake of the Helen Keller movie]
Helen's Caretaker: Helen, your new teacher is here. Oh I forgot, you're deaf.

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Connections

Featured in Heroes of Comedy: Women on Top (2003)

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Soundtracks

"Mad Tv Theme"
Written by Heavy D and Da Boyz

User Reviews

Brilliant! This show really gets it!

I only started watching this show about six months ago on Comedy Central, and I have been hooked since. SNL doesn't even come close to this show's originality and creativity. One of the real main differences between this show and SNL is the way this show "lets loose" and isn't so political, pretentious, and self-conscious. It lets its actors breathe and get comfortable, making for some really hilarious skits and recurring characters. SNL is so tight-laced and "lets all make fun of the President again"...and "this constitutional bill just got passed," and now the musical guest is gonna be in the skits, and the celebrity host needs to make a huge entrance and make the skits about "them." With MadTV, you get to really know the actors more, and it makes things that much funnier. Plus the show is just plain hilarious!! My absolute favorite person on the show is Michael McDonald. My favorite sketches are Ms. Swan ("I tell you every-TING!")...Stuart ("I found it on the floor!")...Lorraine ("my husband Carl's got gas real bad")...the "Literally" couple...Debra Wilson as Oprah...and Reality Check (i just watched the one with "Richard Simmons," and I was crying it was so funny). The TV show parodies are a riot, like "The Queen of Queens," Will & Grace, I Love Lucy, and Laverne & Shirley. I can't believe these actors aren't getting their own sitcoms or becoming big movie stars like Will Ferrell, who--ya know what?--really isn't that funny. Literally.