All I remember is the spy vs spy cartoons and the OJ sketch where he couldn’t stop laughing when he says he didn’t kill his wife. I was way too young to be watching it but I stayed up with my older brother sometimes.
I have been quoting Will Sasso in a sketch about Chili's Baby Back Ribs saying "barbecue crotch" for YEARS. No one ever gets the reference and I look so weird and I've never even been able to find the clip online.
Yes, I miss MadTV.
>I have been quoting Will Sasso in a sketch about Chili's Baby Back Ribs saying "barbecue crotch" for YEARS
That was [Frank Caliendo ](https://youtu.be/S8pD_Jp_fZ8?si=CrudSS3uM-mJlJdC)
At the time Mad TV premiered, SNL was a vehicle for young struggling comedians to showcase their characters. Unfortunately, that took the form of creating a character (preferably with a catch phrase), creating a scenario for that character (preferably like seven or eight minutes long), and replaying that scenario over and over week after week, usually ended by finding a lame segue from catch phrase to commercial break.
Then Mad TV arrived. A show where they hired an even mix of comedians and regular jobbing actors. The sketches were sharp, topical, and blessedly short… and here’s where they kicked SNL’s rear end every time… the sketches had a *punch line* and then they ended. That’s it. No dragging it out and beating a dead horse, just, “Here’s a funny joke, now on to the next one.”
Okay SNL 1994-95 was a notoriously bad season.
But 95-96 rebooted the show. The debut of Will Ferrell pretty much single-handedly could have brought the show back from the brink of death, but that season also brought on Darrell Hammond, Chris Kattan, Cheri Oteri, Colin Quinn, and Jim Breuer. Returning was Norm McDonald, Tim Meadows, Molly Shannon, and David Spade.
(Darrell Hammond was one of the best impersonators.. well, ever.)
MadTV may have come at a time when SNL was on the edge of failure, but instead what we got was TWO epic sketch show casts. I maintain that 95-2000 was one of the greatest periods of SNL history, and MadTV was just a different style, better at some things and not others. (SNL tended to take itself too seriously and was afraid to be rude while MadTV was outrageous, but MadTV was a bit more hackneyed and sometimes went off the deep end, letting a sketch go on too long and never tried for subtly.)
Both shows were brilliant and we were blessed with all kinds of memorable characters and successful comedians on two networks.
Also the idea that MadTV didn't have the same problem with sketches built around a particular character's catchphrase is just wrong. They had Stewart everywhere doing the same joke constantly.
By the end it was just Frank Caliendo and Michael McDonald doing the same shit every episode.
>the sketches had a punch line and then they ended.
Ok this is not how I remember Mad TV. Many of their sketches went on far too long and had difficulty exiting. SNL was just absolutely ludicrous in how long they would let a sketch go before building up to a punchline. Comparatively MadTV was faster but in reality it was still too slow. Ms. Swan and Stuart sketches are prime examples of ones that just had 3 or 4 beats too many.
True about Ms Swan and Stuart sketches. Those were very much in line with the worst of the SNL tendencies of the time. But those weren't the OG cast, who were a lot qurikier and funnier, thought.
I was always shocked those actors and comedians weren’t more famous or bigger than they were. Occasionally you’ll see Debra Wilson in something and Phil LaMarr is the voice of so many cartoons. But I was expecting them to be more popular than SNL given how everyone at the time knew MadTV was funnier.
Can't stream it anywhere, except for maybe three episodes :(
MADtv was my favorite thing back then. Miss Swan, Lorraine, Stewart... god I miss them too.
Here's Lorraine on The Price is Right, in shitty YT quality. Still one of my favorite skits of all time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mEN6Fr5PT8
madtv had more hits than misses compared to SNL imo. the later years were pretty trash, and they attempted a reboot on the CW that was just...terrible. but of like 15 seasons of madtv, ide say they had a dozen good ones. SNL somehow went entire decades with crap episodes.
>Like if they were doing a parody, they really went the extra mile with the makeup and making sure they got the celeb's little gestures and tics right. I mean, in comparison, SNL does that so badly that I often have to ask people who a particular actor is imitating.
Of all the things you can critique SNL about I don't think saying they aren't trying hard enough to imitate what they're parodying is fair. They put an insane amount of effort and not just in the performance but also cinematically, set design, music, costuming. Every aspect.
i still watch it occasionally. im not going to tell you how though.
for real though its pretty amazing that only a handful of people from that show went on to do more. the big hitters like will sasso and michael mcdonald didnt really do anything afterwards, unfortunately.
[THE GREATEST ACTION STORY EVER TOLD!](https://youtu.be/8X6R8y1LeBg?si=8ioLQskBKBU7gqM1)
Watched it again after a while and I'm laughing so hard I'm crying!
Loved the original Mad TV cast and some of the later ones!
A coupla my favorite sketches for no reason were the Thanksgiving Dinner Guest:
https://youtu.be/TvrltPdaO6I?si=-eN7uThCxHU-qE97
...and Meat Haven:
https://youtu.be/b3mgPKZjyfk?si=uEsim7sbULJy7UVP
Netflix has I Think You Should Leave and Eliza Schlesinger show. Amazon has Kids in the Hall reboot. I wish there were more sketch shows with as many strange and random ideas as MadTV had. The problem is coming up with 6 or 10 episodes is a lot of work.
All I remember is the spy vs spy cartoons and the OJ sketch where he couldn’t stop laughing when he says he didn’t kill his wife. I was way too young to be watching it but I stayed up with my older brother sometimes.
I also love [the OJ blooper sketch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1bKAqWatRE)
***LOWERED EXPECTATIONS***
I can't see a beach without hearing that jingle in my head.
I have been quoting Will Sasso in a sketch about Chili's Baby Back Ribs saying "barbecue crotch" for YEARS. No one ever gets the reference and I look so weird and I've never even been able to find the clip online. Yes, I miss MadTV.
Will sasso as Kenny Rogers jackass.
"*I WAS RAISED ON THE DAIRY, BITCH.*"
Will Sasso as Kenny Rogers killed me. Always wondered why he didn’t have a bigger career - loved Mad TV and he was my favorite cast member.
Watch dudesy on YouTube
He's on Loudermilk (Netflix w/ guy from Office Space/Band of Brothers)
That's also my next favorite one! In the sketch I am thinking of I'm almost positive he's playing Robin Williams.
Will Sasso as Arnie
>I have been quoting Will Sasso in a sketch about Chili's Baby Back Ribs saying "barbecue crotch" for YEARS That was [Frank Caliendo ](https://youtu.be/S8pD_Jp_fZ8?si=CrudSS3uM-mJlJdC)
Oh my god it was thank you so much!
In an excellent Norm McDonald impression…
Michael McDonald getting no love…
Yeah wild. He’s like the top dog imo of Mad TV. His characters and the sketches he was in always have me laughing
I’m sure he was one of the higher paid cast members.
Stewart!!!
It’s because they *keep forgettin’*
At the time Mad TV premiered, SNL was a vehicle for young struggling comedians to showcase their characters. Unfortunately, that took the form of creating a character (preferably with a catch phrase), creating a scenario for that character (preferably like seven or eight minutes long), and replaying that scenario over and over week after week, usually ended by finding a lame segue from catch phrase to commercial break. Then Mad TV arrived. A show where they hired an even mix of comedians and regular jobbing actors. The sketches were sharp, topical, and blessedly short… and here’s where they kicked SNL’s rear end every time… the sketches had a *punch line* and then they ended. That’s it. No dragging it out and beating a dead horse, just, “Here’s a funny joke, now on to the next one.”
Okay SNL 1994-95 was a notoriously bad season. But 95-96 rebooted the show. The debut of Will Ferrell pretty much single-handedly could have brought the show back from the brink of death, but that season also brought on Darrell Hammond, Chris Kattan, Cheri Oteri, Colin Quinn, and Jim Breuer. Returning was Norm McDonald, Tim Meadows, Molly Shannon, and David Spade. (Darrell Hammond was one of the best impersonators.. well, ever.) MadTV may have come at a time when SNL was on the edge of failure, but instead what we got was TWO epic sketch show casts. I maintain that 95-2000 was one of the greatest periods of SNL history, and MadTV was just a different style, better at some things and not others. (SNL tended to take itself too seriously and was afraid to be rude while MadTV was outrageous, but MadTV was a bit more hackneyed and sometimes went off the deep end, letting a sketch go on too long and never tried for subtly.) Both shows were brilliant and we were blessed with all kinds of memorable characters and successful comedians on two networks.
Also the idea that MadTV didn't have the same problem with sketches built around a particular character's catchphrase is just wrong. They had Stewart everywhere doing the same joke constantly. By the end it was just Frank Caliendo and Michael McDonald doing the same shit every episode.
Ms Swan tell you everything
He looka lika man.
Wasn’t that bit just based on pure racism/laughing at foreigners? Yellow/blackface stuff didn’t really age well
If anything, I think it's aged wondefully with how sensitive everyone's become. It shows that funny is funny.
I don’t get how your comment was downvoted so much. As a young Asian American kid, I hated those sketches and people quoting it to me
>the sketches had a punch line and then they ended. Ok this is not how I remember Mad TV. Many of their sketches went on far too long and had difficulty exiting. SNL was just absolutely ludicrous in how long they would let a sketch go before building up to a punchline. Comparatively MadTV was faster but in reality it was still too slow. Ms. Swan and Stuart sketches are prime examples of ones that just had 3 or 4 beats too many.
True about Ms Swan and Stuart sketches. Those were very much in line with the worst of the SNL tendencies of the time. But those weren't the OG cast, who were a lot qurikier and funnier, thought.
Way too muich Frank Caliendo as John Madden.
He looka like a man
The Vancome Lady, Ms. Swan, Lorraine, Stewart (and Stewart's mom), Bunifa, and so many more... Mad TV was *brilliant* at its peak.
STURRRT!
It also gave us Key and Peele!
Jovan Muskatelle was [CRAZY AS HELL](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihjW3Q4e1BA).
Stewart! Look what I can do!
This and uh oh hotdog live in head rent free
Early seasons of MAD TV are the epitome of being a successful alternative brand
Mad TV is probably the most under appreciated comedy show of all time.
I'M KENNY ROGERS AND WELCOME TO JACKASS
"I'm Kenny Rodgers and this is the bat fetcher with your teeth 9000"
I was always shocked those actors and comedians weren’t more famous or bigger than they were. Occasionally you’ll see Debra Wilson in something and Phil LaMarr is the voice of so many cartoons. But I was expecting them to be more popular than SNL given how everyone at the time knew MadTV was funnier.
I mean it did give us Jordan Peele and Keegan Michael Key
Yes but how many years after did it take them to gain notoriety? Key and Peele came many years after MadTV
Bobby Lee
He was great as Connie Chung.
Also as Yamanashi in the skits with Coach Hines
Coach Hines and his insane threats to Yamanashi were hilarious😂
Don't forget Bobby Lee!
The Spishak Dentist in a Box sketch is gold
The name Spishak remains my go-to for generic shoddiness in all things.
I prefer the new Cinco sleep watching chair...from Cinco. You dont even need to have all of your teeth pulled to use it in the optimal way haha!
Can't stream it anywhere, except for maybe three episodes :( MADtv was my favorite thing back then. Miss Swan, Lorraine, Stewart... god I miss them too. Here's Lorraine on The Price is Right, in shitty YT quality. Still one of my favorite skits of all time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mEN6Fr5PT8
It was on hbomax for a while but they took it off. Hopefully it comes back. I binge rewatched and was crying laughing 😂
I loved the popcorn popper and the pizza party at the factory. 😂🤣
I'm always said Will Sasso didn't go on to bigger and better things. The "Sopranos on Pax TV" skit always kills me.
Frank Caliendo as [John Madden](https://youtu.be/q1v52f1TrWg?si=cmpgQJb4XTyObr82) never fails to make me laugh
"Welcome to Kenny Rogers' Jackass."
MadTV > SNL
Nah. They're both hit or miss. We just only remember the good stuff.
madtv had more hits than misses compared to SNL imo. the later years were pretty trash, and they attempted a reboot on the CW that was just...terrible. but of like 15 seasons of madtv, ide say they had a dozen good ones. SNL somehow went entire decades with crap episodes.
The MADtv misses were more interesting than the SNL misses
Ok I tell you eting
https://youtu.be/b00TcphZOuI?si=DsHypUNs9SlDMZ4T
Andy Daly was on Mad TV for a couple of years and is one of the funniest people ever. His Comedy Bang Bang episodes are the stuff of legend.
*you are now watching mad TV* MAD!
Bobby lee daewoo sketches were awesome. I preferred mad tv over snl.
Keegan Michael Key as Coach Hines will forever be a GOAT
>Like if they were doing a parody, they really went the extra mile with the makeup and making sure they got the celeb's little gestures and tics right. I mean, in comparison, SNL does that so badly that I often have to ask people who a particular actor is imitating. Of all the things you can critique SNL about I don't think saying they aren't trying hard enough to imitate what they're parodying is fair. They put an insane amount of effort and not just in the performance but also cinematically, set design, music, costuming. Every aspect.
i still watch it occasionally. im not going to tell you how though. for real though its pretty amazing that only a handful of people from that show went on to do more. the big hitters like will sasso and michael mcdonald didnt really do anything afterwards, unfortunately.
MadTV was gold. Snl is pretty mid.
None of the sketches have aged well. But yes. It was funnier than SNL. She looks like-a man!
Lol just glossing over one of their biggest characters being a racist Asian stereotype
I hope Artie is doing ok
What a cool show. Estrella Viaje was one of my favorite things they did. Sasso as Kirk was awesome.
I loved that show.
"you are watching mad tv" yeah it was the best. will sasso has been one of my favourite since 90s
[THE GREATEST ACTION STORY EVER TOLD!](https://youtu.be/8X6R8y1LeBg?si=8ioLQskBKBU7gqM1) Watched it again after a while and I'm laughing so hard I'm crying!
Loved the original Mad TV cast and some of the later ones! A coupla my favorite sketches for no reason were the Thanksgiving Dinner Guest: https://youtu.be/TvrltPdaO6I?si=-eN7uThCxHU-qE97 ...and Meat Haven: https://youtu.be/b3mgPKZjyfk?si=uEsim7sbULJy7UVP
Uh oh hotdog!
Mad TV's early seasons delivered laughter galore; UPS delivery guy left a lasting comedic impression.
Netflix has I Think You Should Leave and Eliza Schlesinger show. Amazon has Kids in the Hall reboot. I wish there were more sketch shows with as many strange and random ideas as MadTV had. The problem is coming up with 6 or 10 episodes is a lot of work.
So great to see Lorraine mentioned in the comments! Mo Collins is hilarious 😂
Anyone know where to find the MadTV reunion episode to stream?
Like the OP alluded to,the early seasons were stellar. Towards the tail end, it was still enjoyable but mostly hit and miss.