Planet MADtv

Michael and Nicole Head for the D-List

tvmanismadformad — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:59:42 -0700

On this Monday's new episode of Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, not only will frequent guest Mr. Michael McDonald be guest starring again, but the current star of Rita Rocks and Michael's former partner in crime for 3 years on MADtv will also be appearing in the episode. If you haven't figured it out by now (which if you haven't seriously, how thick is your head?) it's non other than Mrs. Nicole Sullivan. Could we be seeing the reunion of the 2 cast members who brought us such great characters like Clyde and Judith ("Literally"), and Frank and Susan Caydel? I know I hope so

Here is a press release.

"Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List” (10 p.m. on Bravo): After failing to win a Grammy, Kathy decides to try to reclaim the spotlight by writing a tell-all book about her friends and family. Michael McDonald (“MADtv”) and Nicole Sullivan (“Rita Rocks”) guest star".

It's Ladies Night at the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club for 3 MADtv Veterans

tvmanismadformad — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 23:33:46 -0700

As MADtv fans, we all know that Summers without MAD can get pretty dull, well what if there was a show that could take some of MADtv's greatest female cast members, and have them show there comedy skills? Well, the waiting is over, as that performance will be coming to the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club in a comedy performance that is being called Ladies of Mad Tv.

The program will be hosted by none other than MADtv original Debra Wilson Skelton, who with her Whitney Houston, and Oprah Winfrey impressions, among others, will no doubt be keep the audience laughing throughout the night. Following her, as the feature act will be short lived cast member Jill-Michele Melean. As comedians go, Jill-Michele is one of the best on the Hollywood comedic scene, and will surely keep the laughs going. To close out the show will be the headliner. This headliner graced the stage of MADtv for 6 seasons, and introduced us to such great characters like Lorraine Swanson, Trina Moss, and Doreen Larkin. If you haven't figured out who this is by now (which if you haven't, shame on you. Have you paid attention to MADtv like at all?), it is the beauty from Minni Mo Collins, who will regal us about many things, like the current status of her underwear drawer.

One show already took place on the 15th, but don't worry MADtv fans, more shows will be coming in July, from the 16th to the 18th at 8:00PM with an added show on the 17th at 10:00PM.

So be sure to catch this momentous showing of 3 great MADtv ladies at the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club in Universal City, California. Just don't go there after surgery, as the comedy coming out of these 3 ladies will no doubt leave the stitches busted.

The number to buy tickets can be found on Mo Collin's official Myspace page under Upcoming Gigs, under the link "The Jon Lovitz Comedy Club- Ladies of Mad Tv".

HBO No More for Artie

tvmanismadformad — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:27:47 -0700

Thanks to cartman2002 for supplying some of this information.

Artie Lange has been through a lot in his life. He was an original cast member of MADtv, and has done pretty much every drug imaginable. Some leading to stays in rehab, but if Artie is known for one thing, it's being one of the greatest comedic minds out there. HBO Sports however, doesn't feel that way, as after an appearance on the new HBO talk show Joe Buck Live in which he made some lude comments, and homosexual remarks president of HBO Sports Ross Greenburg has announced that Artie will no longer be appearing on any HBO Sports program, quoting "Lange is a regular on Stern's Sirius Radio show, which airs Monday through Thursday in the morning. His profanity-laced, toxic performance on Buck's live show Monday night earned him banishment".

Artie however, has a different point of view on the matter, as he said on The Howard Stern Show that he feels that his bits "killed". Artie also said that he was told by the producers to ratchet up the funny if the show was getting boring, which by all accounts it was. As Joe Buck interviewed Brett Favre in a very news less interview, he then had Artie on, with other comedians, Saturday Night Live's Jason Sudeikis, and Joe's old high school friend Paul Rudd. As Joe and Paul started talking about their high school days, Artie could see that the audience was growing tired of the stories, and did what the producers told him to do.

Artie does not feel that he did anything wrong, and that he was just "doing what the producers told him to do". Artie also said that after the show, Jason and Paul told him that his appearance was "legendary". Ross Greenburg didn't like Artie's appearance, because he felt that Artie was "hijacking" the show. One problem was that Joe Buck is not a comedian, and he didn't exactly spare with Artie in the way that he should have. Many of Artie's fans also feel that he did a great job on the show, and feel that the producers of Joe Buck Live are to blame for the appearance, as they told him to liven the show, and that they should have known what they were getting when they asked Artie to be on the show.

Either way, Artie's appearance, and subsequent banning has given Joe Buck Live something that it never would have gotten without him, Free publicity. Now it's the talk all over the variety of news mediums, and they probably wouldn't have gotten that if it wasn't for Artie's big, funny mouth.

Games and Crashes Heat Up the Summer for 3 Former MADtv Cast Members

tvmanismadformad — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:52:00 -0700

Well as we enter the what seems like endless summer months of such great programs like I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here, and Wipeout (sigh) we all must be thinking the same thing "yeah, those shows are great*, but what about the MAD content!" Well, just because MADtv cast members are far too famous to be appearing on such degrading shows like Celebrity, does not mean that they won't be heatin up the screens of your television and lappady toppity boxes, as 3 MADtv cast members are stepping out of the fire of actually competing in the shows, and getting into the comfy pan of hosting the television shows. So get ready to cosy up and watch some of your favourite cast member’s heat up the dial, in a way that will make getting through the dark summer of MADless action much more bearable.

The first cast member who has already been popping up on the Game Show Network is our very own Whitney Houston and Oprah Winfrey impersonator Debra Wilson, who has been appearing on the networks live game show GSN Live and is even pictured on the shows main website. Though the show does not have a secure host, it does rotate between 3 other people, besides Debra. The shows plot is just as it sounds. It is a live game show on the Game Show Network in which if people want to play, all they have to do is "Enter your phone number in the boxes shown. Each hour, from noon to 6pm ET on weekdays, the hosts will select a random entry and call an on-air contestant - it could be you! Answer the hosts' questions correctly and you could WIN!" They also have an online version, in which contestants can play any of GSN.com's web games, and have a chance on winning $10,000, or Oodles, a currency of GSN that can be returned for Game Show Network merchandise. By the looks of this, Debra can add game show host to her already impressive resume, and if permitting, full time game show host.

Debra, however will not be alone on the Game Show Network, as another cast member has come to the network to pimp out Oodles and such, as Keegan-Michael Key, who continues to solidify himself as Mr. Saturday Night, has also come to the network to be the host of their new game show Big Saturday Night. The premise of this show is very similar to GSN Live. People wishing to play send in their phone number, which is randomly drawn every Saturday Night, live (Starting on June 13th). If a person is picked, they must answer a question about one of GSN's various programs like Q20, and The Money List. If they answer correctly, they have a chance at winning prizes, and Oodles. If these rules are at all confusing, then maybe they might be easier to understand coming from the President of the United States (follow the link and look to the right hand side for the video). As Keegan embarks on his new endeavour of game show hosting, let's hope he doesn't leave out some of his hilarious impressions and characters he was so good at on MADtv, because wouldn't we all love to hear someone like Snoop Dogg, or Jovan Muskatelle tell us that we just won Oodles?

Now, don't get this article wrong. MADtv cast members aren't all trying to push fictional, semi-useless money on bit cable networks, because at least one former MADtv cast member has a hosting duty on a major network, and on a show that will bring the heat of flaming car wrecks through your television screen. That cast member is none other than former MADtv original Orlando Jones who will be taking the hosting duties on ABC's new show Crash Course. The show involves 5 couples of 2 competing to pull off stunts like driving on 2 wheels, and navigating through obstacle courses. The show will begin in August, and air after ABC's other obstacle course show Wipeout.

With these familiar MAD faces, they should make getting through these hard, horrible (if your an albino like me, the previous 2 are a factor), and hot summers much more easier.

Bryan Callen and Gillian Vigman are Hungover

tvmanismadformad — Sun, 24 May 2009 22:54:06 -0700

In this life, there seems to be 3 things that remain a constant: death, taxes, and multiple former MADtv cast members appearing in small roles in a major movie. So here is the newest movie addition to that list that includes two of our former own, playing roles so small that if you go to the popcorn stand, you'll be sure to miss it. The two cast members are former MADtv original Bryan Callen, and former MADtv featured player Gillian Vigman, and the movie is The Hangover.

The Hangover stars Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis as 3 friends who throw a bachelor party not soon to be forgotten in Las Vegas for there soon to be married friend (played by Justin Bartha) Doug. However, after a night of binge drinking, and mayhem, the 3 friends wake up in there trashed hotel room only to find Doug missing, and the 3 of them having no memory of the night before. Now the 3 friends need to find Doug in time for his wedding, and try to remember what happened the night before. This leads them through a crazy adventure that includes them becoming test dummies for the police, the taking care of an unknown baby, and Mike Tyson for some reason in their hotel room.

Bryan and Gillian play Eddie Palermo, and Stephanie respectively. What these roles entail is unknown as of this time, but what is assured is that the roles will be as small, and as easily missable as an extra's role in the hit movie Paul Blart: Mall Cop. So, if you are craving a big screen portion of 2 former cast members, go see The Hangover. Just be sure that you stock up on popcorn, and drinks before hand, because A. They are really expensive at the movies (I mean it's really wrong), and B. Because if you have to go out to re-stock your snack supply halfway through the movie, you will most likely miss these future award winning acting triumphs of the cinematic industry.

MADtv for your Emmy Consideration

tvmanismadformad — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:42:10 -0700

Thanks to StopThatTicking for supplying this information.

For 14 years, MADtv has made us laugh with great characters, hilarious cast members, and top notch writing. I am sure all of you agree that MADtv is one of the best shows on television, but since its creation, MADtv has been snubbed by one of the biggest award show for television. The Emmy Awards.

Now, MADtv has garnered some awards from this academy, but most of them have been in categories like Outstanding Costumes for a Variety or Music Program, Excellence in Production Design Award, and Outstanding Hairstyling for a Series. Now this is not an insult to the production crew, or the hairstylists. They have done a great job over the last 14 years, but these awards are mostly given out the night before the Emmy's in a non-televised event. MADtv has never been nominated for the big awards like Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program, or Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series. The highest award MADtv has ever won was for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics, for the song by character Disney Girl Wonderfully Normal Day.

Well with the shows season looking like it's going to be the last, I think it's appropriate to quote Keegan from the New Music sketch in episode 1407 "we work really hard here, we need an award". That is where MADtv: For Your Emmy Consideration comes in. MADtv for your Emmy Consideration is a site dedicated to getting MADtv nominations for the 2009 Emmy Awards. Here are the episodes MADtv is hoping can garner some hardware come Emmy time.

Episode 1405: Outstanding Makeup for a Multi-Camera series or special (Non –Prosthetic)

Episode 1408: Outstanding Art Direction for Variety, Music or Nonfiction Programming, Outstanding Costumes for a Variety/Music Program or a Special, Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program

Episode 1412: Outstanding Hairstyling For A Multi-Camera Series Or Special

Episode 1417: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series, Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program

As you can see, major awards like Outstanding Writing for episode 1408, and Outstanding Directing for episode 1417 are included. If there are any Emmy committee members reading this and wondering who to give an Emmy to this year, to quote Keegan again "give us one here at MADtv. Were begging you, we've worked for 14 years. We have toiled. We have blead (gets on knees). We have worked as hard as we possibly can. Our craft is at its premium. Were begging you to recognise us once and for... (Keegan pretends to get shot)."

Don't deny us of our greatness Emmy's, and vote for MADtv.

Sykes to Replace MAD on Fox Late Night

tvmanismadformad — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:35:59 -0700

Another nail in the MADtv coffin has been hammered, as today Fox announced that a new Saturday late night show hosted by Wanda Sykes will premier next fall on the network. Though a timeslot has yet to be announced the shows hour long format is a slight hint that it will likely take over MADtv's 11:00 timeslot that the show has held for 14 years. Just in case some of you are curious about the date of this article no, this is not an April Fools prank.

The hour long series will be a panel discussion show starring Wanda Sykes as the host and other guest comedians, who will discuss things like politics, pop culture, and other events affecting the world. This would be Wanda Sykes second show on Fox. Her first was Wanda at Large, which was cancelled in 2003 after 2 seasons and 14 episodes. When asked about her return to fox, Sykes said, "Yes, my relationship with FOX hasn’t been the best, but if Rihanna can go back to Chris Brown, I can go back to FOX. Oprah tried to talk me out of it, but I think FOX has changed." Fox President Kevin Reilly also said, "Wanda is a great alternative voice to the current late-night landscape. She has the perfect personality for FOX, and we look forward to reinvigorating Saturday night TV with her[...]", although many would probably say that Fox Saturday was fine the way it was, and did not need "reinvigorating".

This new show poses an interesting question though. Where does MADtv's lead out Talkshow with Spike Feresten fare in this mix. For 6 weeks between January and February, Spike took over MADtv's timeslot for 6 hour long episodes. With a new hour long show coming along, it is looking like unless Fox pays the money to increase Spike to an hour, then he will most likely remain in his current 12:00 time slot. That is, unless Fox is considering a dual cancellation by sending both their late night staples to the graveyard. Only time will tell.

The title of the Fox Press Release reporting this story is "Emmy Award-Winning Wanda Sykes Returns to Fox ...And Weekends will Never be the Same", and it's right. The weekends (Saturday night's specifically) will never be the same. It will most likely never be as funny, as entertaining, and as good as it was when MADtv dominated Fox late night uncontested for 11 years. All things must come to an end, even if it seems the most unfair.

Former MAD Cast Member Nicole Sullivan Expecting Child #2

tvmanismadformad — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:56:38 -0800

Another soul will soon be entering the folds of the MADtv family, as Nicole Sullivan, is expecting her 2nd child in the coming summer.

Nicole, who brought us such great characters as The Vancome Lady and Antonia on our wonderful show, had her first child Dashel ‘Dash’ Pierce Packham a mire 21 months ago, and is reported as “so excited” to be expecting her second child. This will be her second child with husband Jason Packham, whom she met on the set of The King of Queens where he was apart of the production staff.

But with a new baby comes a problem. What will happen with her show Rita Rocks? Well, that is covered, as the show has announced that Nicole's pregnancy will be worked into the show, giving Rita a 3rd child.

If you are any kind of MADtv fan out there, I am sure that you are happy to see one of the shows most bright and shining stars issuing in another life into her family. Nicole, If you ever come around to see this we at Planet MADtv congratulate you on your 2nd child, and offer the hope for a safe and healthy delivery.

MAD Generations Come Together to "Crush Dreams"

tvmanismadformad — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:30:23 -0800

In my usual searches I came across a movie that caught my eye. It is a movie that combines one part original cast, and one part 2nd generation cast of MADtv to make a sweet bowl of movie magic.

This movie is Dream Crushers, and it combines the familiar face of MAD alum Will Sasso, and the not so familiar un-shavin face of MAD alum Bryan Callen. As for the plot of the movie I can't really tell what it is as information has been hard to come by, but it involves something about a torch being carried through Los Angeles by Bryan, Will reading a poem, and a lot of kicking arse and blowing heads off!

Judge the trailer here for yourself and see if you can make it out better.

This movie looks like it's going to be in limited release, if at all released so again it's one of those small MADtv movies, but I think many of you can agree, when castmates collaborate, it's a site to see!

"MADtv Movies" Nominated for 11 Razzie Awards!

tvmanismadformad — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:23:25 -0800

Due to the fact that this is pretty insulting news, I wasn't sure weather to post this or not, but as Dart told me in this quote here, no award is unimportant, also the nomination doesn't directly insult a MADtv cast member, it just insults a movie a lot of them were in with supporting roles that most of us would agree the movie would have sucked from beginning to end without.

The Razzie Award is given to the creme ala creme of crappy movies every year in multiple categories. Movies that stink at the bottom of the movie society most of all. What 2 movies that I have called "MADtv movies (not for there quality, but for the fact that they had so many current and former cast members in them)" have graced this list not once, but 11 times combined for multiple categories? In the regular world, they go by the names of Meet the Spartans which feature MADtv current and former cast members Nicole Parker, Ike Barinholtz, and Crista Flanagan, and Disaster Movie which also stars Parker, Barinholtz, and Flanagan.

The nominations don't directly effect the aforementioned cast members in name, but they do effect them in certain categories. The categories include Worst Picture, Worst Rip-Off (hopefully not for there impressions), and Worst Screenplay (which effect the cast members because they were the ones that agreed to be in this movie after hearing the screenplay) for both movies. In fact since both movies were made by the same director, and were both equally bad, the Razzies had to combine them in these categories as a joint nomination so they wouldn't clog the nominations list. Other categories the movies were nominated in include Worst Actress Carmen Electra for both movies, and Kim Kardashian for Disaster Movie, and Jason Friedberg & Aaron Seltzer for Worst Director(s).

Kim Kardashian has already mentioned the nomination on her website saying "it's an honor just to be nominated" so there is a possibility that she could be accepting the awards for Disaster Movie if they win, but if she does not go who knows, maybe Crista, or Ike (Nicole can't because she will most likely be busy on Broadway with Wicked) can accept the awards for both movies, because as Kim said "it's an honor just to be nominated".