"MADtv" Cancelled

[J_UNTITLED]

From Variety...

"Fox is closing the book on “Mad TV” after 14 seasons.

Net confirmed Wednesday that the Saturday night sketch series, which had barely escaped cancellation in recent years, will end its run at the end of this season.

QDE and Warner Bros. TV were behind the show, which was launched in 1995 as a competitor to “Saturday Night Live” by David Salzman and Quincy Jones. Fax Bahr and Adam Small created the laffer, but left several years ago.

John Crane, Salzman and Jones currently serve as exec producers.

“Mad TV” made a name for itself with its pop culture parodies; alums include Nicole Sullivan (“Rita Rocks”) and Frank Caliendo (“Frank TV”).

Current cast includes Arden Myrin, Bobby Lee, Crista Flanagan, Keegan-Michael Key, Nicole Parker and Johnny Sanchez.

Decision to cancel “Mad TV” comes after the show failed to see a ratings boost during the recent presidential campaign (on the show, Key portrayed Barack Obama, while Lee played John McCain). Rival “SNL,” meanwhile, has marked some of its best numbers in years.

Word of “Mad TV’s” cancellation first appeared on the satirical website Defamer.

Fox is continuing with its other Saturday late night franchise, “Talkshow with Spike Feresten.”"

Some of the most memorable characters to ever come out of sketch comedy -- Miss Swan, Stewart and Lorraine to name a few -- were hatched out of "MADtv."


Although it has declined (much like "SNL'"in my opinion) in quality this century compared to its later '90s run, it has left an undeniable mark on the genre.

[doctorsteve]

Didn't realize it was still on, to be honest.

[(Fe)Man]

Never really liked the show besides the characters the OP posted. I also liked Bobby Lee.

[Deadset]

Great show in the late 90's and early 2000's. RIP

[pBLU-RAYs3]

I guess it's back to saturday night "gaming",

[xtop]

it could never really keep pace with snl. and stewart was one of the few good characters. poor madtv

[Ator the Invincible]

I enjoyed the original cast from the first 2 seasons. But after that... not so much. Michael McDonald always bugged me, and the show basically became the Michael McDonald show. Not for me. Anyway, sorry to the show's fans. At least you got a 14 year run.

[Uxi]

I doubt SNL will survive it for long. SNL has almost entirely sucked too, except for the Tina Fey / Palin bit. I thought it was a bit overrated, though was pretty funny. I expect SNL to dip back to down mediocrity now that the elections are over.

I enjoyed the first few seasons of MadTV much more than the equivalent SNL but have stopped watching both.

[buckshot]

i never even liked mad tv. even when i was getting high and that was a long time ago. and snl just needs to get some new talent. mad tv was never good. but snl has had some amazing moments. unfortunately it seems far to formulaic now.

[nbxfan]

That's to bad, MadTV has been better than SNL for sometime now. Usually watch it every saturday night followed by Spike Ferestein. It also has some pretty good characters as of recent.

[JasonR]

I watched it when Artie Lange was on it, he was awesome!! I also liked Stewart.

Look what I can do!!!

[DetroitSportsFan]

SNL won't last much longer either.

Like SNL, MadTV just got less and less funny with each passing year.

One of my favorite sketches from MadTv was "Gangta Shop Quartet" from the late 1990s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPmJWBurnlU

[Drewza89]

It was hit and miss for me. Occasionally there would be a great sketch, but it was rare. I still liked it better than the current SNL.

Michael McDonald's character Marvin Tikvah was always hilarious.

[RustyK94]

Personally i prefer Scottish TV or Comedy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5-z4iMBFZA

[STARSCREAM]

I wouldn't be surprised to see SNL get it next. Both shows continually declined year after year.

[jkwest]

it was time...

Miss Swan
Loraine
Stewart


those were the best ones ever...I really liked those episodes.

[Blu Man]

SNL owns Madtv anyway.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by Spartan54

SNL owns Madtv anyway.

Yeah, in 1992.

[Tanman19az]

noooooo! I just got into the whole coach hines skits and who can forget about dot

[Blu Man]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

SNL won't last much longer either.

Like SNL, MadTV just got less and less funny with each passing year.

One of my favorite sketches from MadTv was "Gangta Shop Quartet" from the late 1990s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPmJWBurnlU

You think SNL will die? No way. Alot of great comedians have come from SNL, and a few weeks ago it had a all time show record for most veiwers. SNL will be around for along time buddy. It's hear to stay, Whether you like it or not.