I must admit I didn't get into this show until the late 1990s, but when I did I found many of the sketches very funny. Especially the fake commercials and the Bill Clinton impersonations by Will Sasso. This show was really funny while the sex scandal was happening in Washington DC with Clinton and Lewinsky. I used to stay up late on Saturdays watching this and it seemed so funny. But in the 2000s it started going stale. The parodies seemed less funny and more stupid. Sure, there were both stupid and funny sketches during the show's heyday, but it went downhill after a while. I never got to watch Saturday Night Live, but this was the closest I could get to the late night sketch comedy shows. And even though it's probably not on the air anymore (except maybe on Comedy Central on cable), I can watch the sketches on YouTube and they're just as funny as they were in the 1990s. But don't let the fact that the last few seasons of MadTV tanked scare you off; just go on YouTube and watch some funnies. I know I did!
113 Reviews
Okay Jokes but intelligent Writing and Amazing Actors Behind the Show.
thescholar221 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I remember watching this when I was staying up to watch Toonami's, Midnight Run when I was about 8 years old or something like that, or staying up for South Park or Saturday Night Live. I also was probably flipping though the channels and it wasn't until they showed repeats on Comedy Central the show started to spark interest in others.
Later in the end when they switched studios I stopped watching really just since was used to it and thought it would go on longer. I was also able to find clips of skits this show had on YouTube people loved this show for the writing behind the jokes. This was also back when you had a middle ground and it wasn't one sided humor or that you had to chose a side like today. The comedy here is a bit dark and edgy but it has intelligence and wit unlike today's edgelord humor. I just don't like edgelord humor since it's more about being dark and shocking for the sake of it, humor like that doesn't hold up very well without the intelligence and wit like Mad TV had.
Most of this is on HBO MAX but it looks like some episodes were probably pulled for being offensive or racist. Or didn't quite get the rights form some the episodes yet. Even though this show was from a different era and it feels like if you get rid of stuff like that you'll get rid of a part of history. Those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it is all I'm saying.
They also tried to reboot this show on The CW but it felt even more cheaper than what the show really had and the jokes didn't really feel that funny. Even when they tried to get the original cast members to cameo it didn't feel like it worked out is all. Also The CW reboot was probably cancelled after 6 episodes, but that's entertainment today sadly. Can't be too edgy or offend people today because of all these PC, Woke, SJWs, who keep throwing all these identity politics now. Even the jokes those people have don't quite feel right and are kind of dumb or just plain mean, almost like people laughed only because they felt sorry for them.
Anyway I love this show and have the first 4 seasons on DVD and there's a bit more DVD's but it's really just "The Best of" kind of dvd which I don't like. Just feel like the DVD's in general didn't sale very well is all. Though if you would like substance over style in your humor give this a watch. There's clips of the show everywhere on YouTube and stuff if you can't find the dvds as well.
Later in the end when they switched studios I stopped watching really just since was used to it and thought it would go on longer. I was also able to find clips of skits this show had on YouTube people loved this show for the writing behind the jokes. This was also back when you had a middle ground and it wasn't one sided humor or that you had to chose a side like today. The comedy here is a bit dark and edgy but it has intelligence and wit unlike today's edgelord humor. I just don't like edgelord humor since it's more about being dark and shocking for the sake of it, humor like that doesn't hold up very well without the intelligence and wit like Mad TV had.
Most of this is on HBO MAX but it looks like some episodes were probably pulled for being offensive or racist. Or didn't quite get the rights form some the episodes yet. Even though this show was from a different era and it feels like if you get rid of stuff like that you'll get rid of a part of history. Those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it is all I'm saying.
They also tried to reboot this show on The CW but it felt even more cheaper than what the show really had and the jokes didn't really feel that funny. Even when they tried to get the original cast members to cameo it didn't feel like it worked out is all. Also The CW reboot was probably cancelled after 6 episodes, but that's entertainment today sadly. Can't be too edgy or offend people today because of all these PC, Woke, SJWs, who keep throwing all these identity politics now. Even the jokes those people have don't quite feel right and are kind of dumb or just plain mean, almost like people laughed only because they felt sorry for them.
Anyway I love this show and have the first 4 seasons on DVD and there's a bit more DVD's but it's really just "The Best of" kind of dvd which I don't like. Just feel like the DVD's in general didn't sale very well is all. Though if you would like substance over style in your humor give this a watch. There's clips of the show everywhere on YouTube and stuff if you can't find the dvds as well.
There's Always Something to Like
view_and_review19 March 2024
I guess "Mad TV" could be considered a rival of SNL if you wanted to go that route. It didn't run up against SNL, but it was Fox's version of it--a comedy sketch show with multiple comedians. Not everything they did was a hit, but with so many comedians and so many sketches you were bound to like something.
The name of the show came from MAD magazine. I used to love to read MAD magazine as a teen if I could get my hands on it. Like the show, it wasn't something my parents would be happy with me consuming.
Of the comedians on the show my favorites were Aries Spears, Alex Borstein, Bobby Lee, Michael McDonald, Frank Caliendo, and Phil LaMarr. Then later Orlando Jones, Keegan-Michael Key, and Jordan Peele--and we know what the latter two went on to do.
The name of the show came from MAD magazine. I used to love to read MAD magazine as a teen if I could get my hands on it. Like the show, it wasn't something my parents would be happy with me consuming.
Of the comedians on the show my favorites were Aries Spears, Alex Borstein, Bobby Lee, Michael McDonald, Frank Caliendo, and Phil LaMarr. Then later Orlando Jones, Keegan-Michael Key, and Jordan Peele--and we know what the latter two went on to do.
Started out as one of the funniest TV shows out there, but has gradually slid down these past couple years
Smells_Like_Cheese2 February 2005
The first time I saw "Mad TV" I was hooked. This show was very funny and had a lot of brilliant sketches. From "OJ Simpson Bloopers" to "N'sync: The Movie" this show had non-stop laughs. The best cast was from 1997-2001. Unfortunately, Nicole Sullivan and Will Sasso left the show and it went down. Every Saturday I looked forward to seeing a new episode, and now it's not that big of a deal anymore. It's not as funny and creative as it used to be. But I would recommend seasons 1-6 any time. Those were the great episodes. Now, it's getting a little too sexual and racist. It's also not as original anymore. I'm sure that most "Mad TV" fans would agree as well.
One of the best comedy shows of all time. Light years beyond SNL.
keelhaul-808567 September 2017
Mad TV was one of the best. It made fun of every demographic, party, race, celebrity, religion, or idea imaginable. This show came about when SNL was in its waning years, in my opinion, and picked up the slack. SNL has survived into 2017, but Mad TV should have been the one still on air. Where SNL has become a long-winded political church service and Ad Campaign for millennial hipsters, Mad TV was raunchy and never very PC. I found it to be way more open-minded and randomly hilarious than SNL's overrated crap. All the losers from SNL get a lifetime movie deal and attention from networks, while Mad TV stars are rarely given attention after leaving the show. It is obvious that you simply have to be a part of the "inside clique" and the "cool kids" club to be with the SNL bunch, but Mad TV was more unique, and took way more risks with stupidly funny parodies and characters. SNL is so tired and now it is nothing more than a holier-than-thou sermon and trash fest of whatever president or figure the cast/writers/producers hate that year. They are so biased and also boring, with ugly, dull characters and lame "musicians", who are usually just bubblegum performers marketed to idiots while they lip sync. Mad TV used to actually have great bands and lesser- known performers, but ones who were still very popular in different genres and their ideas were infinitely better than any comedy show on regular TV today. You can find some exceptions to this on cable TV, but very few. Mad was on par with Chappelle and Sunny in Philly. I miss it a great deal.
It was Cool
ThunderKing67 September 2020
IT was cool to have a show that could make fun of stuff. The show wasn't serious which is perfect for a comedy show.
A good show to chill to on a Sunday or Saturday evening with some Kool-Aid and BBQ Kettled potato chips.
A good show to chill to on a Sunday or Saturday evening with some Kool-Aid and BBQ Kettled potato chips.
Sometimes better than SNL
Sylviastel10 January 2002
I always loved MadTV since it's debut. How did they get their cast? They went out in a truck and recruited a couple of prostitutes, pimp, a suicidal woman, a homeless veteran, and an overweight crossing guard. They are some fabulous skits like "That's my White Mama!" with Artie Lange as fat white man who has the soul of a black woman. Ms. Vancome is always vocal about her bigoted opinions. Ms. Swan is a priceless character of sheer irritation. They spoof the President Bush and Clintons needlessly. They even did a good spoof of ER where everybody in the show is getting ready to leave. I thought that made a strong criticism of the show. Finally, sometimes they do things that SNL won't do or forget to do. I love SNL and MadTV. I just wish MadTv would start at 10:30pm than 11pm. so I don't have to debate which to tape. I hope MadTv last as long as SNL.
The origination cast was great
lulany-422-29867828 December 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I watched this show from the time it aired to the end of it's run with the original cast and it was terrific. I especially loved David Herman who never failed to make us laugh out loud with his spot on imitations and colorful characters. Later I tried watching the new cast and no matter how much I tried I could never get used to them because they simply could not compare to the original group. I just found the sketches boring and even cringe inducing. I gave the show a rating of 6 because the original cast made it a 9 in my view but unfortunately, the current cast and where the show headed afterward couldn't rate more than a 2 or 3 IMHO.
Mad is funny
PeterMitchell-506-56436410 February 2013
The first time I saw time, mid morning at my friend's place, I was splitting my sides. My friend comes out, and says "You're not watching that s..t". But it's very funny s..t. My favorite is Bobby Lee, and Michael Macdonald, the lead, very good too. I didn't find out, till years later, this show was related to Mad Magazine, which I used to cringe at, every time I that ugly face on it's cover. Some of the skits that stay in my head, especially that Victoria Slims skit, showing us to lose weight, where she's living in a roach infested house and snacking on a barrel of KFC chicken, just stay imprinted in my head. Fat Obese Albert, I like too, plus The Sopranos, where the edit the bad language and sex scenes, where there's any film left. This is a classic show. I wish I could have every episode all on DVD, if if it meant they appeared out of nowhere and all came crashing down on me. A truly uproariously funny sketch show that will live on for many years yet.
Toxic Waste on TV
michael_the_nermal8 June 2006
Horrible, horrible TV show! Why Comedy Central decided to repeat old episodes of this program is beyond me. It really sucks! I am, of course, speaking about the seasons after the first two. The first two seasons were golden, and if I was exclusively talking about those seasons, this show would have gotten eight out of ten stars. None of the comedians appearing after the first two seasons who were not part of the original cast are any good. They were, and are, awful. The comedy is not funny at all. AT ALL!!!
The original cast was full of very talented comedians, like Artie Lange, Phil LaMarr, and Mary Schorr (or whatever her name is), all of whom should have gotten better deals after they left MAD TV. This show is highly overrated, and less worthy of your channel surfing time than Saturday Night Live, another horrible show. Go out on Saturday night and have fun, and leave MAD TV to wither and die, as it deserves to.
The original cast was full of very talented comedians, like Artie Lange, Phil LaMarr, and Mary Schorr (or whatever her name is), all of whom should have gotten better deals after they left MAD TV. This show is highly overrated, and less worthy of your channel surfing time than Saturday Night Live, another horrible show. Go out on Saturday night and have fun, and leave MAD TV to wither and die, as it deserves to.
Intelligent sketch comedies like Mad are what we need for this world of worthless Television
claudiamcc26 June 2008
I have to say,Mad TV is so bloody hilarious,especially with physical comedy.Yes,it was offensive(and still is),but at least it's not the cheesy Fast Forward Show or the so-called comedian Will Ferrall(no offense to the fans of him,but this is what I really think of him)and Mike Myers does pathetic kids movies now like Shrek,though the only movies I ever liked were Austin Powers(they were all comically classic).
The greatest things about this show was how over-the-top it was in oh-so-funny ways.The mockery and satirical parodies from music,movies,TV shows,video games,toys,real-life problems,bathroom humour,to practically everything,and I MEAN EVERYTHING.When watching the show,it was like reading Mad magazine put on television virtually,it was fun.
There isn't anything else to talk about this show because of how genius everything is in this show.One more thing,I thank the show so much for doing a take off of the High school musical film in a humorous version.That film was campy.
The greatest things about this show was how over-the-top it was in oh-so-funny ways.The mockery and satirical parodies from music,movies,TV shows,video games,toys,real-life problems,bathroom humour,to practically everything,and I MEAN EVERYTHING.When watching the show,it was like reading Mad magazine put on television virtually,it was fun.
There isn't anything else to talk about this show because of how genius everything is in this show.One more thing,I thank the show so much for doing a take off of the High school musical film in a humorous version.That film was campy.
Madtv should've been cancelled years ago.
TOMNEL18 June 2006
With "Saturday Night Live", they still occasionally have a funny sketch, but with Madtv I haven't seen a sketch that made me laugh in years. The first 5 years of the show were very good, seasons 1-3 being the best. They had movie parodies that looked like the movies, being filmed differently on good film. The old shows usually had around 20 skits per episode, and they tried to capture Mad magazine. They had Spy vs. Spy, Don Martin cartoons and had Alfred E Newman as the shows mascot, which they have since dropped for some reason. Now Madtv has around 8 sketches per episode, with a couple of them being about recurring characters who get very annoying very fast. When you have 8 sketches per episode, it's much harder to get a good sketch, where with 20 if half are good, the other ones are short and if bad, they're still funny. So over the years, the show has lost a lot of talented actors, and gained mediocre performers, they've lost their hilarious animated segments, and they've lost any relation to the Mad magazine. I'm hoping the network cancells this soon, because I'd hate to see it get any worse.
My rating: ** 1/2 out of ****. 1 hr. T14
My rating: ** 1/2 out of ****. 1 hr. T14
Pure Hilarity
turtlewax1827 December 2002
I don't understand why Mad TV doesn't get as much hype or attention as SNL, when Mad is so much funnier! Lately, SNL just isn't giving me laughs like it has in the past. It seems as if MAD is willing to take an extra step and I find myself laughing hysterically through almost every sketch. Michael McDonald is pure comedy and should be recognized for his work. He's hilarious. SNL doesn't pack punches like it used to, watch MAD TV for a hipper, and funnier, hour.
I once heard that it was an "SNL" rip-off, but I love it.
lee_eisenberg10 September 2007
OK, so maybe "Mad TV" is the same sort of thing as "Saturday Night Live", but you still gotta love it! No matter what the situation is, they always find something great to do (including a recent skit where Kim Jong Il has the hots for Jennifer Love Hewitt during the Macy's Day Parade). Part of what it shows is that as long as our society - and the world in general - functions as it does, satire will always have a place.
As for the cast, they're all quite hilarious. Bobby Lee and Frank Caliendo have got to be some of the funniest guys out there; if you haven't seen Caliendo's George W. Bush imitation, then you're really missing something! If I have to choose between this one and "SNL", I would probably go with the latter just because of it's early days. But you can't deny that this one provides its solid share of laughs. It's a modern TV classic.
As for the cast, they're all quite hilarious. Bobby Lee and Frank Caliendo have got to be some of the funniest guys out there; if you haven't seen Caliendo's George W. Bush imitation, then you're really missing something! If I have to choose between this one and "SNL", I would probably go with the latter just because of it's early days. But you can't deny that this one provides its solid share of laughs. It's a modern TV classic.
Very offensive, but the best.
rdoubleoc15 March 2021
Best Comedy show ever
mas15199020 April 2008
MADtv is the best comedy show i have ever seen!
It always had great cast members and characters MADtv will stay alive for a very long time. MADtv already beat InLivingColor. InLivingColor only lasted four years with five seasons. MADtv has been out since 1995 and is still on today. The show is already up to its 13th season and will still always dish out the laughs. MADtv is the greatest show i have ever watched! Saturday Night Live is getting very dumb. I have not been laughing at anything of Saturday Night Live. It used to be funny i don't know how it is up to its 33rd season. Saturday Night Live was out since 1975 and it's getting really dumb. MADtv will stay funny forever!
It always had great cast members and characters MADtv will stay alive for a very long time. MADtv already beat InLivingColor. InLivingColor only lasted four years with five seasons. MADtv has been out since 1995 and is still on today. The show is already up to its 13th season and will still always dish out the laughs. MADtv is the greatest show i have ever watched! Saturday Night Live is getting very dumb. I have not been laughing at anything of Saturday Night Live. It used to be funny i don't know how it is up to its 33rd season. Saturday Night Live was out since 1975 and it's getting really dumb. MADtv will stay funny forever!
Abominable On Every Level and Ultimately Unforgivable
JohnLeeT12 August 2014
An uninspired and creatively disastrous sketch comedy program that should have been canceled following its first horrendous season. Obviously an attempt to counter the superb Saturday Night Live, MADtv lacked on-screen talent of any consequence and writing that was hardly worthy of broadcast, even on this amateur level show. With uniformly unfunny cast members and humor that was rarely comprehensible in addition to being unlaughable, the title seemingly had nothing to do with the brilliant MAD Magazine. This has to rank as one of the worst television programs in the history of the medium and it is almost impossible to recall anyone who went on from this debacle to do anything of consequence. Oblivion was the fate of nearly all participants and the writers most likely took up another line of work after MADtv limped to an unnoticed, decade overdue cancellation. All involved should be embarrassed by their participation and if they somehow remain active in the industry, must leave this abominable trash off their resumes and live in constant fear of being discovered as once being responsible for such horror. MAD Magazine did serious damage to its prestige by associating itself with something like this and it will take many years for the wounds inflicted upon the astonishing literary satire that was MAD, the beloved and much acclaimed magazine, to at last heal. Unfortunately, that nightmare association, so unneeded, so ugly, and so mercenary, may never be forgiven until several generations have passed and such painful memories fade into the mists of time. Two stars are granted here in honor of the excellent skilled technicians who labored untiringly and offered a magnificent effort to make this so-called "show" watchable in spite of the abysmal final product that so relentlessly violated our television screens.
Too Funny!
h_wilson9225 August 2010
I was flicking through the channels late one night and I saw this really funny sketch on the TV that had me in stitches.From that sketch I became addicted to MADtv and didn't miss a single episode.My favorite sketches are E-Harmony,Stuart,Nicole Parker,Barack Obama and all the other presidents of the USA they have had, Coach Hines and many others.I have seen nearly every episode ever made on MADtv.
I watch youtube clips on the show and they never fail to make laugh non stop.I also catch the repeats they air on TV now the show is over and I feel sad the show has ended because it was sooooooooooo funny and was one of my favorite shows.
10/10 is my rating
I watch youtube clips on the show and they never fail to make laugh non stop.I also catch the repeats they air on TV now the show is over and I feel sad the show has ended because it was sooooooooooo funny and was one of my favorite shows.
10/10 is my rating
complete ripoff of Saterday night live
griffinreviewer17 February 2008
this show is one of the worst shows of ALL TIME! absolutely no original jokes and they're always a year late. like in 2009 they will finally say something about Michael Vick's dogfights. all of the cast members are people who wanted to be on S.N.L but had to go to the lowest of the low, mad TV.its an hour of mad magazine jokes witch aren't funny to begin with, told by terrible John Stewart wanna bees. so if you have any problem tell me id love to hear the opinion of the 3 people who watch this show. family guy put it well "Osama bin Ladin was hiding in the one place no one would look, the cast of mad TV. There is a reason why no one watches the show.
Brilliant! This show really gets it!
MMcDonaldFan6 June 2005
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.
No Comparison to SNL
Pzachlen31 July 2017
Mad TV is without a doubt the best show of it's kind ever.How and why it got cancelled is a mystery when you consider that SNL is still running. SNL has not been funny for years now, It was once,not so anymore. As outrageous as Mad TV can be, how offensive it also can be ,IS what makes it so God Damm Hysterical. The chances it takes with it's subjects are no where else on American TV. Mad TV would never make it in todays P.C. culture.It would be worth watching some of the skits on YOU TUBE. From Stewart,to Miss Swain, to the Vancombe Lady, there has never been a show to take such chances with it's Politically Incorrect Writings.
Funnier than SNL at times
safenoe11 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I wish MADtv is still on our screens. When I first watched it, I couldn't stop laughing at many of the sketches. The Rudolph claymation sketch was hilarious big time.
Sure there was satire but I felt the prime purpose of MADtv was to be funny, and it succeeded on many counts. Sure it may not have had the guest stars that SNL attracted, but still, the comedy was really comedy and not hit and miss.
I wish a network can reboot MADtv, as it stands tall in the annals of sketch comedy, and stands shoulder to shoulder with SNL. It's a shame there aren't any books written about MADtv as I would love to learn more about the show, the production, etc.
Sure there was satire but I felt the prime purpose of MADtv was to be funny, and it succeeded on many counts. Sure it may not have had the guest stars that SNL attracted, but still, the comedy was really comedy and not hit and miss.
I wish a network can reboot MADtv, as it stands tall in the annals of sketch comedy, and stands shoulder to shoulder with SNL. It's a shame there aren't any books written about MADtv as I would love to learn more about the show, the production, etc.
was good & memorable
fliphop12 October 1999
i shall not forget the humor of this show. skit: a couple goes into a fertility counselor. after extensive conversation the fertility counselor discovers that the couple does not know about 'the birds and the bees'. she whispers it to them and they both get up and say 'Oh my God! that is disgusting!" and storm out of the room. HAH! There were lots of skits as good over the years. I'll always remember the hopped up UPS guy trying way too hard to do his job.
See also
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