Watch MadTV
- TV-14
- 1995
- 15 Seasons
-
7.2 (12,190)
MadTV was a sketch comedy show that aired on The CW from 1995 to 2016. The series, which was known for its irreverent humor and edgy satire, featured a rotating cast of comedians who performed a mix of original and parody sketches. The show's cast was comprised of some of the most talented and versatile comedians in the business, including Bobby Lee, Nicole Parker, Lisa Arch, Nicole Sullivan, Debra Wilson, Frank Caliendo, Jordan Peele, Will Sasso, Stephnie Weir, Andrew Bowen, Melissa Paull, Aries Spears, Keegan-Michael Key, Jeff Richards, Michael McDonald, Phil LaMarr, Ron Pederson, Ike Barinholtz, Nelson Ascencio, Andrew Daly, Mo Collins, Christina Moore, Spencer Kayden, and Pat Kilbane.
One of the defining features of MadTV was its willingness to tackle controversial or taboo subjects with humor that was often crass, but always clever. The show had a particular knack for parodying popular culture, with sketches that skewered everything from celebrities to reality TV shows to political figures.
Despite its often risqué content, MadTV was beloved by audiences who appreciated its razor-sharp wit and willingness to take risks. Over the course of its 11-season run, the show garnered a devoted following and earned numerous awards and nominations for its cast and crew.
One of the most well-known segments of MadTV was the recurring sketch "Stuart", which featured Michael McDonald playing a hyperactive and neurotic man-child named Stuart. The character became so popular that McDonald went on to portray him in a feature film called "Stuart Saves His Family".
Other memorable characters from MadTV included "Ms. Swan" (played by Alex Borstein), a Vietnamese manicurist with broken English; "Dot" (played by Stephnie Weir), an elderly woman with a dark sense of humor; and "Lorraine" (played by Mo Collins), a trailer park resident who frequently appeared in sketches with her husband "Leonard" (played by Will Sasso).
In addition to its signature sketches, MadTV also featured a number of recurring segments and parody songs. One particularly popular segment was "The Real Housewives of...", which satirized the popular reality TV franchise. Another beloved recurring bit was "Cabana Chat", in which Debra Wilson portrayed an over the top talk show host who interviewed celebrity guests.
Throughout its run, MadTV remained a source of irreverent and unpredictable humor, continuing to push boundaries and challenge audiences even in its later seasons. Despite eventually being cancelled in 2016, the show's legacy remains intact, serving as a launching pad for some of the most talented comedians of a generation and influencing the landscape of sketch comedy for years to come.
MadTV is a series that ran for 15 seasons (333 episodes) between October 14, 1995 and on The CW