Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down on MadTV?
Tonight was the 300th episode of MADtv
The show has always been compared to Saturday Night Live
To me, MADtv came out of very strange moment in history. For a while FOX was a new and struggling network, and in those days they realized that appealing to minority groups (meaning Black) viewers were a more realistic demographic than trying to go after the 3 major network’s viewers. Why try to poach Seinfeld or Friends fans? Just go after the underserved Black viewers. And they were VERY successful with that. In Living Color
Originally this year I thought Mad wasn’t coming back. Their season got off to a very late start. And the first thing you notice is the format change. They’ve moved the show to some sort of club and essentially become a “clips show.” They go to clips after a humorous presentation, which they did in the past also, but now it feels less like it’s live. At least before you had the illusion that it was live. But Mr. Show is Mr. Show and this ain’t Mr. Show. Bob and Dave had that format and it worked for them. There is also a group in LA called the Ministry of Unknown Science that does a pretty good live version, but I’m not feeling it from
They’ve added a couple of new “ethnic” cast members. Where in the past they would go Black for color (except for Bobby Lee, of course), this year they went to the Spanish speaking community. And as usual, I feel the performers are actually stronger than the writing. But my feeling is the show won’t be back next year, despite the changes. In fact, it almost looks like the changes were a last ditch effort. Your thoughts?
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personally, i think this show never knew what it wanted to be. it uses the MAD Magazine brand, not the MAD style of humor. i’ve always appreciated the fact that the show has an integrated cast and tackles social issues (as opposed to SNL, which has a largely segregated cast where black actors almost always play stereotypes). but like you said, the quality of writing is missing. the actors sell their characters, but i think they
Comment by Nick — November 19, 2007 @ 9:12 am
Right! I totally forgot to mention the issue of Mad Mag. Yeah, they’ve NEVER even remotely made you feel like there was a connection with that brand of humor.
Comment by Dave — November 19, 2007 @ 9:28 am
This article is ridiculous. Since when is it considered a “strange moment in history” for a network to want to appeal to minority, or as you say “Black” group? Who cares what the demographic is? Just because a critic is more comfortable in a KKK uniform, doesn’t mean the rest of the world should be.
Mad TV is a colorful and creative show. And the fact that It appeals to people of all colors shouldn’t be a reason to give it a thumbs down. Who cares if the Actors out-perform the writing. At least it’s not like most of these shows, where the writing sucks MORE than the crappy actors… I mean, have you heard some of the dialogue on CSI?
I give MAD two thumbs up. I mean, unless you would you rather see another REALITY SHOW!
Comment by Teri Fruichantie — January 21, 2008 @ 8:38 pm
It never ceases to amaze me how people come to this site and interpret things no matter how they want to depending on what kind of chip they have on their shoulders. So ok, lets
Comment by Dave — January 21, 2008 @ 9:04 pm
As an old man, My advice as an old er person. Such a strong position shouldn’t need such a large defense.
- I don’t care either way, TV is turning into crap. I do, however enjoy MadTV.
Comment by Franklin Applebee — January 22, 2008 @ 1:56 pm
Wow, the defense is rather Manic. I like the part where you say
“…good forbid before you make such an accusation about a person you look at the
Comment by Teri Fruichantie — January 22, 2008 @ 4:13 pm
Franklin, thanks for the visit. Listen some people are turn the other cheek-ers, and some people are point by point breakdown-ers. I think you see which side I fall on.
Teri, I have written comedic works and been paid for it. But yeah, I take great offense when people casually toss around KKK accusations without first checking to see who they’re accusing. But I sincerely thank you for returning. I knew you would find something you liked.
Comment by Dave — January 22, 2008 @ 4:32 pm