Mad TV season 3
Season Summary
Season Three of MADtv was a very memborable season in many ways. This was mainly so because, for the first time, the show had to endure a significant cast turnover. Like established sketch comedy shows, like Saturday Night Live and SCTV, MADtv had reached a point where the majority of the original cast members of the show sought sever ties with MADtv. Each departure was for different reasons.
Whereas Phil LaMarr, Nicole Sullivan, Debra Wilson and Craig Anton were happy to remain with MADtv, for its third season, the other five original cast members faced strong pressures to leave. Artie Lange's constant tardiness to the MADtv as well as his substance abuse and constant legal troubles, ultimately led to him being the first cast member to be fired from the show. Orlando Jones and Bryan Callen desired to pursue careers in film and other sitcoms. Mary Scheer, who had recently had a baby, was torn between stardom and motherhood. Finally, David Herman, one of the most experienced members of the cast, was receiving offers to star in several film projects. All of these pressures led to the enevitable conclusion that a major cast turnover was afoot.
However, unlike the departure of Saturday Night Live's original cast, who had been together (with the exception of the 1976 departure of Chevy Chase) for nearly five years before the departed, MADtv's orignial cast was together for only two seasons. Moreover, keeping in mind the "disastrous" 1980-1981 cast of SNL, which was comprised completely of unknown performers, FOX casting executives wanted to make sure that there was some continuity between the old cast and the new cast members. Thus the aim was reassure the audience that they were still "watching MADtv," but cast had a few new faces. As a result, it was agreed that LaMarr, Sullivan, Wilson and Anton would return to the show; Jones and Callen would not appear in Season Three; and Lange would be fired from the show. However, both David Herman and Mary Scheer agreed to remain on the show. Herman would be allowed to leave mid-season and Scheer would stay until the end of the third season.
The departures of Lange, Jones and Callen meant that there were three repertory cast member spots to be filled. Lange was replaced by Canadian actor, Will Sasso who previously appeared in a comic relief role in the FOX broadcast of Doctor Who and Jones' replacement was Def Comedy Jam stand-up comedian Aries Spears. Sasso would take over Lange's job of impersonating big and portly celebrities and Spears could play other minority roles that Jones once played on the show. This left Callen's spot vacant.
Many assumed that Season 3 would have led to Craig Anton's promotion from a featured player to repertory status. However, the decision was made not to promote Anton. Instead, it was decided to hold off on filling the position until after Herman's departure. FOX casting executives decided to create four additional featured player positions. Filling the featured performer spots were newcomers Alex Borstein, Chris Hogan, Pat Kilbane and Lisa Kushell.
Once the season began, it proved to be extremely successful. The Season Three cast achieved its goal and it was very well received by the viewing audience. The highlights of the new cast were Sasso with his lampoon of Kenny Rogers, Spears with his James Brown, Jr. impression, Kilbane's "bug eyed" character Stan the Java Man and Kushell's socially depressed Susan Whitfield. However, the biggest highlight came from Alex Borstien's Asian character, Ms. Bunny Swan. Ms. Swan was so popular that a series of soap opera like sketches were produced throughout the season (and throughout Borestein's five year tenure on the show) featuring the character. The end result was that all of the featured players (with exception of Anton) were promoted to repertory status mid-season.
Once Season Three concluded, several cast changes had occurred which would affect Season Four. As previously mentioned, Mary Scheer decided to leave the show, despite being asked to remain for the fourth season. However, promising newcomers, Chris Hogan and Lisa Kushell both decided not to return for the next season. Hogan had been offered a part on the NBC sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun and Kushell eventually became the co-host of TBS's Dinner and a Movie from 2002 to 2004 and a guest crank caller on Crank Yankers. This was also the last season to feature original cast member Craig Anton. After three years as a featured performer, Anton left MADtv to pursue other projects in film and television.
Despite the massive departures at the beginning, during and at the end of the season, Season 3 proved that MADtv (unlike In Living Color who lost most of its original cast by Season 5) could survive with a new cast as long as the cast could develop a rapport with the viewing audience.
Opening Montage
The title sequence starts off with several fingers pointing at a bomb. Then the bomb explodes and a picture of Alfred E. Neuman and a brain appears on a purple screen followed by the MADtv logo. The theme song, which is performed by the hip-hop group Heavy D & the Boyz, begins. Each member of the repertory cast (followed shortly by the featured cast) is introduced alphabetically and silently with their name appearing in caption over a black and white still photo. When the last featured cast member is introduced, the music stops and the title sequence ends with the phrase "You are now watching MADtv..."
Cast
Repertory player
- Alex Borstein*
- David Herman
- Chris Hogan *
- Pat Kilbane *
- Lisa Kushell*
- Phil LaMarr
- Will Sasso
- Mary Scheer
- Aries Spears
- Nicole Sullivan
- Debra Wilson
Featured player
* Performer was a featured cast member at the start of the season, but was promoted to repertory status mid-season.
Episodes
The third season of MADtv aired from September 20, 1997 to May 16, 1998. There was a total of 25 episodes produced for that season. They were as follows:
| Episode | Airing Date | Guest(s) | Sketches | Other notes |
| #301 | September 20, 1997 | Sandra Bernhard (Host) | "Gus;" "G.I. Jackson;" "Cholestra;" "Vancome Rescue;" "Sandra's Superstar Kit;" "DEF Jam MLK" and "NBT & A Ta Vare" | |
| #302 | September 27, 1997 | Carmen Electra (Host) and Salt N Pepa (Special Guest) | "Marv Albert Song;" "Batman V;" "Bwisk Ad; "Cabana Chat:Pregnant!" "You Got That From Me;" "Coffee Guy" "Salt N Pepa & Rick;" "Flimstones;" "Sabrina" and Spy vs. Spy: Guillotine" | |
| #303 | October 4, 1997 | Corky and the Juice Pigs (musical guest) | Darlene McBride (Nicole Sullivan) sings racist songs for her new CD. A sequel to the movie Liar Liar focuses on President Bill Clinton (Will Sasso). Dennis Miller (Craig Anton) does civil service as a police negotiator. Prince (Phil LaMarr) has dinner with the family Klumps (Aries Spears). On The Rosie O'Donnell Show, Rosie O'Donnell (Alex Borstein) interviews Oprah Winfrey (Debra Wilson), and plugs her new Lifetime movie. During a commercial, accountant Milton Cladwell (Chris Hogan) has trouble managing his quarterlies that he eventually finds himself in trouble. | |
| #304 | October 11, 1997 | Jennifer Love Hewitt (special guest) | The News at 6 team report a deadly windstorm. Billy Bob Thornton (Pat Kilbane) reprises his role as Karl Childers, where he must save the world from aliens, with the help of John Ritter (David Herman) and Jennifer Aniston (Nicole Sullivan). Ms. Swan (Alex Borstein) is the only eyewitness to a crime, but her endless quote ("He looka like a man") infuriates a rookie cop (Chris Hogan). A duo of smugglers (Chris Hogan, Pat Kilbane) hide objects up their rear differential, then get caught by U.S. Treasury agents. Antonia (Nicole Sullivan) isn't very good at word association. The Spishak salesman (Chris Hogan) promotes a not-so-good soft drink. UBS guy Jaq (Phil LaMarr) becomes part of a strike. Jennifer Love Hewitt appears on Funky Walker, Dirty Talker, in which she shows off a clip of her latest film I Know What You Did Last Summer. | |
| #305 | October 25, 1997 | "Fun with the Chads;" "Man in the Mirror;" "Lowered Expectations: Antonia;" "Charlie Newell Will Yell At Your Kids;" "Talkin' American;" "Jerry Clayvin Telethon;" "T.G.I. Saturdays;" "Lowered Expectations: James Brown Jr." "Antonia & James Coffee Lover Tour" "Get Yo Ass Outta Bed Today Show" and "Spy vs. Spy: Spaghetti" | ||
| #306 | November 11, 1997 | Bret Hart (special guest) Corky and the Juice Pigs (musical guest) | Farrah Fawcett (Lisa Kushell) promotes a new way to paint houses. Bill Clinton (Will Sasso) and Hillary Clinton (Nicole Sullivan) clear the air about their scandals during a town meeting. Nicolas Cage (David Herman) plays superhero Superman who's going through a bout with alcoholism in a parody of Leaving Las Vegas. A merdy kid (Chris Hogan) hires wrestler Bret Hart to help him stand up to his bullying family. Bill Cosby (Aries Spears) appears in wacky trial bloopers. Craig Anton screams about things he hates and loves in his monologue. | |
| #307 | November 8, 1997 | Kenny Country Broaster; "I Love Lucy '97" "Lowered Expectations: Eddie Murphy;" Rod Shaft; Erascism; 12 Angry Men & a Vancome Lady' Eisner Intros. and Sex Toy Story; Eyewitness Swan II; Lowered Expectations: Rui Peranio; Ebonic Pyramid | ||
| #308 | November 15, 1997 | Daisy Fuentes (special guest), Gilbert Godfried (Special Guest) | "Spishak: Baby Blaster;" "Talkin' American: Howard Stern;" "Weekend at Tupac's"; "Wonderful Zone of Disney" "Lean Bulime - Daisy Fuentes;" "Funeral Songs;" "Buffy the Umpire Slayer;" "Funky Walker, Dirty Talker: Gilbert Gottfried;" "Rangers;" "Spy vs. Spy: Headphones;" "Sick Sloppy Crush" and "Don Martin: Fancy Restaurant" | |
| #309 | November 22, 1997 | Kerry Strug (special guest), Corky and the Juice Pigs (Musical Guest) | "Gassy Clinton;" "Darkness '97;" "Clops II;" "What Happened to Dad?;" "Lowered Expectations: Coffee Guy;" "MADtv Encore: "XXX Files (from #113);" "Darlene McBride Tour;" "UBS: Answering Machine Ordering" and "Spy vs. Spy: Training Camp" | |
| #310 | December 6, 1997 | Don Most (special guest | Suppositories with flavor of nutrients. Don Most appears in a parody of his show, The Love Boat, with elements of Titanic thrown in. Ms. Swan is a bachelor on Lowered Expectations. Chelsea Clinton (Alex Borstein) knows how to get her way by placing fear into her college dorm roomates. Big John (Will Sasso) promotes his new shirt store. A woman (Debra Wilson) teaches her friends some unorthodox ways how to be more attractive to guys. A lone spaceman (Phil LaMarr) lands on a planet run by The Vancome Lady (Nicole Sullivan) in a parody of Planet of the Apes. The Parker sisters (Chris Hogan, Lisa Kushell) go nuts at a bar. UBS mailman Jaq (Phil LaMarr) stumbles into a couple (Chris Hogan, Debra Wilson) having sex. | |
| #311 | December 13, 1997 | Howie Long (special guest) Corky and the Juice Pigs (Musical Guest) | A parody of G.I. Joe products with G.I.'s Janitor, Jew, and Junkie. Howie Long appears on Cabana Chat. The Klumps (Aries Spears) welcome Arnold Schwarzeneggar (Pat Kilbane) to their Christmas dinner. The Mexican Wrestling Federation perform in a play version of Miracle On 34th Street. Antonia (Nicole Sullivan) takes to long to make her Christmas wish to Santa Claus (Phil LaMarr). | Special Christmas episode |
| #312 | January 3, 1998 | Pam Grier (host) and Corky and the Juice Pigs (musical guest) | "Titanic Happy Meal;" "Swan Files;" "20/20;" Cabana Chat: Pam Grier;" "Roadkill Lunchmeat;" "Power Press;" "Negro Justice League;" "Lowered Expectations: Susan Whitfield;" "The Susan Whitfield Show;" "Lowered Expectations: Mrs. Barone;" "Sportscasters" and "Spy vs. Spy: Embassy" | |
| #313 | January 10, 1998 | LaToya Jackson (special guest) | Commercial for a talking doll that needs its owner 24/7, and the same doll appears on Lowered Expectations. Nicole Sullivan declares her love to Steve Young in her monologue. News reporters report the latest on this season's cold-and-flu season. Latoya Jackson appears on The Tonight Show to clear the air about her family. An arguing couple (Pat Kilbane, Nicole Sullivan) walk into their surprise anniversary party. Farrah Fawcett (Lisa Kushell) and Louis Farrakhan (Phil LaMarr) debate each other. Chris Rock (Phil LaMarr) stars in a remake of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. The Vonda sisters (Chris Hogan, Lisa Kushell) are bachelors on "Lowered Expectations." Two guys (Chris Hogan, Phil LaMarr) hope to get their dates (Mary Scheer, Debra Wilson) to make out after watching Ellen. A couple (Will Sasso, Nicole Sullivan) have an argument, because the husband isn't listening. A new crime drama with a canned cream of corn as the partner of a hardened cop (Phil LaMarr). Two autopsy doctors (Chris Hogan, Debra Wilson) uncover surprising findings while studing a corpse. Drug-addicted porno director Harvey Lachien (Aries Spears) is a bachelor on "Lowered Expectations." Events of the Apocalypse are broadcasted on the radio. | |
| #314 | January 17, 1998 | Tony Little, Ahmet Zappa, Dweezil Zappa | Star Wars character Lando Calrisian (Aries Spears) promotes a new exotic massage parlor. Rosie O'Donnell (Alex Borstein) inteviews Barbara Streisand (Mary Scheer) and shows off her sex tape. The Vancome Lady (Nicole Sullivan) works as a guidance counselor at a college. A new courtroom drama with a lawyer (Debra Wilson) who's always emotional. Another installment of Anti-Depressercise where Charlotte (Nicole Sullivan) belittles television businessman Tony Little and a man (Will Sasso) in a dinosaur outfit. Fiona Apple (Lisa Kushell) shows off her new music video. Tony Little promotes a new product called Drowsamine. The Zappa brothers appear as German tourists. | |
| #315 | January 31, 1998 | Kenneth Starr; Spice Girls Hunt; Opening; The Eracists: Stand Off; Claylien Resurrection; Spice Girls Hunt #1; Coffee Guy: Exam; Catwoman; Spice Girls Hunt #2; Antonia: Suicide Hotline; Spice Girls Hunt #3; Evangelista's Market; Spy Vs. Spy: Microphone; Savante: Career Day; Mexican Wrestler's Theater: Mockingbird | ||
| #316 | February 7, 1998 | Mark Hamill (special guest) and Corky and the Juice Pigs (musical guest) | Paul Timberman's Workshop; Olsen Twins; Allergy Taste Test; David Duchovny Live!; Funky Walker: Mark Hamill; Darlene McBride: Valentine's Album; Mass Suicide; Talkin' American: Alanis Morissette; Home Birthing Video; Movie Buffs Spy Vs. Spy - Bulletproof | |
| #317 | February 28, 1998 | Jerry Springer (host), Mark Hammill (special guest) | "Kenny's Ice Cream Parlor" "Opening - Jerry Springer" "Swantonia" Jerry Springer Show;" "Caroline in the City;" "Clops III; "Vancome at Heaven's Gate;" "Hulk;" "Lowered Expectations: Jerry Springer;" "Andy Griffith '98" and "The Day Joe Told Off His Boss" | |
| #318 | March 7, 1998 | Phyllis Diller (special guest) and Corky and the Juice Pigs (musical guest) | "El Chevito;" "Contest Winners Scrint!;" "Cabana Chat: Phyllis Diller;" "Spice Girl Auditions: Inbred Spice;" "Grace Under the Influence;" "Spice Girls Auditions: Swan;" "Tea N A;" "Spice Girls Auditions: Diller;" "Spice Girls Auditions: Sideshow Spice;" "Beer Tucker N Perez;" and "Contest Winners Sketch" | |
| #319 | March 14, 1998 | Phyllis Diller (special guest) | Lassie the Snitch; Vancome at the Oscars; UBS Dentist; Riggs & Murtaugh; Spice Girls Auditions: Voodoo Spice; Kirk & Spock Variety Hour; Spice Girls Auditions: Sumo Spice; Coffee Guy: First Date; Spice Girls Auditions: Man Spice; Susan Whitfield: Makeout Party; Spice Girls Auditions: Susan Whitfield; Big John's Shirt and Tie Barn; Spy vs. Spy | |
| #320 | March 28, 1998 | Anna Nicole Smith (special guest) | Switcheroo; Swan IV: All the President's Manicurists; Interview Hanson; LA Valet; Eracists Go To Jail; Playin' Chicken; A Thousand Lays; Cabana Chat: Anna Nicole Smith; Night of the Proper Dead; Big & Bigger; Spy Vs. Spy - TNT (210) Don Martin - Frog Legs | |
| #321 | April 11, 1998 | Ashley Edner (special guest) | "Sleaze Lawyer;" "Darlene's Songs for Kids;" "Wet Stain;" "Dharma & Gregs" "Ritalin Room;" "Suddenly Millennium;" "Coffe Guy: Stupormarket;" "Gumby Old Men;" "Power Friend;" Spy vs. Spy: Bucket Brigade;" "Stupid, Fat & Ugly" and "Anti-Depressercize Jr." | |
| #322 | April 25, 1998 | Lou Diamond Phillips (host) and Corky and the Juice Pigs (musical guest) | A host (Will Sasso) insults kids on Kids Say The Stupidest Things. Ms. Swan (Alex Borstein) gives the McRonalds manager (Chris Hogan) a hard time when she decides what burger to get. The Mexican Wrestling Federation hold Lou Diamond Phillips hostage so America can let Bill Clinton run the country normally. Lou Diamond Phillips also appears on an episode of Funky Walker: Dirty Talker. Chris Rock (Phil LaMarr) sings lullabies, and performs stand-up. Spishak promotes country-style sausages. An episode of The Rosie O'Donnell Show. is set in the year 2150. Despite the fact that she is in a coma, The Vancome Lady (Nicole Sullivan) still makes rude remarks. | |
| #323 | May 2, 1998 | David Boreanaz (Special Guest) | "That Was Me;" "South Parknuts;" "Antonia": Airport; "Window of the Soul;" "Lucy II;" "Celebrity Funeral: David Boreanaz;" "This Close;" "Waving His Thing;" "Loud Restaurant;" and "Art Party." | |
| #324 | May 9, 1998 | Corky and the Juice Pigs featuring Debra Wilson(Musical Guest) | Lowered Expectations: Rosie; Swan Fu (remote); Swan Fu (live); Lowered Expectations: El Asso Wipo; Dennis the Menace II Society; Let it Die; Something So Perfect; Lowered Expectations: Vicky the Dog Girl; Family Scene; Darlene McBride's Mother's Day Special; Other Woman. | |
| #325 | May 16, 1998 | Halle Berry (Host) | "Teepee Condoms;" "Funky Walker: Halle Berry;" "Lowered Expectations: Steven Seagal;" "Parker Sisters: Interns;" "Davey & Goliath: Pet Cemetery;" "Antonia: Heart Attack;" "Awards Show;" "Dead Beat;" and "Spishak: Pictures;" "Entrance To Ecstacy" |
Notes
- This season was perhaps the toughest make or break season in the show's history. It was the first season where one third of the original cast (Callen, Jones and Lange) was gone and in their their place was a bunch of newcommers. Season 3 introduced Alex Borstein, Chris Hogan, Pat Kilbane, Lisa Kushell, Will Sasso, and Aries Spears. All of the new cast members, except Hogan and Kushell would return for Season 4.
- This was the last season to feature original cast members David Herman and Mary Scheer. Herman had a bad relationship with the new cast and asked the producers to remove him from the show. He would then pursue a movie career while Scheer would leave the show and the entertainment industry as a whole due to motherhood.
DVD releases
As of April 2006, there have been no video or DVD release of MADtv Season Three.
External links