MADtv
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MADtv is a sketch comedy television series in the United States. First broadcast on October 14, 1995, the successful show is Fox Network's only late night program. The one-hour show airs Saturday nights on FOX and is in syndication on Comedy Central. It is a spin-off from MAD magazine.
The format of MADtv is a mixture of scenes shot live for a studio audience, and pre-taped short films - both place a heavy emphasis on pop culture parody. Skits and sketches are performed in a manner similar to other variety shows. Current recurring characters include Bae-Sung (Bobby Lee), Coach Heinz (Keegan Michael Key), Dot (Stephanie Wier) and, most famously, Stuart (Michael McDonald). Former recurring characters include The Vancome Lady, Stan the Coffee Man, and MadTV's most well known character, Miss Swan, played by Alex Borstein.
In addition, MADtv spoofs other shows, particularly the long-running game show The Price is Right, with actors playing Bob Barker and the late Rod Roddy, and it also takes on other celebrities, like Wayne Brady and John Madden. It even has a show called Real (expletive) Talk with Dollar Bill Montgomery, which is a spoof of other forum-style shows such as the ones hosted by Bill Maher and Tavis Smiley. Real (expletive) Talk is known for its excessive use of foul language.
Comparisons with NBC's Saturday Night Live are inevitable with both shows airing at the same time (MADtv runs from 11 to midnight, while SNL begins at 11:30 and runs past the ending of MADtv). Many believe that MADtv's humor is edgier than that of its long-running competitor.
