MADtv has never fully emerged from Saturday Night Live's considerable shadow (quick: name one cast member), but with its 10th season underway, it may be time to give this sketch comedy series some props. MADtv found its niche in the cross-parody, such as “Gump Fiction,” “Apollo the 13th (Jason Takes NASA),” “When Harry Met Willy,” “Clueless of the Lambs,” “Babewatch” (which somehow combines the pig movie with Baywatch), and the truly inspired “PR,” which recasts ER's hospital setting as a public relations firm, where Gary Coleman's career is in critical condition, and Adam “Batman” West needs a new sidekick. This inaugural season is hit and miss, but so was SNL back in the day, and the animated segments here based on such Mad magazine staples as “Spy vs. Spy” would eventually go the way of SNL's early, ill-conceived use of the Muppets. Also, to be honest, the original ensemble here is not as supple as the classic SNL gang: other than Orlando Jones or Howard Stern jokeman-in-residence Artie Lang, none of the other cast members has parlayed their stint on MADtv into their own sitcom or big screen success. Still, this three-disc set will be a revelation for those who dismissed MADtv out of hand, and fans will appreciate the generous extras, which include a sampling of the series' most audacious commercial, movie, TV show, and music video parodies, as well as Episode 200, with its all-star cast reunion. Recommended. (D. Liebenson)
MADtv: The Complete First Season
Warner, 3 discs, 806 min., not rated, DVD: $39.98 Volume 20, Issue 1
MADtv: The Complete First Season
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