MovieChat Forums > MADtv (1995) Discussion > MADtv 1998-2002 better than SNL

MADtv 1998-2002 better than SNL

posted 13 years ago by osaji922
10 replies | jump to latest

This was about the span of time that I watched MADtv and I have to say that it was way better than SNL during this time. MADtv was lights out funny while SNL wasn't. For the doubters of MADtv, I would say to watch any episode during this time and try not to laugh because you won't be able too. Alex Borstein, Mo Collins, Pat Kilbane, Phil LaMarr, Michael McDonald, Will Sasso, Aries Spears, Nicole Sullivan, and Debra Wilson KILLED it and I would put these guys against SNL's cast at the time any day. These guys were MADtv legends and made the prime years of MADtv. I would actually put them against the "best of" casts of sketch comedy. They were that good.

[–] mickfoley123 13 years ago

I completely agree. MADtv during that time was consistently funny and had great characters.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] MRlambfries 12 years ago

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I think the first 3 seasons were better as well.

[–] ShellOilJunior 12 years ago

Very much agree. I can recall each week being anxious to see what Will Sasso would do next. His sketches with Aries Spears were gold.

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[–] brocky158 12 years ago

I agree 112%.

The cast during 98-02 was truly hilarious. No comedy sketch show can compare to MADtv.

[–] capital_letters 12 years ago

I thought MADtv peaked between 2002-2007 (roughly seasons 8 through 12, with some overlap). This was definitely SNL's nadir. I thought SNL was very strong from its' (third? fourth?) renaissance in 1995 until about 2002, when it went downhill very quickly (until recovering somewhat around Season 33). MADtv was never as sophisticated as SNL, but it was much more incisive, fearless, and entertaining. It was sometimes bad, but never boring. SNL is about 65% dull, 10% great, and 25% passable. More than anything, it's slick and safe. It's partly a New York/LA thing, I guess -- New York is more serious; LA effortlessly cool, but sophomoric.

I blame Artie Lange and Aries Spears (talentless dead weights) for poisoning general impressions of the show. But then you've got the clueless who actually believe that SNL provides us with "cutting" political commentary and inspired characterizations. Sad, deluded bastards.

MADtv was first and foremost about the characters -- a great venue for individual performances. The "edgy" format and FOX greed killed the show; let's hope it gets a resurrection someday...

[–] dolphinslayer2 12 years ago

I thought everyone usually referred to SNL 95-02 as pitiful, lol. Some sketches sure seemed like it to me. I think '90-'95 was very strong for SNL while MADtv is more consistently funny.

[–] WiseKing 12 years ago

Sure, SNL will always be the bigger show because of their wise selection in guess stars, but the first group of MAD TV will always be greater than anything SNL has done. MAD TV took way more risk in their jokes. Everything, was funny even while waiting for what you wanted too see.

SNL makes you laugh base on Stars playing outside their normal roles, while MAD TV was funny because the writing was. MAD TV didn't need speacial Guess stars every show. The characters belonging to the show were just funny as is.

[–] michelleod1 11 years ago

i loved everyone that was mentioned on here! i was born in 1993 so idk if i was watching new episodes or reruns haha i grew up with MADTV and i always thought it was funnier than SNL! their cast was NATURALLY funny, while SNL seems to be forced a lot...

[–] Dottiegrl 9 years ago

absolutely yes