[MADtv] Rapid-Fire Appearances: Holiday 2008 Edition

[tvmanismadformad]

Now as we all know it is the holidays and it has been a tough holiday. With the cancellation of the show and the episodes counting down there is very little cheery things to talk about, well if you’re looking for cheery, stuff these cast appearances under your tree!

Let's start off with a small piece cast member. This cast member is Anjelah Johnson? Who is coming back to television, well at least the cable part of that television. According to this Anjelah has been hired to a new untitled show starring fat to fabulous Jenny Craig star Valerie Bertinelli coming to TBS. I do not know when, but it should be soon. The plot of the show is Valerie plays Claire, a recent divorcee who works at a lumber business. Anjelah may be playing the daughter Claire. I don't know how old this daughter is suppose to be but for the Anjelah fans, what does it matter, she is back on TV. Let's hope this role lasts longer than 4 episodes.

Looking for some more sweets under the tree, may I suggest a candy key hanging off the Christmas tree. A Keegan-Michael Key. There is some information about him, and a movie role. Looking for a movie to see this weekend, well why not get your MAD on with the new movie Role Models, not only does this movie have former ghetto nails castmember Nicole Randall Johnson is also has a small appearance from Mr. Key as well. The appearance by what I have heard is only about 20 seconds long with barely any lines, but as Horton of Horton Hears a Who would say if he was a big, well mediocre movie producer, a role is a role no matter how small. It may be a 20 second scene now, but who knows, that could balloon, to 40, 80, and then maybe a movie for Mr. Key. Let's hope that this role is the beginning of many, as this appearance may bring Keegan's career to a Ho Nava Laval.

What's that, you all want MOre. Well I do have some Mo for you. Mo Collins that is. After taking a bit of a break from television Mo is hitting the television screen hard. Along with a web series called Road to the MLS Cup in which she takes Major League Soccar players and the trophy across country to the finals in Los Angeles, she has also appeared on an episode of the show. Pushing Daisies playing a nun who tragically dies after falling out a window, and now has a recurring role on the long too long running of the show According to Jim playing Emily, a 2-time wife with 2 kids who is going to be marrying main character Jim's best friend Andy. With all these roles it's only a matter of time before we find Mo Collins on her own show under the television Christmas tree.

Now, here's a possible gift from a Christmas past in the form of Barack Obama. It looks as if former cast member and Funkenstine walker Jordan Peele is trying to stay on the sketch comedy train. He is one of 4 people who are competing to be the new Obama on MADtv rival Saturday Night Live Does he have the stuff that Keegan has to make it, or will this be just a fun experiment of his. Only time will tell, but you can see for yourself here.

Now here's a present you already know but you love to hear about. This present is filled with a light and sweet inner core. That inner core is MADtv alum Nicole Sullivan. The outside, a wonderful show called Rita Rocks. After years of supporting roles and failed shows, Nicole may have finally latched onto a winner. The show premiered back in August on the Lifetime Network and is doing great in the ratings. After its 8 episode trial, Lifetime has picked it up for a full season order to bring the shows first season up to 20 episodes. 7 years after leaving MADtv, it finally seems like Nicole may have found her most desired Christmas gift of all. A starring role in a successful show.

Ever have a Christmas present that you loved but did not last as long as you wanted it to? Well that is a good segway into another active former MADtv star Nicole Randall Johnson. After being let go for reasons this day we still don't understand, Nicole seems to have found her groove outside of the show. She had a small role in the previously mentioned Role Models, a guest appearance on the new NBC show Kath and Kim, and an appearance on the hit cult kids show Hannah Montana. It may be soon time that she herself gets her own show.

Now, here's a present that has its problems, but you still love it. This gift is Artie Lange who, after another stint in rehab in September is back on the scene and with a new book Too Fat to Fish. You wouldn't think Artie would be that much of a writer but his book has gone to #1 on the New York Times best sellers list in only its first few weeks. Artie gives hope to the many of us, and proves that even a fat, drug-addicted, drunk can make a bestselling book. If he can do this, maybe there is hope for the world after all.

Now the best of all on Christmas is the gift that keeps on giving, that gift that keeps on giving are 2 shows in which hiring former castmembers for guest appearances seems to be as custom for the show as turkey in the Christmas meal. One show is Chocolate News, a satirical news show from a black perspective that has already had Jordan Peele, Keegan-Michael Key, and Mo Collins. Another show hiring MAD members is a show by a former MAD member. That former member is Frank Caliendo and his show FrankTV. The roles Frank's show is giving the former castmembers are all roles that they perfected on MADtv. These include Aries Spears as Shaquille O'Neal, Mo Collins as Mary Tyler Moore, and even Pat Kilbane (who wasn't even on the show when Frank was there) as Howard Stern. The cancellation of MADtv is sad, but with shows like CN and Frank, MADtv may live silently in Hollywood for the next few years with its wonderful actors helping to keep the shows memory alive.

Now, for appearances in Hollywood, the presents have been a plenty. So many that it would take till next Christmas to tell them all, so let’s just summarize the other appearances in short points which I will call stocking stuffers.

Ike Barinholtz: Guest starring role on Rita Rocks last month.

Lisa Donovan: Worked backstage at Youtube Live last month.

Kathryn Fiore: Did Pizza Hut commercials in the summer.

Michael McDonald: Guest starred on Hannah Montana this month.

Eric Price: Will be in a new internet web show called Action Auto. Starting this January.

Will Sasso: On an episode of How I Met your Mother this month.

Mary Scheer: Is appearing on the show iCarly as one of the child’s mothers.

Taran Killam is going to be a new member of Scrubs starting in January.

Well, that is all I know as of now. If these were all presents and stocking stuffers, it would be a very generous Christmas, let's hope the actual holidays for everyone else is this good. MADrry Chri- holidays to all and to all good... Late year holidays.

[cartman2002]

Thanks for posting the info about what's been going on with the former cast members of MADtv especially Artie Lange since he kept Bill O'reilly from hitting #1 on the Times' list

[tvmanismadformad]

Originally Posted by cartman2002

Thanks for posting the info about what's been going on with the former cast members of MADtv

Thanks, this was really hard to do because I started this on November 11th. And for those who were here, you know what big event happned in the next few days. When it happened I kind of put this report off to the side until the news settled in. I forgot about it until yesterday.

[edkedkedk]

Woah loads of big events.

PS: What's with MADtv stars appearing on Hannah Montana?!

[tvmanismadformad]

Originally Posted by edkedkedk

PS: What's with MADtv stars appearing on Hannah Montana?!

I don't know edk, it is odd considering the fact that they make fun of them on a frequent basis.

[adamfishercox]

Do you have any source to back up the claim that Jordan is trying out for SNL? As far as I know, they are happy enough with Fred Armisen and are no longer considering hiring an Obama.

[tvmanismadformad]

Originally Posted by adamfishercox

Do you have any source to back up the claim that Jordan is trying out for SNL? As far as I know, they are happy enough with Fred Armisen and are no longer considering hiring an Obama.

Well, there's the video, and there have also been a few articles. I will find one when I have more time. Also, I highly doubt that Jordan would make a Barack Obama video just for the hell of it.

[adamfishercox]

Funny or Die does videos with a lot of well known or semi-well known actors (it was started by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, an SNL writer.) Since this video was uploaded by "Funny or Die Team," it indicates that it was made for the site and not as an audition tape or something. At the beginning of last year, they were considering others for the Obama role, but after a year of Fred Armisen, and his impression getting better (though still lacking,) I think they're keeping him.

[King of Kings]

I believe Matt Braunger will be on Letterman on the 26th.

[blue_light_888]

Originally Posted by King of Kings

I believe Matt Braunger will be on Letterman on the 26th.

Whoa, sweet.

If Jordan gets on SNL, I don't know what I could say. On one hand, a MADtv star made it big, which is always good news in my book, but on the other hand, it's competition for Keegan, since both impressions are very good. Obama was something MADtv had going for it this whole time, and if they lose that, then (shrugs) they've lost one more thing to a show that doesn't even NEED the gain. Ehh.

[King of Kings]

Matt Braunger got a lot of time on Letterman. Not only did he get to do his stand up, he also got interviewed.

[blue_light_888]

Any YouTube video?

(Also, why was he on Letterman in the first place?)

[nick]

Matt Braunger on David Letterman (YouTube)

Dave announces Matt's making his network stand up debut, he performs for about five minutes, talks with Dave about growing up, prank calling people with funny names, Dave says "good luck on MADtv," and the show ends.

Most late night shows, like Leno, Letterman, and Conan will have two guests, then a band perform. Sometimes instead of bands, they'll feature stand up comedians. Now that MADtv has stopped filming, it's time for him to jump into the next public venture.