[MADtv] Season 13 of MADtv: The Full Scoop!

[blackwind]

Well, boys and girls, the confirmation train just pulled into the station.

Here is your final Season 13 cast:

Returning: Crista Flanagan, Keegan-Michael Key, Bobby Lee, Michael McDonald, Arden Myrin, Nicole Parker, Jordan Peele
Joining: Anjelah Johnson, Dan Oster, Johnny Sanchez
Departing: Ike Barinholtz, Frank Caeti, Lisa Donovan, Nicole Randall Johnson

Because we had the vast majority of this nailed down as early as June, there's only one real surprise here: Boom Chicago's Dan Oster is our final new cast member. Here's what we know about him at this stage:

• He's a Los Angeles native.
• He wears glasses.
• He has performed with Ultimate Improv and Boom Chicago.
• He doesn't have an IMDb profile.
• He *does* have a YouTube profile.
• He was signed as either a featured player or a series regular.
• His first name is Dan.
• His last name is Oster.
• He, apparently, is a human male between the ages of 18 and 40.

Stretching a little, I know. Dan: If you're reading this, please drop us a line! We need more information!

With casting now wrapped up like a mummy in Jeffrey Dahmer's freezer, let's move on to the show itself. Over the course of the past five updates, we've painted a near-complete picture of what to expect from MADtv's upcoming season. To summarize (and to add a few new tidbits):

• Season 13 premieres on September 15th. The first episode will be #1301.
• If history is any indication, expect three new episodes to air (September 15th, 22nd, and 29th) before baseball season commences. Because shooting doesn't begin until October, these episodes will be comprised of S12 holdover sketches.
• Barring a shooting schedule change, don't expect to see Anjelah, Johnny, or Dan before November.
• While 18 episodes will be shot this season, it's believed that 22 will air when all is said and done. Unfortunately, this cannot be definitively confirmed one way or the other until the season finale date is announced.
• Shooting has been moved to the Henry Fonda Music Box Theater in Hollywood, which, supposedly, "will enhance [MADtv's] live-event feeling". Sadly, pre-taping your episodes will then nullify said enhancement. Better luck next time, boys!
• Because the show's budget has once again been slashed, remotes will be utilized in greater numbers this season. For those who aren't aware, a "remote" is a segment shot on location (out-on-the-town sketches, red carpets, etc.). As I'm sure you can imagine, no costumes and few to no props = muchos savings!
• The landmark 300th episode will air on November 17th. No further details are known at this point.
• Former executive producer Dick Blasucci has been sent packing, and replacing him are head writer John Crane and director Bruce Leddy. These two will join forces with long-time executive producers David Salzman and Quincy Jones to form the ultimate cast-hushing, information-withholding, uber-authoritarian dream team!
• On the topic of the new season, David Salzman has stated: "Our plan is to preserve the fast-paced, cutting-edge pop culture parodies and audience-favorite characters while adding more topicality, fresh new elements and a real theater setting." Fresh new elements, eh? Oh, David -- you're so mysterious!

So, there you have it -- the full scoop on S13 almost two whole months before the premiere! To our many sources both inside and out, we thank you for making all of this possible. Beyond that, a big wet one goes out to those who provided exclusive information. We couldn't have done this without you, and for that, you have my eternal gratitude! For those who are keeping score, I'd like to note that we were once again right on every single account. First and second rules of Planet MADtv: do NOT question Planet MADtv!

[newt007]

YAAAAAY!!!!! This cast is f'in AWESOME just for the fact that Crista is back! I CAn'T WAIT UNTIL SEPTEMBER

[clavinbot]

Loving that Crista's back, disappointed to see NRJ being let go, maybe there were complaints she was offensive or something, all I can think of-hopefully the new people will be good, wonder if this Oster will be featured or regular.

[Rurry]

LOL, i'm totally expecting Jordan and Keegan in a ton of drag roles next year...

I'm sad to see NRJ go, i'd switch her with Bobby if I was at MADtv. Other then that, this cast is probably the best possible with the number of people leaving.

[Dot's Boyfriend]

Too bad NRJ will be leaving...it's definetly going to sad seeing her leave especially after all that she proved. Does anyone have info on the new guy?

[funny_guy]

The only real disappointment is the departure of Nicole RJ who i thought was a good addition to the show. While i actually liked Ike Barinholtz as a cast member he never really did a lot of different roles where most involved him acting as himself with that dry sarcastic sense of humour he has. Frank Caeti never really got the air time he deserved which is a shame, it is going to be interesting to see what the new cast members are like.

[nick]

No Nicole RJ makes me upset, and I don't think we're going to be getting another African American woman in the cast, which is going to be a MADtv first, I guess.

The new guy Dan (from a quick Google) is part of Boom Chicago Amsterdam, so he's linked to almost half of the current cast, so I don't see many problems with him fitting in. He has a few videos up at the Boom Chicago site, which I haven't checked out yet.

[Rurry]

I'm actually kinda pissed about Nicole RJ, Bobby has been on 6 years and is getting worn out, Nicole RJ has been on a measly two, but already has Darell (who has hit it big with casuals) and Ka-Son and several pretty funny imperssions. Stupid. -_- Hopefully they do spread some of her sketches out around the season, I'd hate to see Darell, such a promising character, end after only two sketches.

Interesting article from The Futon Critic regarding Season 13, though...

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.a...=20070722fox03

The "setting the stage for the next 13" statement makes it sound like they don't expect Season 13 to be the last. And a theater-like setting? Live show-like setting? Are they taking an improv-like route, or a *gasp* SNL like route?

[potroastpig]

Oh come on Bobby, leave already ......I'm thrilled Crista is staying.....I'm really sad that Lisa is leaving....I thought she was going to be something great......Bobby Lee needs to move on....badly......

[Dot's Boyfriend]

I agree with you Rurry on how NRJ > Bobby. And then we have Michael McDonald and how he has been on mad for whats going to be 10 seasons now, can't he let others enjoy there time on MADtv by not filling up a postion of the cast.

[MADfan2004]

Damn it, no Lisa. I think this is a big mistake.

Also, no Nicole? I figured she'd be the one they KEPT, since they need her for roles that the other females can't do.

Ah, well, I guess it's okay.

[King of Kings]

I wonder why they're getting rid of Lisa Donovan after only a few episodes. She didn't even get to do that much. Maybe she doesn't get along with the rest of the cast.

[blackwind]

Original post updated.

Originally Posted by Rurry

The "setting the stage for the next 13" statement makes it sound like they don't expect Season 13 to be the last.

PR-speak is a wonderful thing, isn't it?

[Rurry]

Okay so clearly they are once again off with their numbers because, if 1105 was the 250th (although it wasn't really, apparently), that would make the S11 finale, 1122, #267. Add the 22 episodes of Season 12 and you get 289. If the Nov. 17th episode is the 300th, that would make it Episode 1306. Doesn't add up - if 1301 will be the 290th, then 1311 is technically the 300th, making 1306 the 295th. Unless I did all that math wrong, lol.

Not like the 100th and 200th episodes were actually the 100th or 200th episodes, but eh.

[funny_guy]

I see on Dan Oster's youtube page there a clip of him doing various impressions and characters where he does a Dane Cook impression and pretty bang on impression of Christian Bale from American Psycho, quite funny!

[blackwind]

I think I prefer Ike's Dane, but Dan does one badass Andy Samberg.

[MADfan2004]

Originally Posted by blackwind

[*]He *does* have a YouTube profile.

Yikes, LisaNova he ain't.

Anyway, with YET ANOTHER budget cut, what does this mean for the animation sketches?

[blackwind]

Aside from the logical conclusions that can be drawn, unknown at this point.

[Rurry]

I see them gone...although S9 had animation and it had a ridiculously small budget.

[TheGooseGoblin]

The biggest loss IMO is Frank, hands down. I am so glad to hear Crista is a sure thing for season 13 so I guess Frank's departure is what upsets me the most.

I loved season 12 and this huge change is exciting but I hope it is for the best.

I like the theatre location, it probably beats being shot in a studio. I wonder how this will change the show also.