As MADtv fans, we all know that Summers without MAD can get pretty dull, well what if there was a show that could take some of MADtv's greatest female cast members, and have them show there comedy skills? Well, the waiting is over, as that performance will be coming to the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club in a comedy performance that is being called Ladies of Mad Tv.

The program will be hosted by none other than MADtv original Debra Wilson Skelton, who with her Whitney Houston, and Oprah Winfrey impressions, among others, will no doubt be keep the audience laughing throughout the night. Following her, as the feature act will be short lived cast member Jill-Michele Melean. As comedians go, Jill-Michele is one of the best on the Hollywood comedic scene, and will surely keep the laughs going. To close out the show will be the headliner. This headliner graced the stage of MADtv for 6 seasons, and introduced us to such great characters like Lorraine Swanson, Trina Moss, and Doreen Larkin. If you haven't figured out who this is by now (which if you haven't, shame on you. Have you paid attention to MADtv like at all?), it is the beauty from Minni Mo Collins, who will regal us about many things, like the current status of her underwear drawer.

One show already took place on the 15th, but don't worry MADtv fans, more shows will be coming in July, from the 16th to the 18th at 8:00PM with an added show on the 17th at 10:00PM.

So be sure to catch this momentous showing of 3 great MADtv ladies at the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club in Universal City, California. Just don't go there after surgery, as the comedy coming out of these 3 ladies will no doubt leave the stitches busted.

The number to buy tickets can be found on Mo Collin's official Myspace page under Upcoming Gigs, under the link "The Jon Lovitz Comedy Club- Ladies of Mad Tv".

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.

A reliable source has just revealed a skeletal line up for MADtv's impending 300th episode guest cast. As the title suggests, some of you may be shocked at the purported line up, some may be delighted and many will be disappointed. Either way you look at it, it is not what many of us were expecting, to say the least. So far, a longstanding source of mine, affiliated with the FOX network, has provided four names to whet the appetites of eager fans waiting for any bit of information pertaining to the (hopefully) spectacular 300th episode.

As we've known for a few days now, Will Sasso was announced, and confirmed, as returning. In addition to Will, I have learnt that his partner in crime, Alex Borstein will also be putting in an appearance on the November 17th show.

Speaking of partners in crime, would any milestone celebration be complete without Michael McDonald's original counterpart, Mo Collins? It appears not, as she appears to be returning for episode 300 as well.

And as the title suggests, there is a shocking return, the news of which should delight a number of forum regulars. Though this person was not expected to return to the show in any capacity, she appears to have had a change of heart. That's right, the original and best Oprah impressionist will be gracing that MADtv stage once more. At this stage, Debra Wilson is the fourth guest star in the alumni line up.

So there you have it. Whether these four castmembers are the only alumni returning in any capacity remains to be seen. For now, the information available to us suggests that they are, and it brings into question why the likes of such big names in MADtv history are not on the roster. The most notable omissions in my mind, Nicole Sullivan and Stephnie Weir, may be appearing on the show at some point further in the season, or their attendance may be announced in the coming days. Either way you cut it, this is where we stand for now. Additions and retractions are possible, as we await more information from more sources.

Let the discussion begin!

If you are in the Malibu, CA area on Saturday, September 29th, then you may want to catch "The Best Medicine," a benefit concert for the City of Hope that will feature current "MADtv" cast members and alumni among its performers. Proceeds from the benefit will be used to fund breast cancer research, treatment, and education programs at the City of Hope. According to the information found here, the "MADtv" notables scheduled to appear include current cast members Michael McDonald, Nicole Parker, and Bobby Lee; "MADtv" alumni Mo Collins and Stephnie Weir; and writer Michael Hitchcock, best known to most "MADtv" fans as Simeon, the crazed announcer from the "Lillian Verner Game Show" sketches. "The Best Medicine" will be hosted by comedian Denis Leary, along with his band, the Crown Royals. Other comedians who will be present include Martin Short, "Bobcat" Goldthwait, Lenny Clarke, and Groundlings alum Tim Bagley. For your musical enjoyment (or not), the "My Sharona" boys themselves, the Knack, will also perform.

Another interesting connection with "MADtv" served as the initial inspiration for this benefit:

"Leary got involved in the project through his connection with Lauren Dombrowski, a breast cancer survivor and City of Hope patient. Leary and Dombrowski, co-executive producer for 'Mad TV,' both attended Emerson College in Boston and have remained friends.

While Dombrowski has long made people laugh, in 2003, her life took a serious turn. She arrived at City of Hope with stage 4 breast cancer after two years of failed treatments elsewhere. George Somlo, M.D., co-director of City of Hope's Breast Cancer Program, became her trusted physician.

'I knew right away that Dr. Somlo would give me the best care available,' Dombrowski said. 'But it was his quick wit and ability to make me laugh that really helped me the most.'

Today, Dombrowski does not fight cancer simply through the chemotherapy she continues to undergo regularly. She came up with the idea for 'The Best Medicine' as a way to battle the disease and support breast cancer research through humor, her area of expertise."

Lauren, we at Planet MADtv wish you and Denis continued success with your fund-raising efforts. Here's hoping that laughter can indeed be "the best medicine" as the search for a breast cancer cure continues.

"The Best Medicine" benefit will be held at the Malibu Performing Arts Center (in Malibu, CA) on Saturday, September 29th. The time listed for the event is 7:00pm, which one would logically assume is local time, or PST. (It translates to 10:00pm EST.) A silent auction for various celebrity items will also be held at the benefit. At any rate, if you have a chance to attend (and thus to catch the aforementioned "MADtv" notables in action), then please post a report for us!

Mo Collins has joined the cast of a new FOX sitcom, centering on the relationship between a Los Angeles-based comedy duo comprised of African-American comediennes Francis Callier and Angela Shelton. From Reuters:

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Mo Collins, Michael Boatman and Garrett Morris have been hired to co-star in Fox's female buddy comedy pilot "Frangela."

The show stars comedians Frances Callier and Angela Shelton.

Morris will play the superintendent of the apartment building the two women live in. Collins will play Callier's boss, while Boatman will play her husband.

It's good to see that Mo has found another solid sounding show, although FOX's track record with sitcoms as of late has been less than successful. Still, this show seems pretty original for a mainstream sitcom at present, so here's hoping it gets picked up and does well.

According to comingsoon.net, Mo Collins has signed on to co-star in Patricia Heaton's ABC comedy pilot. As of now, the pilot remains without a name, and a summary has not been released. Updates to come when they are available.

Let's hope it's a success! Thanks goes out to Scorpiogrrl4405 and Mo herself for the infomation. Way to go, Mo!

Mo Collins will be featured in a new rock and roll comedy. This from www.thegauntlet.com...

Guitar legend Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne's lead guitarist) and comedian Jim Breuer (Saturday Night Live) have teamed up for CRAPSHOOT, a new rock and roll comedy now available exclusively on DVD. The free-flowing show combines Wylde’s larger than life persona with Breuer’s hilarious comedic skills. The combination of the two results in a hybrid show mixing reality, sketch comedy, improv, and mind-blowing music.

Crapshoot was originally created and produced as a television pilot by David Kister and Murray Oden. They paired Wylde’s intense energy and musical gifts with Breuer’s freewheeling comedy and hardcore love for rock, while gathering a stellar supporting cast o’ characters. Crapshoot features Mad TV’s Mo Collins (Mad TV, Arrested Development & The 40-Year-Old Virgin) and a variety of other comedic talent for a well rounded show.

It's amazing that we didn't hear of this sooner seeing how we have an inside lead to her. Way to go Mo! Crapshoot is available exclusively on-line at www.crapshoot.tv for $19.99 plus S+H.

Mo Collins has received a small role in an upcoming film called "Cook Off". We don't have a lot of information on the film as of now, but we do know it is an improv film, in which Mo plays a housewife in a 50's era infomercial.

Additional information will be provided as soon as we receive it. Thanks to Scorpiogrrl4405 and Mo Collins for the information.