Watch Comedy Central tonight at 10:30pm EST as Andrew Daly simultaneously dons beer goggles and sticks it to the suds. On tonight's episode of comedian Lewis Black's new series, "Root of All Evil," Andrew will debate beer's evil influence with fellow comedian Paul F. Tompkins, who in turn will advocate that weed, not beer, is indeed the true root of all evil. Which would-be attorney will win his case, thereby sentencing his choice of the evil substances to the slammer, where it will have to endure numerous anal atrocities from heroin and the like? The honorable judge Lewis Black will hear both sides and reach a verdict, one that will certainly have a direct bearing on the United States judicial system for years to come. If you miss the premiere of tonight's episode, then you will have to wait a whole hour and a half to catch the re-air on Thursday morning at 12:30am EST. After that, you will have to content yourself with the infinite re-airs that are sure to follow. Poor you!

Although we do not yet know whether Andrew Daly will appear on future episodes of "Root of All Evil," do not rule out the possibility. According to this article, the series is employing several comedians as "advocates" for various episodes, including Comedy Central regulars and semi-regulars such as Tompkins, Greg Giraldo, and Patton Oswalt. Since Andrew himself was also a regular on a not-too-dissimilar Comedy Central series, the short-lived "Crossballs," it would not be unreasonable -- or maybe it would be, depending on one's perspective -- to suggest that we could very well see old Andy pop up on a future "Evil" episode. In the meantime, go here if you would like to see a preview clip of tonight's substance-slanted verbal slaughter. If Andrew has his way, then beer is so getting life. Case closed.

Aw, have you been missing your "Rapid-Fire Apperances"? Well, rest assured that "RFA" has been missing you too. Its life as a recurring Front Page News thread would be so empty if you, dear "MADtv" fan, were not a major part of it. Now that we have blown this rather bizarre personification completely out of proportion, let us now find out where some of your favorite (and not-so-favorite) "MADtv" cast members will pop up next in the magical world of film and television.

We will commence this edition with some Phil LaMarr movie news. Frankly, your chances to catch Quid Pro Quo at your local theater may prove to be slimmer than Mischa Barton; still, the independent film merits mention, if only for its bizarre premise, as stated in this review:

"An exceedingly odd meeting of the minds (and bodies) occurs in Quid Pro Quo, a strikingly original and provocative first feature from scribe-helmer Carlos Brooks. Touching on one of New York's weirder subcultures -- perfectly mobile, able-bodied people with paralysis envy -- this very funny two-hander has the wit to treat potentially offensive material with an offhand drollery that is immediately disarming, even as it builds a disturbing level of intimacy between its excellent leads, Nick Stahl and Vera Farmiga."

How Phil's supporting character, Barry, factors into the whole, crazy scheme is something you will have to figure out when and if you get a chance to see the film, which has already premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. Keep an eye and two able yet wheelchair-envious legs out for it.

Do you remember Andrew Daly? Will Ferrell does. In addition to Andrew's starring role in HBO's "East Bound and Down" TV series, he is now brushing shoulders with the "SNL" alum in the upcoming comedy film Semi-Pro, scheduled for a Friday, February 29th, release date. The film's plot involves the dissolution of the American Basketball Association (ABA), a real league which eventually merged with the NBA. The fictional ABA team managed by Ferrell's character attempts one last shot at glory, hoping to become one of only four ABA teams that the NBA chooses to bring into its fold. Andrew plays Dick Pepperfield, who, according to the promotional photos found here and here, is a reporter and sports show host of some kind. At any rate, go here if you want to read more about the film. Here, here!

How much personal pride must one sacrifice to be a supporting actor in a Paris Hilton movie? Ask Kathryn Fiore, who has nabbed that glorious honor in an early Oscar favorite for 2008 entitled The Hottie and the Nottie. This work of Thespian wonder centers around Paris's character -- ah, oxymorons! -- and an old flame, Nate (Joel Moore), whom she will agree to date again only if her ugly best friend, June (Christine Lakin), can be hooked up with someone too. For the benefit of anyone who has not already moved on to the next paragraph, Kathryn plays Jane, the angry ex-girlfriend of the aforementioned old flame. This lovely review is probably just the first glowing example of the praise-filled press which is such to follow as Hottie retches its way to theaters on Thursday, February 21st. Missing it would be so not hot -- not!

Now that we have ably summarized "MADtv" cast members' latest forays into motion picture immortality, we will now move on to some truly good news (for a welcome change) regarding a couple of noteworthy television series. Both Frank Caliendo's impressionfest, "Frank TV," and Simon Helberg's geekfest, "The Big Bang Theory," have been picked up for the fall. We at Planet MADtv would sincerely like to congratulate these two "MADtv" alumni on their good fortune and wish them continued success. Many thanks go to blackwind for the 411 on this story.

Uh-oh, has the "Rapid-Fire Appearances" well run dry again? Never fear, dear readers; for before you know it, that well will be overflowing with the "water" of more news concerning "MADtv" cast members' movie and television appearances. For all of our sakes, I hope that water will not consist of only tears.

Welcome to another fun-filled, fact-filled installment of "Rapid-Fire Appearances," the new Planet MADtv feature that dispenses with most of the usual journalistic brouhaha in order to bring you the straight scoops on the latest television and movie appearances of your favorite "MADtv" cast members. Since Christian Duguay, Dannah Feinglass, and Andrew Daly are almost certainly the three "MADtv" alumni whose career tracks most often fall under fans' microscopes, suffice it to say that there's much to be excited about right now.

First comes directorial news regarding Christian Duguay. The Season 6 luminary (if there ever were such a thing) will step behind the camera for the pilot episode of "Cane," the new CBS drama about the various rivalries and power struggles within a large, highly successful Cuban-American family. In the series pilot, Pancho, the ailing family patriarch, decides to name one of his two sons a successor to take over the family business, Duque Rum and Sugar. Meanwhile, Pancho's son Alex, played by "NYPD Blue" luminary Jimmy Smits (if there ever were such a thing), confronts the family's adversaries, the Samuels, on their less-than-honest business practices. Will Christian do justice to the director's chair, thereby giving "Cane" a sugar rush in the Nielsen Ratings? To find out, you must tune in to CBS on Tuesday, September 25th, at 10:00pm EST; however, for now, read here to find out more.

As for Season 6 of "MADtv," does anyone remember Dannah Feinglass? No? Well, perhaps her voice-over work as the title character of PBS's animated series "WordGirl" will help jog your memory, if not your vocabulary. Ah yes, all the loquacious superhero has to do is to shout out twenty-five-cent words like preposterous and cumbersome; and her enemies, including the notorious Chuck the Evil Sandwich-Making Guy, succumb immediately. All right, so admittedly, "WordGirl" is designed to appeal to children aged four to nine; however, if you have children, know someone who has children, or just want to relive your own childhood in a beneficially lexicographical and potentially encyclopedic fashion, then investigate your local television listings for the appropriate broadcast times in your particular vicinity. Ask your neurologist to investigate your cerebral cortex with an electroencephalograph if your viewing experience is anything less than supercalifragilisticexpialadicious.

Those who simply cannot get enough of Dannah Feinglass's voice-over work in children's animation may also want to check out her role as Zaria in "Tak and the Power of Juju." The show's plot involves Tak, a student shaman for the Pupununu tribe who communicates with the Juju, omniscient yet devilish supernatural beings. With the help of the Juju and his various animated friends (including, one presumes, Dannah's Zaria), Tak fights off rival tribes and engaging in various other misadventures. The computer-animated series is based on the identically titled video game from THQ, the three incarnations of which have sold over three million copies so far. Ah, commerce meets art! Although air times vary, new episodes of "Tak" normally air at 10:00am EST on Nickelodeon. The very, very, very young-at-heart who are so inclined may wish to check out this article for more information. Pupununu, Juju, and you--together, they are a true-blue coup!

Finally--last but least?--Andrew Daly, yet another Season 6 legend, will have a guest-starring role in HBO's "East Bound and Down." As befitting "MADtv" alumni in small roles, Andrew's character does not appear to have been given the dignity of a name or even a description; it's this kind of injustice that (almost) makes one wish that "Crossballs" were still on the air. At any rate, HBO has picked up six episodes of the comedy series, which features as its chief protagonist a washed-up baseball player who goes to work as a substitute gym teacher. It's the kind of instant classic that one would expect from Gary Sanchez, which is a new production company owned by Second City alum Adam McKay and "Saturday Night Live" luminary Will Ferrell (if there ever were such a thing). However, there is such a thing as this article, where you are hereby directed for further reading. Apparently, no air times have yet been announced; still, once we know, we will gladly pass on this information to diehard Andrew fans everywhere. Try not to crowd one another while you wait.

Well, sports fans, I'm afraid that will wrap up this episode of "Rapid-Fire Appearances." Tune in next time, when perhaps someone other than a Season 6 cast member will star in something noteworthy. So long for now!

UPDATE: As this article in The Hollywood Reporter makes clear, the Christian Duguay who directed the pilot episode of "Cane" is actually this guy, not the "MADtv" alum. Who could have possibly known that there is more than one Christian Duguay in the world, let alone in showbiz?

Also, as this article makes clear, Andrew Daly's role on "East Bound and Down" is more significant than we had originally thought. Andrew plays the principal who is engaged to the substitute gym teacher's former high school girlfriend, who is now a teacher at the school. We apologize for the earlier misinformation on both counts.

The season 12 cast of MADtv returns this year to the Chicago Improv Festival for another hilarious live ensemble improv show, along with the MADtv Writers on Hiatus, who will serve once again as the opening act. This year's performers are Ike Barinholtz, Frank Caeti, Crista Flanagan, Michael McDonald, Arden Myrin, Nicole Parker and Jordan Peele. The show is at 8pm next Saturday, April 28th, at Park West on 322 W. Armitage. Tickets are $37.50 and are available at the Park West box office, at Ticketmaster by calling 312-902-1500 and online at www.ticketmaster.com.

In addition, many of the star cast members will perform in their own shows. Nicole Parker will star in her own one woman show, Suitcase Full of Lies. She will also appear onstage with Baby Wants Candy. Frank Caeti will appear with ComedySportz, Ike Barinholtz will appear in Messing With A Friend and alumni Andrew Daly will appear with The Upright Citizens Brigade. Nicole Parker, Jordan Peele and Ike Barinholtz will also be featured in the Boom Chicago Alumni Jam.

Sounds like another great year at CIF. For more information, visit www.chicagoimprovfestival.org.

Former castmember Andrew Daly has secured a pilot with the TBS network.

From thefutoncritic.com:

OFF THE ROAD WITH ANDREW DALY takes the traveling reporter format made famous by Charles Kuralt and turns it on its head. Comic Andrew Daly (MadTV) is a likeable, earnest, folksy guy next door who seeks to do respectful, on-location reports from small-town America. Hitting the back roads of the country, he and his correspondents seek out unique people and special stories that make America great. Unlike Kuralt, however, Daly approaches the stories from a completely humorous angle. OFF THE ROAD WITH ANDREW DALY is being co-executive-produced and written by Daly, with Hugh Fink (Saturday Night Live) serving as writer and executive producer.

Andy has had a fair amount of small screen success in the past few years, first with a regular role on "Crossballs" and then on David Spade's "The Showbiz Show with David Spade." His own show seems like the next logical step.

Andrew Daly and Nicole Randall Johnson (who will be playing "Shanice") will appear in the upcoming comedy "School for Scoundrels". From IMDB:

Jon Heder plays an unlucky meter reader who enrolls in a confidence-building class so he can win the love of the girl of his dreams. The class turns out to be something quite different when it becomes clear to the young man that his professor (Billy Bob Thorton), has his sights set on the same girl. The film is set for release on 14th July, 2006.

Andrew will also be playing "Wayne" in another comedy, "What Is Love" which is scheduled to air later this year.

Since discussion is taking place in lasts years thread, and this years event features some new acts, I thought I'd create a brand spankin' new thread for the The Third Annual Los Angeles Improv Comedy Festival that is taking place between June 5th - June 11th 2005.

Among this years MADtv participants are Ike Barinholtz, Mo Collins, Andrew Daly, Keegan-Michael Key, Nicole Parker and MADtv writer Tami Sagher. The MADtv-involved events are as follows:

Sunday June 15th at 9pm: 313 (featuring Keegan- Michael Key)
Catch Second City Mainstage & E.T.C. alums Larry Joe Campbell (According to Jim), Andy Cobb, Joshua Funk, Nyima Funk, Marc Evan Jackson and MADtv's Keegan Michael Key perform an evening of improvisational theatre at it's best. If you're wondering what Second City is all about, this is it!.

Monday June 6th at 9pm: Armando (featuring Andrew Daly)
The Armando Show begins with one suggestion from the audience, which is then interpreted by that night's Armando (frequently a celebrity guest) through a personal and truthful improvised monologue. Inspired by that monologue, a cast composed of veteran Chicago and Los Angeles alumni perform scenes which, in turn inspire a response from Armando. This propels hilarious interchanges between Armando's monologues and the company's scenes.

Monday June 6th at 11pm: Baby Wants Candy (featuring Nicole Parker)
Baby Wants Candy is a Chicago-based theater group that has amazed audiences around the world with our signature show, a completely improvised hour-long musical. This team performs 'The Harold': A group of improvisers take a single suggestion from the audience and use it as a springboard to create thirty to forty-five minutes of scenes, games and monologues.

Cast: Don Bardwell, Craig Cackowski, Robert Dassie, Ali Davis, Josh Funk, Jack McBrayer and Nicole Parker. Piano by Andrew Melton.

Thursday June 9th at 10pm: Messing With A Friend (with special guest Ike Barinholtz)
Messing with a Friend is a joyous freak show. Susan Messing's special friend for The LA Improv Festival is the infamous Ike Barinholtz (MADtv). Come by and enjoy hell. They sure will.

Saturday June 11th at 5pm: Improv Forum (featuring Mo Collins)
Free - but you need to call and make reservation. (call the office Mon - Fri 11am to 6pm)
Featuring: Andy Dick (Less Than Perfect, News Radio, Andy Dick Show), Matt Besser (Upright Citizen's Brigade, Comedy Central's Crossballs), Mo Collins (MADtv, Arrested Development, & Fat Actress)

Saturday June 11th at 8pm: UCB presents ASSSSCAT 3000 (featuring Andrew Daly)
The Upright Citizens Brigade performs longform improv with possible special guests.
Scheduled to appear: Matt Besser (Upright Citizen's Brigade, Comedy Central's Crossballs), and others!

Saturday June 11th at 10pm: SNL & MADtv
You wanted the best, you got the best. These Improv All-Stars come back home to throw down in an old school improv bash.

Scheduled to appear: Seth Meyers (Saturday Night Live), Jerry Minor (Saturday Night Live), Mo Collins (MADtv, Arrested Development, & Fat Actress), Tim Meadows (Saturday Night Live), Ike Barinholtz (MADtv), Melanie Hutsell (Saturday Night Live), Nicole Parker (MADtv), Keegan-Michael Key (MADtv), Tami Sagher (MADtv) and others!

We got alot of feedback from people who went last year, so hopefully this year will be the same. Too bad Stephnie isn't going this year. For those of you who go, I expect plenty of pictures of Nicole Parker. Thanks in advance.

Thanks to Jim_Cockhurtz once again for this.

The MADtv Improv Jam is back, but this time in LA and with a twist. The cast is preparing to compete against SNL's cast in an all out improvisational showdown. This event, along with a few others which also feature MADtv cast members, are part of the Second Annual Los Angeles Improv Comedy Festival presented by the Improv Olympic. MADtv events include:

Sunday June 6th, 2004

• 8 PM WeirDass
  Two incredible improvisers perform long form the way it was meant to be seen - in front of a paying audience.
  Cast: Robert Dassie and Stephnie Weir

Saturday June 12th, 2004

• 6 PM Baby Wants Candy
  Baby Wants Candy is a Chicago-based theater group that has amazed audiences around the world with our signature show, a completely improvised hour-long musical. Features Nicole Parker.
• 8 PM Assswarm
  Matt Besser, Sean Conroy, Andy Daly, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh of the Upright Citizens Brigade's improv show Asssscat join Sean Conroy and Andrew Daly of the NYC's notorious SWARM.
• 11 PM SNL & MADTV
  You wanted the best, you got the best. These Improv All-Stars come back home to throw down in an old school improv bash.
  Cast - Celebs from both Saturday Night Live and Mad TV, including Mo Collins and Stephnie Weir.

Sunday June 13th, 2004

• 10 PM SNL & MAD TV: Night Two
  You wanted the best, you got the best. These Improv All-Stars come back home to throw down in an old school improv bash.
  Cast - Celebs from both Saturday Night Live and Mad TV, including Mo Collins and Stephnie Weir

The Chicago MADtv Improv Jam was a blast, I highly suggest to go if you are able to. There are some other events that the MADtv cast may be at, such as some Second City alumni events, but they were not listed so I am not 100% sure. For more info, visit festival.iowest.com.