Ike Barinholtz may be gone from "MADtv"; but he and current "MADtv" cast member Crista Flanagan will soon be appearing together in a new comedy film, Hunting and Fishing, slated for a 2008 release. Granted, Hunting and Fishing itself may be new; nevertheless, it comes to us via the same, old assembly line as the sequel-happy Scary Movie series of films. Still, one supposes that in "MADtv" circles, these things actually count as progress. Observant Crista fans will note that the film's directors, Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, directed her earlier this year in Epic Movie. Hunting and Fishing will mark Ike's first gig with the dynamic directing duo, and what better post-"MADtv" launch into A-list fame could Ike ask for than the anonymously titled character "Prophet #1"? As for Crista's character, it is being billed as "Ugly Betty/Spartan Girl." When one considers that other characters in Hunting and Fishing are named "Ryan Seacrest," "Sanjaya," and "K-Fed," one wonders if Crista's "Ugly Betty" has anything in common with the eponymous character of the ABC television series. Unfortunately (or fortunately), we have no way to gauge since additional details are not known at this time. Cue the broken record: stay tuned for further updates!

Special thanks go to blackwind for this story's submission.

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!

In other Crista news, it seems our favorite big-eyed beauty has landed herself a recurring role on the new AMC show "Mad Men". Never heard of it? Join the club. Here's the jazz from the official site:

The Setting: In 1960, advertising agencies were an all-powerful influence on the masses. Personal and professional manipulation and sexual exploits defined the workplace and closed the deals. The high profile Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency created advertising campaigns -- from cigarettes to political candidates -- better than anyone. It was a time of great ferment. Women had barely begun to come into their own. Librium and birth control were on the move. Ethics in the workplace, smoke-free environments, sexual harassment and ethnic diversity were workshops of the future.

The Premise: The series depicts the sexual exploits and social mores of this most innovative yet ruthless profession, while taking an unflinching look at the ad-men who shaped the hopes and dreams of Americans on a daily basis.

The Players: The series revolves around the conflicted world of Don Draper (Hamm), the biggest ad man (and ladies man) in the business, and his colleagues at the Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency. As Don makes the plays in the boardroom and the bedroom, he struggles to stay a step ahead of the rapidly changing times and the young executives nipping at his heels. The series also depicts authentically the roles of men and women in this era while exploring the true human nature beneath the guise of 1960 traditional family values.

"Mad Men" premieres July 19th, 10:00pm EST on AMC. While Crista's character isn't slated to appear for another few weeks yet, be sure to tune in tomorrow if you want to get a feel for the show. When available, this post will, of course, be updated with further information about her appearances.

UPDATE (08/28): Crista's first episode, "The Hobo Code", is scheduled to air on September 6th. Presumably, she will continue to appear on the show each week until her character is phased out.

UPDATE (09/01): AMC's site has just been updated with a preview of "The Hobo Code". Stop by for a sneak peek at Crista's character, Lois Sadler.

Crista Flanagan is returning to MADtv for Season 13. That is all.

Each summer, we at Planet MADtv take it upon ourselves to piece together the upcoming season's prospects from various tidbits found around the web. Generally, the pickings are slim, and nothing we report is particularly earth-shattering. Such is the nature of the show. This year, however, in what I can only describe as an unwelcome change, we have an exclusive that's sure to ruffle a few feathers.

Here's what we currently know:

• Your favorite cast member and mine, Michael McDonald, has stated that he'll be returning for S13. Put away the balloons and streamers, folks -- we have at least one more year to go.
• As previously reported, Bobby Lee is developing an original series for Comedy Central, but he plans to juggle both that and MADtv for the foreseeable future. While this by no means definitively confirms his status for next season, he seems like a safe bet at this point.
• It has been said that Arden Myrin is in and Crista Flanagan is out. Until we receive further confirmation, consider these to be rumors.

As for the show itself, it seems MADtv is currently undergoing major changes in at least three key areas: shooting schedule, format, and cast. Details are scarce at this time, but we're able to confirm that, as of this moment...

• Five cast members are departing. Yes, that's half of the S12 cast.
• Three new players have been hired -- one of whom is Anjelah Johnson.

It's unclear where, if anywhere, mid-season addition Lisa Donovan fits into these figures. Does she count as one of the newcomers, leaving only one more slot available? Is it possible that she'll be the cannon fodder that softens the blow of this mass cast exodus? We'll find out soon enough.

With all that out of the way, I now present to you the Season 13 cast lineup as we currently know it:

Returning: Michael McDonald (confirmed), Bobby Lee (safe bet), Arden Myrin (rumored), [?], [?], [?]
Joining: Anjelah Johnson, [?], [?]
Departing: Crista Flanagan (rumored), [?], [?], [?], [?]

With 2-3 of 6 returning slots already occupied by some of the show's least popular cast members, how many of our favorites will be back in September? Where will these sweeping changes leave a show that was only just beginning to once again rise from its own ashes? And how many death threats will the network executives receive if Nicole Parker hits the ol' dusty trail? Let the speculation begin!

UPDATE (06/28): We've just confirmed that MADtv contracts -- historically, at least -- are five-year deals. Furthermore, to this date, no cast member has ever left the show after four seasons. This means that, if Bobby and Arden are, indeed, returning, this is most likely your final Season 13 cast:

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

This eliminates Lisa Donovan from the proceedings and leaves us with two new featured players yet to be announced. Is it possible this will be the first year we hammer out the complete cast listing before the official announcement is made? Stay tuned to find out! Oh, the drama!

UPDATE (06/30): This report has now been called "pretty accurate" by an alternate source. While our source was unable to provide any further details about the cast (which may signify that we were bang-on), he or she *did* pass along a few more tidbits about the aforementioned "major changes" taking place on the show:

• Shooting has been moved to a different studio.
• Usage of remotes is set to rise sharply.
• Once again, the episode count has dropped -- this time, from 22 to 18.

Doesn't inspire a whole lot of confidence in the possibility of a Season 14, does it?

UPDATE (07/05): Based on an article from the Chicago Sun-Times, we reported yesterday that Keegan-Michael Key, Arden Myrin, Nicole Parker, and Jordan Peele have been rehired for Season 13. Unfortunately, this information was, in turn, primarily based on *our* report, so it holds no more weight than it did previously. We apologize for the misunderstanding.

The Sun-Times article mentions that Frank Caeti and Ike Barinholtz have moved on. This is true. In addition, we can definitively confirm, based on our own research, that Arden Myrin is returning to the show. Beyond that, we know nothing further at this time.

UPDATE (07/12): Details are once again scarce at this time, but it seems we're now looking at 4-6 departures, with six being unlikely, four being entirely possible, and five still being the odds-on favorite. Keep your fingers crossed, folks -- there may be hope for S13 yet!

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.

Crista Flanagan will be in upcoming theatrical film, "Epic Movie". Based on this promotional still and her IMDb profile, she will be playing a (pregnant) Hermione. The plot of "Epic Movie" is as follows:

The twisted minds of two of the six writers of "Scary Movie" tackle the biggest mega-blockbusters of all time in "Epic Movie." The story centers on four not-so-young orphans: one raised by a curator at the Louvre (where an albino assassin lurks), another a refugee from Mexican "libre" wrestling, the third a recent victim of snakes on her plane, and the fourth a "normal" resident of a mutant "X"-community. The hapless quartet visits a chocolate factory, where they stumble into an enchanted wardrobe that transports them to the land of Gnarnia (with a "G"). There they meet a flamboyant pirate captain and earnest students of wizardry - and join forces with, among others, a wise-but-horny lion to defeat the evil White Bitch of Gnarnia

Make sure to check out the movie, opening in theatres January 27th, 2007.

New episodes are just around the corner, and for once, it seems like The Powers That Be behind MADtv are actively trying to generate some buzz for the series.

From TheFutonCritic.com:

This November Sweeps, MADtv serves up late-night laughs with four all-new episodes. On Saturday, Nov. 4 (11:00 PM-Midnight ET/PT), singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado pays a visit to the late-night laugh riot, which will also feature a parody of "Project Runway." The following week, Saturday, Nov. 11 (11:00 PM-Midnight ET/PT), Seth MacFarlane, the hilariously twisted mind behind FOX hits FAMILY GUY and AMERICAN DAD, guest-stars on MADtv, bringing with him a never-before-seen clip of FAMILY GUY as a live-action comedy featuring "Stewie" (Bobby Lee), "Chris" (Frank Caeti), "Lois" (Arden Myrin), "Meg" (Crista Flanagan) and "Peter" (guest star MacFarlane). The same night, MADtv welcomes musical guest Los Lonely Boys. The late-night madness continues with two additional all-new episodes on Saturday, Nov. 18 and Saturday, Nov. 25 (11:00 PM-Midnight ET/PT), the latter featuring a performance by the new queen of punk, Lady Sovereign.

No mention of the previously announced Tom Bergeron and Efren Ramirez guest stints, but maybe they'll show up in the unannounced episode.