When Ike Barinholtz left "MADtv," he talked about moving on to "greener pastures." In the interest of extending this metaphor, we shall consider Ike's starring role in the upcoming film Lock and Roll Forever the latest patch of grass from those pastures:

"Sony's Japanese music arm is partnering with the producers of High School Musical for Lock and Roll Forever, a feature centered on an all-girl Japanese band coming to America.

Lock is a co-venture between T&C Pictures and Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Producers are Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush, the team behind three iterations of High School Musical; Arata Matsushima is exec producing.

Script's penned by another member of the High School Musical team, Peter Barsocchini. TV helmer Chris Grismer, whose credits include "Queer as Folk" and "Playmakers," is directing.

Pic stars members of Oreska Band from a small Japanese industrial city. Lucas Grabeel (High School Musical), Ike Barinholtz, Taylor Negron, Brad Dourif and Naoko Nozawa also star.

Shooting began this week; locations include Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and Japan.

Music industry veteran Kaz Utsunomiya is the music producer."

Gee, should a few more people brought onto the payroll? Unfortunately, we do not yet know anything about the character Ike will play in Lock or even about the significance of his role. We also do not yet know when the film is scheduled to be released, although one can speculate that it will probably show up in theaters some time in the middle of 2008. At any rate, if you're interested in following Ike through his greener pastures, then Lock and Roll Forever is -- forgive me -- your latest chance to graze!

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!

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.

After hearing Frank Caliendo's comments about the show recieving a revamp this season, I decided to try and find out what this meant for myself. Here's what I got from an undoubtedly reliable source:

1. There will be no new castmembers. This season, MADtv is sticking with a smaller group of 10 so that everyone gets fair air time, and nobody gets "forgotten" like Frank and Daniele did last year. This doesn't mean there won't be any new featured players joining the show later in the season, but for now, there are none.
2. Speaking of Frank and Daniele, they are the only castmembers leaving (apart from Stephnie). Frank Caeti and Nicole Randall Johnson have been promoted, and Arden is retaining her position as a regular. That gives us a cast consisting of Ike Barinholtz, Frank Caeti, Crista Flanagan, Keegan-Michael Key, Bobby Lee, Michael McDonald, Arden Myrin, Nicole Parker, Jordan Peele and Nicole Randall Johnson.
3. As with last year, there is going to be more of a push for shorter sketches, and therefore more sketches per show. In addition, there will be more location shooting, which was noticeable last season and provided some variety. I just hope it doesn't mean an "adventure" sketch every episode.
4. Shooting starts tomorrow, August 21st.

I should be able to get the #1201 episode description from FOX in a week or two. Until then, this is all I got.

Thanks to my super-secret source for the information.

According to the Chicago Sun Times, the 2006 Chicago Improv Festival will feature current MADtv castmembers Ike Barinholtz, Keegan-Michael Key, Nicole Parker and Jordan Peele, and will also feature the "MADtv Writers On Hiatus" and Tami Sagher's show "Tami Sagher Is Not In A Good Place."

We have recieved word that Mo Collins will be an emcee for one of the main stage events, and in addition, Michael McDonald, Crista Flanagan, Nicole Randall Johnson and Frank Caeti will all be in attendance.

The 9th incarnation of the Chicago Imrpov Festival will run from April 24th - 30th.

We've been waiting a long time for this, and it's finally surfaced thanks to a bit of sleuthing. The cast changes for the 11th season of MADtv are as follows:

Departing: Spencer Kayden, Ron Pederson, Aries Spears, Paul Vogt

Returning: Ike Barinholtz, Frank Caliendo, Daniele Gaither, Keegan-Michael Key, Bobby Lee, Michael McDonald, Nicole Parker, Jordan Peele, Stephnie Weir

New Castmembers: Arden Myrin, Crista Flanagan

New Featured Players: Frank Caeti, Nicole Randall Johnson

So there you have it. Now, in addition to two Franks in the cast, we also have two Nicoles! Nicole Randall Johnson studied at the Groundlings and has made appearances in tv shows such as CSI, Reno 911!, Felicity and Monk. She also made a brief appearance in the current #1 movie in America, The 40 Year Old Virgin.

And this tiny spoiler comes from FOX.com, outlining what we can expect in the first episode:

For the momentous 11th season premiere, the late-night comedy lampoons Hugh Laurie (Michael McDonald) and the FOX hit HOUSE. The hilarity continues with parodies of Vince Vaughn (Ike Barinholtz) in “Wedding Crashers” and Morgan Freeman (Jordan Peele) in “March of the Penguins” on MADtv airing Saturday, Sept. 17 on FOX.

Don't forget to watch!