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!

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.

Michael McDonald will be the first current MADtv castmember to appear on FOX's new late night show, "Talk Show with Spike Feresten" on October 7th.

From FOX.com:

Emmy-nominated writer Spike Feresten ("Seinfeld," "The Late Show with David Letterman") hosts MADtv veteran Michael McDonald tonight as his guest on late-night's newest entry. This fast-paced half-hour combines elements of a talk show with irreverent comedy sketches, both inside the studio and out in the field, and goes where other talk shows have gone before, only faster. The unconventional format dispenses the monologue, features comedy in every act and uses celebrity guests - and its own staff - in unpredictable ways.

For those of you who missed the premiere last Saturday, Talkshow directly follows MADtv on FOX.

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.

Since there are so many minor appearances in movies and television shows coming up, I thought I would compile them all into a single thread for February.

Michael McDonald will appear on the February 12 episode of "Desperate Housewives", entitled "Silly People." Desperate Housewives airs 9/8C, Sunday nights on ABC.

Mary Scheer will appear in an upcoming episode of the new FOX sitcom "Free Ride". The show premieres on March 1st, after American Idol and Mary is scheduled to appear in the third episode of the season, playing "Louise" in the episode titled "Up Your Auntie." Rumor has it that Mary will also be appearing in Aaron Sorkins new NBC Comedy, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip". Thanks to Knickers for the heads up regarding Free Ride.

Simon Helberg has made his mark on The Sundance Film Festival. "The Pity Card", in which he stars, premiered last week at Sundance. Originally intended to be an HBO series, writer/director Bob Odenkirk entered his idea as a film to Sundance after the network ditched the plan. An outline from Forward.com:

The film revolves around an unusual first date between a 20-something Jew, played by Simon Helberg, and a historically challenged shiksa goddess (Ange Billman). When the two visit the Holocaust Museum, she emerges devastated because she had never heard of the Holocaust. Her outrage that such a thing could happen makes her want to tell the world. Her bleats of sympathy for her companion do not help matters; he is already mortified at her ignorance.

Lisa Kushell will make an appearance on VH1's "100 Greatest Teen Stars" which starts tonight at 9 and continues all week. Thanks to Cartman2002 for the update.

Keegan-Michael Key will appear in the upcoming film "Alleyball" which is set for release later this year. Not much is known about this movie at present, but Keegan has second billing and one of his co-stars is Larry Joe Campbell, which links this production with the Second City.

Be sure to return to this thread in the future for more information regarding these appearances.

This last Saturday on episode #1107 there was a sketch titled "Marvin Tikkvah's Search for a Star" where Michael McDonald playing Marvin Tikvah invited audience members to come up on stage for an interview to possibly be a star on MADtv. He didn't find what he was looking for and invited the home audience to send in audition tapes. Here's the "full" scoop from the MADtv Informer...

Tikkvah is on the hunt for a star. After a failed attempt at finding someone in the MADtv studio audience, Marvin has decided to search for star material amongst our viewers.

Send in a DVD or VHS video of yourself telling (or showing) Marvin why you think you could be a star. And make sure you keep it under a minute!

Send it to:

Marvin Tikkvah's Search For a Star
P.O. Box 188
Hollywood, CA 90078

Goodluck!

Any submissions shall become the property of MADtv and Girl Group Company and will not be returned. By making a submission you agree that MADtv has the right to air any submitted material in part or in its entirety as MADtv may determine in its sole discetion with no obligation to remunerate for any submission whether or not aired. Any party making a submission agrees not to publicize that submission whether or not MADtv elects to air the submission. All rights are expressly reserved by MADtv and Girl Group Company.

As you may recall, there was another contest for MADtv fans in which the winners appeared in a MADtv sketch in episode #318. I don't know if this will be the same type deal where the winner(s) will appear in a sketch, but it's something worth trying if you're a die hard fan. Now get those camcorders out and go break a leg!
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