Alas, there is great news for all of those "MADtv" fans who think that Nicole Parker is the best thing since the Wacky WallWalker and are therefore ready to take to the streets with torches in hand once she leaves the show. Well, feel free to put aside the gasoline-soaked stakes and matchbooks temporarily, for we at Planet MADtv have it on good authority that Nicole's contract with the series has been extended for eight episodes. In other words, if we abide by the assumption (however dire) that there will indeed be a Season 14 of "MADtv," then we can expect to see Nicole among next season's cast members, at least for the aforementioned episodes. Again, in no way does this Nicole news imply that the prospect of a Season 14 is a given, only that Nicole will be on board for eight episodes if it actually comes to fruition. Proceed with caution at this stage, sports fans; after all, studies show that carts before horses tend not to move too fast.

From this latest news, we can conclude that the claims Nicole made in this August 2007 article were slightly premature. Still, we may likewise read a great deal of validity into her assertion that she wishes to do things apart from "MADtv," as evidenced by her ever-growing interest in Broadway and other outside entertainment pursuits. As far as Nicole's tentative sixth "MADtv" season is concerned, we are likely looking at a scenario in which her eight episodes would be somewhat dispersed throughout the season a la Stephnie Weir's Season 11 contributions. Then again, who knows what the good folks in Alfredville have up their sleeves at this point? (Lint seems like a really good possibility.) At any rate, if we get a Season 14, then we get Nicole Parker too. You may now return to your regularly scheduled Wacky WallWalkers while you await further "MADtv" updates.

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!

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.

Current castmember Nicole Parker has recently returned from New York where she has been working with Martin Short on a new musical, which is intended to hit Broadway in Spring this year. The musical, which is titled "Martin Short Fame Becomes Me" features veteran Broadway stars, along with newcomers Nicole and Reno 911's Mary Birdsong.

This is very promising for Nicole, and I feel it deserves it own thread. You can find further information about the show here and here. Nicole really is one of the most well-rounded comic stars of today, in my opinion. No doubt that she will be amazing in this show. Congratulations Nicole!

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.

There are quite a few new and exciting developments that have surfaced lately, but unfortunately, there isn't much information regarding them.

Former castmember Ron Pederson has landed a gig on CBS' "The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson", where he will be featured in various comedy sketches. The show airs Monday through Friday at 12:35 am.

Paul Vogt will be appearing in a production of "Hairspray" at the Luxor Las Vegas, debuting in Febuary.

Frank Caliendo once again needs your vote! Frank is a contender in Comedy Central's "Stand Up Showdown", where fans decide the pecking order of Comedy Central's top 25 stand up comedians. If I recall correctly, Frank was ranked in the top 5 last year. You can vote for Frank to be #1 here or text "CALIENDO" to 91757 to cast your vote via text messaging.

Bobby Lee will be making an appearance in a new film by Chris Chan Lee. From IMDb:

A crime drama set in LA's Koreatown, UNDOING introduces us to Samuel, who returns after a mysterious absence to reconcile the death of his best friend exactly one year ago.

Bobby's character is named Kenny, and you can view the offcial site here.

And finally, Simon Helberg has two upcoming film appearances, the first is in "The TV Set", which is the story of a TV pilot as it is being made, and "For Your Consideration" the latest comedy by Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy, in the tradition of "Waiting For Guffman" and "Best In Show". Christopher Guest comedies are in my opinion some of the best movies ever made, and easily my favorite comedies of all time. Will Sasso has had brief appearances in the last two, and while he hasn't been credited in the latest, Simon's appearance should be interesting nonetheless.

2005 was a great year for former and current MADtv castmembers, with almost half the show cast (past and present) getting their "big (post MADtv) break." Hopefully the success of some of Hollywoods most gifted actors and comedians will continue in the new year.