[MADtv] Your Favourite MADtv Era?

[Bad Habit]

What was your favourite MADtv season era?

As in, was it from Season 1-6? And what are your reasons for it?

Mine was from Season 6-11, because they had my favourite people in MADtv during them;

1. Nicole Sullivan (Vancome Lady XD)
2. Debra Wilson (Hello Girlfriend!)
3. Mo Collins (How can you not like Mo lol?)
4. Stephnie Weir (Look how small my gloves are!)
5. Nicole Parker (20% Rivolin...0 Cholestrol)
6. Ike Barinholtz (It's a Football Thing XD)
7. Josh Meyers (Hanging Toenail lol...eww)
8. Ron Pederson (Carpenter lol)
9. Paul Vogt (I'm not gay, I'm a pedophile! There's a difference!)

So yeah whats your favourite era?

[Notnilc11]

As much as I'd really like to say Nicole Sullivan, by favorite era would probably be Stephanie Weir.

[tarzapam]

i like all seasons for different reasons
but i guess if i had to single any out it'd be season 3 - 7
alex borstein,mo collins,debra wilson,phil lamar,lisa kushell...loves it

[blackwind]

Roughly, here's how I'd rate each season to date:

• Seasons 1-2: A+ (MADtv at its finest; the golden standard by which the show will always be judged)
• Season 3: A (much of the original cast departs; the newbies aren't quite able to keep pace)
• Seasons 4-5: B+ (Michael and Mo debut and drag a still otherwise-excellent series down another grade)
• Season 6: B- (the writing begins to slip; Nicole fades into the background; Stephnie and her nails-on-a-chalkboard voice make their debut)
• Seasons 7-8: F (Nicole departs; Bobby, Ike, and Paul join the cast; FOX, apparently, outsources the show's writing to a small group of mentally challenged chimps with typewriters)
• Seasons 9-10: D- (Mo departs; Nicole, Keegan, and Jordan breathe some life back into an all-but-dead series)
• Season 11: C+ (the writing begins to improve; Crista comes out swinging; the show becomes watchable for the first time in years)
• Season 12: B+ (an excellent overall effort, and probably as close as they'll ever come to a return to form)
• Season 13: D (the budget is cut; the chimps return; Crista, for all intents and purposes, becomes an extra; Bobby & Johnny's racial antics reign supreme; for the first time ever, the show is panned almost universally by its fanbase, and rightfully so; the end awaits)

So, in conclusion, thumbs up for Seasons 1-5 -- the Nicole Sullivan era.

[wonder8484]

Honestly, I found Season 3-5 the most entertaining seasons ever, and Season 12 was an excellent year too.

[JustG]

To me seasons 1-2 were amazing. Definitely classic stuff with the original cast. I enjoyed seasons 3-5; 6 was so-so and 7 was just awful to me. 8 was decent, 9-11 was a 3 year period of mixed feelings, and 12 was just stellar. So I would say that my favorite era was the nicole sullivan era as well (also known as the Alfred E. Neuman Era).

[Dartanian]

For me, Stephnie Weir is what got me into the show, and Nicole Parker is what has kept me watching since her departure, so I have to say, season 7 to present is my favourite era.

[TchaKnowWhat]

I haven't watched any of the new seasons sine 2005, buut I must say, seasons 1-5 do it fine for me. I was always a Nicole Sullivan fan, so that's pretty much my only reason. This was a solid group of castmates from each season, before the REALLY weak ones made the cast. Even if I hate Aries.

[seanmathis26]

Season 1-2 A+: It was what made MADtv and it has a great cast for there first two years

Season 3 C+: It was ok season but i did not really like it that much because of Chris hogan and Lisa, Too me they are not funny at all, but besides that the season was alright due to Aries, Will, Debra, Nicole, Phil, etc

Season 4-5 A+: This time i think MADtv got on a roll this was the first time they were pick up for *25 Episodes* from last season, and this Year Mo Collins and Michael McDonald debuts on MADtv and becomes the best kept stars on the show, this was there year for both of them and ratings started to increase.

Season 6-7 A-: Okay well these 2 seasons were awesome you had original Cast Members Debra Wilson, and Nicole Sullivan but it was also the last season for Nicole in 2001 and Will and Alex in 2002 and also for Christian who was there for only 1 year, whatever happen to the guy lol, anyways Season 6 and 7 lost ALLOT, ALLOT OF TALENT but these 2 seasons stayed good in the ratings, Debra Wilson was still there and she was leaving soon after her 7th year on the show.

Season 8 A+: To me this is there best work EVER due to Debra Wilson last season and Michael McDonald was finally in control on the Man side of the show, i don't know but there was something good about the show this season. only bad thing is that Will and Alex left, but what can you can you say it is a 5 year contract.

Season 9 B+: This season was really, and this season was strong without Debra and Michael McDonald must have sign a new contract cause his 5 years were up, Ron Pedersons, Paul Vogt, Ike from Season 8 went to the next Season which is really excellent, then Nicole Parker, Jordan peele, Keegan, and Danielle all came and made a good impact on the show this Season Ended with our very own Mo Collins who left after 6 years.

Season 10 A: the reason i gave it a "A" Because it is the tenth season of MADtv and of course this is Aries Last Season since Season 3, also Nicole, Danielle, Keegan, Jordan were all updated to the Cast member list for Season 10, Season 10 gets a "A" due to good GUEST STARS, and MADTV Alumni.

Season 11-12 :A(11)/A+(12) These 2 seasons were the new era of MADtv, Of course if any watches season 11 it was good, but the people from Season 9, Season 10 did not feel comfortable until Season 12 when that Season was really Strong, also Season 11 ended Weir 6 years on the show i was wishing for her to come back for 12 but aw well, Season 11 and Season 12 were very strong without the BIG STAR TALENT LIKE Season 6 which to allot of fans the best MADtv Season 6. Ike Barinholtz also left Season 12 i thought he was coming back for another but i heard his contract ended. this season for Michael McDonald would be his 9th Season on the show giving him a record of being the longest running star on MADtv.

Season 13: C+ This Season the 4 episodes were ok, except for the Joey Fatone Episode, also This season might not or might will be Good you just have to wait and see due to the Strike everything is messed up, but MADtv surley might be back for a 14th Season. we will see. this was also Bobby Lee Supposed last Season and Michael 10th Season, and Nicole, Keegan, and Jordan 5th Year.

[wonder8484]

Wow. That's the highest rating I've ever seen for Seasons 10, 6, and 7, and definately the lowest I've ever seen for S3. S3 is often regarded as one of MADtv's better seasons...

[seanmathis26]

Originally Posted by wonder8484

Wow. That's the highest rating I've ever seen for Seasons 10, 6, and 7, and definately the lowest I've ever seen for S3. S3 is often regarded as one of MADtv's better seasons...

o, lol well i like the later seasons like when weir came she kept the show from 2000-2006 and then Nicole kept it going from 2006-Present

[wonder8484]

Oh well. It's a refreshing change from all the "the show hasn't been the same since Nicole S. left"s. And besides, I do agree with you for the most part. A+ and A's accurately describe most seasons of MADtv; I mean, it is the funniest show on television right now.

[Bad Habit]

Originally Posted by wonder8484

Oh well. It's a refreshing change from all the "the show hasn't been the same since Nicole S. left"s. And besides, I do agree with you for the most part. A+ and A's accurately describe most seasons of MADtv; I mean, it is the funniest show on television right now.

Got that right .

Was hooked as soon as I got Foxtel lol. Nicole Sullivan was great on the show but I wouldn't say its not been the same since shes left. MADtv is still funny.

[Rurry]

MADtv, like any other sketch comedy show, went through phases...the early seasons were great, then around Season 6 they started to slip (honestly, I think Season 5 was when the writing started to slip, but since that's considered like the season of Jesus on these boards...), then from 7-10 it was basically unwatchable. 11 and 12 it came back, then 13 just had/has too many changes to be really succeed. But it had potential to be one of the best seasons ever, so it's sad.

[JustG]

I think season 5 was highly praised because it had practically the same cast from 4 minus Andrew Bowen not to mention it was the last year the show made references to MAD Magazine (the encores of CLOPS and Spy Vs. Spy). I wouldn't say that entirety of 7-10 being unwatchable is 100% true. Season 8 was probably the better of those 4 years. If anything I would say 7,9, and 10 were unbearable. 11 had it's moments, and 12 was the big comeback year. 13 is just like BW said; a "D."

[tarzapam]

i didn't think season 6 was THAT bad.
you people are just whingers

nicole sullivan is definitely over rated

[wonder8484]

I think, for the record, that Season 13 was wrecked by the writers' strike. Even weeks before the strike, the writers were unhappy- they weren't exactly going to produce their best material.

And as for the changes after Season 12: I don't think Ike, Frank, or Lisa Donovan would have made that much of a difference. And Nicole RJ would have been nice... but it wasn't as if these were horrific changes.

I think they probably have good material left for tomorrow's episode.

[Rurry]

The writers strike had nothing to do with Season 13's quality. The format change was most likely decided in May when MADtv was renewed, and the show just flat out doesn't work with the new format.

[JustG]

Just blame FOX for everything; they kicked them out of their old studio after 12 years and gave a half-ass excuse to support that decision.

[mizzimad]

Originally Posted by tarzapam

nicole sullivan is definitely over rated

Aren't there any stores in Australia that can repair that infernal broken record?

S1/S2 (A+/A+++...*just keep adding pluses*): I was watching a lot of bad television, but I didn't know that it could have led to my erectile dysfunction. Then my doctor told me about Nicole Sullivan, and my penis-sagging problems were solved. Along with a steady diet of David Herman, Phil LaMarr, Mary Scheer, Artie Lange, Orlando Jones, Bryan Callen, and -- *sigh!* -- I guess Debra Wilson too (even though it would take her a few years to shine), the first two seasons of "MADtv" changed my life forever. Ask your doctor about how you can become a bigger fan of these seasons than of the very good yet severely overrated Season 5.

S3/S4 (A-/A): Nicole Sullivan was still working for me, and the additions of several strong cast members to my diet helped keep me regular. Unfortunately, the increased reliance on parodies and recurring characters over strong one-offs made me feel irregular. Fortunately, most of the recurring characters were strong, even if the guest stars dragged down S3 somewhat. Still, some of my favorite sketches ever came from these years, and my doctor still approved of the show's progress.

S5/S6 (B+/B): At this point, my doctor advised me to proceed with caution. Strong one-offs would occasionally surface; but for the most part, the writing suffered noticeably, and I found myself battling the occasional bout of diarrhea. Nicole Sullivan, who had been helping to keep my E.D. at bay, appeared less frequently; and my doctor had ample reason to be concerned. Debra Wilson, however, seemed to thrive on the show's now highly pronounced overreliance on parodies and recurring characters; so the inevitable development of long-term health issues subsided, at least periodically.

S7/S8 (C/B): Season 7 took some big heat from devoted fans, and with good reason. Even though there were still some very strong cast members (McD, Will, Alex, Debra), the ever-weakening writing made my diarrhea a bigger concern than ever. During Season 8, however, things got somewhat more regular for me. "MADtv" began to show some quality one-offs once again; and even though most would disagree, my doctor supported the development of Ike and Josh as a strong duo. Still, the worst was just around the corner, and my doctor had ample reason to be concerned.

S9/S10 (D/D-): While I could never really bring myself to give these seasons an F (a distinction which I save for "SNL"), these were definitely the dog days of "MADtv"; now I had the possibility of rabies to worry about on top of everything else. In clinical studies performed on sane subjects, researchers concluded that there was a direct correlation between (1) regular exposure to Stephnie Weir's grating voice and even more grating performances and (2) the development of lifelong cardiovascular problems as a result of stress. With Mo out of the picture, with Aries' best days clearly behind him, with the addition of several new cast members who had yet to showcase what they could really do, and with the increased hiring of lobotomized monkeys (the ones bw mentioned) to handle the writing doodies [sic], the onslaught of diarrhea was too much for even the largest colostomy bag to contain. Fearful that the permanant stench was driving his patients away, my doctor relocated. As always, he had ample reason to be concerned, especially since I was seriously considering suing him for malpractice.

S11/S12 (B/A-): Now that my doctor felt better about his surroundings, he could now refocus on his most important patient. With a somewhat revised format, stronger writing, and the full flowering of the show's S9 newbies (at least the ones who hadn't become casualties of the aforementioned permanent stench), "MADtv" was beginning to look like "MADtv" again. While most of the show's other, less mentally stable fans lamented the fact that Bobby Lee simply would not go away, my doctor said that clinical studies showed a direct correlation between Bobby's frequently inspired physical comedy and a happy, healthy lifestyle. As a precaution, however, he did prescribe me some strong anxiety medication to help me cope with the crippling and potentially life-threatening illness known as Cristardenosis, for which there is apparently no cure.

S13 (B): The jury is still out on this season, but my doctor has advised me not to be concerned. (Frankly, I think he's just trying to prolong the malpractice suit. ) Although several of his patients have complained of severe headache and nausea as a result of the biggest format change in "MADtv" history, he reassures me that change is good. The writers' strike has resulted in an outbreak of despair; however, the writing that has surfaced is still strong if not quite on par with that of the previous two seasons. Time, as well as a cure for this widespread panic, will spell good things for "MADtv" in '08. Even though my doctor, ever the dutiful health guard, cautions me that the show's fate has yet to be decided and that, as always, he has ample reason to be concerned (speaking of broken records ), he has advised me to enjoy the ride because, quite frankly, I have more important things to be concerned about: Alzheimer's, incontinence, high cholesterol numbers as a result of all the deep "MADtv" fat I've digested over the years, and that recurring erectile dysfunction that will never get better as long as Nicole Sullivan continues to deny me any guest appearances.

(And don't even get me started on my failure to make out so much as the big E on a standard eye chart. )