"MADtv's" "New" Format for Season 13 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 11-19-2007, 04:03 AM

I'm kind of surprised that this hasn't been brought up yet. Apparently, FOX reduced the budget for Season 13 of "MADtv." As a result 18 episodes were ordered (of course, this will in all likelyhood be nullified due to the writers strike) from the typical 22. The first four episodes were basically, "Best of..." compliations (similar to the later half of Season 6 of "All That" on Nickelodeon).

The show feels more like a variety/improv show (a la the MTV Movie Awards or "Who's Line is it Anyway") than a what we would expect from a sketch comedy show. Sketches are now introduced in front of a theater much like "Chappelle's Show." Likely because of the budget cuts, there are far less sketches. If there is a sketch, then they in all likelyhood, have been prerecorded instead of shot live in front of studio audience like normal. Instead, we're getting more "filler" material like stand-up performances and lengthy, on-location vingettes like "The Rice & Beans Tour."

To add insult to injury I opposed, the trademark Heavy D theme music (which has been used since the very beginning) has been junked in favor of a generic, colorless rock theme.

amethyst1 · 11-24-2007, 11:58 PM

For sketch comedy, it's just not a set up that allows for much movement. Hopefully they will make improvements. Thanks for the post.

11-19-2007, 04:03 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,136	"MADtv's" "New" Format for Season 13 I'm kind of surprised that this hasn't been brought up yet. Apparently, FOX reduced the budget for Season 13 of "MADtv." As a result 18 episodes were ordered (of course, this will in all likelyhood be nullified due to the writers strike) from the typical 22. The first four episodes were basically, "Best of..." compliations (similar to the later half of Season 6 of "All That" on Nickelodeon). The show feels more like a variety/improv show (a la the MTV Movie Awards or "Who's Line is it Anyway") than a what we would expect from a sketch comedy show. Sketches are now introduced in front of a theater much like "Chappelle's Show." Likely because of the budget cuts, there are far less sketches. If there is a sketch, then they in all likelyhood, have been prerecorded instead of shot live in front of studio audience like normal. Instead, we're getting more "filler" material like stand-up performances and lengthy, on-location vingettes like "The Rice & Beans Tour." To add insult to injury I opposed, the trademark Heavy D theme music (which has been used since the very beginning) has been junked in favor of a generic, colorless rock theme.

11-24-2007, 11:58 PM	#2
amethyst1 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 24, 2007 Location: austin Posts: 7	Not thrilled with the new format. For sketch comedy, it's just not a set up that allows for much movement. Hopefully they will make improvements. Thanks for the post.
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