Review of 4-11-1998 episode (new episode, some spoilers)
Number Six
Review of 4-11-1998 episode (new show; some spoilers)
Since last week I began with a haiku, here's another:
Why?
Bryan Callen rules!
Manic depressive stripper,
Why were you fired?
==========================================================================
Lonnie Bell, Attorneys-At-Law: Phil LaMarr as a sleazy attorney, in
this spoof of those lawyer commercials. He's both a civil and
criminal attorney, helping all manner of slime escape justice. For Mad
TV,
this is about average.
Opening Monologue: Done this time by Aries Spears. Not unlike that
which has been done by stand-up comics on cable television time
after time, but still better than the random cast member coming out and
saying "we have a great show tonight."
Darlene and Kids: Darlene McBride (Nicole Sullivan) returns with some
ultra-right wing songs for children. We get such tunes as "Bingo"
(about Indian casinos), "Clinton's Pants are Falling Down," and
"Janet Reno" (about Waco). Possibly the funniest of the Darlene McBride
segments, although "Let's Take America Back to 1955" was pretty good,
too. Was "Darlene McBride" inspired by the late Tammy Wynette?
The Wedding: Bride to be (Lisa Kushell) and her fiance (Will Sasso)
discuss the wedding; he tends to get really upset, and eventually wets
his pants. Only mildly funny - until Sasso wets his pants; this is
hilarious. Pat Kilbane is good as the waiter, who blocks the flow of the
urine with a food cover and then puts it back on the plate, and serves
it to another patron.
Dharma and Greg: A parody about "Dharma and Greg" parodies - we get
Dharma
(Nicole Sullivan) and Gregory Peck, Dharma and Gregory Hines, Dharma and
Greg Louganis, etc. I don't watch this show but I gather it's some type
of romantic comedy; not very original parody, but this was better than
the last parody of an ABC show (Grace Under the Influence). Sullivan's
(as Jenna Elfman) comment that "Dharma and Greg is the only show on ABC
approaching a hit" is very funny, especially in light of the fact that
Fox recently moved ahead of ABC in the ratings, leaving ABC as the
fourth-rated network. And Nicole Sullivan looks a lot like Jenna Elfman,
which helps.
Ritalin Room: I think this segment was held back from a previous show,
because (a) I remember seeing it in the program guide at
www.foxworld.com
several weeks ago, and (b) if you look at Aaron Greenhouse's Mad TV
Episode
Guide at http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~aaron2/fox/titles/madtv.html
you will notice that "Ritalin Room" is listed as one of the segments in
the February 7, 1998 broadcast, although I don't remember that segment
having
aired in this broadcast of Mad TV. With all due respect to Aaron
Greenhouse,
the Mad TV Episode Guide which can be accessed at the abovementioned web
site contains several errors, which is probably due to the fact that it
is based on what Fox says is going to air, rather than what actually
airs on a given date (to make matters worse, often the two websites, the
official Mad TV website at www.madtvonfox.com and www.foxworld.com often
have conflicting information, although www.foxworld.com is generally
more reliable; the trailers are also generally accurate).
As far as the segment itself is concerned, this seems to be a play on
words (i.e. "Romper Room," the excellent children's show, becomes
"Ritalin Room"). This is what a children's television show would be like
if it were geared towards hyperactive children. This is a good concept
though somewhat unoriginal; nevertheless, the denouement, with Chris
Hogan throwing down his hat and saying "God, I hate kids" was pretty
funny.
Suddenly Millenium: The producers of Mad TV have failed to heed my
warnings about including old segments in supposedly "new" episodes.
"Suddenly Millenium" is apparently a crossover between "Suddenly Susan"
and "Millenium," the sci-fi show produced by Chris Carter. It is an
interesting concept an ably carried off by Mary Scheer and Bryan Callen,
though hardly deserving the appellation "classic".
Stan the Java Man: Stan McNer (Pat Kilbane) is fixing for a cup of
coffee, but first he has to get through the checkout line at the
supermarket, a task which is frustrated by dawdling customers (Aries
Spears, Mary Scheer), and a guy whose credit card keeps getting rejected
by the machine. I didn't think it was that funny, but it didn't bomb,
either; especially funny is when Stan picks up a copy of the (Kenneth)
Starr, a reference to an earlier segment about the Whitewater special
prosecutor.
Gumby Old Men: "Grumpy Old Men" as a Gumby claymation segment. Corky
Quakenbush comes through once again. Though not as funny as some of his
earlier work (e.g. "Raging Rudolph", "CLOPS"), Quackenbush is secure
enough to resist the temptation of merely repeating his earlier
successes, and conceptually, "Gumby Old Men" works quite well
(especially when Gumby
gets chewed on by a rat).
Power Friend: Power Friend (Phil LaMarr) is a superhero with a twist -
he
can only use his super powers three times, and he's already used them
twice. Therefore, he has to choose very carefully when to use his
powers. He won't help his friends (Aries Spears and Nicole Sullivan,
again wearing Nike stuff)
save a bus full of kids, and then wastes his powers to change the
channel
on his TV set. Probably the funniest sketch of the show, ably executed
by the cast.
Spy vs. Spy: Black spy wins by giving white spy bucket of gasoline to
douse a fire. Good.
Hat for Fat, Ugly, Stupid People: Lisa Kushell in a commercial parody.
This one was a little over my head.
Anti-Depressercize Minute, Jr: Charlotte (Nicole Sullivan) returns in
what is essentially a reprise of the original Anti-Depressercise Minute,
only this
time instead of Tony Little, a giant panda bear (Will Sasso) comes out,
takes some pills, and starts crying, lamenting that he will never be as
popular as Barney. Also features Mr. Whistles, a hand puppet. Good
acting by Nicole Sullivan.
=============================================================================
An above-average show marred only by the appearance of a "Mad TV
Classic."
Several good segments, including some featuring underutilized recurring
characters (Darlene McBride, Charlotte of the Anti-Depressercise
Minute). Did anyone notice that many of the sketches here had to do with
kids (Darlene McBride and Kids; Ritalin Room; Anti-Depressercize Minute
Jr.; Power Friend)?
Next Week's Show Is Gonna Be Like: A rerun of #304 (originally aired
October 11, 1997).
--
===============================================================
Number Six | http://www.nic.com/~dzien/nicolesullivan/
dz...@nic.com | (The unofficial Nicole Sullivan tribute page)
===============================================================
Spidey the Fun-Licker
Number Six wrote:
> Why?
>
> Bryan Callen rules!
> Manic depressive stripper,
> Why were you fired?
I miss him too!!! I want more of The Amazing Al Casdy! See? DO you see?
we need him back!
> As far as the segment itself is concerned, this seems to be a play on
> words (i.e. "Romper Room," the excellent children's show, becomes
> "Ritalin Room"). This is what a children's television show would be like
> if it were geared towards hyperactive children. This is a good concept
> though somewhat unoriginal; nevertheless, the denouement, with Chris
> Hogan throwing down his hat and saying "God, I hate kids" was pretty
> funny.
Ok, here's something interesting: When Chris said "song time!" and began
to sing "oh, I like my thumb..." this was a reference to a sketch from
last season where three heavy-metal-type foulmouthed guys record a
children's record called "Where's Cecil?", which got its name becuase a
band member named Cecil was always late to rehearsals and recording
sessions. It featured Callen, along with Herman and someone else who I
think was a guest star.I couldn't believe it didn't draw more laughter.
Did anyone else notice this? The entire song is:
Oh, I like my thumb!
My fingers say
to stay away
But Mr. Thumb says "come on, let's play!"
oh, I like my thumb!
(suddenly I realize how pathetic it is that I remember that whole song)
Another great part of this sketch is when Chris is showing off the
artwork, which includes half-done houses and horses, and then a colorful
picture of blood, fire and devils, entitled "I Didn't Take My Medicine
Today."
STFL, who hasn't taken his medicine today
SID
Hello, I'm back. I know you care very much, but anyway, here is my
review of the show:
Number Six wrote:
> Lonnie Bell, Attorneys-At-Law: Phil LaMarr as a sleazy attorney, in
> this spoof of those lawyer commercials. He's both a civil and
> criminal attorney, helping all manner of slime escape justice. For Mad
> TV,
> this is about average.
Funny, but didn't they do something exactly like this before?
>
> Opening Monologue: Done this time by Aries Spears. Not unlike that
> which has been done by stand-up comics on cable television time
> after time, but still better than the random cast member coming out and
> saying "we have a great show tonight."
Whatever.
>
> Darlene and Kids: Darlene McBride (Nicole Sullivan) returns with some
> ultra-right wing songs for children. We get such tunes as "Bingo"
> (about Indian casinos), "Clinton's Pants are Falling Down," and
> "Janet Reno" (about Waco). Possibly the funniest of the Darlene McBride
> segments, although "Let's Take America Back to 1955" was pretty good,
> too. Was "Darlene McBride" inspired by the late Tammy Wynette?
I love these sketches! This one was as good as all the others. The
topper was all the kids singing the lyrics at the end.
>
> The Wedding: Bride to be (Lisa Kushell) and her fiance (Will Sasso)
> discuss the wedding; he tends to get really upset, and eventually wets
> his pants. Only mildly funny - until Sasso wets his pants; this is
> hilarious. Pat Kilbane is good as the waiter, who blocks the flow of the
> urine with a food cover and then puts it back on the plate, and serves
> it to another patron.
Starts off boring, but starts getting funny when Will wets his pants.
I've never seen anyone on TV actually pee and show the stream. And
you're right, adding Pat with the cover was a good idea.
>
> Dharma and Greg: A parody about "Dharma and Greg" parodies - we get
> Dharma
> (Nicole Sullivan) and Gregory Peck, Dharma and Gregory Hines, Dharma and
> Greg Louganis, etc. I don't watch this show but I gather it's some type
> of romantic comedy; not very original parody, but this was better than
> the last parody of an ABC show (Grace Under the Influence). Sullivan's
> (as Jenna Elfman) comment that "Dharma and Greg is the only show on ABC
> approaching a hit" is very funny, especially in light of the fact that
> Fox recently moved ahead of ABC in the ratings, leaving ABC as the
> fourth-rated network. And Nicole Sullivan looks a lot like Jenna Elfman,
> which helps.
Nicole is great in this one. I've seen that woman that plays Dharma in
real life, and Nicole's impression was very accurate.
One of the best sketches of the night! I love the idea, a show for kids
with attention deficit disorder. Chris was the right choice for this
one.
>
> Suddenly Millenium: The producers of Mad TV have failed to heed my
> warnings about including old segments in supposedly "new" episodes.
> "Suddenly Millenium" is apparently a crossover between "Suddenly Susan"
> and "Millenium," the sci-fi show produced by Chris Carter. It is an
> interesting concept an ably carried off by Mary Scheer and Bryan Callen,
> though hardly deserving the appellation "classic".
Well, I liked it the first time, but it was good seeing it again. I
really don't mind the Mad TV Classics part of the show.
>
> Stan the Java Man: Stan McNer (Pat Kilbane) is fixing for a cup of
> coffee, but first he has to get through the checkout line at the
> supermarket, a task which is frustrated by dawdling customers (Aries
> Spears, Mary Scheer), and a guy whose credit card keeps getting rejected
> by the machine. I didn't think it was that funny, but it didn't bomb,
> either; especially funny is when Stan picks up a copy of the (Kenneth)
> Starr, a reference to an earlier segment about the Whitewater special
> prosecutor.
One of the best Java Man sketches becuase it's not really about the
character. I was never a fan of him anyway, but I like the idea of this
sketch. The best part is the guy that keeps trying to scan the card "Try
it again, again, again again..."
>
> Gumby Old Men: "Grumpy Old Men" as a Gumby claymation segment. Corky
> Quakenbush comes through once again. Though not as funny as some of his
> earlier work (e.g. "Raging Rudolph", "CLOPS"), Quackenbush is secure
> enough to resist the temptation of merely repeating his earlier
> successes, and conceptually, "Gumby Old Men" works quite well
> (especially when Gumby
> gets chewed on by a rat).
Eh. Not their best animated skit. Gets funnier as it gets gorier.
>
> Power Friend: Power Friend (Phil LaMarr) is a superhero with a twist -
> he
> can only use his super powers three times, and he's already used them
> twice. Therefore, he has to choose very carefully when to use his
> powers. He won't help his friends (Aries Spears and Nicole Sullivan,
> again wearing Nike stuff)
> save a bus full of kids, and then wastes his powers to change the
> channel
> on his TV set. Probably the funniest sketch of the show, ably executed
> by the cast.
Very funny! I thought it would turn out bad, but it got really good. I
also like the Power Friend theme, if anyone has that on the net.
>
> Anti-Depressercize Minute, Jr: Charlotte (Nicole Sullivan) returns in
> what is essentially a reprise of the original Anti-Depressercise Minute,
> only this
> time instead of Tony Little, a giant panda bear (Will Sasso) comes out,
> takes some pills, and starts crying, lamenting that he will never be as
> popular as Barney. Also features Mr. Whistles, a hand puppet. Good
> acting by Nicole Sullivan.
The other best sketch of the night! This had me laughing my ass off.
Nicole is so damn talented.
Again, a good show, how many more episodes do we have? One? If that's
it, then I'll already say that this has been a great season.
JediMist
SID
> Ok, here's something interesting: When Chris said "song time!" and began
> to sing "oh, I like my thumb..." this was a reference to a sketch from
That was one of my favorite sketches! There was also a song about a
doorknob.
JediMist
Number Six
Spidey the Fun-Licker wrote:
>
> Number Six wrote:
>
> > Why?
> >
> > Bryan Callen rules!
> > Manic depressive stripper,
> > Why were you fired?
>
> we need him back!
>
on the fact that he was a virgin. In one sketch, he brings home his
girlfriend (Nicole Sullivan) and they tell her he is a virgin, and then
start to give all kinds of lewd advice (e.g. "Don't be afraid to go
south on Mark!"). Good candidate for a future "Best of" show.
> > As far as the segment itself is concerned, this seems to be a play on
> > words (i.e. "Romper Room," the excellent children's show, becomes
> > "Ritalin Room"). This is what a children's television show would be like
> > if it were geared towards hyperactive children. This is a good concept
> > though somewhat unoriginal; nevertheless, the denouement, with Chris
> > Hogan throwing down his hat and saying "God, I hate kids" was pretty
> > funny.
>
> Ok, here's something interesting: When Chris said "song time!" and began
> to sing "oh, I like my thumb..." this was a reference to a sketch from
> last season where three heavy-metal-type foulmouthed guys record a
> children's record called "Where's Cecil?", which got its name becuase a
> band member named Cecil was always late to rehearsals and recording
> sessions. It featured Callen, along with Herman and someone else who I
> think was a guest star.I couldn't believe it didn't draw more laughter.
> Did anyone else notice this? The entire song is:
>
> Oh, I like my thumb!
> My fingers say
> to stay away
> But Mr. Thumb says "come on, let's play!"
> oh, I like my thumb!
>
Now I remember that sketch, but I still can't pin down which episode it
was. The episode
guide says it was the one with Tommy Davidson hosting; for some reason I
thought it may have been the one with French Stewart.
> (suddenly I realize how pathetic it is that I remember that whole song)
> Another great part of this sketch is when Chris is showing off the
> artwork, which includes half-done houses and horses, and then a colorful
> picture of blood, fire and devils, entitled "I Didn't Take My Medicine
> Today."
>
> STFL, who hasn't taken his medicine today
--
Number Six
SID wrote:
[most of lengthy comments deleted]
> >
> > Anti-Depressercize Minute, Jr: Charlotte (Nicole Sullivan) returns in
> > what is essentially a reprise of the original Anti-Depressercise Minute,
> > only this
> > time instead of Tony Little, a giant panda bear (Will Sasso) comes out,
> > takes some pills, and starts crying, lamenting that he will never be as
> > popular as Barney. Also features Mr. Whistles, a hand puppet. Good
> > acting by Nicole Sullivan.
>
> The other best sketch of the night! This had me laughing my ass off.
> Nicole is so damn talented.
>
I concur.
> Again, a good show, how many more episodes do we have? One? If that's
> it, then I'll already say that this has been a great season.
>
By my count, we've had 21 episodes so far (not counting "Best of"
specials), so if there's 22 in a season, that would leave one more new
episode. Next week's show, as I stated, is a rerun. But it is a good
rerun: this one is Dave Herman's final episode (sob!), and has Antonia,
the UBS Guy (helping end the strike), Real Stories of U.S. Customs,
Dirty Talker Funky Walker, Leaving Metropolis, Spishak Cola, and more.
The next five months or so should be some interesting down-time (Who
stays? Who leaves?)
> JediMist
Earwig
SID wrote:
>
> > Ok, here's something interesting: When Chris said "song time!" and began
> > to sing "oh, I like my thumb..." this was a reference to a sketch from
>
> That was one of my favorite sketches! There was also a song about a
> doorknob.
>
diagnosed for ADD, but until I tested negative for that later, that's
just how I felt. That skit was perfect.
Clem Chowder
You know what was wrong with this show? Deborah was only in it long
enough to say good night.
Clem
>Who did the Lance Hendricksen bit? I couldn't
>tell with all the prostheses (sp?) on.
Juanita White
Personally, I think the show has gotten inane since Brian Cullen,
Orlando Jones, Artie Spears and David Herman left. If they are trying
to give the show a new vision I do not see what it is because it has
become weak.
J White
Spidey the Fun-Licker
That skit is oddly, uh, accurate. But I happen to know that once you get
into high school, it's not really like that. For kids, that is what it's
like.
*The* Didaskalos
SID <jedi...@erols.com> wrote to and alt.tv.mad-tv:
== > Ok, here's something interesting: When Chris said "song time!" and began
== > to sing "oh, I like my thumb..." this was a reference to a sketch from
== > last season...
==
== That was one of my favorite sketches! There was also a song about a
== doorknob.
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
Ye shall know the truth -- *The* Didaskalos
http://www.geocities.com/westhollywood/village/1360
http://www.glinn.com/pink
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
Mickey Mouse
In article <353299de...@news.alpha.net>, thedid...@TAKEMEOUTTOTHEBALLGAMEusa.net (*The* Didaskalos) wrote:
>SID <jedi...@erols.com> wrote to and alt.tv.mad-tv:
>
>== > Ok, here's something interesting: When Chris said "song time!" and began
>== > to sing "oh, I like my thumb..." this was a reference to a sketch from
>== > last season...
>==
>== That was one of my favorite sketches! There was also a song about a
>== doorknob.
Since I didn't record the show Saturday, can someone post the words to the
songs in the Darlene McBride segment? Thanks.
Earwig
Spidey the Fun-Licker wrote:
>
> That skit is oddly, uh, accurate. But I happen to know that once you get
> into high school, it's not really like that. For kids, that is what it's
> like.
>
Exactly. I went to this special school called SEPS because people
thought I had ADD at the time. God, that place was a nut house. And
all the teachers acted like Mr. Mark. I was in fifth grade at the time,
I believe.
Number Six
Juanita White wrote:
>
> Personally, I think the show has gotten inane since Brian Cullen,
Artie Lange left; Aries Spears joined the cast in Season Three.
> If they are trying
> to give the show a new vision I do not see what it is because it has
> become weak.
>
The departure of Bryan Callen is particularly disturbing because no
reason was ever given for his being fired. I was also saddened by the
loss of Dave Herman because it was allegedly due to disagreements with
management and he always looked rather unhappy when the cast came out at
the end of the show, especially towards the end of Season Two.
