Mad TV (season 3)

Mad TV (season 3)
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 25
Broadcast
Original channel Fox
Original run September 20, 1997 – May 16, 1998
Home video release

DVD release

Region 1 June 25, 2013

The third season of Mad TV, an American sketch comedy series, originally aired in the United States on the Fox Network between September 20, 1997, and May 16, 1998.

Season summary

At the start of season three, one third of the original cast (Bryan Callen, Orlando Jones and Artie Lange) was replaced by newcomers Alex Borstein (who would later do voicework and writing work on FOX's Family Guy), Chris Hogan, Pat Kilbane, Lisa Kushell, Will Sasso, and Aries Spears.

This was the last season to feature original cast members David Herman and Mary Scheer. Herman left to pursue a movie career, while Scheer left show business to become a full-time mother.

This was the last season Fax Bahr and Adam Small would produce Mad TV with Quincy Jones and David Salzman, although Barr and Small are still credited as "executive consultants". They went on to create Blue Collar TV, a similar sketch show that ran from 2004 to 2006 on the WB.

This was the last season Alfred E. Neuman and the bomb sequence was seen in the opening credits. However, Neuman's image still appeared on the Mad TV stage in the fourth season. This was also the last season of Spy vs. Spy In episode 16 and move to another place and Don Martin cartoon shorts, although Spy vs. Spy would be seen as part of the Mad TV rerun segments in the fourth season and fifth.

This was the first season in which Mad TV showed "classics", i.e. reruns of sketches from previous seasons.

Opening montage

The title sequence begins with several fingers pointing at a bomb. Then the bomb explodes and a picture of Alfred E. Neuman and a brain appears on a purple screen followed by the Mad TV logo. The theme song, which is performed by the hip-hop group Heavy D & the Boyz, begins. Cast members are introduced alphabetically with their names appearing in caption over black-and-white still photos of them. When the last cast member is introduced, the music stops and the title sequence ends with the phrase "You are now watching Mad TV."

Cast

Repertory cast members
Featured cast members

* Performer was a featured cast member at the start of the season, but was promoted to repertory status mid-season.

Episodes

Episode Airing Date Guest(s) Sketches Other notes
#301 September 20, 1997 Sandra Bernhard (host) A senile old man (David Herman) hosts a Howard Stern-like radio show. Michael Jackson (Phil LaMarr) joins the corps in a parody of G.I. Jane. The Vancome Lady (Nicole Sullivan) refuses to rescue the survivors of a plane crash. Martin Luther King Jr. (Aries Spears) tries the Def Comedy Jam circuit. New basketball franchise The NB-T-N-A adds sex appeal to sports with scantily-clad female players. Will Sasso, Aries Spears, Alex Borstein, Chris Hogan, Pat Kilbane, and Lisa Kushell's debut episode.
#302 September 27, 1997 Carmen Electra (host) and Salt N Pepa (special guest) A semi-nude band performs backstage for Nicole Sullivan and Debra Wilson. Carmen Electra interrupts a monologue by Fiona Apple (Lisa Kushell). Joel Schumacher (David Herman) directs the fifth Batman installment as a musical. Salt N Pepa appear on Cabana Chat, where Dixie Wetsworth (Mary Scheer) introduces her new co-host, James Brown (Aries Spears), as well as a new Pool Boy. A recovering coffee addict (Pat Kilbane) finds himself wired on the beverage again. A parody of Sabrina The Teenaged Witch portrays the protagonist (Mary Scheer) as a young mother-to-be instead of an adolescent sorceress.
#303 October 4, 1997 Corky and the Juice Pigs (musical guests) Darlene McBride (Nicole Sullivan) sings racist songs on her new CD. A sequel to the movie Liar Liar shows President Bill Clinton (Will Sasso) telling the truth to please his daughter Chelsea. New crime drama stars Saturday Night Live alumnus Dennis Miller (Craig Anton) as a police negotiator. Prince (Phil LaMarr) is repulsed by The Klumps' (Aries Spears) disgusting dinner conversation. On The Rosie O'Donnell Show, Rosie O'Donnell (Alex Borstein) interviews Oprah Winfrey (Debra Wilson) and plugs her new Lifetime movie co-starring Tom Cruise (Chris Hogan). Milton Cladwell (Chris Hogan) has so much trouble managing his quarterlies that he eventually finds himself in trouble during a commercial. On COPS, police officers arrest celebrities including former SNL castmembers Eddie Murphy (Aries Spears) and Chris Farley (Will Sasso) and talk show host Rosie O'Donnell (Alex Borstein).
#304 October 11, 1997 Jennifer Love Hewitt (special guest) The News at 6 team reports a deadly windstorm. Reprising his role as Karl Childers in "Sling Blade", Billy Bob Thornton (Pat Kilbane) must save the world from aliens with the help of John Ritter (David Herman) and Jennifer Aniston (Nicole Sullivan). Ms. Swan (Alex Borstein) is the only eyewitness to a crime, but her irritating catchphrase "He looka like a man" infuriates a rookie cop (Chris Hogan). Two smugglers (Chris Hogan, Pat Kilbane) hiding objects in their rear ends get caught by U. S. Treasury agents. Antonia (Nicole Sullivan) isn't very good at word association. The Spishak salesman (Chris Hogan) promotes a not-so-good soft drink. UBS guy Jaq (Phil LaMarr) becomes part of a strike. On Funky Walker, Dirty Talker, Jennifer Love Hewitt shows a clip from her latest film I Know What You Did Last Summer. Mrs Swan makes her debut during this episode.
#305 October 25, 1997 A sitcom features a long-running theme song. Michael Jackson (Phil LaMarr) gets some advice from his past self (Aries Spears). Antonia (Nicole Sullivan) and James Brown Jr. (Aries Spears) appear as eligible singles on Lowered Expectations; the two star as bank robbers in the movie, Antonia and James. Charlie Newall (Will Sasso) disciplines bratty children. Director Spike Lee (Phil LaMarr) appears on Talkin' American. A claymation parody of Jerry Lewis telethons. A couple (Phil LaMarr, Debra Wilson) get poor service from an obnoxious waitress (Lisa Kushell). Stan the Coffee Guy (Pat Kilbane) causes havoc during a tour of the Dolger's coffee plant.
#306 November 1, 1997 Bret Hart (special guest) Corky and the Juice Pigs (musical guests) Farrah Fawcett (Lisa Kushell) uses her erratic body movements to paint houses. Bill (Will Sasso) and Hillary Clinton (Nicole Sullivan) discuss their scandals during a town meeting. In a parody of Leaving Las Vegas, Nicolas Cage (David Herman) portrays Superman's bout with alcoholism. A nerdy kid (Chris Hogan) hires wrestler Bret Hart to help him stand up to his bullying family. Bill Cosby (Aries Spears) appears in trial bloopers. Craig Anton screams out what he hates and loves while wearing a towel during a monologue. David Herman's Last Episode.
#307 November 8, 1997 Kenny Rogers (Will Sasso) promotes his new restaurant. Eddie Murphy (Aries Spears) and Rui Peranio (Will Sasso) are bachelors on Lowered Expectations. In a parody of I Love Lucy, Lucy (Nicole Sullivan) and Ethel (Alex Borstein) sell cocaine for a menacing drug dealer (Aries Spears). The Eracists sing songs promoting racial tolerance, much to the chagrin of an African-American couple (Aries Spears, Debra Wilson). The Vancome Lady (Nicole Sullivan) serves jury duty. In an animated parody of Toy Story called Sex Toy Story, erotic paraphernalia worry that a new vibrator will replace them. Ms. Swan (Alex Borstein) takes an overly long time to identify who robbed her store. LL Cool J (Aries Spears) hosts an urban parody of Pyramid with Vanilla Ice (Pat Kilbane) and Sidney Poitier (Phil LaMarr) as contestants. Repeats of this episode show Michael Eisner (Pat Kilbane) introducing Sex Toy Story cartoon. First episode with Will Sasso as Kenny Rogers.
#308 November 15, 1997 Daisy Fuentes (special guest), Gilbert Gottfried (special guest) Spishak promotes a Super Soaker rigged to impregnate women. The hosts of Talkin' American interview Howard Stern (Pat Kilbane). Two hopelessly romantic guys (Chris Hogan, Pat Kilbane) use Tupac Shakur's dead corpse to attract girls in a parody of Weekend at Bernie's. Daisy Fuentes promotes a new line of food for bulimics in a commercial parody. Elton John (Will Sasso) performs funeral songs. Buffy Summers (Nicole Sullivan) fights evil umpires in a parody of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Comedian and former SNL castmember Gilbert Gottfried is a guest on Funky Walker, Dirty Talker. A cavalcade of stars appears in a parody of Walker, Texas Ranger. An employee (Debra Wilson) can't conceal that she was intimate with her boss (Phil LaMarr), thanks to Jaq the UBS man (Phil LaMarr also).
#309 November 22, 1997 Kerri Strug (special guest), Corky and the Juice Pigs (musical guests) The News at 6 team reports on a blackout. The Clops arrest Mr. Potato Head, Wallace & Gromit, and Mr. Peanut. A family has a conversation rife with sexual double-entendres over pie. Stan the Coffee Guy (Pat Kilbane) is a bachelor on Lowered Expectations. Darlene McBride (Nicole Sullivan) tours middle America and the South. UBS guy Jaq (Phil LaMarr) tries recording a message for his answering machine.
#310 December 6, 1997 Don Most (special guest) Suppositories now come loaded with nutrients in a commercial parody. Don Most appears in a parody of The Love Boat filled with Titanic references. Ms. Swan (Alex Borstein) is a single woman on Lowered Expectations. Chelsea Clinton (Alex Borstein) uses her father's Secret Service agents to bully her college roommates. Big John (Will Sasso) promotes his new shirt store. A woman (Debra Wilson) teaches her friends unorthodox ways to be attractive. A lone spaceman (Phil LaMarr) lands on a planet run by The Vancome Lady (Nicole Sullivan) in a parody of Planet of the Apes. The Parker sisters (Chris Hogan, Lisa Kushell) go nuts at a bar. UBS mailman Jaq (Phil LaMarr) discovers a couple (Chris Hogan, Debra Wilson) having sex during a Christmas party.
#311 December 13, 1997 Howie Long (special guest) Corky and the Juice Pigs (musical guests) Commercial parody for politically correct G.I. Joe action figures such as G.I. Jew, G.I. Junkie, and G.I. Janitor. Howie Long appears on Cabana Chat. The Klumps (Aries Spears) welcome Arnold Schwarzenegger (Pat Kilbane) to their Christmas dinner. The Mexican Wrestling Federation perform a stage version of Miracle On 34th Street. Antonia (Nicole Sullivan) makes a Christmas wish to Santa Claus (Phil LaMarr). Special Christmas episode
#312 January 3, 1998 Pam Grier (host) and Corky and the Juice Pigs (musical guests) McRonalds promotes a new Happy Meal based on Titanic. Ms. Swan (Alex Borstein) is interrogated by Mulder (Chris Hogan) and Scully (Mary Scheer) in a parody of X-Files. Barbara Walters (Nicole Sullivan) interviews Hugh Downs (Chris Hogan) on 20/20. Pam Grier is a guest on Cabana Chat and appears in a sketch with an all-black superhero league. The Roadkill Lunchmeat Megapress turns dead animals into nutritious meals. Singles on Lowered Expectations include Susan Whitfield (Lisa Kushell) and Jewel Barone (Mary Scheer). Sportscasters are hard to understand because of their overwhelming use of slang.
#313 January 10, 1998 La Toya Jackson (special guest) Commercial for a talking doll that needs its owner 24/7. The same doll appears on Lowered Expectations with the Vonda sisters (Chris Hogan, Lisa Kushell) and drug-addicted porno director Harvey Lachien (Aries Spears). Nicole Sullivan declares her love for Steve Young in a monologue. Newscasters report on cold-and-flu season. La Toya Jackson appears on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to dispel rumors about her family. An bickering couple (Pat Kilbane, Nicole Sullivan) walk into their surprise anniversary party. Farrah Fawcett (Lisa Kushell) and Louis Farrakhan (Phil LaMarr) debate one other. Chris Rock (Phil LaMarr) stars in a remake of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. Two guys (Chris Hogan, Phil LaMarr) hope their dates (Mary Scheer, Debra Wilson) will make out after watching Ellen. A couple (Will Sasso, Nicole Sullivan) has an argument because the husband isn't listening. A can of corn is the sidekick of a hardened cop (Phil LaMarr) in a new crime drama. Two doctors (Chris Hogan, Debra Wilson) uncover surprising findings while performing an autopsy. The Apocalypse is broadcast on the radio.
#314 January 17, 1998 Tony Little, Ahmet Zappa, Dweezil Zappa Billy Dee Williams (Aries Spears) promotes a new erotic massage parlor in character as Star Wars' Lando Calrissian. Rosie O'Donnell (Alex Borstein) interviews Barbra Streisand (Mary Scheer), who shows off her sex tape. The Vancome Lady (Nicole Sullivan) works as a college guidance counselor. A new courtroom drama centers on an overly emotional lawyer (Debra Wilson). A depressed fitness guru (Nicole Sullivan) hosts her own show and makes guest star Tony Little just as depressed. Fiona Apple (Lisa Kushell) unveils her new music video. A man in a dinosaur suit (Pat Kilbane) terrorizes a children's birthday party. A woman (Debra Wilson) rams spikes into other people's heads to read their minds. Dweezil and Ahmet Zappa appear in a skit about hostile tourists in Germany.
#315 January 31, 1998 Kenneth Starr; Spice Girls Hunt; Opening; The Eracists: Stand Off; Claylien Resurrection; Spice Girls Hunt #1; Coffee Guy: Exam; Catwoman; Spice Girls Hunt #2; Antonia: Suicide Hotline; Spice Girls Hunt #3; Evangelista's Market; Spy Vs. Spy: Microphone; Savante: Career Day; Mexican Wrestler's Theater: Mockingbird
#316 February 7, 1998Mark Hamill (special guest) and Corky and the Juice Pigs (musical guests) Paul Timberman's Workshop; Olsen Twins; Allergy Taste Test; David Duchovny Live!; Funky Walker, Dirty Talker: Mark Hamill; Darlene McBride: Valentine's Album; Mass Suicide; Talkin' American: Alanis Morissette; Home Birthing Video; Movie Buffs; Spy Vs. Spy - Bulletproof
#317 February 28, 1998 Jerry Springer (host), Mark Hamill (special guest) Kenny Rogers (Will Sasso) plugs his new ice cream parlor. Guest Jerry Springer reveals to Nicole Sullivan that her boyfriend is a transsexual. Mark Hamill hosts a Pyramid-type game show where Ms. Swan (Alex Borstein) and Antonia (Nicole Sullivan) are the partners of two contestants (Chris Hogan, Phil LaMarr). The Vancome Lady (Nicole Sullivan) fills in for St. Peter in heaven. Downtown Julie Brown (Debra Wilson) goes behind the scenes of the sitcom Caroline in the City. In Clops, the claymation cops arrest popular commercial mascots. Whenever a man (Will Sasso) gets angry, he transforms into a miniature version of the Hulk (Alex Borstein). Mayberry, North Carolina residents fight a war against cocaine in a parody of The Andy Griffith Show.
#318 March 7, 1998 Phyllis Diller (special guest) and Corky and the Juice Pigs (musical guest) A Mexican restaurant serves food that causes people to become sexually aroused. The six winners of the Mad TV bus contest are announced. In a parody of Scream, Casey (Nicole Sullivan) is haunted by celebrities Candice Bergen (Mary Scheer), Paul Reiser (Chris Hogan), and Chris Rock (Phil LaMarr), who tell her to try a new phone company. Phyllis Diller appears as the temporary host of Cabana Chat, then auditions for the Spice Girls as "Old Spice". Other Spice Girls auditions include an inbred idiot (Lisa Kushell), Ms. Swan (Alex Borstein), and a sideshow freak (Nicole Sullivan). Motormouth stars Chris Tucker (Phil LaMarr) and Rosie Perez (Debra Wilson) star in a movie.
#319 March 14, 1998 Phyllis Diller (special guest) America's favorite canine Lassie rats on everyone. The Vancome Lady (Nicole Sullivan) conducts red-carpet interviews at the Oscars. Commercial parody features Big John (Will Sasso). Jaq the UBS guy (Phil LaMarr) goes to the dentist. Susan Whitfield (Lisa Kushell) is among the hopefuls at a Spice Girls audition. Phyllis Diller makes a special appearance on The Kirk and Spock Variety Hour. Stan the Java Man (Pat Kilbane) goes on his first date. Susan Whitfield (Lisa Kushell) dampens the mood at a makeout party.
#320 March 28, 1998 Anna Nicole Smith (special guest) Ms. Swan (Alex Borstein) offers her testimony to Kenneth Star (Chris Hogan). Downtown Julie Brown (Debra Wilson) interviews Hanson, who premiere their new video for "Ling Ling." The Eracists entertain convicts. A man (Phil LaMarr) plays chicken with ongoing citizens. Former President John F. Kennedy (Chris Hogan) gives current President Bill Clinton (Will Sasso) some worthy advice. Anna Nicole Smith is a guest on Cabana Chat. Hugh Grant (Chris Hogan), Rupert Everett (Tim Conlon), and Michael Caine (Will Sasso) star in a horror film with British vignettes.
#321 April 11, 1998 Ashley Edner (special guest) An attorney (Phil LaMarr) helps clear the names of clients who have committed life-threatening crimes. Darlene McBride sings politically incorrect songs for the kiddies. A discussion about marriage freaks out a man (Will Sasso) who won't admit it. Jenna Elfman (Nicole Sullivan) promotes variations of her hit show Dharma & Greg. Chris Hogan hosts a show for children with short attention spans. Lisa Kushell promotes hats made for fat, stupid and ugly people. On today's Anti-Depressercize Jr, Charlotte depresses a man in a panda suit (Will Sasso).
#322 April 25, 1998 Lou Diamond Phillips (host), Dylan and Cole Sprouse, and Corky and the Juice Pigs (musical guests) The host (Will Sasso) of Kids Say The Stupidest Things insults children. Ms. Swan (Alex Borstein) gives the McRonalds manager (Chris Hogan) a hard time while ordering a hamburger. The Mexican Wrestling Federation holds Lou Diamond Phillips hostage to force America to let Bill Clinton run the country normally. Lou Diamond Phillips appears in an episode of Funky Walker: Dirty Talker. Chris Rock (Phil LaMarr) sings lullabies and performs stand-up comedy. Spishak promotes country-style sausages. An episode of The Rosie O'Donnell Show is set in the year 2150. Despite the fact that she is in a coma, The Vancome Lady (Nicole Sullivan) still makes rude remarks.
#323 May 2, 1998 David Boreanaz (special guest) A man (Pat Kilbane) becomes homeless and desperate after quitting his job at Anderson Accounting. A Peanuts and South Park animated parody called South Parknuts. A modern parody of I Love Lucy has Lucy (Nicole Sullivan) auditioning for Prince (Phil LaMarr). David Boreanaz attends a funeral where people keep bringing up his role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. An employee (Will Sasso) doesn't like his boss (Pat Kilbane) "waving his thing" in his face.
#324 May 9, 1998 Corky and the Juice Pigs featuring Debra Wilson (musical guests) Lowered Expectations: Rosie; Swan Fu (remote); Swan Fu (live); Lowered Expectations: El Asso Wipo; Dennis The Menace II Society; Let It Die; Something So Perfect; Lowered Expectations: Vicky the Dog Girl; Family Scene; Darlene McBride's Mother's Day Special; Other Woman.
#325 May 16, 1998 Halle Berry (host) James Stewart (Chris Hogan) and Louis Armstrong (Aries Spears) promote a new brand of condoms. Howard Stern (Pat Kilbane) opens the show and introduces guest Halle Berry. Berry also appears as a guest on Funky Walker, Dirty Talker. Steven Seagal is a bachelor on Lowered Expectations. The Parker sisters (Chris Hogan, Lisa Kushell) get a Presidential tour of the Lincoln bedroom. A claymation parody of Davey & Goliath. Antonia (Nicole Sullivan) tries to help her casino teacher (Phil LaMarr) recover from a heart attack. God (Phil LaMarr) pays a visit to a music awards gala. A funeral speaker (Halle Berry) discusses debts a dead man owes. Spishak Pictures searches for the next big movie idea. Mary Scheer, Chris Hogan, and Lisa Kushell and Spy vs Spy's Last Episode.

DVD releases

Shout Factory released Mad TV Season Four on DVD on June 25, 2013.

External links