MADtv - Season 1

Bryan Callen
David Herman
Phil LaMarr
Artie Lange
Mary Scheer

A fan and critical favorite for 10 seasons, the sketch comedy series MadTV makes its long-awaited DVD debut in a three-disc set that compiles its first season, along with choice skits and outtakes culled from its entire network run. Like its magazine namesake, MadTV earned its stripes on the strength of its parodies of pop culture, which included clever potshots at Hollywood ("Gump Fiction"), rock & roll, children's animation ("Gumboy and Pokey") and politics. The irreverence of the skits was well served by its versatile cast, which included future breakout performers Orlando Jones, Nicole Sullivan, and Artie Lange in the first season (1995-96) lineup. Though MadTV rarely landed celebrity guests on par with its main competition, Saturday Night Live (first-season highlights are ex-Kids in the Hall Dave Foley and Bruce McCullough), the quality of the writing and performances really didn't require added star power to earn its laughs. In addition to all 19 episodes of the first season, the set includes a number of unaired skits and bloopers, the series' 200th episode (from season 9), which features the return of several first-season players, and a collection of parodies from all 10 seasons. --Paul Gaita