MADTV: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON

THE PLOT THUS FAR

MADtv was a late night sketch-comedy show based on the humor of the popular MAD magazine. Material includes celebrity impersonations, music video, commercial, movie, and TV show parodies, recurring characters, musical guests, and the occasional mock cartoons. The show competed against the long-running SNL, but was aimed at a younger audience. Lasting an impressive 14 seasons, the show’s revolving-door cast of talented actors and numerous Emmy Award nominations made it truly a success story.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

Enter MADtv, which lampooned the peculiarities of 1990’s and 2000’s politics, lifestyles, habits, entertainment and everything else under the sun in America. Finding ripe targets was in itself pretty easy: in retrospect, it is difficult to argue that almost anything that went on politically, economically, socially or culturally in America during those decades was a positive development.  But what made MADtv so brilliant was its unabashed sense of humor about just how ridiculous everything was.

The fourth season of “MadTV” is a direct carry over from the last season. If you liked Ms. Kwan, the hyperactive kid, the celeb impressions and the VanCome Lady; then you’re in luck. This wasn’t a show about rocking the boat and they never tried to do that. So, take that for what you will. I used it for background viewing on a lazy afternoon.

The DVD comes with no special features. The Dolby track is supportive for what’s there. However, the transfer felt flat. It’s not anything detrimental, but just that noticeable. In the end, I’d recommend a rental.

RELEASE DATE: 11/12/2013