Equal discrimination. Isn’t that a beautiful idea to ponder?
Written: Dec 13 '00 (Updated Dec 14 '00)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Comedy ...
Cons: ... which can go too far.
|
|
|
| ericgreene's Full Review: MadTV |
Mad TV doesn’t choose sides. If you are white, black, rich, poor, Hispanic, Asian or a homosexual … Mad TV will rip you to pieces … and you will catch yourself laughing along. Mad TV is not a children’s show by any stretch of the imagination and it is not like the magazine … at all. Showing every Saturday at 11 p.m., think of Mad TV as a great alternative to SNL.
The cast of this show is always changing … and almost always getting better. A few of the members who have been there a long time seem to realize the rut Mad TV has dragged them into (in terms of having a legitimate acting career) and bring it out threw funny skits on the subject.
Each “actor” is known for the part they play in their most popular skits. Some of those acts include a 30-something year old man who plays a young boy “Stewart”. His high-pitched voice and “kids say the darndest things” persona make him a huge hit. Others include an Asian woman named “Miss Swan” who makes it her job to be a pain in the you-know-what and various other “quirky” characters.
The layout of the show
This program is broken up into 2 “act” segments. Normally the format seems to be
Opening – 2 Acts – Commercial – 2 Acts – Commercial – 2 Acts – Commercial - Musical guest or 2 Acts – Closing.
Each act is about 2-5 minutes long, depending on the nature of it … and some run for 10 or so minutes, requiring a break in between.
The bad…
If you didn’t think they could use "that kind of" material on TV … Mad probably has. Everything and anything goes on this variety show … from black jokes to homophobic jokes to white trash jokes … they cover it all. If it wasn’t so balanced, I don’t think they could keep the show on, but it is. The material could, however, be perceived as racism invoking.
This wouldn’t be a show I would allow “kids” to be watching as it suggests in the placement of this category. It really isn’t intended for a teenage audience … perhaps generation X or just slightly younger. I was never allowed to watch this show when I was 12 or 13 … now I understand why. Sexual innuendo is everywhere and seems to consume most of the plot … they don’t exactly hide what they are trying to say either.
Overall, this is a great alternative to SNL for those board with the current cast and direction of the show. Mad TV is funny, original … and perhaps a bit too “real and open”. This show is great for ages 14-16 and up, depending on the maturity level of the kid and if they can take the humor.
A final word about this show and tolerance … Some people may not believe that this show and the comedy it presents is funny at all. Many may think it is sick and “what is wrong with our society.” I don’t share this view, though I respect it. Those who are easily offended and/or have young kids that are in the room and not yet in bed … I don’t recommend the FOX network to at 11 p.m. on Saturday nights.
Personal Ratings Wrap-up …
Humor – 9/10
Originality – 9/10
Offensiveness – 3/10
Fresh material – 9/10
Overall – 30/40 – 4 Stars … and I would be lying if I didn’t include that this is the only show that I will laugh out loud along with … even if I am by myself. :)
~ Eric
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
ericgreene
|
|
Member: Eric Greene
Location: bowling green, ohio
Reviews written: 116
Trusted by: 58 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.