FOX formally announced on Thursday (Nov. 13) that this will be the final season for MADtv on the network.
Currently airing in its 14th season as a late-night alternative to NBC’s Saturday Night Live, MADtv will end its run with its 326th episode, airing in May 2009.
“MADtv has been one of the longest running series in recent television history,” says FOX Entertainment President Kevin Reilly in a network statement. “The fact that this Emmy Award-winning show has been a FOX mainstay in late-night for 14 years is a testament to the creativity and dedication put forth each week by the talented cast, writers and crew. This was a very difficult decision and we would like to give our heartfelt thanks to everyone at MADtv for making us laugh for over 300 irreverent episodes.”
Since it launched in the fall of 1995, MADtv had won four Emmys and picked up 41 nominations. In its run, MADtv has served as a launching pad for comedic talents including Michael McDonald, Alex Borstein, Orlando Jones, Mo Collins, Debra Wilson, Frank Caliendo, Artie Lange, Nicole Sullivan, Will Sasso, Stephnie Weir and Aries Spears.
“Fifteen years ago, MADtv was sold to FOX as a multicultural wall-to-wall pop culture parody series, and now it resonates more than ever given our changing nation,” says series executive producer David Salzman. “We thank everyone at FOX for believing in MADtv for an unprecedented 326 episodes, and particularly applaud the artistry and passion of the most gifted cast, writers and production team anywhere. We hope that the great interest in this show allows it to carry on in the years ahead.”
For its season, MADtv has averaged 2.7 million viewers per week. That figure is stable from last year, prompting speculation that producers may shop the property to cable.
MADtv is the second long-running FOX comedy reaching the end of its run. It was revealed late last month that “King of the Hill” will stop production after its 13th season.
Source: Zap2It
