TVSquad

Actually, they were asked to split. Ike Barinholtz and Frank Caeti did not have their contracts renewed for the show's upcoming thirteenth season. This news comes about the same time as news of comedians Johnny Sanchez and Anjelah Nicole Johnson joining the cast.

Barinholtz worked on the series for five seasons. Caeti was on for only two.

Mad TV has added comedians Johnny Sanchez and Anjelah Nicole Johnson to the cast for the thirteenth season, though Johnson has only been cast for four episodes.

Sanchez voiced a character in the movie Happy Feet and has appeared on Comedy Central. I've placed a segment from his Comedy Central Presents below. Johnson is also a stand-up comedian. I've placed one of her bits below, too.

Apparently, Mad TV is still doing well, even though I don't know anyone who watches it. That's not a slam against the show, it's just not my cup of tea, but when my friends and I are discussing TV comedy, Mad TV never gets mentioned. Who are these mysterious people keeping this show on the air?

Somebody is still watching MADtv, because the FOX's late night series of wacky sketches and parodies has been given a thirteenth season.

According to the press release, the series is most popular among teens. That seems to be the best explanation as to why it's still on the air; I don't know anyone my age or older who still watches the series.

Not unlike the magazine it's vaguely based on, MADtv works almost exclusively in parody (I'm thinking of the old Mad I used to read, I haven't picked up a copy in many years), which is one thing that sets it apart from other sketch comedy shows, but also why it probably doesn't attract older viewers more in tune with the sensibilities of satirical shows like South Park and The Daily Show.

Of course, it is possible to enjoy more than one type of show, but it makes perfect sense that younger folks would be drawn to MADtv. It's goofy and a bit over the top, and it's not too difficult for me to think back to a time when that kind of humor was right up my alley.