Top 10 Funniest MADtv Sketches Ever
#10: “Deal or No Deal”
This parody pokes fun at the excitable, enthusiastic, and often superstitious contestants who compete on the chance-based game show hosted by Howie Mandel, “Deal or No Deal”. These two superstitious basketball players, played by Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, are playing the game to win the big prize of $1 million - and they won’t settle for less. They reject the Banker with unflinching confidence, no matter how good the deal is. Their ridiculous reasons for choosing each case, as well as their hilariously elaborate lucky dances and handshakes make this sketch one of Mad TV’s best.
#9: "The Greatest Action Story Ever Told”
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He came from the future, programmed to protect the son of God from those who would betray him. Little did he know Jesus was the one divinely marked for termination. Blasphemous or not, in this parody of “The Terminator” and “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” these two characters make for an unexpectedly funny combination: Jesus tries, to no avail, to stop the Terminator from ruining important biblical events in misguided attempts to save him. In the climactic scene of this sketch, the Terminator storms the last supper and repeatedly kills Judas, as Jesus repeatedly revives him. The juxtaposition of biblical puns and Terminator references culminates in “the greatest action story ever told”.
#8: “The Sopranos”
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If you’ve ever seen your favorite R-rated movie edited down for network television, this version of “The Sopranos,” as syndicated on PAX, is sure to hit the comedic mark. Modified to cut out any explicit content, the scenes in this sketch are sloppily chopped up into pieces and sometimes skipped over entirely. With no violence, sex, or foul language, all the best parts are cut out. The episode makes no sense, the story is impossible to follow, and the characters can barely get out a full sentence. Due to the heavy censorship, the episode ends up with a shortened run time of just a few minutes - but it makes for pure Mad TV gold.
#7: Any Sketch with “Lorraine Swanson”
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You might expect an elderly woman to be a tame and fragile creature, but Lorraine is in a class of her own. This recurring character is classless, slow talking, and never listens to those around her. She’s a troublemaker who wreaks havoc wherever she goes, leaving ruin in her wake. Her immature antics have disturbed Bob Barker, irritated her dentist, and driven a buffet employee to quit. Her complete lack of self awareness leaves her oblivious to her effect on those unfortunate enough to have crossed her path, and Mad TV audiences couldn’t get enough!
#6: Any Sketch with “Coach Hines”
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Coach Hines is very passionate about his job. So passionate, in fact, that his abrasive coaching style often bleeds over to his life outside of the game. On the court, he is an overly aggressive coach that berates his players, the referee, and even the crowd with his uniquely colorful way of insulting them for their insubordination. Off the court, he has an uncanny tendency to show up in unexpected places, such as his after school job selling ice cream or as director of the school play. His exaggerated physical humor, along with his talent for going off on nonsensical rants make this recurring character a fan favorite.
#5: Any Sketch with “Ms. Swan”
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With 47 appearances under her belt, Miss Swan is one of the sketch comedy’s most popular recurring characters. After a robbery at a beauty salon, police arrive to question the only eye witness, and delivering a hilariously unintelligible description of the perpetrator, Ms Swan was born. However, we’d be remiss not to mention the exaggerated stereotypes of Asian women that the character appears to possess, like her broken English. Despite the fact that it’s also been argued that Ms. Swan was inspired by Icelandic singer Bjork, Ms. Swan hasn’t exactly aged well. But her place in the MadTV canon can’t be denied either, and as such she’s included here.
#4: “Can I Have Your Number?”
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Poor Yvonne just wanted to watch a movie in peace, but Darrell had other ideas. In possibly the most quotable Mad TV sketch ever, Darrell persistently asks Crista Flanagan’s Yvonne for her number and does not take “no” for an answer. Part of what makes this sketch so memorable is just how realistic it is. It is, unfortunately, a relatable take on a common experience for women portrayed only slightly hyperbolically. Darrell’s over the top facial expressions and pick up lines grow increasingly ridiculous as, every time Yvonne thinks she’s rid of him, Darrell returns with a new obscure comment about her updo or “French ass name”.
#3: “Steve Jobs’ The iRack”
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Here, Steve Jobs presents his newest Apple product, the iRack, intended to store all of your “i” devices. While poking fun at the endless barrage of Apple products, this sketch uses the play on words to, not so subtly, reference the state of the country’s involvement in Iraq in the 2000s. In this metaphor, Jobs continues to pack more and more devices into the iRack as it grows more and more fragile and unstable. Ignoring concerns from the crowd, he belligerently sticks to his guns, insisting that he knows what’s best. Sound familiar? Through puns and innuendo, this sketch served as a timely commentary about the Bush administration, and yet it still holds up today.
#2: “Trapped in the Cupboard”
If you thought that R. Kelly’s opera, “Trapped In The Closet” was hilariously overdramatic, just wait until you see this parody, which serves as the perfect critical companion piece. It honors what made the original so ripe for mockery, including R. Kelly's increasing anger at trivial problems, its over the top cliffhangers, and his seeming affinity for pulling out his gun at every possible opportunity, but then adds just enough extra humor to make the sketch truly shine. The story of a man just trying to get some cereal, “Trapped in the Cupboard” is a deeply funny skit that grows more hilarious with each repetition of the word “cupboard”. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: Any Sketch with “Dot Goddard” “Steven Seagal” Impressions “24 with Bobby Lee”
#1: Any Sketch with “Stuart Larkin”
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Another fan favorite recurring character, Stuart is an insufferable mama's boy with a talent for getting himself into trouble. His high pitched voice and rosy cheeks may give him an innocent appearance, but he frequently rebels against his mother’s advice and throws tantrums when he does not get his way. His bratty attitude makes his presence torture for everyone he meets, but an absolute delight for viewers at home. With his surprising dark side, which can be seen when he beats his t-ball coach or attacks the tooth fairy, Stuart’s inclusion in any sketch is a guarantee that it’ll be a memorable one.
