MadTV Season 8 Episode 14 Episode #814

In Episode #814 of MadTV's eighth season, the comedy sketch show delivers its signature brand of irreverent humor with a mix of recurring characters and pointed political satire. The episode, which first aired on February 23, 2003, opens with a skit featuring the show's recurring character Lorraine, played by cast member Mo Collins. In the segment, Lorraine attempts to teach her son Carl, portrayed by cast member Michael McDonald, the importance of reading by crafting bizarre and inappropriate bedtime stories.

Other notable sketches from the episode include a satire of the then-recently released film Gangs of New York, featuring cast member Will Sasso as a caricatured version of director Martin Scorsese and cast member Debra Wilson as a caricatured Daniel Day-Lewis. The sketch skewers the excesses of Hollywood and the larger-than-life personalities behind award-winning films.

The episode also features a series of political sketches that reflect the pre-war tensions surrounding the Iraq War, which was officially declared by the United States just a few weeks after this episode's airdate. These sketches include a parody of the television program Crossfire, featuring cast members Frank Caliendo, Michael McDonald, and Aries Spears as exaggerated representations of political commentators Paul Begala, Tucker Carlson, and Robert Novak, respectively. The sketch lampoons the divisive nature of media coverage surrounding the war and its handling by the Bush administration.

In addition to political satire, the episode also features a musical sketch, with cast member Nicole Sullivan performing an original song as a pregnant singer whose baby bump leads to increasingly wild and surreal scenarios. Sullivan's performance shows off her comedic timing and musical skill, and the sketch's quirky humor fits in well with the tone of the show as a whole.

Throughout the episode, MadTV's cast members demonstrate their ability to play a variety of characters and styles, and the show's writing staff delivers bluntly funny critiques of culture and politics. While some of the references and topics may feel dated today, the wit and energy of the sketches remain as infectious as ever. Whether you're a longtime fan of MadTV or a newcomer to the show, Episode #814 is a great example of the series' singular blend of comedy.