One of the greatest things about the 90s was the sketch/improv comedy that was available on television. With All That for children, there were so many choices for adults. Today, we are going to look back at 3 of those options, MadTV, Saturday Night Live, and Whose Line is it Anyway.
MadTV
MadTV was a sketch comedy show that started in 1995. The show ran until 2009 and then had one revival season in 2016. The difference between MadTV and Saturday Night Live is that one is live, and the other is on tape. This gives MadTV the ability to do sketches over again, and scrap those that were not well received by the audience.
MadTV brought about many famous comedian actors that we know today: Artie Lange, Phil LaMarr, Bryan Callen, Michael McDonald, Will Sasso, Bobby Lee, and most notably Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele. The show had infamous sketches and characters such as Stuart Larkin, Bunny Swan, The Vancome Lady, Substitute Teacher, and many parodies.
Overall MadTV was a great addition to rival Saturday Night Live and was iconic in the late 90s and early 2000s.
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live has been a Saturday Night NBC institution since 1975. There are many eras that people believe to be the best, but the 90s could be it. 1990-1995 would bring the likes of Chris Farley, David Spade, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Rob Schneider, and Victoria Jackson among many others that have become huge comedic stars. These are some of the strongest cast members SNL would have.
Throughout 1995-2000 there was a transition. This transition would bring again some of the biggest names in comedy to date. The 90s were certainly some of the highest and lowest points of Saturday Night Live. Will Ferrell, Molly Shannon, Ana Gasteyer, Tracy Morgan, Norm MacDonald, and Jimmy Fallon of others would round out the year 2000.
Saturday Night Live was the place to find live sketch comedy in the 90s, and to find a cast of characters that would be memorable. This would be the launching place for so many listed above who are now renowned actors and comedians.
Whose Line is It Anyway?
Whose Line is It Anyway is an American version of the British show of the same name that was a place for improvisers to have their spot in the sun on cable television. The show, hosted by Drew Carey, would bring together 4 comedians each week to play improv games in front of a live studio audience.
The cast included Wayne Brady, Ryan Stiles, Colin Mochrie, Brad Sherwood, Chip Esten, and Greg Proops, with the occasional guest star that would fill in for one of them. The show ran originally from 1998 to 2007, with a reboot happening in 2013.
Whose Line was different because everything was improvised. Unlike the other shows mentioned, the comedians had to come up with everything on the fly, and really show their prowess in front of everyone. It was a completely new show for upcoming comedians to see, and enjoyed in Prime Time television, unlike the others that were late-night shows.
Overall, comedy was at its finest in the 90s and has bred so many stars that we see now.
What was your favorite comedy show in the 90s?
Check out:
All That! The Kid’s Saturday Night Live
As always, Creating Nostalgia Millennial Style!
Never got into MadTV, but SNL is always great, and I loved Who’s Line.