'MAD TV' To Make Return on the CW

The venerable sketch comedy series "MAD TV" is returning to network television on the CW network. The original cast is pictured above (Photo by Warner Bros.).

LOS ANGELES - The Emmy Award-winning sketch comedy series “MADtv” is returning to television, making the jump to primetime with eight all-new one-hour episodes on The CW Network; a premiere date and time for the series, from Telepictures, will be announced at a later date.

Back with its signature pop-culture parodies and politically incorrect humor, the new “MADtv” will star up-and-coming new comedy voices and will feature special appearances from returning cast members of the original late-night series as hosts of each episode. Classic episodes from the 14 seasons of the show’s original late-night run are currently available to stream on CW Seed, The CW’s digital network.

The CW also recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of “MADtv” with a reunion special of highlights from the original series and new material featuring 19 returning series alumni. “MADtv” is produced by Telepictures, with executive producers David E. Salzman, Mark Teitelbaum, and John Montgomery.

Executive producer/showrunner David E. Salzman said: “The ‘MADtv’ franchise is as vibrant as ever thanks largely to social and digital media appealing to a fan base numbering in the millions that relates to the show’s brand of authentic and irreverent cross-cultural comedy. We will continue to present the hard-hitting, laugh-out-loud, wall-to-wall pop culture parody our fans expect, but in a fresh, new way.”

Airing more than 300 episodes in 14 seasons, the long-running series noted for its signature characters, celebrity impersonations and on-the-edge pop-culture sendups also featured hundreds of guest stars and musical acts, which will continue with the new series. Stars appearing on the original “MADtv” included Pamela Anderson, Kathy Bates, Warren Beatty, Halle Berry, Beyoncé, Jack Black, George Carlin, Jackie Chan, Don Cheadle, Kelly Clarkson, Rob Corddry, Seth Green, Green Day, Dustin Hoffman, Dennis Hopper, Jay Z, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the Kardashians, Mila Kunis, LL Cool J, Avril Lavigne, Adam Levine and many others.

Produced by QDE — Quincy Jones & David Salzman Entertainment — the landmark parody series gave comedy starts to some of today’s most well-known faces, including “Key & Peele’s” Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, “Sleepy Hollow’s” Orlando Jones, “The Big Bang Theory’s” Simon Helberg, “The Mindy Project’s” Ike Barinholtz, Alex Borstein of “Family Guy” and many more.