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MAD REWIND with Brandee Stilwell: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Brandee Stilwell and Kiff VandenHeuvel
Conversations about the magic that was MAD TV with the cast and crew. Hosted by MAD TV's associate producer of post production (and cruise director/funeral director) Brandee Stilwell (author "None of This is Going According to Plan...", creator of DC Comic's "SASQUATCH DETECTIVE") hosts an array of cast members, writers, crew and creators who brought this subversive, hilarious and formative TV show to the airwaves and reflects with them about what they loved, what they learned, and what they smelled while being a part of America's favorite sketch comedy foster child.
Latest Episodes
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- 2 weeks ago59 min
Scoring the Laughs: Greg O'Connor on 15 Seasons of MADtv Music
On Episode 12 of MAD Rewind, host Brandee Stilwell sits down with Greg O'Connor, the musical mastermind and composer for all 15 seasons of MADtv! Greg shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories about scoring 329 episodes, winning an Emmy for the parody song "A Wonderfully Normal Day," and collaborating with the show's legendary cast and writers. Discover the creative ways the music department survived on a shoestring budget, from stacking their own background vocals to literally baking analog master tapes in the kitchen oven! Plus, Greg talks about his latest original music releases and shares valuable career advice for aspiring film and television composers. Tune in for a fascinating masterclass in comedy music!
- Aug 19, 202652 min
Inside the MADtv Writers' Room with Emmy-Nominated Writer Rich Talarico | Mad Rewind Ep. 11
In Episode 11 of Mad Rewind, host Brandee Stilwell welcomes Emmy-nominated writer and producer Rich Talarico! Rich pulls back the curtain on his incredible comedy journey, from getting his start at Chicago's Second City under the tutelage of Stephen Colbert, to his six-season run writing 90 episodes for MADtv. Dive into the writers' room as Rich shares the real-life inspirations behind some of his favorite sketches, the creative challenges of MADtv's scrappy budgets compared to Saturday Night Live, and what it was like writing for iconic shows like Key & Peele and The Tonight Show. Whether you're a die-hard MADtv fan or an aspiring comedy writer, this episode is packed with hilarious stories, behind-the-scenes secrets, and invaluable advice for making it in the industry.
- Aug 12, 20261h 3m
Episode 10: Behind the Scenes of MADtv Sketch Comedy with Frank Caeti
In Episode 10 of Mad Rewind, host Brandee Stilwell sits down with comedian and actor Frank Caeti! Frank shares his journey from watching syndicated comedy as a kid in Chicago to performing on the Second City stage and eventually joining the cast of MADtv. The two dive deep into the art of sketch comedy, discussing everything from finding a character's physicality to the competitive nature of pitching ideas in a writers' room. Frank also shares hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from the studio lot and discusses his upcoming venture teaching theater at Colorado State University. Tune in for an hour full of laughs, nostalgic Hollywood stories, and expert comedy insights!
- Jul 15, 202627 min
Episode 9 with Phil LaMarr: The Groundlings, Futurama, & Finding the Laughs
Join Brandee Stilwell on this episode of Mad Rewind as she sits down with comedy and voiceover legend Phil LaMarr. They dive deep into Phil’s incredible journey from discovering improv at Yale and honing his craft at The Groundlings to his unforgettable tenure on MADtv. Phil shares behind-the-scenes stories about creating iconic characters like Jack the UPS Guy, working alongside Quentin Tarantino during the Pulp Fiction era, and transitioning into a prolific voiceover career with roles in Futurama, Samurai Jack, and more. Plus, discover the special role Phil played in the actual creation of the Mad Rewind podcast, and get a sneak peek at the upcoming MADtv reunion panel at San Diego Comic-Con!
- Jul 1, 20261h 1m
Ep 8: Orlando Jones on Creating MAD TV Legends, Cut Sketches, and Going Hollywood
In this episode of Mad Rewind, host Brandee Stillwell sits down with the incredibly talented Orlando Jones! As an original cast member and writer for MAD TV's first two seasons, Orlando pulls back the curtain on the show's chaotic early days. He shares his incredible journey from writing for A Different World as a teenager to his wild 160-person audition for Quincy Jones.We dive deep into the origins of iconic characters like Dexter St. Croix, Ivan Hicks, and Reverend Lamont Nixon Fatback. Orlando also spills the tea on the sketches that got cut (and got him called into a meeting with Bill Cosby), the real reason he left the sketch comedy world, and his seamless transition into blockbuster films like The Replacements. Plus, get the inside scoop on his magical first Comic-Con experience and the upcoming MAD TV reunion panel!
- Jun 24, 20261h 14m
Pat Kilbane: The MAD TV Auditions, Legendary Impressions, & Finding His "Belushi"
Welcome to another episode of Mad Rewind! This week, host Brandee Stilwell sits down with the incredibly talented Pat Kilbane, a fan-favorite cast member from MAD TV seasons 3 through 5. Pat opens up about his impressive arsenal of legendary characters and celebrity impressions, from "Stan the Java Man" to his iconic role as Bizarro Kramer on Seinfeld.Listen in as Pat discusses his comedy origins as an introverted kid, the grueling and unpredictable MAD TV audition process, and the physical toll of his most outrageous sketches. He also shares amazing behind-the-scenes stories, including performing alongside comedy giants like Will Sasso and Phil LaMarr, a surreal ping-pong encounter with Leonardo DiCaprio, and the heartwarming moment he received the ultimate compliment from his hero, Dick Van Dyke. Whether you're an aspiring comedian or a die-hard MAD TV fan, you won't want to miss Pat's invaluable advice and hilarious memories.
- Jun 17, 202657 min
Ep 6: Ron Pederson on Rogue Scooters, Sketch Comedy, and Second City
Welcome to Episode 6 of Mad Rewind! Host Brandee Stilwell sits down with the incredibly talented Ron Pederson, who brought unforgettable characters to life in 60 episodes across three seasons of MADtv. Ron shares his hilarious journey from an Edmonton kid who hated hockey to an improv master who once conquered a 50-hour "Soap-a-Thon." In this episode, Ron dives deep into his whirlwind MADtv audition process where he tested alongside stars like Ike Barinholtz and Josh Meyers. He also shares surreal stories about working with comedy royalty like Catherine O'Hara and Martin Short, and details the completely chaotic night guest star Flavor Flav yelled "cut" in front of a live studio audience. Plus, Ron offers invaluable advice for up-and-coming comedians on how to fully commit to character creation, and reveals how a simple wink on the Oprah show birthed his iconic Clay Aiken impression.
- Jun 10, 202656 min
Daniele Gaither on Joining MADtv, Replacing Legends, & Taco Bell’s Loretta
In this episode of Mad Rewind, host Brandee Stilwell sits down with the incredibly talented actress and comedian Daniele Gaither. Daniele shares her comedy journey, from performing impressions of Jimmy Carter and Sweet Daddy Williams as a kid, to finding her comedic footing at Northwestern and The Groundlings. We dive deep into her experience officially joining the MADtv cast in Season 9, where she opens up about the weight of stepping into the shoes of Debra Wilson, the creation of beloved original characters like Loretta from Taco Bell, and a hilarious behind-the-scenes encounter where Flavor Flav stopped a live taping. Daniele also recounts her early "under-five" role on the show in Season 2 and reminisces about the lively backstage atmosphere with castmates like Ike Barinholtz. Whether you're a longtime MADtv fan or an aspiring comedian looking for solid industry advice, this episode is packed with truth, laughs, and invaluable insights.
About MAD REWIND with Brandee Stilwell
Conversations about the magic that was MAD TV with the cast and crew. Hosted by MAD TV's associate producer of post production (and cruise director/funeral director) Brandee Stilwell (author "None of This is Going According to Plan...", creator of DC Comic's "SASQUATCH DETECTIVE") hosts an array of cast members, writers, crew and creators who brought this subversive, hilarious and formative TV show to the airwaves and reflects with them about what they loved, what they learned, and what they smelled while being a part of America's favorite sketch comedy foster child.
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