MAD REWIND with Brandee Stilwell

Join host Brandee Stilwell for an incredible Mad Rewind bonus episode recorded live at San Diego Comic-Con! For this massive reunion, Brandee sits down with legendary MADtv cast and crew members Blaine Capatch, Phil LaMarr, Orlando Jones, Josh Meyers, Mo Collins, Michael McDonald, Nicole Sullivan, and Debra Wilson. Listen in as the cast shares hilarious behind-the-scenes shenanigans, reveals which sketches caused the most physical injuries, discusses the challenges of writing for the show in the early days, and answers amazing questions from the fans. From Debra Wilson flawlessly recreating her Professor Lipchip speech to heartwarming stories about the MADtv family, this is a can't-miss panel for any fan of the magic that was MADtv!

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!

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

This week on Mad Rewind, host Brandee Stilwell sits down with a true crew legend and a national treasure: two-time Emmy winner Jennifer Aspinall!

As the head of the MADtv makeup department from the very beginning in 1995 through all 14 original seasons, Jennifer was the mastermind behind the iconic prosthetics, transformations, and unforgettable character illusions that defined the show.

In this episode, Jennifer shares her incredible 50-year journey in the industry —from starting out as an 11-year-old theater kid to becoming the undisputed "Splatter Queen" of cult horror classics like The Toxic Avenger and Street Trash. She reveals hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, including how her grandfather used his 1966 Mustang as a stunt car for a gruesome Toxic Avenger scene , what it was like replicating million-dollar Rick Baker illusions on a sketch-comedy budget , and which MADtv cast member simply couldn't sit still in her makeup chair.

We also dive into her revolutionary product, Skin Saver Barrier Lotion—inspired by Jordan Peele’s skin sensitivities on set —and get a sneak peek into her current work on blockbuster series like Amazon’s Fallout. Whether you're a die-hard MADtv fan or an aspiring SFX artist looking for expert industry advice, this deep dive into the world of Hollywood makeup magic is an absolute must-listen!