Fox confirmed Wednesday that the Saturday night sketch series “MADtv,” which had barely escaped cancellation in recent years, will end its run at the end of this season.
QDE and Warner Bros. TV were behind the show, which was launched in 1995 as a competitor to “Saturday Night Live” by David Salzman and Quincy Jones. Fax Bahr and Adam Small created the comedy, but left several years ago.
John Crane, Salzman and Jones currently serve as executvie producers.
The current cast includes Arden Myrin, Bobby Lee, Crista Flanagan, Keegan-Michael Key, Nicole Parker and Johnny Sanchez.
The decision to cancel “MADtv” comes after the show failed to see a ratings boost during the recent presidential campaign (on the show, Key portrayed Barack Obama, while Lee played John McCain). Rival “SNL,” meanwhile, has marked some of its best numbers in years.
