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...I'll take your word about Kovacs, but the execution of the Mad TV version, while beautifully performed, lacks the imagination and absurdity and, strangely, the reality of the Mr. Show version. But that's typical of Mad TV.
That Mr. Show clip is great...and so is the one from MadTV. They're variations on the same theme. And they BOTH owe a serious debt to Ernie Kovacs.
MadTV has been better than SNL for YEARS. And I like that Will Sasso has gone from being MadTV's Resident Fat Guy to a very good performer in his own right. In fact, everyone on MadTV is pretty amazing.
Gee, I wonder how Lorne Michaels missed them?
Could be "Deadwood"....
It's pretty well known secret by now that the Sopranos' creator, David Chase, had every scene with questionable content shot twice - one for HBO, one for syndication - aleviating the need for extensive cuts (or messing with his "vision"). Look forward to alot of strippers all of a sudden wearing tops!
A&E shelled out $195 million to air the Sopranos. Smart guy, that Chase. Rich, too.
That being said, I LOVE Mr. Show!
I was hoping someone would post a link to that Mr. Show clip.
...with the typical hack writing and direction one expects from Mad TV.
For good performances and good writing and direction with the same joke (with "Goodfellas" instead of "The Sopranos" several years earlier, try this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n-rGnI9XNo
Thanks for bringing this back.